[Closed] Now Playing XXXII

DemonStar wrote
NP: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R Rahman

I watched the film the other day (really nice experience) and decided to listen more closely to how the score worked in there. I was surprised to see how little actual score there is in the film! In fact the 16 min of score tracks on the OST (Riots, Mausam & Escape, Liquid Dance, Latika's Theme and Millionaire) is pretty much all that was there. The rest of the "score" consisted of the techno songs like O Saya and Paper Planes put in the background, and some source music from the original "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" show. I cannot understand how this was even nominated for the Oscar when previously Alan Menken's (very good) score to Enchanted was disqualified on the grounds of not having enough score??

Anyway, I've grown to quite enjoy most of this one, especially Mausam & Escape. I loved how the opening guitar melody worked in the film, and the high strings/frentic sitar worked well for the chase sequences. Latika's Theme also worked really nicely, especially for the final scene (before Jai Ho), nice touch with the sitar and tanpura. The other tracks didn't do much for me in the film... I especially felt Riots should've been more frantic, fast-paced and nerve-wracking. But O Saya worked well for the opening chase sequence. Didn't really care for the other techno songs, but Jai Ho was a great song for the finale, really enjoyed it!

Overall while I liked this album I still feel it's hyped, it's a good score but there were far superior ones last year.

Thomas Glorieux wrote


luckily I must say it picked near the end, because with the theme of Shirley Walker he was able to do something different. I must concur it sounds not completely like his rest, but there are several tracks that fit the bill though

DemonStar wrote
NP: Slumdog Millionaire - A.R Rahman

I especially felt Riots should've been more frantic, fast-paced and nerve-wracking.

Overall while I liked this album I still feel it's hyped, it's a good score but there were far superior ones last year.

Now going to listen to Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Rahman's second best work IMO.

Erik Woods wrote
NP: Star Trek Volume 2 - Various Artists
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; cond. by Fred Steiner

I haven't seen too many original Star Trek television episodes but I managed to catch one this evening and I glad I watched it in its entirely. The episode was "Mirror, Mirror" - a parallel universe episode. It was a solid episode that was superbly scored by Fred Steiner. I'm not too familiar with original Trek TV scores either so I'm glad my first real impression was made with this episode. Steiner composed a wonderful, large scale score anchored by a delicious, menacing and memorable 7 note theme for the alternate universe that is heard in the opening track in this just under 9 minute re-recorded suite brilliantly performed by the Royal Philharmonic. It's a spectacular recording by engineer Peter Bown that hard pans the brass to the extreme right and the horns to the extreme left. This is a technique that I love and have associated with Eric Tomlinson recordings. It gives the orchestra room to breathe yet makes them sound bigger and bolder. There is also a lovely love theme associated with Kirk and his alternate universe girlfriend. Steiner's score is really, really good and I wish there was more available!

-Erik-

Sunil wrote


On some occasion, it sounds like Jerry Goldsmith's First Knight score. Ravi, did you notice that?

Marselus wrote
NP Orphan (John Ottman)