City Hall

City Hall is the kind of Jerry Goldsmith score that sounded quite sedated in the year it was released in. And they were right. But now in a time it's so frustratingly difficult to find a voice and a theme for a film it is a good score. Not a masterpiece but definitely a score that has so much more to offer. Again, this is Goldsmith at his normal rate, but that's saying something. Because even in normal mode he was always offering the movie a voice that was recognizable, and delivering a theme (or themes) that made the album and film watchable. It opens and closes with a noble and soft trumpet theme. Usually surrounded by piano or soft strings. But in all the softness, there lies a strength that's quite impressive, and a noble strength it is. The several moments where nobility makes way for suspense and danger, we hear Goldsmith unleashing percussion ("The Meet", "Old Friends"). And it makes those moments quite good. But mostly this score is quite subdued but acceptable. Hell, you could say it is a light sedated version of LA Confidential, and in some ways it is. But I would take it over most scores of today. Because no matter the acceptable level, Goldsmith was a composer who knew how to tie a movie to a specific melodic sound. And apparently for most composers today, that's even a stretch they can't seem to handle. City Hall is a good soft score for the person who wants to hear everything of Goldsmith.

Recognizable and perfect tone for the film.
Lovely noble theme, both powerful and meaningful when needed.
It's all been heard before by Jerry, so don't expect any miracles.

Track Listing

1. The Bridge (2.06)
2. The Meet (2.59)
3. The Hospital (2.19)
4. When I Was A Kid (2.25)
5. The Cabin (1.08)
6. The King Maker (2.25)
7. Old Friends (2.52)
8. Swartz is Dead (2.48)
9. Think About It (1.25)
10. The Report (1.16)
11. Take a Vacation (3.34)
12. Count It On (4.52)

Total Length: 30.09