Movie Scores

Hey,

So, as I’ve mentioned before, I have a varied taste in music. I can go from Hall and Oates to MuteMath to Bob James to Beethoven, and not bat an eyelash. That’s just me; I like to mix up what I listen to. Therefore, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that I really like musical scores as well. The score can really make or a break a TV show or movie. Often times, it’s the score that sets the tone for a scene or even the entire movie.

Without further ado, I present to you, my faithful audience, my top five favorite TV or More Scores…

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by John Williams- If you pay any attention to scores, you will know that John Williams has crafted many incredible movie scores, including Indiana Jones, Star Wars, War Horse, E.T, Jurassic Park, and several Harry Potter movies. The reason this makes my list is because Mr. Williams incorporates the whimsical side of the series and the threatening darkness that dominates the last four movies (and their respective novels). He brings the scenes alive by featuring a prominent violin section that allows each scene to straddle the line between slightly creepy and mystical, as this is, after all, a school for witches and wizards. One of my favorite tracks is Aunt Marge’s Waltz because it has a very lilting feeling to it (it is a waltz. Duh) and the winds section keeps the scene very light and slightly playful, a direct contrast to some of the following scenes. It’s a fantastic piece of work.

4. The Incredibles by Michael Giacchino and Tim Simonec- Mr. Giacchino has done several other Pixar scores and a couple video game scores but Mr. Simonec, on the other hand, is not as well known. Nevertheless,  I love this score because of the strong flute and woodwind lines, mingling with the equally powerful brass section. Whether the star of a particular track is a simple flute, or a pounding drum, Mr. Giacchino and Mr. Simonec’s music fits perfectly with each scene. My favorite song is Lava in the Afternoon. For some reason, it reminds me of something Bob James or another jazz great would have written. It’s very sneaky—perfect for a superhero movie—and it builds nicely.

3. Dirty Harry by Lalo Schifrin- One of the greatest movies of the 1970’s, if you ask me. J Lalo Schifrin, in case you didn’t know, is the genius behind the classic Mission Impossible score, including the memorable main theme. The score for Dirty harry stands out because it embodies the 1970’s, capturing the jazzy, slick vibe of the decade. Honestly, in my opinion, I wish more scores nowadays would rely on more of a jazz-based style, as opposed to every score being dominated by violins and cellos. Sometimes, like in my favorite track, the main title, you need a little brass, complicated rhythms supplied by the drum section, and light woodwinds.

2. 24 by Sean Callery- I realize my 24 obsession is not exactly a secret. I watched the show because Jack Bauer is—still, after 8 seasons—incredible and the plots were always creative, much like the score.  My favorite song is “Up and Down Stairs.” Even without any previous knowledge of the show, it’s easy to guess what’s going on: a chase. Yep, it’s easy to gather. I love how it starts on inconspicuous and then it just hits you like a speeding train. This just sounds like  jack Bauer song, if something like that existed. J Great soundtrack. Absolutely great.

1. Twilight by Carter Burwell-Before you roll your eyes, keep in mind that I’m discussing the score, not the movie—which I do love—so save the “Twilight sucks” comments for somewhere else. J My favorite track is “Dinner with His Family.” It’s running time is a mere 40 seconds, yet, by incorporating the same melody that is interlaced through nearly every track, adding in a slight rock theme and letting the violins express the emotion of the scene—fear, anxiety, etc. It’s absolutely beautiful. The reason I picked this album as my favorite score is because it was this very score that really encouraged me to start paying attention to how a  score really builds a scene, turns the movie into something more than robotic motions and witty lines, and holds more emotion than a human face can express. Scores save movies, I think.

So, I hope you enjoyed reading about my diverse taste in music. Next week, I’ll get back to reviewing and ranting. J

Until then,

Bella

A Sad Playlist

Hey,

Sad news. My summer vacation comes to an end this Tuesday. Sucks, right? So, this week I'm just going to list my five favorite "sad" songs. I know it's a little weird, but hey, it's what I'm listening to this week. :)

5. Somebody’s Baby by Jon Foreman- Oh, my goodness. The first time I listened to this song I just broke down and cried like my dog had been killed. (My dogs are healthy and alive, thank you for asking).  Jon foreman is the lead singer of Switchfoot, and this song came from one of his four solo CDs he put out a few years ago, and I think this song is clearly the best (and the saddest). I like how this track is very bare-bones. It’s just Jon, a guitar, a light orchestral section, and zero percussion; it’s a nice change and adds to the emotional weight of the song. The song is about a homeless woman and raises a good point, “She’s somebody’s baby/ she’s somebody’s baby girl/ and she’s somebody’s baby still.” I never truly thought about it that way, but now I can’t help but…that’s powerful songwriting. Fantastic song, Jon. Really.

4.  Bad Day by Daniel Powter- I get that this song is hardly indie/alt. You couldn’t escape this song a few years ago! It was everywhere: the radio, TV (American Idol, anyone?), and the internet. Still, despite the fact that this song is about as mainstream as you can get, it’s a good, “bad” song. I think I’ve mentioned before that I love 24 (Jack Bauer, specifically) even though I realize that show has been off for two years now, my family got into it over the summer—we’re obsessed. J But, my sister, the little YouTube fiend that she is, found a well-done Jack Bauer video with this song in the background; it fits perfectly. J

3. Party of One by Tim Weisberg- Kind of a wild card, here, I know. This song has nearly nothing in common with the other songs on this playlist, but I specifically remember putting this song on last summer and mourning the fact school was beginning. Anyways, in case you didn’t know, Tim Weisberg is an amazing flautist (that’s someone who plays the flute…AKA a flutist, though the two can be used interchangeably) I completely melt when I hear his perfect, rich tone, the backing instruments that never overpower, just assist, and the varying sections, from the warbling tone, to the heavy bass, and back to the soft, gentle flute at the end. Gorgeous.

2. Brothers On a Hotel Bed by death Cab for Cutie- Can you really create a playlist without having at least one Death cab for Cutie song on it? I don’t think so. J I picked this song because of the melancholy piano intro, the lyrics detailing a failed relationship (the title comes from the line “Cause now we say good night/from our own separate sides/ like brothers on a hotel bed), and that haunting, sinking feeling emanating from my stomach that only Death Cab can create.

1.       Never Going to Give You Up by The Black Keys- This song is hardly sad, but I feel bad for the guy; obviously, this lady doesn’t want him, but he just won’t give it up. Somehow, this song qualifies for my “sad” playlist, just because his efforts are valiant, yet sad. Not to mention, the slow tempo, paired with his emotional vocals. Because we’re celebrating sadness today, I like this line:  “Do you see these tears/in my eyes/got no use in life.” Nicely done, Pat & Dan. J

Next week, I’m going to write about my 8 favorite eighties songs, which I realize i was going to write about this week, but I'm in kind of a :( mood right now, with school starting on Tuesday. Nonetheless, I'll pick that series back up next Friday. :)

Until next week,
Bella