This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Buck Rogers In The 25th Century.
1979, Universal.
Stu Phillips.
Intrada, CD, 2008, Special Collection Volume 60. Rating:
Released in cinemas prior to a successful television series, this TV pilot sits firmly at the fiction end of the sci-fi spectrum. Likewise, Stu Phillips score is engaging, good fun and unashamedly 1970s, complete with cheesy theme tune, ‘Suspension’. The cues, while undeniably lightweight are melodic enough to propel the album forward with surprisingly entertaining results, at times verging on disco (’Something Kinda Funky‘), with quirky electronic effects representing drone Twiki, pulsing their way through several cues, including the strangely hypnotic ’Introducing: Twiki & Dr. Theo’. Phillips’ impressive track record of writing hit TV themes, including ‘Knight Rider‘ and ‘The Fall Guy’ means that this is very much for mass consumption but it will be well played and much enjoyed. Buck Rogers In The 25th Century Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Cosmic Forces.
2. Song from Buck Rogers (Suspension) (performed by Kip Lennon).
3. The Draconia/Buck Awakens.
4. Princess Ardala/Seduction.
5. Buck’s Heroics.
6. Introducing: Twiki & Dr. Theo.
7. Pirate Attack.
8. Buck Returns To Earth.
9. Dead City/Attack Of The Mutants.
10. Something Kinda Funky.
11. Buck Vs Tigerman.
12. Fanfare & Appearance Of Draco.
13. Tailpipe Torpedo.
14. Wilma Saves Buck/What An Ending.
15. Song From Buck Rogers (Suspension) Reprise.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, 20th Anniversary Edition.
1979, Paramount.
Jerry Goldsmith,
Columbia/Legacy, CD, 1999, 489929 2. Rating:
Re-released to mark its 20th anniversary, Jerry Goldsmith’s landmark science fiction score, remains an outstanding achievement, packed full of strong thematic material and atmosphere. Though the first ‘Star Trek’ film was plagued with production problems and criticised for being convoluted and slow, its score suffered no such setbacks with an Academy Award nomination. Hailed as some of Goldsmith’s best work, it is difficult to argue with this sentiment; from the hypnotic ‘Ilia’s Theme’ (see YouTube clip below) that hints at the mystical elements of the score to ‘Klingon Battle’, an energetic action cue and the majestic main theme, used in many of the sequels, Goldsmith manages to touch every base with a huge amount of style. The effective use of synthesizers, particularly as Vigur’s spaceship gets a grip on the Enterprise, still sound interesting twenty years on – no mean feat considering the speedy development of electronic sound effects at the time. This special edition also comes with a second CD featuring an album from 1976 examining Gene Roddenberry’s thinking behind the series and featuring interviews with cast and science fiction master Isaac Asimov; a rather oddball but entertaining addition to this outstanding score. Star Trek: The Motion Picture Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Paul Williams wrote the songs for Alan Parker’s film musical about racketeering in prohibition America, with children taking the principal roles. The soundtrack contains all the songs from the film, including ‘So You Wanna Be A Boxer’, ‘You Give A Little Love’, a young Jodie Foster singing ‘My Name Is Tallulah’ and the title song sung by Happy Day’s Scott Baio as Bugsy; incorporating an appealing mix of ragtime, flapper and pop stylings. There is a lot to like here; every song has its own charm and they are performed with gusto - it also has the added attraction of being as appealing to adults as it is to kids. A Winner. Bugsy Malone Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Bugsy Malone.
2. Fat Sam’s Grand Slam.
3. Tomorrow.
4. Bad Guys.
5. I’m Feeling Fine.
6. My Name Is Tallulah.
7. So You Wanna Be A Boxer.
8. Ordinary Fool.
9. Down Had Out.
10. You Give A Little Love.
