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.
Planet Of The Apes.
2001, 20th Century Fox.
Danny Elfman.
Sony Classical, CD, 2001, 5099708966621. Rating:
Jerry Goldsmith won an academy award for his post modern score to the original 1968 sci-fi classic, in which a lone astronaut finds himself abandoned on a planet ruled by apes. The 2001 re-make starring Mark Wahlberg wasn’t a patch on the original , saddled by a wooden performance from Wahlberg and lacking the intelligence of the first movie. Danny Elfman’s score however, makes the right noises for this type of film, forgoing Goldsmith’s sense of isolation and desolation, so in keeping with the original, for buckets of pounding energy. Both scores are heavy on percussion, creating some memorable motifs, particularly noticeable on Elfman’s ‘Main Title’ and Goldsmith’s version of ’The Hunt’ (see other entry). Despite this, Elfman may have been wise to tone down some of the noise in favour of more reflective material, particularly as it works so well on cues ‘Deep Space Launch’ and portions of ‘The Return’. Paul Oakenfold’s remix is loud and powerful - so, more of the same, then. A blast - off. Planet of The Apes Movie Soundtrack (2001). Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Main Titles
2. Ape Suite # 1
3. Deep Space Launch.
4. The Hunt
5. Branding The Herd
6. The Dirty Deed
7. Escape From Ape City/The Legend
8. Ape Suite # 2
9. Old Flames
10. Thade Goes Ape
11. Preparing For Battle
12. The Battle Begins
13. The Return
14. Main Title Deconstruction
15. Rule The Planet Remix (Remix by Paul Oakenfold)
Battle Of The Planets.
1979, Sandy Frank Entertainment.
Hoyt Curtin/Bob Sakuma.
Silva Screen, CD, 2004, SILCD1167. Rating:
This Japanese animated action series, first produced in 1972, aired on British children’s afternoon television back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, becoming an immediate hit. Translated for American audiences – much of the ‘violent’ content was removed – the score was also adapted and new material written, drawing from popular musical styles of the day, such as disco and Japanese pop. This double CD edition includes most of the original material written for the Japanese version of the show by Bob Sakuma, plus all of Hoyt Curtin’s compositions added to the U.S. edition. It is an oddball concoction, veering from mainstream disco to action to strange noises, percussive and electronic effects but it’s rather endearing and certainly never dull. Collectors and fans of the show will love it; everyone else will probably be amused and puzzled in equal measure. Battle Of The Planets Television Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
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.
