Intrada Soundtrack Forum

Some of these scores are standing on my "to review" list.

For the beginning, here is the review of The Good Son:



Just for the record, this was one of my very first reviews but I still think it is only a very mediocre thriller score. Although a nice little gem for Bernstein fans that offers the (stereo)typical trademarks, others might find it rather irritating at times.

Wish I could give more detailed opinions on the other titles as well but time is such a rare good. Let me try to help with a brief summary:

The Field -

This was one of the very few irish flavoured dramatic scores elmer bernstein ever did and if you desperatedly want to hear how bagpipes sound along with his usually strong romantic writing for strings, you may want to check it out immediately. Avoid it if you hate that kind of folk music though because the score moves extremely slow and probably wont offer much more beyond that curious bernstein-irish-music mixture.

Genocide -

I am not too familiar with this score because i rarely listen to it due to it's heavy nature. In that regard, Bernstein gets the topic's tone just right, but at the same time creates a very difficult musical experience. I would love to see the documentary it was composed for to better understand his intentions. If I remember correctly, there is even a strong integration of the german national anthem at times with a very dark turn. I liked those darkly shizophrenic parts a lot. The CD is hard to find though and prices vary between 16 to 30 €.

Roommates -

Nothing extraordinary. It is light-hearted bernstein fun, nothing more and nothing less. There are some intriguing little ideas and a fun main theme but nothing you haven't heard in other, better bernstein scores before.

My Left Foot/Da -

These two are among his few drama scores from the 80's. It's gentle, melodic stuff for small ensemble and very enjoyable. The CD is OOP, so better go for it very soon.

Bulletproof -

I don't know this score well enough to say anything about it.

_________________
"Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself"
"Unlike me, many of you have accepted the situation of your imprisonment and will die here like rotten cabbages."
"Everyone votes for a dictator."
THE PRISONER

GENOCIDE is an intense listening experience, but also a rich score that delivers a range of themes and ideas. It is definitely not monothematic. While the score is dour and brutal, it is also hopeful and strong in its main theme. I listen to this score often. Perhaps it appeals to the angry, depressive, and hopeful side of my personality, in its depiction of an ugly period in our humanity. A couple of cues - "Slaughter" and "Kremer's Diary" contain a very clever, sinister interpolation of the German national anthem, "Deutschland Uber Alles". The use of this technique resonated of Max Steiner's similar approach to scoring the Nazis during the War Years.

The other element that makes an impression is the pounding syncopated piano motif that reappears throughout the score. On Elmer's website, his son, Greg, recalls his father playing the piano with "such vigor, such energy, such force." That kind of piano intensity is in this score. I often find myself mimicing that piano motif.

A question for Goblin. What does "IIRC" mean in your phrase "militant IIRC"?

b.

Much more eloquently put Robert, thank you

If I Recall Correctly - let's hear it for laziness!