Saturday, October 20, 2012

SOUNDTRACK REVIEW: The Village by James Newton Howard


The Village

I wanted to know what all the fuss was about the score. Everyone says the music is great and It was nominated for an Oscar. Hmm, I didn't watch the movie, but I bought the soundtrack anyway. I got home and put the CD on my stereo.

Track one, "Noah Visits", played. It ended. Repeat. Ended. Repeat. Whoa! This is not the very best song of the album but its beautiful! I'm a violinist so these songs hit home. The album is a magnificent listen, well, there are three unpleasing songs that freaked the living out of me during my full-volume listen. I like them any way!

"Those we do not speak of" is a haunting, suspenseful score. It starts off as scary tribal drum music, then carries over to very haunting percussion, and ends with Violinist Hilary Hahn. My mouth was dropped throughout the score. I was unfamiliar with James Newton Howard, but not after this score. The violin is the main "voice" of the score. It was so essential to the score and movie that Hilary Hahn shares the title credits on the album. Kudos to Howard and Hahn for their great work.

If you're curious about the score, buy it to end your curiosity. Keep in mind, if you expect a rousing score with brassy accompaniment then you're looking in the wrong place. 

The score is wonderful. You liked the movie; buy the soundtrack. You didn't like the movie; buy the soundtrack. You didn't watch the movie; buy the soundtrack. This album is worth every penny! You won't regret it!

My Rating: 5 Stars

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