CD Giveaway - Sam Shrieve, "Bittersweet Lullabies"
Ends Nov 29, 2009
The current student at Berklee College of Music has a rock 'n' roll pedigree, but delivers a pleasing and diverse collection of soft pop on his debut record. Enter our contest for your chance to win!
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Prize Pack
Ends Nov 29, 2009
The second installment of the Twilight saga is hitting theaters, and we've got the stylish goodies you'll howl over!
Release Date: November 20, 2007 Label: Warner Brothers Grade: C+
There are three basic categories for the music Alan Silvestri has composed for the CGI rendition of the tale of "Beowulf" -- arguably the first classic story of the English language. In fact, one of those categories is a subset of another, so that probably shouldn't count.
For the most part, the music could easily fall under the heading of "Songs to Inspire Galley Slaves." The rhythm is martial, filled with brass and kettle. These are the sounds that fuel a battle, which make them perfect for this tale of ancient combat between a hero and a monster.
In stark contrast are songs like "Gently as She Goes" and "A Hero Comes Home" -- both performed by Robin Wright-Penn. Both are lilting, Celtic-flavored lullabies, sung sweetly and (thankfully) briefly. Not that Wright-Penn isn't talented in her performance -- it's just that the songs themselves are a touch grating. Of course the latter is going to stick with you, if for no other reason than that many of the martial songs include variations on that musical theme.
Beowulf Music from the Motion Picture Track Listing
Beowulf Main Title
First Grendel Attack
Gently As She Goes
What We Need is a Hero
I'm Here to Kill Your Monster
I Did Not Win the Race
A Hero Comes Home
Second Grendel Attack
I Am Beowulf
The Seduction
King Beowulf
He Has a Story to Tell
Full of Fine Promises
Beowulf Slays the Beast
He Was the Best of Us
The Final Seduction
A Hero Comes Home (End Credits Version)
Wrapping up the set is the end credits extended version of "A Hero Comes Home." This studio version is more enjoyable than the film version -- it's longer, and beautifully sung by "Wicked" star Idina Menzel.
The bulk of the score suffers in that so many of the movements sound similar to each other. With some motion picture soundtracks, you can get a mini-movie in your head by listening to the songs in order. Not so with "Beowulf," where you'll find yourself consulting the track listing to find out where you are in the order of events (and, possibly, how far you are from the end). After a number of listenings, I found myself jumping forward until I hit the Menzel song, making it and the opening title track as my two favorites of the disc.
