The Score of Skyfall

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Comments

  • edited October 2012 Posts: 7,653
    Bond79 wrote:
    SaintMark wrote:
    MrBond wrote:
    I'm pretty sure that i'm going to get people after me after this statement, but think that CR and QoS soundtrack is the best in the franchise. Better then any others!

    And rightfully I would say, you Fillistine. ;)

    O the irony of spelling philistine with an F......

    I know English spelling can be such a pain in the posteriour.

    So how was the name Philistine or Filistine originally written?
    ;)
  • edited October 2012 Posts: 816

    Faith in Newman restored!
    These samples really got me very pumped to see Skyfall :) I think this is the first time in the Bond series we get a score that sounds so mystical and at times playful, almost like a Harry Potter or Tim Burton film ('Brave New World'). I'm interested to see how that plays out.

    Newman seems to have three modes in this soundtrack: 1. Newman-esque, 2. Arnold-esgue (especially in the action) and Barry-esque. I like that, he's been able to incorporate both major composers of 007 into the score, while still doing his own thing.

    Maybe it's just me, but it sounds like where Arnold would have gone more techno, Newman goes more hip-hop. (New Digs, Shanghai Drive) I kinda like that :)
  • Posts: 3,274
    Sounds a lot like Arnold to me, which isn't a bad thing.
  • gt007gt007 Station G
    edited October 2012 Posts: 1,182
    Zekidk wrote:
    Sounds a lot like Arnold to me, which isn't a bad thing.

    Well, it is if it's not by Arnold.

    I like Arnold's work very much. But what's the point in hiring a new composer if he's going to sound like his predecessor? George Martin's Live And Let Die for example didn't sound like Barry's work at all. Neither did Bill Conti's For Your Eyes Only.

    That's one of the main reasons I'm not very impressed by these samples from SKYFALL.
  • SmithersSmithers Bandit Country
    Posts: 48
    I keep reading DA isn't JB, but then DC isn't SC either (read into that what you will but it cuts both ways). I second what was said earlier. DA respects the franchise and while not the best film TND had one of the best sound tracks of any film (Bond or not). The pretitle sequence was almost perfect.

    He may lack what some people think is imagination, but part of Bond is the sound and the underlieing riff has to remain to keep the character. Don't change too much if it aint broke.

    I say I hope he gets it if for no other reason than continuity is important at the moment.
  • edited October 2012 Posts: 3,274
    gt007 wrote:
    Zekidk wrote:
    Sounds a lot like Arnold to me, which isn't a bad thing.

    Well, it is if it's not by Arnold.

    I like Arnold's work very much. But what's the point in hiring a new composer if he's going to sound like his predecessor? .
    I like the fact that the composers try not to be too different (Eric Serra fx) when it comes to scoring the Bond-movies. There's a legacy there. I don't want the Bond movies to sound like the Matrix-movies fx.

    Besides Mendes and Newman have done several movies together, so I guess hiring Newman was on his request.
  • OK. Its getting better. But I am still not sold. There appear to be some great pieces in there but they finish when they are about to get interesting.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,157
    I do at first get some John Powell meets David Arnold vibes of most of the tracks, with a few being their own new thing. I suppose it can blend in well with the rest of the film. Rather like Modigliani as a Barry-esque track and Day Wasted as a very ambient track.
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,341
    No James Bond theme, only a hint of it in Breadcrumbs ("let it crumble" so this is what remains)
    No Skyfall theme, nowhere...
    What is going on here? I thought Newman had had enough time on his hands to incorporate both in the score. This could be music from any movie. I never thought I would say this, but really, I think I wish they brought David Arnold back. This will not be music that I listen to at home and that gives me the Bond feel.
    Shame on you, Newman!
  • tqbtqb
    Posts: 1,022
    meh
    not bad. It definitely is something "fresh" but it doesn't scream Bond to me. However it's not bad- it won't ruin the movie by any means.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,157
    Let's not get too excited, folks. A mere 30 seconds of each track, in poor quality too, cannot be trusted to leave us a complete impression of the music.
  • tqb wrote:
    meh
    not bad. It definitely is something "fresh" but it doesn't scream Bond to me. However it's not bad- it won't ruin the movie by any means.

    Lets hope not. But as I said in an earlier comment - the score for me so far is the only dissapointing aspect of the build up to the film. I was expecting so much more and for the moment the sneak peeks at the soundtrack haven't convinced me. I don't think we are talking a catastrophe of GE proportions here but with all the talk of this being classic Bond with a capital B - for the moment the music isn't demonstrating that. Hopefully I will be proven wrong...

  • SharkBait wrote:
    GMSkarka wrote:
    tqb wrote:
    SaintMark wrote:

    So basicly still better than DA's work. ;)

    I disagree thus far to be honest

    As do I. Arnold was easily the 2nd best composer for Bond after John Barry.

    Me three.

    I'm all four that!

    Five noticed you're using my avatar ;)

    Look, I think from the samples it's hard to tell. I do know that DA was really hitting his stride with CR and QOS, from the reoccurring motifs to the exciting new sounds, and I also know I would hate for Skyfall to be marred by a below average score. But I think it's to early to tell.
  • What is 'Bondian' music?. John Barry was a great composer and wrote wonderful Bond scores. However, time moves on. Barry's final Bond score was in 1987. Time, perhaps to move in a different direction. I love the JB Theme but don't need it rammed down my throat in every film. I'm so relieved that Adele's theme song doesn't appear to be used in the score. I'm impressed with what I've heard of Newman's score. Sadly, some fans would seem to be happy if they just scored every film with 'Goldfinger'.
  • edited October 2012 Posts: 3,274
    SharkBait wrote:
    GMSkarka wrote:
    tqb wrote:
    SaintMark wrote:

    So basicly still better than DA's work. ;)

    I disagree thus far to be honest

    As do I. Arnold was easily the 2nd best composer for Bond after John Barry.

    Me three.

    I'm all four that!

    Five noticed you're using my avatar ;).
    Sixth! :-) Although Barry is a better allround composer, the TND soundtrack beats both the OP and AVTAK soundtrack, IMO.
  • http://www.bol.com/nl/p/skyfall/1000004013111514/ Dutch website Bol.com lets you download the samples :)
  • What is 'Bondian' music?. John Barry was a great composer and wrote wonderful Bond scores. However, time moves on. Barry's final Bond score was in 1987. Time, perhaps to move in a different direction. I love the JB Theme but don't need it rammed down my throat in every film. I'm so relieved that Adele's theme song doesn't appear to be used in the score. I'm impressed with what I've heard of Newman's score. Sadly, some fans would seem to be happy if they just scored every film with 'Goldfinger'.

    I think it all has to do with what makes a Bond film. And part of that DNA is the sounds that Barry created and has become so associated with the Bond films. Its like some of John Williams finest work. An Indiana Jones films without the Indy theme would just be another adventure film...Star Wars without the Star Wars theme would just be another sci fi film...I don't think every Bond film should have the same sounding score but I do think that it needs to have an identity that when you hear it by itself without images you can hear that it is indeed from a James Bond film....and not just any random action film....
  • Posts: 3,274
    What is 'Bondian' music?.
    A score that will never sound dated!

  • Zekidk wrote:
    What is 'Bondian' music?.
    A score that will never sound dated!

    I'll have to take you out for a drink some time @Zekidk. Exactly the definition I would give of Bondian music.
  • DCisaredDCisared Liverpool
    edited October 2012 Posts: 1,329
    guys weve only heard 30 seconds of each track and the bond theme is there! im pretty sure it dosent appear on the casino royale soundtrack until the last scene ! and thats everyones favorite bond film apparently!
  • We've heard nearly 20 minutes out of 77 minutes of the cd i.e about a quarter. Certainly not wall to wall James Bond Theme, thankfully.
  • Zekidk wrote:
    What is 'Bondian' music?.
    A score that will never sound dated!

    Nice one.

  • Posts: 203
    let's not forget the music needs to fit the movie ... in terms of style and mood. we don't want some james bond theme samples for the sake of it. i feel like that is what DA did some of the time esp with TND. So, the begining of breadcrums is the gunbarrel music ... sounds good!
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    We've heard nearly 20 minutes out of 77 minutes of the cd i.e about a quarter. Certainly not wall to wall James Bond Theme, thankfully.

    Actually 15 minutes (30 x 30 seconds). Almost an hour unheard, so it's still to early to judge. Some people may be surprised.
  • Samuel001 wrote:
    We've heard nearly 20 minutes out of 77 minutes of the cd i.e about a quarter. Certainly not wall to wall James Bond Theme, thankfully.

    Actually 15 minutes (30 x 30 seconds). Almost an hour unheard, so it's still to early to judge. Some people may be surprised.

    Sony gave us 6 minutes from 3 tracks. Deduct 3*30 secs = 90 secs heard again on Amazon.de samples Therefore we've heard 15 mins from Amazon + 4 and a half minutes from Sony. Gives us just under 20minutes!
  • edited October 2012 Posts: 11,119
    I think after hearing 'Severine', composed by Thomas Newman, I get more of a John Barry feel than a David Arnold feel. In fact, 'Severine' reminded me of this Barry track:

    <youtube>

    You can compare with 'Severine' by Thomas Newman:

    <youtube>

    And having said that, I think John Barry always sounded more crispier. His string sections sounded so incredibly smooth. Perhaps it is because his orchestra was conducted in such a good way. Or perhaps Barry's orchestra got more...violins? Like Newman's recording in Abbey Road Studio's?

    Moreover, Newman's, thus also Barry's, romantic themes always sound slightly more exotic, more mysterious than David Arnold's romantic themes. Perhaps it is Newman's use of instruments, for example the harp, the german flutes, etc.? I also think Arnold's romantic melodies sounded a bit clichéd.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    Samuel001 wrote:
    We've heard nearly 20 minutes out of 77 minutes of the cd i.e about a quarter. Certainly not wall to wall James Bond Theme, thankfully.

    Actually 15 minutes (30 x 30 seconds). Almost an hour unheard, so it's still to early to judge. Some people may be surprised.

    Sony gave us 6 minutes from 3 tracks. Deduct 3*30 secs = 90 secs heard again on Amazon.de samples Therefore we've heard 15 mins from Amazon + 4 and a half minutes from Sony. Gives us just under 20minutes!

    You've got me there! Very well done. Still too early to judge so I'll defend off the naysayers.
  • I really hope they have the decency to start using the James Bond theme again. It's just like DA said in an interview (on the TND bonus material I think) - a film without the James Bond theme is just an action movie, not a Bond movie.
  • Arnold also admitted that when he got stuck for ideas he simply used the James Bond Theme.

    Clever scoring.
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