by Gentleman on Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:05 pm
Don't worry, there are some soundtrack lovers out there. Here's one!
The LOTR soundtracks accomplished what is rare these days: It's an epic soundtrack that doesn't sound like Gladiator and actually does have leit motifs or recognizable melodies... like, for instance, the tune that is played when the title of each part (fotr, ttt and rotk) is displayed... or the theme that plays when the fellowship runs towards the bridge of Khazad Dum, that's to LOTR what the hero / rebel theme is to SW, I guess. I also totally dig many of the more slow paced themes, which are often related to the elves. Then, there's also the Rohan melodies. Forth Eorlingas, hmmm, that's a good one for instance. You also gotta dig the songs, like May it Be, Gollum's song or Into the West. Hell, even Viggo Mortensen's voice is great in "The return of the king", as well as Billy Boyd's. Back to other recognizable melodies: Concerning Hobbits! Yes, as you see... there are several great tracks and I think the merit is where you can tell it's not something placed together just to cover the background... no, there is a clear goal, a planned route.
As for the FOTR soundtrack itself. I dunno, everything's great. I love what u hear when Gandalf says "behold, the great dwarf city of Khazad-Dum".. and then the track that follows, as I mentioned before: The Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Another great track is "The Ring goes South"... towards the end, when you hear the classic LOTR leit motif. In the film, this is the slow-motion take of the fellowship, showing up one by one in front of us. Going back to the beginning: The Prophecy and Concerning Hobbits.. great tracks, especially the second for being ultra original, I guess. Going back to towards the end: Amon Hen - always loved that one. The Breaking of the fellowship and may it be... awesome stuff.
Oh well, I guess most of it is pure greatness. I wonder what this new edition will bring, though... as the original release did seem to include everything.
Yes, a great, great effort by Howard Shore.
