Trinity and Beyond *Soundtrack Review*

Two short notes before the actual review:
-The preview player has been upgraded; It's now more simplified and compact. Press triangle to play and square to stop it.
-Due to the size of album I'm not able to analyze each track separately. Therefore I only describe the music superficially only with a few elucidating samples. This will also be my principle with the forthcoming soundtrack reviews.
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Conducted by: William Stromberg
Performed by: The Moscow Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Year Released: 1996
Total duration: 56:43

Track listing

1. Monument Site / 100 Tons of TNT
2. Newsreel
3. Fat Man and Little Boy
4. Hiroshima / Nagasaki Requiem
5. Operation Crossroads
6. Armada Annihilation
7. Deus Vult
8. Nautical Graveyard
9. Operation Sandstone
10. Improved Stockpile Bomb
11. Russia Gets the Bomb
12. Operation Ranger-Able
13. Operation Greenhouse
14. Boosting with Tritium
15. The George Device
16. The Atomic Cannon
17. Castle Bravo
18. Operation Wigwam
19. Cherokee Deliverable H-Bomb
20. The Hood Device
21. Operation Hardtack / Teak and Orange
22. Russian Monster Bomb
23. Operation Dominic
24. Christmas Island Tests
25. Thor Missiles
26. China Gets the Bomb

Review
When people talk about common soundtracks, they tend to consider them movie soundtracks. However, it's naive to think that only films would have a musical score. If we take a closer look to the programmes we watch on television, we're likely to notice that most of the shows contain some kind of background music. Whether it's some kind of stock music, unmemorable synthesizer sounds or various incidental music, it does not matter. The fact is, that music (or lack of it!) is as essential ingredient for the film makers as the footage itself.
In this case we would have rather mighty material already. Trinity and Beyond is a documentary film, directed by Peter Kuran, that basically depicts the history of nuclear testing in the mid-20th century. Containing fully restored archive footage, we are to observe the true power of destruction in its own horrifying beautifulness.

Bombastic film needs a bombastic soundtrack. A relatively unknown composer William Stromberg was asked to make a score for the movie. With the help of John Morgan, he managed to pull together a musical masterpiece that challenges the works of John Williams, Howard Shore and other contemporary movie conductors.

Before going any further, I just want you to listen to this 1st track of the album. Try to sense its emotional message, try to feel the threatening note of the music. And turn up the volume to absorb it fully.

Now, if you have recovered from the musical shock, we shall continue.

First of all, the soundtrack is a vast compilation of varying degree of symphonic music. From the faintest strings the music exceeds itself with a whole usage of the orchestra and choir. This changing aspect of score reflects distinctly the shape of nuclear bomb; Amid a pristine tranquility suddenly all hell brakes loose. Similarly, after a long period of pure silent a cluster of horns along with strings and powerful timpani strike out of blue with tremendous force. While witnessing the sea of fire on the screen, we're being captivated by the ominous and somewhat hypnotic chorus that accompanies the moments of the film with the most breathtaking interpretation. It's the shivering feeling you face; feeling that the time stops, that everything stops before a total destruction. You're being paralyzed by the punch of emotion. By listening the soundtrack, we go more and more inside the events of the film, ultimately becoming part of it.
Let's listen the second track:

It's about war, always. Nuclear testing took primarily place during the Cold War. It was a psychological warfare between the United States and the USSR, in which both of the superpowers aimed to outperform each others' military strength. The footage of the film predominantly comes from the US archives.
Not only the music portrays the bomb explosions but also the pushing political circumstances which led these nations to test and improve their nuclear preparedness. The marching sound is attitude of "invisible" troops, the entrance of the mental army and loyal and powerful one.

#4 Hiroshima And Nagasaki - Requiem

For starters we hear traditional high-pitch Japanese style music which later on gets more attacking, thus picturing the disciplined state of the nation. I can't really make out what language the lyrics are, but I'd suggest them to be Japanese. Fast paced track but turns into totally different, eery mood, from 2.13 onwards. Perhaps indicating the miserable destiny of these unlucky cities.

I've only tried to choose the best tracks of the album that stand out from musical point of view. Next we jump at number 14, Boosting With Tritium / The George Device.

At once we do not hear pompous thundering, as the previous 3 track could be described. Instead we're being introduced with the beautiful main theme of the movie. Being both melancholy and sinister, it's probably the touching piece of music, created by a few strings and with minor differences in notes. Strongberg at his best.


#15 The George Device

Considerable queer and atonal beginning music contains sign of raising. Something is growing bigger and bigger. The music fits so perfectly, despite of not ever seeing the documentary you can predict that we're heading to something grand. Finally, at 1.25 a huge chorus bursts out singing. Wonderful scheme.

#16 The Atomic Cannon

Now this track brings me back some memories. Thanks to this music I got to know the film better and finally watch it myself. Initially I stumbled on this while browsing through some misc videos on the Internet many years ago. I happened to open some low-resolution clip that actually was taken from the movie. It depicted an atomic bomb test in some wasteland. But rather than being interested in what I was seeing, it that I was hearing. Absolutely masterful music in the background. First I thought it might be some composition of Dimitri Shostakovich added to the film, the similarities of work of the 20th century Russian composers were amazing. Without knowing one would easily think the music origins from Stalin-era USSR.
The musical pattern itself in this track is something that we don't meet with regular soundtracks, no scene would be as long and as dramatic. However, nuclear explosion squeezed in notes would sound just like that.


#20. The Hood Device

Another menacing march that, interestingly, becomes louder and louder and reaches the maximum at 1.12. The latter part of the track is also very spooky.

The 7 samples were chosen to give the best impression of the album. They are to give reasons why the album ought to be listened and the movie watched. The rest of the tracks are quite similar to the examples, but not completely. There many more original melodies included, #3 and #4 to mention two tracks which I shall recommend. The overall is pretty loud, which frankly anyone can except considering the film's theme. The musical effect, strength of instruments and the essential role of choir makes me wish that the local symphonic orchestra would take this to their repertoire. Unfortunately, it would need a miracle.
Anyhow, if there's a person who dislike this soundtrack and find it tedious, I still insist him to get this album. It's too good to be skipped.
And last but to least I'm proud to give this album highest possible grade

*****/*****

Dennis the Menace *Soundtrack review*

Within a year or so I have intensively collected movie soundtracks. Although being generally underrated, the music heard in the films is often more beautiful than any of the songs played in radio, and more masterful than any of Beethove's symphonies. Different scenes and the varying emotions of the films are the source of emotionally rich and diverse score. One may not always realize that in most cases half of the movie's greateness can be explained by its soundtrack. Would have Star Wars been the same if there had only been used some bland synthesized electornic music? How could anyone watch The Lord of the Rings with pop music playing in the background. The instrumental pureness and the musical capture of the moment stand out when it comes to movie music. It's not that kind of music you can listen while cleaning your room; Instead, listening soundtracks requires concentration. Also, unless you've seen the movie the soundtrack may sound pretty meaningless. But after seeing the film itself, you'll understand the music better. Soundtrack is an cultural exprerience just like the movie that it's based on.

My collection, comprising over 125 original scores, is getting larger every week. Usually, once I've finished to see a new movie I need to find its soundtrack. Some are quite easy to find, others remain missing. There are movies whose soundtracks have never been released. Hence, many of the OSTs are actually bootleg versions. They're not as "clean" as original ones, but mostly very well made. Sometimes there simply isn't an audio score available; Perhaps due to the film's oldness or difficulties to rip the soundtrack from DVD. Luckily, most of the films have nowadays an existing soundtrack.

But what all this has to do with the blog?
Well, I'm intending to review the soundtrack I have. Maybe not all of them, but I will start analyze them randomly, thus avoiding any kind of favourism.
However, there's a crucial difference between regular album and soundtrack: A song in the normal album can be regarded as an individual track, whereas soundtrack contains only music segments and not always they can be considered separated tracks. Moreover, the music on the soundtrack depends on what's currently happening in the movie. For instance, if there's a scare scene in which the characters walks through a long hall in the dark and we can heard only triangle playing a single note every 15 secs, it may still be awesome piece of music. It would be senseless to compare such simplified triangle music to some orchestral tracks. Thereby you always have to be mindful of the context that the music reflects.

Unfortunately I'm unable to watch the movies, so rather than analyzing the moments I'll only focus on the music. No song ratings are given. I only try to highlight some good ideas and mention parts that'd require improvements. Also, I've uploaded each track so I can easily show the exact seconds of the tracks that I'm refering.
I will start my job with the following soundtrack:

Composed by: Jerry Goldsmith
Released in: 1993

Running time: 41 min 16 sec
Movie info: Wikipedia Article

Track list

01. Main Title
02. Baby Sitting
03. Fun with False Teeth
04. Bed Time
05. The Shaggy Dog Story
06. The Heist
07. Wanna See My Sling Shot
08. Tied Up
09. Beans
10. Real Love
11. Hung Up
12. He's Back
13. Forgetful Sam
14. Toasted Marshmallow

Track reviews

01. Main Title
The theme music of the movie. Original, Goldsmith-like theme. The fast orchestral melody represent the wild nature of Dennis, yet the faint and somehow melancholy sound of accordeon reminds the viewer that he's just a delicate boy. At 2.20 the music might(I'm not even trying to recall) portray Mr. Wilson, the grumpy but kind-hearted neighbor of Dennis. All in all, a well fitting theme by Jerry.


02. Baby Sitting
The soundtrack goes on with arranged main theme. The melody remains but in different forms; Either staying sneaking quiet or doing a march. At 3.30 Forgetful Sam theme is briefly heard. Some tones even give me an impression of The Simpsons Movie soundtrack, though only very slightly.


03. Fun with False Teeth
The first 50 secs are kind of "prepairing music" until it suddently tunr into speedy marimba-part. From 1.00 onwards we hear Forgetful Sam's theme again. It must be admitted that Goldsmith has managed to create a melody that perfectly fits to this character's appearance; A bit threatening and clumsy,


04. Bed Time
Relatively long suite. The melody the main theme and Mr. Wilson's theme are quietly played. Starting from 2.00 there's a some sort of lullaby including piano. At 3.30 the relaxing atmoshpehere is temporarily turned upside down, around 4.00 we can hear some hilarious "drunken horn" sounds. Towards the end the volume gets louder and finishes, presumably after one trick of Dennis's.


05. The Shaggy Dog Story
Absolutely beautiful beginning. Reminds me somehow of the The Goonies score, although it had totally different composer. But obvoiusly the composer have tried to achieve a different kind of approach when writing this part. The warm and wistful melody continues nearly through the whole track. At the end something bizarre must be going on the film.


06. The Heist
Heist (i.e robbery), mixed Fortgetful Sam theme accomppanied by menacing silence. At 2.52 otherwise consistent music changes becomming more pressing. A beautiful noteworthy segment can be heard from 3.10 to 3.35. If I recall correnctly, the movie depicts the town people searching Dennis.


07. Wanna See My Sling Shot
Whirling strings together with low horns. In the mid there's a clear rhythmic part until final faint.


08. Tied Up
Interesting track. Forgetful Sam's theme is mixed with Denni's theme, low horns and harmonica are played in turns, almost like building a conversation between the thug and the rascal.



09. Beans
Yet another attempt to arrange Sam's theme, now making it a bit lively. Some funny "musical effects" are included too. For instance, tone varies a lot especially at 1.40 and the last twenty seconds give impression someone having a fire in his pants. Can't remember what's really happening in the movie at that time.


10. Real Love
Tranquil music, silent strings and piano making the melody. Not touchy though.


11. Hung Up
Stronger brass used than before in Forgetful Sam's theme, possibly indicating his frustration with Dennis. Something is definitely falling down at 1.13.


12. He's Back
The first minute includes extremely sad music. Wilson believing it was his fault Dennis might be killed by now? Then we heard the cheerful, familiar theme again implying the boy is alive. Reunition and happy ending.


13. Forgetful Sam
He's a beaten villain, and doomed to fail his attempt to have revenge. Having been arrested by a small kid, he has nothing to do but acknowledge his own incapableness.


14. Toasted Marshmallow
Dennis is back and so are his tricks. Then formula is back, silent prepairing part precedes the fast going segment. The main theme is played once more, as a tribute to Dennis The Menace.


Summary
The film itself can be considered pure children movie. Last time, I've personally seen it about 10 years ago. Nevertheless, you should never understate the screenplay, or the music, by its target audience. In fact, we find out that this children movie has a real symphonic soundtrack, provided by one of the well-known composer Jerry Goldsmith(Star Trek, Alien, Rambo, Mulan to mention some of his scores). And Jerry can't disappoint anyone. There are many distinctive character themes that are used a lot throughout the film; Forgetful Sam's maybe even too frequently. Nonetheless, the themes are the soul of the film and are alone beautiful listening.
The published soundtrack itself is far from complete. Most of the music has been taken from the later part of the movie, in which Sam has kidnapped Dennis. I've never even heard about complete score, neither had I been able to see the DVD. But accordingly it does not have 5.1 surround audio, so ripping the soudntrack might be out of question.
Anyway, I'm glad this particular soundtrack was to become my first review. It's enough short to analyze each track separately and enough musically interesting to find something to say about the tracks. My ultimate judgement is:
***½