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Check out the amazing tictac site listed in my favourite sites, had me in stitches!
Member since:27.05.2002
Reviews:13
Members who trust:5
*****Please note******* *******SPOILER*********
If you have not seen the film or read the book then beware. This opinion does contain references to the story of 'Fellowhip of the Ring' and may spoil your enjoyment of the film or the book.
Movie soundtracks come in three types.. One is a collection of well established tracks that have already made it in the charts, all put together in a collection that may as well be called 'Now 45' or 'The Best of...' (eg. The Beach), another type is one which promises much, but when you actually listen to the tracks (a collection of little known tunes, by obscure bands) you realise it was the visuals of the films that actually made them seem cool (Matrix, Blade).
And then there is a third category, a totally original soundtrack, made especially for the film (OK, maybe one or two known songs), which stands alone in its own right. These are few and far between, Highlander and Flash Gordon spring to mind, but Lord of the Rings also falls WELL into this category.
I prefer no single musical genre, which allows me to enjoy a vast diversification of music, however one feeling I got when listening to Lord of the rings was... Handles Messiah, or ‘Knights of the round table’ (A musical rendition of the Arthurian legend by produced about 20 years ago by Rick Wakeman I think).... a story in musical form, bringing out in the listener feeling appropriate to the scene. With regards to Lord of the Rings movie soundtrack, I honestly believe that if the composer Howard Shore could go back in time... no.... I will start with a review of the album and finish this particular observation later.
The CD case is very attractive, and apparently comes with different artwork.
Mine contains a picture of Saruman (Christopher Lee) looking particularly menacing.
Track Listing (Length) - Composer (All composed by Howard Shore unless stated) 1. The Prophecy (3:56) 2. Concerning Hobbits (2:57) 3. The Shadow of the Past (3:32) 4. The Treason if Isengard (3:58) 5. The Black Rider (2:50) 6. At the sign of the Prancing Pony (3:11) 7. A knife in the Dark (3:31) 8. Flight to the Ford (4:12) 9. Many Meetings (3:03) 10. The Council of Elrond (3:47) - Enya 11. The Ring goes South (2:00) 12. A Journey in the Dark (4:20) 13. The Bridge of Khazad Dum (5:59) 14. Lothlorien (4:33) 15. The Great River (2:41) 16. Amon Hen (5:00) 17. The Breaking of the Fellowship (7:22) 18. May it Be (4:13) - Enya
1 - 'The Prophecy' starts us on the journey through Tolkein’s great tale. Soft sounds of a gentle string composition, with some rousing choir voices. A 'mysterious' track, which eventually leads smoothly onto the next
2 - 'Concerning Hobbits' - Now I challenge anyone who has read the books, to listen to this track and NOT see Hobbits hard at work and play!! The major instruments in this piece are the flute and the violin (both played solo), and overall we have a gypsy type melody. Some of the riffs from this track are used in later pieces to show Hobbit involvment in that particular scene (e.g. The Ring goes south).
3 and 4 - 'The Shadow of the Past' and 'The Treason of Isengard' are two tracks in the same vein as 'The Prophecy' but subtly different, with enough similarities allow continuity. This effectively is the end of the introduction to the Fellowship, and now the story starts.
5 - 'The Black Rider' is the next track, and we are returned to Hobbiton, our chirpy happy hobbit tune plays again... but suddenly without warning it is soon overplayed by the sound of heavy string instruments, the music stops... and then a new menacing sequence starts. Deep baritone voices sing a menacing chorus, reminding me of Jaws we are introduced to the musical theme of the Ring-wraiths. The music picks up pace, the voice get more climatic and I get the impression of a desperate chase...
6 - 'At the sign of the Prancing Pony'. The danger of the black riders belayed for now, the quest now arrives in Bree, a town of the big folk, and this is a tune that brings to mind a quiet if dismal town. Soon darkness falls and the familiar tune of the black riders overplays all other instruments as the Ring Wraiths close on the travellers.
7 - 'A Knife in the Dark'. The quest leaves Bree, and we find ourselves in a desperate battle with one of my favourite tracks. Turn the lights out, turn the volume up and be chilled by this amazing piece of music, one of the real highlights of the CD. The main instrument in this piece is the human voice.
8 - 'Flight to the Ford'. Now wounded by the black knife, another desperate chase ensues, as the black riders chase Frodo on the last stage of his journey to Rivendell, in this piece some of the Elven segments are introduced. Finally Rivendell is reached and the black riders fall.
9 and 10 - 'Many meetings' and 'The Council of Elrond' are two soothing tracks, calming us down from some of the creepy music we have just experienced. 'Many Meetings' is where the companions meet again with Bilbo and Gandalf (hear the familiar hobbit tune again), and we have the first song featuring the haunting voice of Enya.. At 'The Council of Elrond', the fate of the One Ring is decided. This track ends in a rousing brasswind chorus, which will feature in many tracks to follow.
11 - 'The Ring goes South'. A long drawn out drawn out segment ends with a musical sequence that will be familiar to fans of the film, and possibly those who have not (very few) actually seen it as it featured very heavily in one of the early film trailers shown worldwide.
12 - 'Journey in the Dark'. Dark times follow, and the next two tracks set the scene well... dark slow mysterious music as the fellowship enters Moria, deep choir voices represent the hidden orcs, voices that will be that will be encountered again.. so begins the 'Journey in the Dark'
13 - 'The Bridge of Khazad Dum'. However soon a worse enemy is revealed, and the companions flee from the Balrog. The chase ends at 'The Bridge of Khazad Dum', where Gandalf falls into the chasm after defeating the Balrog, and this fast moving piece ends in a GORGEOUS haunting piece as the fellowship lament the fall of the Grey Pilgrim...
14 - 'Lothlorien' – This is a haunting piece of music, with many echoing voices singing in Elven (Elvish?). The woods of Lothlorien are supposed to have the power to trap a man forever with its beauty, and the music represents this nicly.
15 - 'The Great River' – Another short piece. The heros have now left Lothlorien and are travelling down the great river closer towards Moria, and further away from home. This track begins softly and then starts to get heavier with the sound of drums as the river picks up pace.
16 - 'Amon Hen' – This is a very powerful piece full of energy. As the fellowship pass the great statues of Amon Hen on the great river, they are pursued by the Uruk-Hai. Unlike the menacing voices representing orcs, the Uruk-Hai are portrayed by loud crashes, like war drums. This is a rousing piece, which again fades softly as the danger passes for now.
17 - 'The Breaking of the Fellowship' – The longest track on the CD is a mixture of the sad and the triumphant. The fellowship is broken, the hobbits set off on their own. The hobbit tune plays and fades as Sam and Frodo set off on their own to Moria. At this point we have a shock as we hear the first voice to sing in English, a young choirboy. He sings ‘When the cold and winter comes, starless night will cover day’. The words are sad and talk of the coming of a bleak time, for this is indeed what the hobbits and companions face. War is coming.
18 - 'May it Be' – The CD ends with the wonderful voice of Enya singing in Elvish (is their no end to the talent of this lady). The fellowship may be broken, but the heroes travel on accepting their fate. Whatever may be may be and cannot be changed.
Now back to my previously started observation..... if Howard Shore the writer / composer could go back in time, I would advise him to write this fantastic piece of music first, so when the movie was finally released it would say on the poster 'The Lord of the Rings’, directed by Peter Jackson and featuring tracks from Lord of the Rings - THE MUSIC'. However recognition was given as this soundtrack won an Oscar.
I think I have summed up my opinion. A classic album, which will no doubt be overshadowed by the movie, but I for one, am happy, because it’s already in my music collection.
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Can’t wait to see the film now I’m looking forward to hearing the music also. Superb Lizzie
RottenPumpkins 28.06.2002 16:52
I'm not a big fan when it comes to Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings (what IS the fuss about?!), but this album sounds really good if you are into Lord Of The Rings, enjoyable read, but still have not converted me!!
Advantages: Atmospheric and very evocative of the film - matches the vast, sweeping scenery and the darker moments well Disadvantages: A few iffy singing moments, some of the tracks end rather abruptly, not enough flow between tracks
Jun 26th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
