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OST Review

Discussion in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' started by Benjamin Lewis, Dec 29, 2015.

?

Thoughts on the TFA OST?

  1. Loved it!

    45 vote(s)
    59.2%

  2. It was fine.

    29 vote(s)
    38.2%

  3. Did not like it.

    1 vote(s)
    1.3%

  4. Hated it!

    1 vote(s)
    1.3%
Page 1 of 4
  1. Benjamin Lewis

    Benjamin Lewis Rebel Official

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    I posted this a couple of days after the release of TFA, on the spoiler-only section of the forums, but it seems that the main board is THE source of activity now. I'm very interested to hear others' thoughts, regarding my thoughts!

    The New: John Williams gave us Rey’s theme, which has got to be one of the most beautiful pieces that I have EVER heard in a film score. So much heart, so beautiful, and so epic. It is everything a Star Wars theme should be, and it fits Rey’s character wonderfully. He then gave us Kylo’s entrance “riff.” Sure, it’s not a full theme, but it’s menacing, iconic, and also fits his character perfectly. I LOVE hearing it when Kylo is arriving on the scene. Then we have The March of the Resistance. This track is so reminiscent of older action fanfares (Indiana Jones style flicks). It’s epic, and reminds me VERY much of the Battle of Endor riffs. I will always picture a squad of X-Wings flying across the water when I hear the tune. I love it. In the end, Williams introduced the Jedi Steps tune. It reminds me of his Harry Potter type scores. Very intriguing, beautiful, and above all, catchy. I except we’ll be hearing more of this one in the future. Then we also have other tracks that are not necessarily themes, but are beautiful nonetheless (“Farewell and the Trip”).

    The Old: Williams brought back Luke’s theme (also frequently called “The Force Theme,” which is another reason I’m not completely convinced Rey is Luke’s daughter), Han and Leia’s theme, the Bespin/Falcon cascade, the SW action Fanfare, and the Imperial March briefly for the shot of Vader’s helmet. And of course the main theme and credits (duh).

    The John Williams Effect: John Williams is a master of varying his themes to fit a certain scene. He’ll change the scale or key to conform to a certain mood. He displays this so well with the meshing of Rey’s and Luke’s themes in the battle in the woods, also utilizing the minor scale. He also does this with other themes throughout the film. So cool to hear.

    Comparisons: This score is a very different style from the prequel soundtracks, but so were the OT soundtracks. With the prequel music, he tried to display a much more ancient and regal era, utilizing choral groups more often (Duel of the Fates……Order 66….etc.). It worked well for the films! The music was definitely one of the prequels strengths. But with TFA and the OT, the scores are much more fun, conveying a sense of adventure rather than seriousness. Let’s also compare it to the ROTJ score for reference. With that film, we got the Emperor’s theme, the Battle of Endor riffs, and a couple themes for the Ewoks. Other than that, the music was recycled themes from the previous films, which we know is the way to go. When you look at ratio of old to new musical content, TFA gave us just as much, if not more.

    The bad: To me, the ONLY thing working against the TFA score is the nostalgia effect. People have been hearing the OT themes for over 30 years now, and have so many memories linked to those pieces of music. The new TFA music has been around for a couple of weeks. Give it time.

    Considering all of the above, I think John Williams delivered big time. What more could I expect or want from a Star Wars score? Nothing at all. I love it. To all the haters out there, please chill out and give it a chance.

    Also, I just recently saw an in-studio clip of J.W. conducting/composing for TFA. I hadn't realized that he's in his mid 80's, and in very poor health. He had to be assisted up onto his platform. Makes me sad, yet happy at the same time. I'm blown away that he can still do what he does. Thank you, John Williams!
     
    #1 Benjamin Lewis, Dec 29, 2015
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  2. Cmdr. Ed Straker

    Cmdr. Ed Straker Rebel Official

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    The poll needs one more option - decent - (not good/bad, but in between)
     
    #2 Cmdr. Ed Straker, Dec 29, 2015
  3. Benjamin Lewis

    Benjamin Lewis Rebel Official

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    "It was fine," and "It was decent," are pretty much the same thing.
     
    #3 Benjamin Lewis, Dec 29, 2015
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  4. Cmdr. Ed Straker

    Cmdr. Ed Straker Rebel Official

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    The ost did his job as subtle backround music, nothing more or less.
    This soundtrack is hard to judge. (voted fine)
     
    #4 Cmdr. Ed Straker, Dec 29, 2015
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  5. Cole

    Cole Force Sensitive

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    I thought it was just fine. It was good. It was decent. But for me, it didn't have any memorable NEW tunes. I should be humming a NEW Star Wars tune right now! None of the new themes have that iconic feel. Fanfare, Force theme, Duel of Fates, Imperial march, and of course Yub Nub to name a few are instant classics. Nothing in TFA seems like it reaches those lofty heights (to me). I've seen the movie 4 times and listened to the soundtrack about 10 times. Its a very good score, but not much is that memorable. But I will highlight the creepy Starkiller weapon scene, the Han/Kylo scene, and the final Island scene as being really good. I thought Williams did a great job of peppering in the Old with the New.
     
    #5 Cole, Dec 29, 2015
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  6. Benjamin Lewis

    Benjamin Lewis Rebel Official

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    Rey's Theme, March of the Resistance, Scherzo for X-wings, Kylo's fanfare, and the rehashing of old themes, were anything but subtle. They were loud and grand.
     
    #6 Benjamin Lewis, Dec 31, 2015
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  7. Blue Milk Hoojib

    Blue Milk Hoojib Rebel Commander

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    This soundtrack has grown on me over the past 2 weeks. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites out of all of the 7 soundtracks.
     
    #7 Blue Milk Hoojib, Dec 31, 2015
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  8. Hunin

    Hunin Rebel General

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    It's the best one since ESB.
    I feared we'd get more unbound tonepainting like in the prequels but this one is just as closely married to the images as the OT scores ( with more new material introduced than in any of the soundtracks yet ).
    I completely understand why people might find it lackluster when one expects a "hit single" and not much else from a score, but older composers have always had a tendency to perfect their economy of means.
     
    #8 Hunin, Dec 31, 2015
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  9. Bosc

    Bosc Force Attuned

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    It's grown on me immensely. I'm a prequel-appreciator and I'm on-board with saying that this soundtrack is better than any of those. It's more subtle and takes on more of a support role, but that doesn't make the aural story-telling any weaker. Listen and you will find.

    Also, I highly HIGHLY recommend this podcast. They dove into TFA music this episode and if you are under-whelmed by the soundtrack then I suggest you give this podcast a listen.

     
    #9 Bosc, Dec 31, 2015
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  10. LadyMusashi

    LadyMusashi Archwizard Woo-Woo-in-Chief
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    OXYGEN is finally out, thank you! David Collins knows his music and Williams's music as well.

    EDIT: I loved it. March of the Resistance is my favorite. :)
     
    #10 LadyMusashi, Dec 31, 2015
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  11. Ben_Kenobi

    Ben_Kenobi Rebel General

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    So far it's still sinking in, but Rey's and Kylo Ren's theme really stood out and grabbed me from get go!
     
    #11 Ben_Kenobi, Dec 31, 2015
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  12. toneb

    toneb Rebel Commander

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    I'm amazed by some of the negativity I have heard regarding this soundtrack. It's fantastic, and works with the film perfectly. I could hear his music fine all the way through the movie. On a couple of the podcasts, I heard someone saying it's time for John Williams to quit! Incredible! It's worth keeping him just for jedi steps alone. Nobody out there doing soundtracks could compose that as beautifully as Williams did. He didn't rehash the old soundtracks, which it seems some people wanted him to do. Its nearly all new music. And it's great, be careful what you wish for!
     
    #12 toneb, Jan 4, 2016
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  13. Qui-GON29

    Qui-GON29 Rebel Commander

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    Guys, you MUST listen to this podcast review, indeed. The moment they discuss the merging of The Force Theme and Rey's Theme from the end credits, and they play it, wow. Goosebumps. Actual goosebumps. They are so right. And teary eyes as well, in my case. The Force Theme ALWAYS gets me and makes me emotional as hell, but these two together, oh my...(r2-d2)

    Rey's Theme has definitely become one of my favorite themes from the soundtrack of the entire saga, hands down.
     
    #13 Qui-GON29, Jan 4, 2016
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  14. toneb

    toneb Rebel Commander

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    The only surprise i got was how little old music is in the film/ soundtrack. And how brilliantly subtle it is. You have got to give williams great credit for not phoneing it in and trying to come up with new themes , and clever subtle arrangements that supports the quieter scenes . The final scene with Han is superb music also
     
    #14 toneb, Jan 4, 2016
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  15. TRPAIT

    TRPAIT Rebel Trooper

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    I have to say, first viewing, wasn't impressed. Nothing really stood out. After multiple times, it really starts to stay with you, and what you though was filler music, really presents itself and you begin to expect the cues...The more I hear it, the more I like it.
     
    #15 TRPAIT, Jan 4, 2016
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  16. Stormagadon

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    I'm not sure if it was the music or the film or me (probably me), but there were are quite a few scenes I haven't been able to hear the music well. I wold say the middle portion of the movie.
    Although, the more I watch it the more the soundtrack comes out, so I guess I need to see it again... ;)

    But great OP! I certainly agree with your statements.
     
    #16 Stormagadon, Jan 4, 2016
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  17. Cole

    Cole Force Sensitive

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    Did anyone else feel like the opening crawl fanfare wasn't loud enough? I've seen it 4 times, and it just seems to not have the "umph" that it does in the other movies. I just think it needs to be turned up a bit...
     
    #17 Cole, Jan 5, 2016
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  18. Light Savior

    Light Savior Force Attuned

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    I LOVE IT!!!Just watching the movie and how the music is with it....Is magic.It take you FAR FAR AWAY and i don't use drugs...:cool:.
     
    #18 Light Savior, Jan 5, 2016
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  19. Old Biff from the Future

    Old Biff from the Future Dune Sea Hermit

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    When its all put together in the end credits it's awesome....
     
    #19 Old Biff from the Future, Jan 5, 2016
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  20. Light Savior

    Light Savior Force Attuned

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    Yes...Is true.
     
    #20 Light Savior, Jan 5, 2016
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