Varese Sarabande US Vinilo y CD

Review: Before Twin Peaks and all that followed, director David Lynch and composer Angelo Badalamenti had worked together just once: on the former's 1986 mystery noir movie Blue Velvet. Lynch asked Badalamenti to create an original score inspired by both the works of Shostakovich and the smoky, clandestine atmosphere found at blues and jazz clubs. These two musical threads are explored on side A and B respectively. So, while the first side contains numerous sweeping, dark and moody orchestral compositions, turn the record over and you'll find classics from Roy Orbison and Bill Doggett, as well as Badalamenti's spine-tingling interpretation of pop standard "Blue Velvet". Featuring a mixture of simmering strings, breathy female vocals and atmospheric field recordings, it's as creepy a version of the much-covered song as you'll hear.

Review: Star Trek has been on a tumultuous ride over the years. To paraphrase Wayne Campbell, of Wayne's World fame, in many ways The Next Generation was superior to the original series, but will always struggle to match the recognition of its source material. More recent shows in the franchise looked to expand the viewer base, following in the wake of the saga's modern films, but in doing so kind of lost the friendly, campish mild peril we love this universe for. Star Trek: Into Darkness was a case in point - it's not fun, it's not light, it's not particularly thoughtful. As a movie, it lives up to the promise of darkness. In terms of how this translates onto the score, expect seriously moody and atmospheric big screen compositions, rather than the jaunty soundtracks that once defined this institution.

Review: The 1999 supernatural horror film The Haunting, gets a new life with its first-ever vinyl release of Jerry Goldsmith's unsettling score. This Deluxe Edition 2-LP set, featuring a Black/Gold/Gray swirl design, is adorned with fresh artwork by Sina Grace, adding a visually striking touch to the bone-chilling music. Goldsmith, a legendary composer with an extensive resume, was the ideal choice to create the film's soundscape. His music goes beyond typical horror tropes, weaving a tapestry of eerie, atmospheric tension that enhances the film's haunted narrative. Known for his work on iconic films like Alien, Chinatown, Star Trek and Poltergeist, Goldsmith brought his deep understanding of mood and emotion to The Haunting, crafting a score that feels both eerie and sophisticated. The score's haunting melodies and unsettling rhythms create a feeling of lurking danger, perfectly capturing the film's ghostly themes. Critics have praised the soundtrack for its ability to evoke fear and suspense without resorting to cliches. Having this soundtrack on vinyl, brings the soundtrack alive in an elevated way.

Review: Dave Grusin's score for the whodunit comedy Murder by Death masterfully blends traditional and modern elements. Grusin's intent to approach the comedic affair seriously resulted in a thematic and delightful score that captures the film's eclectic nature. Paying homage to British murder-mystery roots while pushing boundaries, Grusin created a unique and charming musical landscape. The score's first-ever vinyl release allows audiences to fully appreciate Grusin's artistry, highlighting the perfect balance between tradition and innovation that characterizes his work.

Review: The long-awaited vinyl release of Clint Mansell's score for the 2005 film and iconic video game series Doom is here. Pressed on eye-catching Green & Orange Smoke "Doomguy" vinyl, this 2XLP gatefold set marks the score's first appearance on vinyl, complete with original artwork by Micha Huigen. Mansell, known for his innovative film soundtracks, delivers a ferocious blend of orchestration, electronic elements, and alt-rock intensity that perfectly complements the film's high-octane action. The soundtrack smartly evolves from eerie, haunted house vibes to full-throttle, metal-infused chaos. Highlights include the blistering 'First Person Shooter' track, where a gut-busting guitar solo unleashes a head-exploding mix of metal and synth, and the adrenaline-pumping 'Destroyed' and 'Containment Breach,' where Mansell's mastery of rhythm and atmosphere shines. This release does a fantastic job of paying homage to the Doom franchise's dark, satanic origins, with creature designs by Stan Winston Studios and a soundtrack that amplifies the movie's intense survival narrative. Mansell's approach, blending traditional orchestral elements with contemporary rock and electronic sounds, makes this score pure excitement.

Review: Randy Newman's evocative score for the 1998 film Pleasantville is set to make its debut on vinyl, and it's an edition that soundtrack enthusiasts won't want to miss. Released by Varese Sarabande and Craft Recordings, this 2XLP Deluxe Edition comes in a stunning 'colourblast' red white & blue swirl. The collection spans 34 tracks, expanding the original score to an impressive 66 minutes. Included are previously unreleased tracks and extended cues, making this a truly comprehensive offering. The film Pleasantville, starring Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, is a poignant blend of fantasy and comedy that delves into themes of identity and change. Randy Newman's score perfectly complements this narrative, blending nostalgic Americana with deeply emotional compositions. His ability to infuse humour and warmth into the music shines throughout, particularly in pieces like 'The Pleasantville Theme' and 'Bud's A Hero' and visually, this album looks as good as the music within.

Review: Fantasists, rejoice: the original score for the 1997 sci-fi action film Starship Troopers gets a reissue. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and based on the novel by acclaimed sci-fi writer Robert A. Heinlein, the film follows a group of young soldiers who enlist in the military to fight a war against a hostile alien race known as the Arachnids. Matching this timeless venturing into the unknown, composer Basil Poledouris provides a powerful and propulsive orchestral work that reflects the film's militaristic and satirical tone, making thorough use of his in-house Hollywood Studio Symphony to hammer home an expressionistic foremost brass section. Varese Sarabande now reissue the soundtrack as an expanded edition with bonus tracks, on a first time vinyl version after the initial 2016 release.

Review: John Powell could almost be seen as the Hans Zimmer of animated movies. His oeuvre to date includes Antz, The Road To Eldorado, Chicken Run, Shrek, Robots, Ice Age 2 and 4, Happy Feet, Dr Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, the first two Kung Fu Panda films, and Mars Needs Moms, among many others. Including the entire How To Train Your Dragon trilogy.
Hugely successful, the action packed adventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III - a young Viking and heir to the throne of Berk - really needs equally exciting music to accompany it. That's exactly what we get here, with a classically-inspired swashbuckling score doing more than setting the scene: some tracks hark back to the golden days of kids movie soundtracks, when the songs themselves told large chunks of the narrative.