1 |
Watergate
|
2 |
The Numbers |
3 |
Hello, Good Evening And Welcome |
4 |
Pardon
The Phlebitis |
5 |
Status
|
6 |
Beverly Hilton |
| 7 |
Money |
8 |
Frost
Despondent |
9 |
Insanely Risky |
10 |
Cambodia
|
11 |
Research
Montage |
12 |
The
Final Interview |
13 |
Nixon
Defeated |
14 |
First
Ideas |
SOUNDTRACK REVIEW:
If you are familiar with composer Hans Zimmer’s works, descriptions like “refined”, “restrained” and “reserved” are not exactly what you’d find yourself using. We won’t blame you, because after all, Zimmer is known for his loud and bombastic scores of movies like The Dark Knight (2008), Kung Fu Panda (2008) and The Pirates of the Caribbean series. But while this Golden Globe nominated score isn’t signature Zimmer style, it is definitely worth a listen, because it showcases the Oscar winner’s talent for creating something with minimal orchestrations.
The 43 minute disc opens with an almost sinister “Watergate”, with hurried strings and basses bringing the rhythms forward. It then moves into a mysterious mood with “the Numbers”, introducing pianos and light percussions to illustrate the dark shades of media manipulation (we’ve yet to see the movie, but this is what we are guessing). A brighter tone is brought on in “Hello, Good Evening and Welcome”, where tinkling instruments captivate your ears without deafening them.
Most cues on this album run at an average duration of two odd minutes, and the digestible runtime means that the music is more accessible than it looks, considering the somber content of the movie. It actually makes you feel that you are part of the conspiracy, with ill-omened and threatening cues like “Pardon the Phlebitis” and “Status”. Elsewhere, lighter cues include “Beverly Hilton” and “Insanely Risky”.
Remember, this is not your usual Zimmer fare, where a main theme will be outlandishly presented in all the tracks on the album. What you are going to get here is a more sophisticated treatment that is equally enjoyable, and when you reach the end of the disc with the 10 minute “First Ideas”, you’d be pleasantly surprised at what Zimmer has done with the main music idea for this soundtrack - a plodding rhythm that keeps you going, going, going.
ALBUM
RATING:
 
Recommended Track: (1) Watergate
Review
by John Li
|
