1 |
Cops
or Criminals |
2 |
344
Wash |
3 |
Beacon
Hill |
4 |
The
Faithful Departed |
5 |
Colin |
6 |
Madolyn |
| 7 |
Billy's
Theme |
8 |
Command |
9 |
Chinatown |
10 |
Boston
Common |
11 |
Miss
Thing |
12 |
The
Baby |
13 |
The
Last Rites |
14 |
The
Departed Tango |
REVIEW
We
know people who love this Hollywood version of the Hong Kong
contemporary classic that was Infernal Affairs (2002). We
also know people who loathe and despise this adaptation that
changes the original gritty Asian setting to a more violent
South Boston context. One
grave mistake that has haunted mankind is comparison –
and if you compare this original score to that composed by
Chan Kwong Wing (Initial D, Confession of Pain) for the original
movie, you’d be sorely disappointed too.
While
Chan’s score features Asian elements like soaring Chinese
instrumental melodies, Howard Shore’s treatment for
Martin Scorsese’s movie is a totally different one.
Known
for his intense orchestrations for the Lord of the Rings trilogy,
Shore changes course and uses simple straightforward guitar
cues to illustrate the confusion and tension as depicted in
the film. Featuring four talented guitarists, they individually
tackle Shore’s compositions with either an acoustic
or electric guitar. The plucking of the strings in each track
clearly exemplifies the uncomplicated mood of the entire 42-minute
album.
While
tracks like “Cops or Criminals” and “Command”
resonate with the album’s one running main theme, softer
emotional moments are reflected in cues like “Beacon
Hill” and “Billy’s Theme”. Accompanied
by flowing strings, these are the sections of the album which
effortlessly soothe your listening experience.
The best
bit on the disc has to be “The Departed Tango”,
which sums up the 14 tracks with a foot-tapping number layered
by ta seductive guitar, steady percussions and firm basses.
You have to take your hats off the Oscar-winning composer
for so brilliantly putting these elements together to make
one sophisticatedly enjoyable track.
It
is clear the soundtrack is characterized by a strong Latin
and Tango influence. If this is not your cup of tea, you find
the album repetitive. But give it a few spins over those lazy
weekend afternoons; you’d realize that the disc does
make good independent listening.
SOUNDTRACK
RATING:
 
Review
by John Li
|
