1 |
The
Last Man (6:08) |
2 |
Holy
Dread! (3:52) |
3 |
Tree
Of Life (3:45) |
4 |
Stay
With Me (3:36) |
5 |
Death
Is A Disease (2:34) |
6 |
Xibalba (5:23) |
| 7 |
First
Snow (3:09) |
8 |
Finish
It (4:25) |
9 |
Death
Is The Road To Awe (8:26) |
10 |
Together
We Will Live Forever (5:00) |
REVIEW
To
this day, this reviewer still remembers how emotionally shaken
he was when he first heard Clint Mansell’s score for
Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream (2000). And that
was before everyone else heard the main theme being used in
countless movie and television trailers. Seven
years after declaring that the disc was “The Soundtrack
Album to Own”, his anticipation escalated when he heard
of Mansell and Aronofsky’s latest collaboration on this
sci-fi romance starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz –
and again, he is blown away by the sheer power of the 46-minute
album.
Nominated
for a Golden Globe, it is a shame that Mansell has been overlooked
by the Oscar jury yet again for his impressive work on the
film.
It is
important to note that those looking for a distinctive main
theme ala Requiem for a Dream will not find it here. Instead,
Mansell brings listeners to a subdued and nuanced musical
journey which any imaginative mind will adore.
Once
again featuring California-based strings foursome Kronos Quartet,
the 10 cues on this soundtrack has names which romantically
translate into a bittersweet love drama transcending time.
Scottish rock band Mogwai also contributes some heavy electonica
elements to the powerful compositions.
Listeners
will not be able to identify with one main theme, but the
prodding cellos and violins are mesmerizing and gripping in
their own right.
“The
Last Man” kicks off the soundtrack with a restrained
tone that will set the mood for the entire disc. In the same
league are the underscore-heavy “Stay With Me”
and “Xibalba”. The thumping introduction in “Tree
of Life” brings the only recognizable tune in the album
to a heightened sensational effect.
The highlight
of the album which will go down well with fans with cutting
edge taste is definitely the 8-odd-minute “Death Is
The Road To Awe”. This cue gradually brings your senses
to the highest point with pulsating and swelling layers of
instrumentations. The last hit comes when the music halts
in its last minute, before striking full force with an emotionally
shaking finale.
And
that’s when this reviewer declared this soundtrack another
Mansell classic.
SOUNDTRACK
RATING:
 
Review
by John Li
|
