Gods And Monsters [Soundtrack]

1. Arise, Clay

2. Dripping

3. Ashes

4. Refreshments

5. Unshrouding

6. Love in the Trenches

7. Bride

8. Lucky Man

9. Watch Me Dive

10. Gas Masks On

11. Frankenwhale

12. Soldier in the Rain

13. Barnett on the Wire

14. Return to the Trenches

15. Wrestling the Monster

16. Last Swim

17. Friend?

From Amazon.co.uk
To orchestrate this semi-fictional account of the life of horror director James Whale, Carter Burwell attempts to capture a bit of the orchestral grandeur of Franz Waxman's original score to Whale's Bride of Frankenstein. But although much of the music fulfils Burwell's desire to echo the movie's themes of death, desire and loneliness in a late-19th-century Romantic manner, there is something peculiarly modern about his final execution. Instead of shrill moments of romantic agony or passionate crescendos, the layers of melancholy violins and pensive woodwinds provide textures that are relentlessly counterclimactic. While it may lack surface excitement, the score reflects the psyche of the film's main character: a gentle but jaded man who is vexed by unfulfilled desire and simply wants to die. --Joseph Lanza

Amazon.com essential recording
To orchestrate this semifictional account of the life of horror director James Whale, Carter Burwell attempts to capture a bit of the orchestral grandeur of Franz Waxman's original score to Whale's Bride of Frankenstein. But although much of the music fulfills Burwell's desire to echo the movie's themes of death, desire, and loneliness in a late-19th-century Romantic manner, there is something peculiarly modern about his final execution. Instead of shrill moments of romantic agony or passionate crescendos, the layers of melancholy violins and pensive woodwinds provide textures that are relentlessly counterclimactic. While it may lack surface excitement, the score reflects the psyche of the film's main character: a gentle but jaded man who is vexed by unfulfilled desire and simply wants to die. --Joseph Lanza

5 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review (5 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most helpful customer reviews   A Musical Masterpiece from the Contemporary Cinema, Nov 12 2001 By  Michael R Gates (Nampa, ID United States) - See all my reviews       Carter Burwell's musical score for GODS AND MONSTERS is truly one of the most beautiful and haunting works from the contemporary cinema. It is at times soothing or melancholy, while at other times it is eerie, mysterious, and even downright spooky. The film for which it was written is, of course, Writer-Dirctor Bill Condon's somewhat controversial bio-pic that explores, using both facts and speculation, the last weeks in the life of James Whale, himself a famed film director who is probably best known for his early horror flicks like FRANKENSTEIN and THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. It is only fitting, then, that the music, much like Whale's life and career, fluctuates in both mood and timbre. Today it is well known that Whale was a homosexual, and the film GODS AND MONSTERS openly addresses this fact. Needless to say, the film itself may not appeal to those who are easily offended by obvious allusions to the gay lifestyle or its inherent practices. However, any movie buff who enjoys the films created by James Whale will certainly enjoy the musical score to GODS AND MONSTERS. In another time, Burwell's music could have easily worked for THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE INVISIBLE MAN. Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   More proof that soundtracks make the best new music, Jan 17 2001 By  Ellen Gunter (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews If you've seen the film, this lilting and hauntingly beautiful rendering of its vignettes will take you back to this bittersweet tale of a film director's descent into senility and his growing desperation to end his life before he becomes completely incapacitated. If you haven't seen it, it stands alone as a lovely set of pieces set around the tale's central theme. For movie buffs, the tune you see the old blind hermit play in the movie's version of Bride of Frankenstein is Burwell's. The actual tune played in the real Bride is very different. But who's counting. Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   Sentimental and Nostalgic, April 25 2000 By  KingFifty4@aol.com (Colorado) - See all my reviews I hope it doesn't make the CD sound cheap when i say that it is Sentimental; it's truly a good thing. This music could be nothing but Sentimental. James Whale was a phenomenal character and the music fabulous Carter Burwell created to accompany his story is perfect. It waltzes over and over again stressing the importance of life with a flair. Exactly what James Whale seemed to long for in the film. A life of love and social fun. Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers:  › See all 5 customer reviews...		Most recent customer reviews A Touching Album Beautifully melancholy. Perfect for times of quiet introspection and reflection. Published on Jan 24 2000 Pleasure for the ears! This soundtrack really capture with flaire and sensibility all the emotions carried in the movie. The music, subtle and very touching, is a masterpiece in self-restrain and... Read more Published on Feb 17 1999 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 5 customer reviews...

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