Nice article. This CD has been getting plenty of spins from me, with Parallax demanding the lion's share of the playtime. A truly great 70's score, dripping with dread and unease. This has got to be one of the best CD releases ever!
"Those are our findings. The evidence will be available as soon as possible. Thank you. This is an announcement, gentlemen. There will be no questions."
and as I’ve said before, having is indeed far more fulfilling than wanting
Despite your illogical credo , a well-done review of the score. I also appreciated the reminscences, the age-I-was-when-these-films-moved-me type thoughts. The score is a treasure and I'm one of those who was more excited about Parallax getting a release than the score that got top (stereo) billing on FSM's two-fer. I've mentioned this in other posts, but Small's use of silence makes his music all the more effective, particularly during the fight at the dam, with Small laying out and the warning alarm providing a tense "soundtrack" all its own. Small's restraint--or Pakula's--is positively Goldsmithian in its wise choice not to detract from what I view as the best scene in The Parallax View.
I've mentioned this in other posts, but Small's use of silence makes his music all the more effective, particularly during the fight at the dam, with Small laying out and the warning alarm providing a tense "soundtrack" all its own. Small's restraint--or Pakula's--is positively Goldsmithian in its wise choice not to detract from what I view as the best scene in The Parallax View.
Agreed. I can picture that scene right now. It has a haunting effect that lingers.
I'll also agree with you to the extent that IMO "Parallax Test" is the greatest piece of source music ever composed for a film. When I think back to how governmental, historical, and cultural images are twisted and warped in the montage itself and how Small's music is an accessory to the insidious Parallax Corporation, it sends shivers down my spine. Small must've seriously gotten into the head of the viewer, especially the young people of the time who were bombarded with "wholesome" imagery their entire lives with music like this that wouldn't be out of place in a propaganda film that glorifies a product or process. I seem to recall an industrial film seen in elementary school from the early-to-mid-'70s which promised widespread solar power for future generations...
...okay, I'll stop now. Jet lag kicking in again...
The film's opening sequence in Seattle--also unscored--is downright chilling. It comes off like the news footage just before Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald; it's even more disturbing when you know it's coming. Don't know if that was Pakula's intent but that's how I see it. Paula Prentiss' brief role is so effective, too; it must've been quite a shock to have her killed off so quickly, especially with her previous typecasting as a light comedienne.
Marathon Man is good stuff, but The Parallax View is why I bought this.
Agreed, Marathon Man is a most excellent score, but Parallax View is arguably one of the best thriller scores of the 70's. Also agree that the Test cue is beyond amazing! Easily my most played track of this year*.
*edit...it's a tie with LOVE IS EVERYWHERE, the song from the film ALL ABOUT STEVE. I don't know if Chris Beck had anything to do with this track, but I cannot stop playing this song! It's ridiculously stupid and lovely at the same time!
, a well-done review of the score. I also appreciated the reminscences, the age-I-was-when-these-films-moved-me type thoughts. The score is a treasure and I'm one of those who was more excited about Parallax getting a release than the score that got top (stereo) billing on FSM's two-fer. I've mentioned this in other posts, but Small's use of silence makes his music all the more effective, particularly during the fight at the dam, with Small laying out and the warning alarm providing a tense "soundtrack" all its own. Small's restraint--or Pakula's--is positively Goldsmithian in its wise choice not to detract from what I view as the best scene in The Parallax View. 