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Posted: |
Jul 4, 2011 - 11:58 AM
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By: |
JMStudios
(Member)
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I was told by a good friend of mine, "Jay! You have to watch Game of Thrones! You're going to love it! It's like The Wire meets Middle Earth!"
I do love the show. I mean, it's awesome! And of course being a film music nerd I had some immediate thoughts on the music.
(I still have ep.9 and 10 left so don't spoil anything for me!)
My first impressions of the music to Game of Thrones was poor, or at least lacking in quality compared to the show. I thought it was underplayed, and even the sonic quality was too muffled and digital sounding, where you think in this genre a composer could exploit the full use of an orchestra. I kept thinking, "Wow, if this show is as good as I think it is, how come it's not doing anything musically? Like the way 'LOST' had SO much musical character."
After watching and re-watching some episodes, I realize the the underscore to the show is amazing. While there were probably other directions to take the music in, I believe they went with the whole soap opera, meditation-like sustains for tension and scene changes that work very well. It lets the story be told with much clarity. And the way the music will often be sustaining that tension in an eerie way even when the screen goes black and the credits roll, and it just continues swimming in the last emotion. It's very nicely done.
I had a thought, do you think they should have hired someone else to compose a grandiose theme song for the opening credits? As much as I can give it up to the music and the purpose it serves as under-scoring, I can't hear anything but a half-assed half-cocked opening theme song. I'm so excited when it kicks in, but I feel like they could have done something bigger, and better. Something that sticks with you! A better motif! I like it and everything, but I can't help but wonder....
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The original Main Title and the Season Two episode scores, especially the stuff for Arya and Jaqen H'ghar, are the highlights from this series.
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Such a missed opportunity, musically. I agree with Julian - it seems that no expense is spared on getting things exactly right in virtually every area of the show - except the music, which is just wallpaper. It could be so much more.
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Actually I got infected with the main theme from the show shortly after watching. I don't think a more medieval score would have fitted the series. It's a fantasy world and IMHO should have an own musical identity instead of being too much grounded in too obvious musical associations. That said I think on a compositional level the music is a little hit & miss. I created a personal "Best Of" cd from all four seasons which contains a lot of highlights (e.g. the great "Rains of Castamere" theme and its variations from the second season) and plays very nicely. Not all of the music is worth listening apart from the series but there are quite a few memorable moments, e.g. the great King's Road track from the first season, the beautiful choral writing in "The Children" (Season 4)- I don't like Mr. Djawadis other film scores at all. So I believe GoT is his best effort too date.
PS: If someone should be interested I may post my "best of" tracklist.
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PS: If someone should be interested I may post my "best of" tracklist.
I'd be interested.
Me too.
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Here it is
01 - Main Title (S1)
02 - The Kingsroad (S1)
03 - Goodbye Brother (S1)
04 - The King's Arrival (S1)
05 - Love in the Eyes (S1)
06 - You'll Be Queen One Day (S1)
07 - A Golden Crown (S1)
08 - A Bird Without Feathers (S1)
09 - A Lannister Always Pays His Debts (S3)
10 - Game of Thrones (S1)
11 - Mother of Dragons (S2)
12 - Dracarys (S3)
13 - Dark Wings, Dark Words (S3)
14 - I Have to Go North (S3)
15 - White Walkers (S3)
16 - For the Realm (S3)
17 - Mhysa (S3)
18 - I Paid the Iron Price (S3)
19 - Chaos Is a Ladder (S3)
20 - You Know Nothing (S3)
21 - Kingslayer (S3)
22 - Winterfell (S2)
23 - One More Drink Before the War (S2)
22 - The Children (S4)
24 - Finale (S1)
25 - The Rains of Castomere - The National (S2)
Playtime is 66 minutes. I included only piece from the S4 soundtrack. I tried to avoid the generic Remote Control action/suspense stuff mostlly. Have fun. Any feedback is welcome.
Mike
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S.2 - 4 features some of the best music of the decade.
ANd, yes, RAINS is up there with WAR HORSE & HTTYD as far as thematic quality goes
Classic!
check 'em out!
brm
ps the show is also fantastic!!!!
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The them is quite good. Not very complex or versatile, but it's the kind of theme that you hum along without it ever wearing out it's welcome.
The underscore is largely anonymous to me. I've been told there is a plethora of themes, but honestly they don't penetrate my field of attention at all.
The occasional interesting cues notwithstanding the music of GOT is largely like a dinner consisting of boiled potato, boiled chicken with some peas and a white sauce, served in a beige room on a plastic dining room table.
In episode 9 of season 4 I actually found the music detrimental to the episode. Such epic events scored in such a low-rent way.
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SOunds good.
now where is the HTTYD symphony we all desire!
brm
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