Surely the artwork will be better (Futureland series sucked in that department).
Are you crazy? These old Futureland releases had way more cooler poster arts, for their covers!: http://www.godzillamonstermusic.com/godzilla3-1.htm (... but I do agree, that cover for THE THREE TREASURES release looks awesome!)
Yes, I like the original Futureland poster artwork better too. I think the front cover for THE THREE TREASURES looks similar to the artwork used for Toho's R2 DVD of the movie. By the way, THE THREE TREASURES 2CD set is now available for order at Arksquare. It went on sale on 11/1...
Iv'e only just recently discovered Ifukube's score for Battle In Outer Space. Wow, what a powerhouse! How did I miss this? The main title alone really gets the blood pumping. If only composers were allowed to write music like this nowdays.
I've come to the conclusion conclusion that he only wrote about ten themes in his life and just kept reusing them over and over in every movie he ever did with the slightest of variations in tempo and orchestration. But yes they were very good and effective.
It's funny, but Ifukube reminds me a lot of John Barry in particular the Battle In Outer Space score. He'll take his theme or motif then use it thematically, often repetativley, throughout the score changing the tempo to suit. I've often read comments from composers how repetition is key to great film music. Barry and Ifukube were two of the greats. This is a great score.
Ifukube had almost no time or budget to score many of these pictures, and many of them needed almost non-stop music. So he would re-use cues whenever possible. I don't think Barry was in quite the same situation. There are a lot of times when Barry seems to be a bit "lazy" in his reliance upon the same themes over and over within a picture, but other times (the Bond films are a great example) he seems to have an almost endless variety of thematic material.
One of the great things about Ifukube is that even his repeated motifs emerge in such a wide range of guises. He can transform the mood of a single theme from a brutally terrifying dirge to a bracing march to a delicate and hauntingly beautiful elegy. While it's true that some of his scores are more richly varied than others, even his rushed soundtracks are never less than memorable.
Ifukube had almost no time or budget to score many of these pictures, and many of them needed almost non-stop music. So he would re-use cues whenever possible. I don't think Barry was in quite the same situation. There are a lot of times when Barry seems to be a bit "lazy" in his reliance upon the same themes over and over within a picture, but other times (the Bond films are a great example) he seems to have an almost endless variety of thematic material.
That’s one of those irregular verbs:
Goldsmith produced integrated monothematic scores Ifukube was short of time Barry was lazy
Iv'e only just recently discovered Ifukube's score for Battle In Outer Space. Wow, what a powerhouse! How did I miss this? The main title alone really gets the blood pumping. If only composers were allowed to write music like this nowadays.
They are certainly ALLOWED to do it, but most just don't have the creative talent.
Ifukube had almost no time or budget to score many of these pictures, and many of them needed almost non-stop music. So he would re-use cues whenever possible. I don't think Barry was in quite the same situation. There are a lot of times when Barry seems to be a bit "lazy" in his reliance upon the same themes over and over within a picture, but other times (the Bond films are a great example) he seems to have an almost endless variety of thematic material.
I don't think I'd ever accuse Barry of being lazy. Maybe on album the over use of a theme can be repetitious. Like Ifukube I love the way Barry would alter or modify his theme or motif just subtlety depending on the scene and building it thematically. I think the Barry score I'm most likening to Battle In Outer Space is The Black Hole. Stylistically they both appear to be very similar. Both have those wonderful thematic ideas again used with only a subtle change. Curiously both scores feature an amazing march/fanfare that really doesn't quiet gel with the rest of the score. Though, the Ifukube piece does come off better in contrast than that Barry fanfare/battle march cue. I love the Barry score nonetheless.
Iv'e only just recently discovered Ifukube's score for Battle In Outer Space. Wow, what a powerhouse! How did I miss this? The main title alone really gets the blood pumping. If only composers were allowed to write music like this nowadays.
They are certainly ALLOWED to do it, but most just don't have the creative talent.
Iv'e only just recently discovered Ifukube's score for Battle In Outer Space. Wow, what a powerhouse! How did I miss this? The main title alone really gets the blood pumping. If only composers were allowed to write music like this nowdays.
It's such a great score. The repetition comments aside, the central march for the battle scenes really works. Checked out the U.S. cut of BIOS vs the Japan cut, the replacement music is really dull, and undermines the battle on the moon. in the Japanese cut, Ifukube's music REALLY amps up the action.
At the 19 minute mark you can hear how lackluster the U.S. replacement score music is.
One of the great things about Ifukube is that even his repeated motifs emerge in such a wide range of guises. He can transform the mood of a single theme from a brutally terrifying dirge to a bracing march to a delicate and hauntingly beautiful elegy. While it's true that some of his scores are more richly varied than others, even his rushed soundtracks are never less than memorable.
This.
Ifukube has been a major focus of my collecting over the past year. I've used Spotify to sample some albums (Varan, Battle in Outer Space, Rodan, for example). Repetition and self-reference is part of his legacy, but like the best composers, you appreciate the works as much for their intelligent use of notes and command of their brand of musical language as much as for the work itself.
The other great thing about Ifukube is what he accomplished in the classical realm - so the exploration continues. Thanks to suggestions from some on this board, I'm enjoying what I'm hearing.
It's such a great score. The repetition comments aside, the central march for the battle scenes really works. Checked out the U.S. cut of BIOS vs the Japan cut, the replacement music is really dull, and undermines the battle on the moon. in the Japanese cut, Ifukube's music REALLY amps up the action.
At the 19 minute mark you can hear how lackluster the U.S. replacement score music is.
Greg Espinoza
That's a strange cut of the film. Clocking in at 47mins, half the film is missing? Maybe it was some commercial television version edited down to the 1hr time slot?
These old Futureland releases had way more cooler poster arts, for their covers!:
