The new 38 track version of the season album is now on all the streaming platforms, and digital purchase platforms, including lossless downloads and high-res downloads
The individual episode albums are all available on the same platforms in the same bitrates; I won't link to them directly but here's links to Bear's page on these sites
The CD release date at Amazon is pushed back to 14 November. I hope they won't delay it further, it's the most anticipated CD release for me this year (so far...)
Well, the first season is over, and I watched it to the end just to hear McCreary’s music in context. (The show lost me, but not because of lack of fidelity to Tolkien or ludicrous complaints about wokeness. I just have very limited patience for portentous dialogue like “Perilous are these whisperings” spoken by characters who feel like mannequins in fancy costumes. And nine hours leading to “shocking reveals” just isn’t my thing. We knew Sauron was around, and which one of these ciphers he was lurking as held zero interest for me, and neither did the creation of Mordor, which had no consequence whatever in this season. Slo-mo cannot on its own make these goings-on dramatic.)
But I have no such complaints about McCreary’s score, which I found to be consistently inventive, melodic, and exciting. The episodic releases are a bit long for me (such is the nature of the beast), but I was very impressed by how he wove the various themes and colors together as the season progressed. To me, the music was as involving as I wanted the series itself to be, and I look forward to more of McCreary’s work in this world, even as I swear I won’t get suckered into watching season two. (Hold me to it, guys!)
I still don't know where to buy the CD apart from Mondo directly. It is not available at any Amazon store even though it had two different release dates before and the few European retailers that list it have very different release dates from November to January.
I don't get why it is so hard to buy - mostly outside of the States - if it has been already released. Has any one of you in the EU or GB managed to get a copy yet from some EU based store?
I thought 'where did all MY posts go' when I saw this thread, as I recently waxed lyrical about the series and its fantastic music. But looks like Jason started THIS thread, after dave already had one going...(!!?)
And No, it's still not available anywhere apart from Emperor Mongo, who want you to pay Top Dollar if you live outside the USA. I even checked ArkSquare in Japan but they're not getting copies until December. But I'm sure it will appear on Amazon elsewhere (and other online outlets) soon enough. CD's are coming back into fashion, don't you know.
I think keky's point was that it will cost non-US buyers quite a bit, factoring in the $20 postage on top. The query/question is why other stockists (especially Amazon, who produced the whole damned thing) are taking so long to offer it for sale. Maybe they gave Mondo some exclusive time window before it goes wide?
I think keky's point was that it will cost non-US buyers quite a bit, factoring in the $20 postage on top. The query/question is why other stockists (especially Amazon, who produced the whole damned thing) are taking so long to offer it for sale. Maybe they gave Mondo some exclusive time window before it goes wide?
Exactly, that's what my point is. I thought Amazon (even international Amazon, not just the US site) would offer the CD for sale on release day not months later.
Amazon is offering the music directly themselves as a digital download or stream in every country they have a presence in.
Mondo Records has the exclusive physical CD and physical vinyl rights. I wouldn't expect there to be any easier way to get their products than via their official website, but I know nothing about their international footprint.
I actually preorder the CD directly from Amazon, back in August. But hasn't been even charged yet, and it says temporally out of stock. So my guess is that they will have it, but not yet.
I was really impressed and (positively) astonished.
What a great achievement by Mr. McCreary!
Listening to this score reminded my of the times when I started listening to film music: opulence, majestic themes, orchestral Grandezza, romantic, sweeping melodies, use of the full orchestra.
Great.
Somehow this nourishes my theory that the quality of composition depends on the quality of production, not always as history of film music has shown with many examples. The thing is I didn't expect that much of talent. Unbelievable!
Spectacular, bombastic orchestral score.
I was aware of the music when watching the show, it was noticeable, but besides the movie it has its own stand alone quality.
Curiously if/when the individual episode scores (available digitally) are given a physical release as a box set, which has been alluded to by Bear, it'll likely be more widely available than this two disc set which has either underestimated demand or totally ignored international fans.
Curiously if/when the individual episode scores (available digitally) are given a physical release as a box set, which has been alluded to by Bear, it'll likely be more widely available than this two disc set which has either underestimated demand or totally ignored international fans.
The only international Amazon site with an actual release date (18 November) is the French Amazon. I had a coupon with them so I ordered the CD from France. I wonder if they will really have it in stock next week.
A little late to this party but I am so glad Erik Woods recommended this to me. I cannot get enough of that song that McCreary composed and sung by Fiona Apple. "Where the Shadows Lie" is a treat for the ears as the melody plays around the chords lending an ominous and sinister tone. I like McCreary anyhow but I think this represents a high watermark for the composer.
I preordered the 2-CD set from Amazon on August 21. I finally got a shipping notice and USPS tracking number on December 1. If the notice I received is accurate, it should arrive in the next day or two.
