Search - Various Artists, Eric Serra :: GoldenEye

Underappreciated

J. Brewer | Houston, TX | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a 6 year hiatus, James Bond returns in Goldeneye, yet this time with the help of French composer, Eric Serra to bring him strongly into the 90s. This combination has lead to what is easily the most unique and powerful Bond soundtrack out there. It's dark, it's beautiful, and it's different (in a good way). Many have claimed that his work here is "bland" and features too much "computer music". These haters are simply Barry-fanboys that wish the same, tired, 20-year old formula to be repeated endlessly throughout decades on end. Don't listen to them. And as for the "computer music", yes, the score is definitely very electronic in its nature. Yet, the 90s where a big time for electronica and the beginning of the rave scene so this was inevitable, seeing as Eric and the producers wanted a new sound. The film has a certain dark undertone to it, which he perfectly captures with this new sound. "Fatal Weakness", with its dark industrial grinds and building percussion, greatly succeeds in this as does "The Goldeneye Overture", which works as a nice precursor to what the rest of the movie would sound like. Yet, the score also triumphs in its more orchestral offerings. "We Share The Same Passions" and "That's What Keeps You Alone" are both sweeping and cinematic, easily recalling Barry's classic 70s period Bond works. I can go as far as saying that these rival his compositions. "Run, Shoot, And Jump", another orchestral highlight, is easily one of the best Bond action melodies written. It's a shame it's so short. Then there is the controversial "A Pleasant Drive In St. Petersburg", which ended up not being in the film. Instead it was replaced by a more typical, Hollywood soundtrack that sounds so out of place in the movie. A mistake in my opinion. The first half of "Dish Out of Water" is another favorite of mine and makes the fight between Bond and Xenia in the movie even better. The dark electronic drones at the beginning of the track mimic the spinning helicopter blades that Xenia jumps out of, before diving into a repeating metallic tribal rhythm assault. The only weaker moment here is "Ladies First", which sounds a tad bit dated. I'm not nuts over Tina Turner's Goldeneye theme, but Eric's singing effort makes "Experience of Love" a good song, incorporating a few elements from the actual score. Nicely done but also a little on the cheese side.



If you've read the whole review, you're wasting your time. If you enjoyed the movie, or just want something a little different, check this out.

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Noise

David A. Gaumer | iowa | 06/28/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I found a copy of this at a used bookstore and its just a bunch of electronic noise that is going to cause a headache, DONT waste your money on this. David Arnold's scores are SO MUCH better."

Great Bond Score (Not As Good As David Arnold... But Really

Media Lover | 07/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I decided to take a risk and purchase this CD, (I couldn't stand not hearing it in it's full package after all the controversy surrounding it.) I will say right now, I am a die hard David Arnold fan, and I don't think much can beat the music he wrote for The World Is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day, or Casino Royale. That being said, this score is great! Although many tracks are percussive banging and synthesizers, these pounding tracks are seperated by some of the best romantic orchestral love themes I've heard... ever! And hey, Serra is GOOD with the synths, no matter whether you like this score or not, you have to admit the guy can write and play good synth music. Besides the synths, I truly believe this is the closest the Bond music franchise has gotten to John Barry's originals, (but please, buy David Arnold's scores, because I believe that he is hands down the best Bond composer, and always will be.)"