01 – “Wickie auf Grosser Fahrt” – Vicky and The Treasure of the Gods – Ralf Wengenmayr, Nik Reich & Jaro Messerschmidt
This is a sprite little number starting off with what sounds like a piccolo. The track features quite a catchy fanfare before settling down to a sweeping string passage mid-cue that gives the impression of some seafaring epic. The track sometimes sails close to the wind (excuse the pun) sometimes and almost becomes too light-hearted and “kiddie” for my ageing preferences.
02 – “We Will Be Laotong” – Snow Flower and The Secret Fan – Rachel Portman
This is such a lovely track, beginning as it does with a very tender solo piano before there’s the introduction of delicate strings. Portman’s integration of ethnic instruments with the strings works really well. There’s just enough of foreign colours to give a sense of place but to retain the western styling to enhance the feeling in the piece.
03 – “Answering The Call” – EA Sports NCAA Football 12 – Colin O’Malley
Typical American sports fanfares to start off this track. There’s something about the mix of brass and percussion rhythms (all synth?) that appeals to my sensibilities and this score as a whole (though short in length) delivers. And this cue in particular highlights all the positives. Read the rest of this entry »
