2. Frank-N-Danish (1:55)
After a short underscore introduction, the chorus comes back on with
a typical Gothic chord progression. Besides more brooding underscore,
that's about all this track offers.
3. Vienna Hot Dog (3:49)
For the first part of the cue, we switch gears entirely, into a more
tender piano theme. Luckily, that doesn't last long, and the second
half becomes a darkly dissonant development of the main theme, with a harrowing
fluttering synth effect reminiscent of part of Goldsmith's The Cloud from
ST:TMP.
4. Busted Lip Lock (1:20)
That bland piano theme comes back for a while here, along with the
chord progression from track 2.
5. In Paradisum (2:58)
Davis takes another left turn for a while here, beginning with a huge
hymn for chorus, with pairs of flute rhythms. Things take a darker
turn halfway through, throwing in a bit of dissonance worthy of Goldsmith's
Omen scores. At the end, this happens again, but this time it stays
somewhat menacing. Overall, although I'm not really fond of the flute
groupings, I have to admit it's a great cue.
6. She's Not Hungary for Food (3:18) (I don't think that's a typo,
but I don't know what it's supposed to signify.)
Finally! Now we're descending into Davis' native realm, that
of unbridled dissonance and orchestral cacophony. It begins fabulously
with his usual tone clusters, takes something of a break in the middle,
and returns for a frenzied action cue, which blends the dissonance with
the powerful chanted main theme. Truly a highlight of the score.
7. Club Spook (3:33)
We continue the frenetic atonal pace at the beginning of this cue,
with a fragmented cello run augmented by crashing anvils and horn tone
clusters. Throughout this cue, he alternates this ostinato-like section
with a quieter cantabile section with a serial melody for woodwinds.
Finally, in the last 10 seconds, the choir returns for a crashing finale.
Another highlight of the score.
8. Frank Restrained (2:14)
Davis goes back and presents another darkly sarcastic chant.
If you ever want to know if the composer means to be serious or not, just
go through and listen for pounding fourth intervals in the timpani.
If they're there, chances are that the section you're listening to isn't
really meant to heighten the drama of a piece. If it's supposed to
be dramatic, the composer REALLY messed up and turned the scene into a
horrible circus act. (Case in point: the end credits of Elfman's
Batman Returns. After a spectacular rendition of the Batman theme,
he adds pounding fourth intervals to the bass, ruining the entire thing.)
9. Monster Bus (0:58)
More pointless and repetitive Gothic string chords.
10. Breakout (3:27)
More of a traditional action cue, Davis bases the action on a string
ostinato with huge brass fanfares. Snippets of the main theme come
into play eventually.
11. Vile and Contemptibe (0:57)
This short cue expands the piano theme into a full, sweeping orchestral
arrangement. Much better than any time we've heard it previously.
12. Coyle and Cha Cha Break In (2:47)
This is one of the best tracks on the album, which is based around
a minor mode Gothic chant, complete with chimes. It ends menacingly,
with a scathing, ferocious synth effect.
13. Armando Takes a Hit (2:09)
More dark Gothic orchestral stylings highlight this cue, whose main
highlight is a playing of the now-orchestral piano theme. This track
is the best rendition we've heard thus far. The last minute mutates
into another of Davis' postmodern action cues, introducing the echoed brass
effect that he built his Matrix theme around.
14. Cruising with Grimes (1:31)
More Matrix-like atonality comprises this cue, which sounds a lot like
the later score's second track, with the fluttering triplets. However,
this one has menacing choir in the background.
15. Let's Shoot Grace (3:18)
Although mostly boring underscore, the chorus gets a short section
based somewhat on the main theme.
16. Delbo Delirious (1:02)
Reminiscent of the previous cue, this takes the main theme in the brass
and adds layers of choral effects on top. They probably could have
cut the previous cue out to make for a better listening experience.
17. Stake for Woody (1:38)
Another haunting track, with lush string arpeggios beneath a wailing,
almost Baroque choral anthem.
18. Dog Speed (5:33)
This climactic cue blends all of the previous aspects, including the
dissonance, tone clusters, chanting chorus, ostinatos, and main theme.
19. Franko-Fire (3:42)
This continues much in the same style as the previous one, with fluttering
dissonance, but with the addition of the secondary theme.
20. Trouble in Transylvania (2:32)
Much more interesting than track 19, this continues one of the main
string ostinatos, under a huge brass chorale rendition of the main theme.
Also present is the love theme, by now almost unrecognizable from the bland
piano stuff at the beginning of the disc.
21. Beauty Kills the Beast (6:33)
Although not as exciting as Dog Speed, this REAL climactic cue introduces
a military march with some of the first snare drums of the score.
Like the others, it creates an intriguing cacophonic soundscape through
mainly orchestral textures.
22. The Vampire Lawyer - Finale (1:44)
As you would expect, Davis gives his score an epic sendoff with a recap
of the main theme, back to its native choral arrangement. Unfortunately,
he pulls an Elfman and inserts those belittling timpani fourths, which
really takes away from the finale.
Although I don't think I'd pay full price for this promo release, if
you happen to come across it, be sure and pick it up. I don't think
it's on the same level as some of his other work like The Matrix, but it's
definitely Don Davis at his apex (or close to it.)
| Music Rating | 8/10 |
| Packaging/Liner Notes | N/A |
| Sound Quality | 8/10 |
| Orchestral Performance | 9/10 |
| Length | 8/10 (They could have cut the length down to 40 or 50 minutes for a better listening experience. |
