Soundtrack Information
Music From
Music By
Purchase Soundtrack
Track Listing
Related Albums
Martin / Pollock (Unused Score)Perseverance Records (PRD019)
Released: November 7, 2007
Format: CD (60 min)
Music Used in Trailers
- Theatrical Trailer
- The Terminal (2004) - Jeff Beal
- Teaser Trailer
- The Terminal (2004) - Jeff Beal
Review: Pollock
4 / 5 Stars
In a recent film music discussion with a friend of
mine, he stated, "Everyone's
American sounds like Copland." To an extent this is true; after all,
Copland largely defined the sound of American symphonic music, and his
stylistic shadow is a very large and imposing one that is nigh impossible to
crawl out of. Instead, it tends to be easier to write within it.
Still, there's room for variation, and Jeff Beal does a splendid job with
this on Pollock.
This is a score that excites me with every listening. It is at once
thought-provoking and superficially entertaining. This is a chamber score
at it's best; an exercise in the unique interaction of musical timbres
(including an orchestral banjo, a la Antheil) and heavy rhythmic drive.
"Alone In a Crowd" immediately establishes a downright boisterous
pace, it's repeating string pattern laying the groundwork for melodic germs
rather than actual "statements." In "Stroke of
Genius," the score gets into some downright rock-'n'-roll moments, and
it's more than welcome. Beal approaches the material in the manner of a
true jazz-loving post-minimalist composer, and I was at times reminded of early
John Adams while listening to the disc.
Admittedly, I have not seen Pollock. I don't know how well any of
this works in the film, but on album, it has come as a very refreshing finale
to a somewhat lackluster year in film music. Yes, some of the slower bits
are not the most interestingthe "new-agey" style is nice, but
when it's book-ended with such wonderful fast music, my attention tends to be
diverted forward or back on the disc. Tom Waits' song, "The World
Keeps Turning," is a different bird altogether. With it's mix of
detuned piano, banjo, and Waits' deliberately unrefined voice, the song
initially struck me as something to pass on. Further listening, though,
will reveal it as a rather heartbreaking number whose quiet intensity has
sparked my interest in Waits' other work.
All in all, Jeff Beal's work on Pollock is stirring, entertaining, and
effective. Whatever stylistic debt it owes to Copland, it pays off
happily in its opening bars, and proceeds to delight across the board.
Highly recommended.
-
Click stars
to rate.
If any information appears to be missing from this page, contact us and let us know!