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Wanna know what Hollow Man is like?
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Topic: Wanna know what Hollow Man is like?

Steve Hughes

Oscar® Winner

I picked an advance copy up today. I'm writing this as I listen to it for the first time. Here goes:1. THE HOLLOW MAN: The title track is a slow melodic piece that resembles BASIC INSTINCT in tone. A subtle synth-breath is woven throughout...
2. ISABELLE COMES HOME: is a six minute track that escalates into classic suspense music, some of the best I've ever heard from Goldsmith.
3. LINDA AND SEBASTIAN: is a mellow piano theme that's a little offbeat, quite touching. Strings join in and the track becomes uplifting and warm. The main theme makes a welcome return towards the end.
4. THIS IS SCIENCE: This sounds like something that takes place in the Lab -- probably the scene where Kevin Bacon is being experimented on. Slowly, everything falls quiet, then it all gets really aggressive about 3 mins in. I'm betting this is where Kev turns invisible. A pioneering feel runs throughout.
5. NOT RIGHT: The pace continues, then becomes more aggressive, as the title suggests. The pace quickens and the track segues into a thrilling 'chase' type motif. Low brass and high strings.
6. WHAT WENT WRONG: The main theme returns, more reflective this time, but the pace is brisker than in the title track.
7. BROKEN WINDOW: Eerie and unsettling low strings signal danger. A repetitive low piano motif and suspense strings crank up the tension... it's very creepy and unsettling. The theme returns but it doesn't bring relief. Classic Goldsmith stuff this.
8. FALSE IMAGE: Fantastic. Sounds like something from Twilight Zone: The Movie. Low piano strings, stabbing brass, xylophones -- cool. The score was great to start but it's getting better with every track...
9: HI BOSS: A strange musical sound immediately puts us at unease. Strings let us know that something bad is about to happen. And it does. Big pulsating action music that reminds me of Rambo explodes. Further on, it becomes quiter, but still menacing. It's nice how JG weaves the theme throughout.
10. FIND HIM: Searching/hunting-type music, as the title suggests, complete with cool synth beats -- a familiar Goldsmith tool. More action music... more suspense.
11. BLOODY FLOOR (9:57): The tension is still not letting up. One word describes this: Relentless suspense. Then quiet. Then action. Then quiet. Action could break out at any time. The synth-breathing returns. About 4 1/2 mins in, a painful theme pops up, but it's not too long before it all gets going again... there is an element of success and hope as it moves along, still at a rattling pace, moving faster and faster until the breathtaking finale... phew, I'm exhausted.
12. THE ELEVATOR: And the action music just keeps on coming. Eeerie sweeping strings, quiet for a moment, and then a terrifying descending motif that scared the crap out of me. Whoah. I keep looking over my shoulder, not that I'd be able to see Kevin Bacon if he was there...
13. THE BIG CLIMB: The scary motif continues with MORE action!!! Muscluar brass thunder along... becomes low and sympathetic for a moment, then comes to a triumphant, upbeat finale.
So, in the end, two very swollen thumbs up. It's a rollercoaster of a score that builds and builds and never lets up. IMO Goldsmith retains his title of one of the scoring greats and I think that everyone who has any interest in good film music will be very happy with this score. I really wanted to see the film before but now I'm counting the days... unfortunately it's September until we get it in the UK.
posted 07-21-2000 04:50 PM PT (US) 
Crono/Kyp

Oscar® Winner

I cant wait!!!!!--Kyp
posted 07-21-2000 05:15 PM PT (US) 
Jeron

Oscar® Winner

Steve, on one hand, I'm jealous. On the other, I'm incredibly happy to recieve this breakdown of the score! Your track-by-track descriptions make it look as if it's all I hoped for... which means, I'm literally chomping at the bits to buy it on Tuesday. Let this be the score that reminds those that Goldsmith is *still* the Maestro... and forever shall remain.I'm ready!!
Jeronposted 07-21-2000 05:41 PM PT (US) 
Crono/Kyp

Oscar® Winner

Horner rules!The banter begins!
--A ****ed Kyp (dont ask)
posted 07-21-2000 06:17 PM PT (US) 
JJH

Oscar® Winner

I'm, like, so THERE...ohmagawwd.posted 07-21-2000 06:19 PM PT (US) 
Al

Oscar® Winner

Whoa. First I see "What Lies Beneath" and then this? The suspense and excitement is too much for one day!posted 07-21-2000 08:27 PM PT (US) 
Shaun Rutherford

Oscar® Winner

Thanks for the rundown, Steve! I watched the pitiful HBO First Look (hate the 15 minute ones), and they used bits of Goldsmith's score, which sounded (to these ears) alarmingly like The Mummy's "Imhotep" theme and the "love theme". I mean, I can't really judge the score based on hearing probably the same cue over and over (there were some decent, "Cave Of Death" style strings in there, too), but I just wanted to be negative.Shaun
NP---Not The Hollow Man
posted 07-21-2000 09:57 PM PT (US) 
jonathan_little
Oscar® Winner

I also want to thank Steve for his comments. I can't wait for Amazon to send my copy!
NP: First Knight, Expanded
posted 07-22-2000 12:44 PM PT (US) 
mlw
Oscar® Winner

It's somewhere in the middle of Mahler getting all traumatized into a postStravinsky/Bartok frenzy, only too specific to resemble anything but, well, Hollow Man. All cooled-out contemporary style, til it heats way the hell up. I won't say anything more about the merits of the music, you'll have to figure that out for yourself. Counceling recommended.
posted 07-23-2000 03:37 PM PT (US) 
Crono/Kyp

Oscar® Winner

Hey, I've heard rumors that there are vocal sets in the CD, this true?--Kyp
NP: Patriot
posted 07-23-2000 03:43 PM PT (US) 
mlw
Oscar® Winner

Don't know anything about that.
It's London players with that muscular elegant sound that responds to this stuff the way Jet Li's fists execute punching.Np: Bloody Floor-- I think it's when someone busts up vials of blood to catch some footprints, then somebody dies or something.
posted 07-23-2000 03:57 PM PT (US) 
bogeyman2000
Oscar® Winner

I just bought this cd today. It does have an errie quality to it. Classic Goldsmith. Thnaks Steve for the in depth track listings.
posted 07-24-2000 06:20 PM PT (US) 
Al

Oscar® Winner

For those interested, CDnow has audioclips of all tracks available. But, after hearing a few of them, you might as well save yourself the time and just go get the album!
posted 07-24-2000 11:22 PM PT (US) Old Infopop Software by UBB
