Film music fans who tend to shy away from music associated with video games should pay special attention. You're in for a surprise.

Jeremy is a young, brilliant, classically trained composer whose talents have permeated several projects in the video game industry, including:

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Neverwinter Nights
Dungeon Siege
Sovereign (yet-to-be released)
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Azurik: The Rise of Perathia
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Final Four 2002
Icewind Dale
Giants: Citizen Kabuto
Total Annihilation
Secret of Evermore, The

His music is grand in a very big, traditional way - and believe it or not, manages to maintain itself as a breath of fresh air amidst much of what's being composed today. He possesses a sensibility for the dramatic that, in my opinion, rivals some of the greats. His style is his own, yet inspires the kind of awe and excitement Williams' most noted works have done for years. I've been known to compare Jeremy's music to that of a hybrid cross-between Williams, Kamen, and David Arnold. Your opinion may be different, but I think you'll agree that his music possesses the same kind of high-octane, kick-butt energy. And this is not even scratching the surface regarding the effectiveness of his work on an emotional level.

Jeremy is comfortable composing music that spans the entire spectrum, whether it be for a 110-piece orchestra or for an intimate, small ensemble. He's one of the few out there pioneering technology where instrument sampling is concerned, but again enjoys employing what a majority of us love most: an full orchestra. Amazingly enough, Jeremy's synth work rivals, if not surpasses that of Zimmer's. His devotion to making samples more organic, more realistic is an art unto itself, and while sampling will never replace the gusto a real orchestra provides, it certainly makes way for more possibilities.

For those of you who've not heard a drop of Soule's genius, I invite you to listen to a short suite here. (Right-click, Save Target As) Please be warned, the mp3 I've put together is encoded at a meager 32kbps. It's poor quality, I know - but it's 7 minutes long and I do not wish to put the kind of stress a larger file might put on the server's bandwidth. It's still listenable, so tolerate it as you might a Real Audio stream on a 28.8 modem. Yikes! I know! Deal with it... it's 1.6mb.

Thoughts are welcome!

Jeremy Soule is a composer I'm extremely excited about. His work has intrigued me since 1997, and there simply are not enough people talking about him. When you listen to the mp3 I've posted, you'll instantly know what I mean.

Visit his website at www.jeremysoule.com.

Jeron

PS. I expect (and hope) Timothy Turner, Dan Goldwasser, Brian Costa, and Justin Taylor will be responding, as I know they've been exposed to Jeremy's material in the past.

Seriously, I've never heard of this guy, probably because from the works you listed, they are all computer (or PS2, X-Box, etc) games. And I don't play any of that stuff. So whatever.

Jeron didn't design Jeremy's website.....

Dan

I've heard his music and it's as generic as all hell.

If I want fresh air, there's Thomas Newman, Danny Elfman, Elliot Goldenthal and Howard Shore -- Soule doesn't even enter the picture.

Ryan
NP: THE TWO TOWERS - real music

--Brian (who dosen't need more people mad at him...but agrees with Jeron 100%)

quote:

---

Originally posted by rkeaveney:
NP: THE TWO TOWERS - real music

---

...and while I don't share this opinion, some have argued that Shore's work on LOTR is quite generic, as well. Ryan, your opinion is derogatorily subjective. I'm glad you are enjoying The Two Towers - it makes me happy you're enjoying something, at least.

quote:

---

Originally posted by TimT:
Wheres that music from in your suite Jeron?

---

I'm sure those same people wouldn't first criticize Shore's LOTR work and in the next breath praise generi-smith Jeremy Soule.

Ryan, your opinion is [b]derogatorily subjective. I'm glad you are enjoying The Two Towers - it makes me happy you're enjoying something, at least.[/B]

I save my praise for film music that deserves it. It keeps mediocrity from creeping in.

Not particularly. You opened up the floor on Jeremy Soule's music, which I've heard and remain unimpressed.

There is a distinct difference between being able to write music, which Jeremy Soule can do, and write music that is dynamic, interesting and worthwhile. There are thousands of composers out there, what makes them special is not if they can write run-of-the-mill action music, but whether or not they can imbue that music with a true voice. No one in the world except Jeremy Soule could take a blind "taste test" of his music and declare it was his. Not you, not me. Because it's generic. The very definition.

Do I do this to you, el Ryano? LOL... go do a Cinemusic re-design or something... something productive.

Huh? You don't do spite well, Jeron.

After reading your posts here, and then reading your reviews of the MEDAL OF HONOR CDs, I have to ask you what makes Giacchino stand out as non-generic? If Soule's work is so non-descript and unrecognizably common, what makes Giacchino's stand out as unique?

First off Jeremy has a very unique sound and his own personal musical technigues that I've only heard from his music. (Giants: Citizen Kabuto, Icewind Dale, Morrowind III).
He knows how to really create a great soundscape for a fantasy setting as well as awsome themes to boot! And thats what I like about him the most. I'd say he's about 10 times more interesting than the highly over ratted Nobuo Uemitsu of the Final Fantasy series! Uemitsu is considered the top dog in game music these days.
Jeremy Soule's orchestral, music while fun...is not really why I like him. Its his electronic music that I favor. Its really like noone elses, and has such an original sound to it that it can't possible be generic. Like The Lord of the Rings. Which by the way could make an ecxellent Jeremy Soule score!
Shore's score to the Lord of the Rings isn't terrible, but its just cheesy at times and really exaggerated. I hear it as just something for fun, and not to be taken seriously.

NP- Ben-Hur - Carl Davis

First, thanks for joining the thread Dan. Second, thanks for reading my reviews.

As for Giacchino, I know my reviews well and I don't believe I've stated anywhere that his music is "unique" or that it's a "breath of fresh air" or that "his style is his own" (what does that mean anyways?).

I did, however, state that because of Steven Spielberg's involvement, "the first MEDAL OF HONOR mandated a John Williams-like feel to the music" and that "Michael Giacchino delievered action cues that featured Williams' classic, frenzied technique". I think those are fair and realistic statements, which present a fair and balanced opinion. I've given all the MEDAL OF HONOR soundtracks very positive reviews, but I've never praised them for simply cranking up the volume with a full orchestra -- something that's not particularly revolutionary, but according to Jeron, is the second-coming when Jeremy Soule does it.

Is it 'good', or does it sound like it would fit the context it's in?
Yea, I think so.

Do I think it's generic?
Yep.

What flavour Pringles do I like best?
Sour cream & onion

If he's a 'composer & symphonist' (what the hell is the difference, anyway?), where are any of his concert works on the website?
I dunno, but I get really annoyed when all these composers who are 'classically trained' only ever seem to do film or video game music. Obviously, if they like doing it, great, and I realise they need to make a living, but surely they must have written something for the concert hall at some time?!?! IMHO, there's more to being a composer than soley video game and film music.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Waterfall
and Debussy's Cat
(Right Click and Save Target As)

I still don't see how any of you can label his music as generic... it's no more generic than what the Williams's, JNH's, Goldsmith's, or Silvestri's are doing today. And I happen to love their current output... of course, what's new? "Jeron loves everything..." geesh. Not true. Get over it, Ryan.

Jeron

It's just awfully...tonal.
I guess this is just a personal taste thing, because lately I've been getting into more not-so-tonal works.

All the same, I still think it's good to see effot being made when it comes to the supporting of not-so-established composers.

NP: Three Piano Pieces, op.11 - Arnold Schoenberg (<==has Soule written anything like this? )

quote:

---

Originally posted by Richard:
NP: Three Piano Pieces, op.11 - Arnold Schoenberg (<==has Soule written anything like this?

---

Not sure Richard, I haven't heard that piece. I do know that Soule is greatly influenced by guys like Richard Strauss, Erich Korngold, Miklos Rosza, and of course John Williams.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jeron:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by Richard:
[b]NP: Three Piano Pieces, op.11 - Arnold Schoenberg (<==has Soule written anything like this?<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not sure Richard, I haven't heard that piece. I do know that Soule is greatly influenced by guys like Richard Strauss, Erich Korngold, Miklos Rosza, and of course John Williams.

Jeron[/B]

---

He is also inspired by Gustov Holst, as you can hear a part from the Jupiter Suite in his Morrowwind score.
So at least he's classical minded! Which could mean he has a great knowlege of music!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jeron:
Not sure Richard, I haven't heard that piece. I do know that Soule is greatly influenced by guys like Richard Strauss, Erich Korngold, Miklos Rosza, and of course John Williams.

Jeron

---

Yeah, well, Lil'J, no offense, but you've never heard Schoenberg's music :) It's completely different. He invented the process of serialism and he did some pretty f*cked up things. Goldsmith's POTA is tame stuff compared to Schoenberg.

I haven't personally heard anything that ressembles Schoenberg's style in film music so far, and it might actually be for the best. I'm not sure how any audience would react to this in a movie. It would be distracting. I'm not saying it's bad music; simply, it would stand out way too much in a film.

Waterfall
and Debussy's Cat
(Right Click and Save Target As)

I've heard both of those Soule pieces and they are as dull as C-SPAN'S GREATEST MOMENTS DVD.

I still don't see how any of you can label his music as generic... it's no more generic than what the Williams's, JNH's, Goldsmith's, or Silvestri's are doing today.

I can't believe that you're comparing Soule to Silvestri, Williams, James Newton Howard and Jerry Goldsmith. Any film music fan worth their weight can tell Silvestri when they hear it. Williams when they hear it, JNH when they hear it and sure as hell Goldsmith when they hear it.

I think Soule's website is hilarious. Seriously everyone, if you're in for some entertainment, check it out. His press release, masquerading as "news" is damn funny. They name "John Williams" appears on the site more than Jeremy Soule.

I'm going to run out and create a site about Ryan Keaveney, and about how I've directed films "in the magical grandeur of Steven Spielberg, with the cutting realism and style of Martin Scorsese".

I'm sure there's someone out there who will go: "Hey guys, if you're not familiar with Ryan Keaveney, you should be!!!!"

And I happen to love their current output... of course, what's new? "Jeron loves everything..." geesh. Not true. Get over it, Ryan.

Get over it? You assume I care too much.

I think Jeron needs to get over Jeron.

Like I said before, I don't play video games, so I don't know Jeremy's music.

After a listen or two, I have come to the personal observation that while the music is very good for what it's intended to be, it's not the "Best Ever" (nor is it really intended to be). I'd be willing to hear more.

Jeron's enthusiasm for Jeremy's work is also fine. That's called "personal taste." He's excited about Jeremy's work, and wants to share it with those he thought others would appreciate the work.

Jeron, keep us appraised of others who you think we should know about. And Ryan, go screw yourself. Thankfully the others on here, if they didn't "get" Jeremy's music, had more tact than you.

Ever heard the expression don't kill the messenger?

If Jeron has some thoughts on Jeremy's music then let him have them. Don't just dismiss Jeremy's music as boring. Jeron has his view and you have yours, but while Jeron presents his with a tasteful position, you seem hell bent on slamming Jeron for his view.

I'm not trying to make enemies here, I just see what I see.

--Brian

I've listened to some of Soule's music in 1998 or so, and at the time I had the exact same reaction Ryan's having. This does not mean Soule's music sucks. No. Perhaps this good discussion (wipe the mud off your eyes... and prepare for more...) will incite some interest in giving this "young" "brilliant" "classically trained" composer's music another chance with me. So, get outta the way, please.

You folks will see... you'll see...

Kevin, Brian, thanks for the support there. I appreciate it, but hey - just leave Ryan to his own devices. He's a good guy with some great opinions. He runs a website that contributes to our community, and a wonderfully designed one at that. If he doesn't meet eye-to-eye with what I think, that's fine. I don't expect everyone to (just most of you -- kiddding)!

And Peter, I'd love for you to re-discover his music. I think it's some really special stuff.

Jeron

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeterK:
¿por favor?

---

What does that mean? I don't speak Swedish.

Michael Giacchino has graduated to scoring a major television series, ALIAS, which puts him much closer to "John Williams territory" then Jeremy Soule. And no one makes that jump quickly. Soule has a long, long, long road ahead of him -- a road that does not include HARRY POTTER video games.

So far, the only person I see comparing Jeremy Soule to John Williams, is Jeremy Soule! It's right there in the press release he penned himself.

Thanks to Peter for allowing this discussion to continue. Despite my occasional infantile remark (and I'll take Kevin's suggestion - he's a man of obvious basic tastes, so a lame put-down is expected - into consideration) I think I've made some valid points. It's great that Jeron likes Soule's music. My disagreeing is not to be mistaken for malice, though I can't control what Jeron thinks anymore then I can control his guilty-pleasure preference for generic music.

There's enough good music out there that it's not necessary bringing in dull carbon-copy vid-game composers into the mix.