Black Hawk Down
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Composer: Hans Zimmer
Lable (Release Year): Decca (2001) Availability: **** Rating: ***1/2 |
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It has been a very busy new millennium for Hans Zimmer so far. He scored 9 films in 2 years and director Ridley Scott is responsible for 3 of them. (The same goes for Scott. 3 major films in 2 years!) I have only heard 5 out of the 9 scores. However, it seems to me Zimmer's music has "evolved" into a slightly new style and methodology. None of his new scores resemble his earlier works as an entirety. In other words, it is harder to tell if a score is composed by him these days. Black Hawk Down is being one example. With the film setting in Somalia, he is able to return to his favorite African music. According to the liner notes, he "wanted the music to portray 2 tribes. One was a techno tribe, which is American. They have all of the technology. The other tribe is ethnic instruments, which is the Somali world." Even a "Black Hawk Down Band" is formed to perform and create some of the music. "One thing I wanted from the score was unpredictability. I wanted us to feel like the soldiers in the field, who never knew where the next bullet was going to come from. So we would just watch the film and play up against it, " Zimmer says. The result? He got want he wanted and the score sounds loud (noisy) and chaotic at times. From the listening point of view, they are not that enjoyable because it lacks Zimmer's catchy rhythms and memorable melodies. The CD starts with a moody and enjoyable ethnic tune "Hunger". It begins with some African chanting/singing by Baaba Maal. Unfortunately, it lasts a lot less than I want. Then it turns to a The Thin Red Line like music and then a pure percussion rhythm music. Next features the a hip/techno ethnic song "Barra Barra" written and performed by Rachid Taha. Ironically, it is one of my favorite tracks. The poignant ethnic song "Gortoz a Ran - J'attends" composed by Denez Prigent is another highlight. "Vale of Plenty" represents the first melodic score track. It is somber and sounds like an American Civil War music with a ethnic twist. The sorrowful and soft "Thin Red Line" music and soulful African chanting return in "Still". Anyone who enjoys The Thin Red Line should enjoy this track. "Mogadishu Blues" is a short guitar solo track that does not contain any concrete and distinct melody. "Synchorotone", the longest track, unfortunately is the least enjoyable. It is the loud and chaotic music described before. It may work well for the film but definitely not for listening. I do enjoy the "Vangelis" like stuff at the end but it is too late to save it. "Bakara" is piece of hip techno music that doesn't do anything for me. " "Of the Earth" and "Ashes and Ashes" are 2 other forgettable tracks because of their lack of motifs and melodies. "Tribal War" is the only action track I like because of its vintage Zimmer rhythm. And more importantly, much more controlled and organized. Unfortunately, it lasts less than 3 minutes. Luckily, we have the larger than life "Leave No Man Behind" track near the end. It has a lyrical and beautiful theme that appears for the first time. It is the only other pure instrumental track I like along with "Tribal War". Joe Strummer's upbeat and triumphant "Minstrel Boy" is also enjoyable. Black Hawk Down is a mix bag of everything. It is soft, loud, techno, ethnic, electronical, orchestral, instrumental, choral and everywhere. It is just so hard to get into one mood and listen to it. There are good moments but they are not enough to justify the whole score. Again, Zimmer achieved what he wanted but it did not turn into a score that is great for listening. | |
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