The Skulls
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Composer: Randy Edelman
Lable (Release Year): Decca Records (2000) Availability: **** Rating: *** |
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The Skulls marks another collaboration between director Rob Cohen and composer Randy Edelman. The premise is about in order to help secure his acceptance into a Ivy League College law school, a New Haven townie joins a secret society known as The Skulls. Unlike their previous collaborations, for example Daylight, Dragonheart, and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (DDD?), The Skulls does not seem to have the heavy action/adventure elements that the others have. Consequently, Edelman's score is not as enjoyable as the above mentioned scores. The score is a little dark and reminds me of his score to another suspense film Diabolique. The main theme is a very simple soft piano solo tune. The first track "The Skulls" introduces it right away with a ominous percussion background. Most of the short tracks, like "Will's Funeral", "`Watch Me'", "Thorzaine Hell", "Pictures" are just other renditions of "The Skulls." "Skull Island" is probably the best rendition of all. It has the enjoyable vintage Edelman guitar sounds (Last of the Mohicans and Dragonheart). The melody has a sad and innocent feel. "The Race" and "Revisiting The Race" are the two happier and more fast paced cues. The cues are heavy in electronic percussion and have a more positive, Edelman type motif. "The Duel" is a dark and serious track. It has a militaristic 7 note motif that keeps playing over a heavy percussive rhythm. "For A Friend" and "Luke and Chloe" are the only two relaxing tracks. They are "relatively charming". The rest of the score is really not that memorable. It's probably because the tracks are very short and they have not time to develop. In general, The Skulls is a drum machine heavy ominous score with many piano solos. There are motifs other than the innocent piano theme but they are not very memorable. It does not offer much to the listeners. As much as I like about Edelman's music, I don't find it enjoyable. It is not because it is dark but it does not sound refreshing. Whether you are a Edelman fan or not, I suggest you hunt for something else instead. | |
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