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1. Nim's Island 2. The Life Before Her Eyes 3. Horton Hears a Who! 4. Leatherheads 5. The Spiderwick Chronicles | . | . |
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Filmtracks Recommends:
Buy it... if you seek a competent extension of Randy Newman's style for the first Toy Story film. Avoid it... if you expect any substantial new thematic development or, surprisingly, a vocal performance from Newman himself. Filmtracks Editorial Review:
Newman reprises the themes from the first film somewhat sparingly, though listeners will be more likely able to recognize trademark Newman orchestrations and other stylistic indicators. The themes are a weak point for Toy Story 2, with little satisfying development of previous ideas and few additions of note. Newman typically writes two kinds of animation scores: those with an identity, and those without. Toy Story 2 falls squarely in the latter category. His music has all the personality that you'd come to expect from him, with tributes to the classic Warner Brothers sound mixed into faux Western rhythms and parodies of classic sci-fi music. The Emperor Zurg plotline is provided two cues of this sci-fi action; "Zurg's Planet" and "Emperor Zurg vs. Buzz" is a strange cross between John Williams' Star Wars and early James Horner sci-fi scores (mostly Battle Beyond the Stars), the latter being somewhat bizarre to hear in its accurate brass imitations. Outside of these cues, Newman's music rides the path of a straightened arrow, stopping only occasionally for some tips of the hat to Copland's sound of Americana. The anonymity of the remaining cues in Toy Story 2 is both the greatest strength and weakness of the score. It's a pleasant and effective score while it's running, but you'd be hard pressed to recall any specific part of it after its conclusion. A reprise of "You've Got a Friend in Me" led by a stylish saxophone, is a blast of fresh air compared to a score that seems to get wound up for no apparent purpose. With the addition of several important new characters, it's disappointing that Newman didn't make a more overt effort to provide them with viable musical identities. In its finished form, the 40 minutes of score on the Toy Story 2 album are basically fine, but they'll be redundant in your collection of his works. The lack of a Newman vocal performance only contributes the absence of a clear identity with this product. "To infinity and beyond" apparently didn't apply to the music. ***
The insert includes extensive credits, but no extra information about the score. "WOODY'S ROUNDUP" (Words and Music by Randy Newman) Performed and Arranged by Riders in the Sky Produced by Frank Wolf and Joey Miskulin Riders in the Sky are: Ranger Doug - Guitar, Vocals; Too Slim - Bunkhouse Bass, Vocals; Woody Paul - Fiddle, Vocals; with Joey the Cowpolka King - Accordion "WHEN SHE LOVED ME" (Words and Music by Randy Newman) Performed by Sarah McLachlan Arranged and Orchestrated by Randy Newman Produced by Randy Newman and Sarah McLachlan Vocal and Piano Performances Recorded by Greg Reely at The Warehouse Studio, Vancouver, B.C. "YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME" (Words and Music by Randy Newman) Wheezy's Version Performed by Robert Coulet Instrumental Version Featuring Tom Scott Arranged & Orchestrated by Ira Hearshen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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