Only commenting on the ones I've heard, so....
> ***1/2 (round down to 3) - I will catch some grief for at least one
> of these
> 23. The Hunt for Red October
> The Hunt for Red October is an odd duck. It has at least two tracks that
> belong on any highlights playlist for the composer (the opening Hymn +
> Nuclear Scam). But it also skimps on recurring thematic content, and the
> last 10+ minutes of the score (after they ran out of money) are painfully
> cheap in ways that makes the flimsier-sounding parts of Crimson
> Tide sound like a Bruckner symphony. It's a weirdly compromised effort
> and a terribly overrated score. There, I said it.
I... basically agree. Works great in-film but outside of it? Not really. Don't think I knew that they ran out of money near the end... but explains the dated synth work that takes over for the finale.
> **** - I will catch some grief for at least one of these
> 16. Conan the Destroyer
> 15. Starship Troopers
> 13. RoboCop
> I know some people LOVE Starship Troopers music. Like, REALLY love it.
> Like, it's their second-favorite Poledouris score. Good for them. It's an
> immense, frequently entertaining score that exhausts me; I probably have
> the exact same opinion of it as this site's reviewer.
"Klandathu Drop" is incredible, but... not too sure. Have only heard the score in context, though I'd love to own the album (either release). I'm possibly more favorable to this than you. Maybe.
Agree with the rating for Robocop but think Conan 2 is little lower.
> ****1/2 (round down to 4)
> 9. Les Misérables
> Grim, gorgeous work that deserves a better release. The opening and the
> last few minutes feature some of his finest dramatic material.
YES. We truly need a remastered/complete release. The original album is so poorly mixed and a complete mess of a presentation.
> *****
> 3. Lonesome Dove
Recently picked this up for $1 (yay clearance shelves!!) and am looking forward to listening to it. Also should probably watch the miniseries....
> 2. Flesh and Blood
> 1. Conan the Barbarian
Agree with these two. Both really fantastic and brutal scores that still manage to be incredibly lyrical throughout. Wonderful stuff.
