American History X

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

1997 was the year for Anne Dudley, when she surprisingly won an Oscar for The Full Monty. How good it may seem, a lot of people are still figuring out if it was the right winner of the list. As controversial as the winning may seem of The Full Monty that year, the next turned out to bring an equally stunning one. But that score blew The Full Monty away in scope, power as thematic brilliance. American History X is not only a amazing film, it received an equally fantastic score. If you ever need to see one film that you will remember for a long time, it has to be this one. Not only the acting of Edward Norton and Edward Furlong (and all the other actors) but also the directing, script and score turn out to be mesmerizing pieces of supreme quality. And all those that saw nothing special in Anne Dudley's score for The Full Monty or her musical voice will see that American History X is nothing but inspiring brilliance wrapped in bloody and dark emotional paper.

The score of Anne Dudley not only works inside the movie but turns out to carry some of the best damn tracks of the year. But everything is presented in such a dark emotional color that nothing leaves you at ease. Already from the start do we encounter the dark ominous mood, 'American History X' begins with a boys choir singing before massive drum rolls are witnessed, not only adding a sense of disbelief but sounds equally terrifying in its emotional depth. People will especially understand this if they saw the movie. 'Playing to Win' is an absolute standout. Playing for control of a basketball court by two gangs in Venice Beach was never so interesting as if it was shocking. The begin offers action music before the climax explodes, adding an unfelt power to the whole scene. Trust me, I was blown away. Perhaps one of the slightly less stimulating moments has to be 'A Stranger at my Table', but no less brilliant in its construction. Dudley underscores a out of control conversation with such an emotional dark mood that it doubles the essence of the words spoken. And a disturbing action moment is 'Raiders' with its menacing string and brass work. '"We are not Enemies"' is beautiful dark music while a perfect match of orchestra and choir are reunited in 'Benedictus'.

For the rest this score offers the exact mood you would expect. Meaning Anne Dudley's score isn't new but the quality of her work is surprising. Not many people would have figured out that Dudley could alternate her style from The Full Monty to American History X with that kind of level. This is a deeply emotional and dark listen but people should not be concerned about the listening experience. No matter how unpleasant it may seem it is the voice of Dudley that makes the listening experience worth it. It is the change of tone that makes the difference, from emotionally dark to terrifyingly barbaric to sorrowful. I can surely say that American History X has it all to become a strong candidate for nomination time. The movie will surely have shocked enough people to evaluate certain things, and a score that can make you unease or deeply sorrowful is just what composers worship as projects. That they can insert the emotional link between movie and public. Anne Dudley's score will not disappoint you if you appreciate deeply moving and dark listens. Because as listening material it is worth every second of it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. American History X (4.50)

2. The Assignment (2.38)

3. Venice Beach (1.30)

4. Playing To Win (3.52) Excellent Track

5. People Look At Me And See My Brother (1.42)

6. If I Had Testified (4.06)

7. A Stranger At My Table (3.34)

8. Putting Up A Flag (2.08)

9. Raiders (3.02) Excellent Track

10. Complications (1.41)

11. Starting To Remind Me Of You (1.44)

12. The Right Questions (3.26)

13. The Path To Redemption (2.57)

14. "We Are Not Enemies" (2.08) Excellent Track

15. Two Brothers (2.33)

16. Storm Clouds Gathering (2.05)

17. Benedictus (3.38) Excellent Track

Total Length: 48.19

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Anne Dudley ===