Cherry 2000 - Flesh + Blood

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Recording to sources, Cherry 2000 is one of the most expensive scores ever bought on a auction, a price tag of 2500 dollar, and this for a 39 minute score. Perhaps there was more material on that score but I doubt that. Now, this is of course the question: is this score worth the 2500 dollar? In short, I think not one score is worth that. But the person that bought it anyway will probably short out when he will find out that this double score release of Cherry 2000 with Flesh + Blood is now for sale for 28 dollar. A waste of money and even if it was the best score ever, the score wouldn't be worth it. For some reason I say it, my number of the limited release is 251 of the 500 copies available. And though it is enjoyable, this Poledouris score isn't 2500 dollar worth. The other score Flesh + Blood is full out Conan the Barbarian wannabe action that surely succeeds in overpowering it in its furious sound on display. And together these two scores are combined to give the Poledouris fan a piece of music, long lost but finally at your disposal. Starting with the very bouncy and hip Cherry 2000, a score sounding like nothing Poledouris has ever done before.

Perhaps that's why the score is so enjoyable but it is indeed a score that sounds different than first expected. Still, the charm and the rhythm that Cherry 2000 possesses is good, it has good moments but nothing to shout for also, people that heard this score 10 years or even 5 years ago might find it more than good, but in this age there is much more to amaze me, and especially from Poledouris' side. I like the bouncy main theme and some variations on it that are found during the 39 minute running time. More, this is not a score that needs repeated listens to like what you will find, it simply starts to improve the more you hear it. The score consists of electronic and synthesizer rhythms and enjoyable themes. Mixed with various instruments and tones, it is a nice combination. Overall, it is pleasant, a good selection of themes and some fun ideas. But nothing that really blew me away. This has been the problem with a lot of classics that appear in my collection years after their release on disc, at that specific time it might have been very good but now the excellence is gone a bit. Still, for the 28 dollars I bought it, it is a bargain. The sound quality is very good and doesn't bother one bit. And since this is a pleasurable listen, I recommend it to the fans of Poledouris. But personally, this is not 2500 dollar worth, more the 28 dollar I spend on it. Well, taste is different with any person, I think you can say the same with the money you're willing to spend on it.

On the other hand, if is said that Cherry 2000 is enjoyable, then Flesh + Blood is very enjoyable. This score has much in common with Conan the Barbarian, and persons who loved that score (almost anyone I guess) will like what Flesh + Blood has to offer, an excitingly good main theme (used too less really) and some powerful moments where the typical big orchestral score of Poledouris really rocks. It is a score like it should be for any sword and sorcery feature. As I said , the main theme is extremely good, and how it is presented in the first and the last track is impressive. Especially the last track 'Denouement / End Title' is a perfect compilation piece. But if I have one negative thing to say about this score, it is 'The Box', extremely powerful but I think Poledouris has overdone himself a bit too much here, it is one of those tracks that doesn't really entertain me. Still, the rest and that includes 'Siege of the City' and parts of 'Arnolfini Assault' are great. Flesh + Blood is one step behind Conan the Barbarian on fun, but destroys it with its sheer power, brass and percussion. So, any Poledouris fan will love the result.

Together, these two scores are a bargain. Two classic entries that have been in demand and thinking the one just sold for 2500 bucks. So, Poledouris admirers have no reason not to buy it. Still, a word about the scores. While both soundtracks really succeeded to amuse me, it still weren't those scores I expected. It is always the same with little old me, every time I read a fantastic review about it, praising it to kingdom come, I always anticipate it so much that I'm disappointed at the end, no matter how much I enjoyed the listen. So, I'll say it again, both scores are good classic fun listens and the Poledouris fan will no doubt enjoy it. But casual listeners who have never heard of the two scores, who think they are getting Conan and the gang in their house should first listen and then anticipate, then you will probably love it more. With Cherry 2000 you get a bouncy score and where Flesh + Blood excels in is in the pure power of your stereo or surround system. So, the price is acceptable, so is the sound quality and actual listening material. I would then simply advice strong Poledouris enthusiasts to pick this copy up, as long as the time allows it.

Cherry 2000: ***
Flesh + Blood: ***1/2

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Tracks

Single Disc

Cherry 2000

1. Prologue (1.12)

2. Cherry 2000 Theme (1.52)

3. Main Title (1.58)

4. Lester (5.02)

5. Randa (0.44)

6. Hooded Love (1.17)

7. The Barricades (1.52)

8. Magnet Suspension (4.21)

9. To Gloryhole (1.26)

10. Burning Down Sky Ranch (3.26)

11. Johnson's Home (1.18)

12. Cherry Shorts Out (1.33)

13. Lester On The Move (0.41)

14. Driving (1.58)

15. The Photograph (1.13)

16. Plane To Vegas (1.02)

17. Rope Down (0.58)

18. Ambush In The Cave (2.14)

19. Flashback (1.07)

20. Takeoff (0.52)

21. Storehouse Shootout (1.52)

22. The Kiss (0.38)

Total Length: 38.36

Flesh + Blood

23. Main Title (2.33) Excellent Track

24. Siege Of The City (3.23) Excellent Track

25. Courtship And Mandrake (4.06)

26. Wagon Attack (2.36)

27. Martin & Agnes Love Theme (1.24)

28. Castle Invasion (2.02)

29. Night Fires (2.21)

30. The Box (5.24)

31. Water / The Undoing (1.40)

32. Arnolfini Assault (5.47)

33. Denouement / End Title (7.44) Excellent Track

Total Length: 39.00

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Basil Poledouris ===