Sleepy Hollow

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Tim Burton's pet project for the year '99 and equally so Danny Elfman's interaction is what some people will call the perfect fit. If one man is capable in delivering the dark, intriguing fable of a headless horseman, then by all means let it be Tim Burton. And just as good as he delivers that mood, so is Danny Elfman in delivering the potion to make it succeed. The movie is immensely successive in telling the tale in its horrific mood and Elfman delivers everything moody about it. But the first time when I heard it, I was so disappointed by the score that I didn't listen to it for years. But now after seeing the movie and listening again to it for three times, I know what the score does, and what it needs to do to make it work. First of all, dark Elfman fans will love it but those that had some trouble perhaps with this will already take a test by listening to it. Secondly, as perfect as it may sound (with choral sounds from start to finish), it is still the thing about liking it and third, you have to know what it has to back up and then you can go and appreciate it. I for a long time have disliked it because it is simply this Elfman thing. But this is not fair, you still have to see what on earth it does during the movie, and by doing so I see it as simply another score that has got more complexity then the average one, and by that this means the score delivers more in the end. It works stunningly during the movie, has the moments but I can't simply see it as easy listening. However who said it had to be easy listening?

As good as I find it during the movie, it needs too much my personal attention. That was the fowl I made the first time, after the movie I listened to it as the gothic underscore which captured my attention immediately when the score thrilled, and for the rest a bit neglected to hear the really ugly, themeless bombastic parts. For instance the track 'The Tree of Death' is not one thing I like to listen to, even though it has these terrific shorts bursts of energy. Perfect for the scene, simply hard stuff to hear abandoned from the visuals however. The track 'The Chase' is the same, though the first minute is still accessible. Every once and a while, the score takes lighter ground but it always remains low, however the string love theme versions that listen enchantingly mysterious during tracks 11, 12 and 14 bring much to love. The use of the themes keeps you however on edge, the main theme (which I consider is the headless horseman theme) is used almost in each track. I love it when it gets full orchestral power and especially when choral mass backs it up but still, it is perhaps used a bit too much, though Elfman throws in variations and frankly you always love it when it appears. It receives a fantastic menacing choral version during 'The Story....'. The other theme which is the main love theme reminds me sometimes a bit of Edward Scissorhands and perhaps gets its finest moment during track 2 'Main Titles', among several others. The better moments of pure gothic use are for instance the first 'Introduction', almost with Batman heroism briefly in 'Masbath's Terrible Death' and for the energetic main theme moments during 'The Church Battle' and 'The Windmill' (even though the final minute is again too much).

I like these moments and the sudden use of female vocal, further the dreamy use of the main love theme is perfect but mostly this is music that requires several things of you. First this is Elfman painting a dark gothic score which doesn't rely on heroic touches but more on dark fanfares in an at times themeless atonal piece. However, mostly the score moves from a gothic main theme performance to the other, with stylish effect by the way. The biggest problem is that this score offers a bit too much score, 50 to 55 minutes would have been perfect but then indeed Elfman fans would be screaming of agony. Overall, Sleepy Hollow is Elfman doing his thing. I have no doubt that many will see this as the next best thing, but I also know that others will have it hard during several moments. This is no tragedy since the score is no easy one street listen to begin with. However you have to admire the sheer energy, the pure gothic stamp and the amazing dark mood that makes Sleepy Hollow for what it is today, a Elfman classic for dark lovers of the era. Chop off 15 minutes and it could have given us even a more coherent listen but quite frankly Sleepy Hollow is a score that needs (for a non too grand Elfman fan) a lot of repeated tries and patience, and even then the score with test your resiliance on several themeless, atonal pieces still. The score is orchestral dark bombast with the choral accompaniment to send you straight to hell and others straight to heaven. I just have to warn you, whatever you decide, don't lose your head over its overbearing ruckus at times.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Introduction (4.15)

2. Main Titles (3.09)

3. Young Ichabod (1.19)

4. The Story... (4.28)

5. Masbath's Terrible Death (1.35)

6. Sweet Dreams (1.11)

7. A Gift (2.26)

8. Into The Woods / The Witch (3.32)

9. More Dreams (1.42)

10. The Tree Of Death (9.36)

11. Bad Dream / Tender Moment (3.33)

12. Evil Eye (3.42)

13. The Church Battle (3.33)

14. Love Lost (5.16)

15. The Windmill (6.18)

16. The Chase (3.11)

17. The Final Confrontation (4.16)

18. A New Day! (1.29)

19. End Credits (3.17)

Total Length: 68.02

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Danny Elfman ===