Tomorrow Never Dies

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

With a new Bond there belongs a new Bond rhythm and sound, and after Eric Serra miss hitting each standard where the Bond score stood for (mainly done by John Barry), it was up to the producers to find a reliable composer. They found him with the hottest composer of that time to be found in Hollywood. Fresh of the success of Independence Day and Stargate, it was Arnold that recaptured that Bond spirit, that flair that surrounded the character and it was this sound that Pierce Brosnan deserved when performing a reliable Bond in Goldeneye. Still, his character got what he wanted, the heroic and well known theme for James Bond. And Tomorrow Never Dies became a perfect score and pleasant listen.

What I found discouraging about The World is not Enough was the absence of the rich sound so accustomed to Bond scores, there it sounded more bouncy and electronic, but here it sounds so rich with power. This makes all the difference + the score is simply more vibrant and better then its follow up. The score starts with the replacement song performed by Diva Sheryl Crow. I don't hate her songs (in fact I love some of them) and this one isn't bad either, but I found nothing of interest in the first listen, and this continued with each try. The actual bond song 'Surrender' is far better, using the actual music of David Arnold and it simply listens better. The score by Arnold has some outstanding action moments, the key tracks that make sure if the album is worth it. Where The World is not Enough drowned in its constant overuse, there shines the power of Tomorrow Never Dies, the tracks are equipped with solid action rhythms, enough interesting tones and combined with the perfect time and use of the Bond theme they all become solid and attractive. The electronics are present but never replace the actual score. 'The Sinking of the Devonshire' uses even a small choral moment, short but excellent. 'Company Car' features the powerful performance of the Bond theme and 'Paris and Bond' offers a nice love theme, reminiscent of the love versions heard in Godzilla. We move up and find the short but bouncy action piece 'Hamburg Break Out', here it is where TND differs from TWINE. 'Backseat Driver' begins to sound like the best moments of TWINE but this piece offers more interesting material, it simply rocks. As said, 'Surrender' belongs with all those classic songs performed for the Bond movies, and Moby's interpretation of the Bond theme is enjoyable.

It is nice to hear someone else performing the right score for a Bond movie, because we couldn't keep relying on John Barry alone. With David Arnold we have a trusty Bond composer who will hopefully deliver good Bond scores in the future, except then the rather disappointing The World in Not Enough. Tomorrow Never Dies has good action themes, an interesting love theme and some rather upbeat moments of score. This all however stays in the boundaries, so that it doesn't become too overblown or uninteresting. With the songs we have variety, and my favorite listens as the score by David Arnold, which is always a sign in the good direction. A nice and recommendable Bond score for all the fans out there. It has all the ingredients to make a refreshing and enjoyable martini. Shaken, not stirred!

Score: ****
Songs: ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Tomorrow Never Dies: Sheryl Crow (4.51)

2. White Knight (8.29) Excellent Track

3. The Sinking Of The Devonshire (7.06)

4. Company Car (3.07) Excellent Track

5. Station Break (3.30)

6. Paris And Bond (1.55)

7. The Last Goodbye (1.33)

8. Hamburg Break In (2.52)

9. Hamburg Break Out (1.26)

10. Doctor Kaufman (2.26)

11. -3-Send (1.16)

12. Underwater Discovery (3.37)

13. Backseat Driver (4.36) Excellent Track

14. Surrender: K.D. Lang (3.56) Excellent Track

15. James Bond Theme: Moby (3.12)

Total Length: 54.01

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=== Link to Composer Site: David Arnold ===