102 Dalmations (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

We always see John Debney as the comedy composer, but we forget one who's scoring nothing but comedies, and that's David Newman. Basically its nothing but comedies and how many times can you strangle the same cat? Unfortunately, its this way with David Newman and how much he does it again and again, only moments or certain scores get through the mediocrity and one of those is 102 Dalmatians. Why is because its perhaps as energetic as ever, but the cohesion remains because of the ideas and the inclusion of choir ala Anastasia. But of course a fun energetic theme is never away with David Newman and how it sounds like the rest of him he already throwed at us, its still fun and slick, and opens 'Track 1' funny as hell. But the moments or the ideas that decide which direction a mediocrity score or not is going is when you hear tracks as 'Track 2' in the score or not. Here, Anastasia like choral blasts are heard the most ominous way imaginable. And while incredibly short, its also incredibly necessary for a score as this. 'Track 3' of course exhibits one of David Newman's other sides, and the brief choral / emotional piano moment is never a bad thing when its heard in a better cohesive album. It almost moves into waltzes ala Anastasia and a brief choral moment is never away. In fact it always makes the difference when or not in a score as this. And luckily the more energetic comedy moments are also a little inspired here, 'Track 4' and 'Track 5' is covering some weird but effective (rap) movements of a male choir and sets the rhythm for the main theme playfully surrounding these moments. And in 'Track 5' it also makes that the choir through it sounds more serious then ever.

But how the score is trying to do the same, or lose cohesion, it never happens and luckily for its 30 minutes as well. 'Track 6' covers again some more lose ends, meaning thematic ideas thrown together to make more comedy then anything else, but always the theme jumps in at the right time, or a fanfare. Like also in 'Track 7' with main theme variations, Flintstones like movements, it all sounds better here. 'Track 8' is one of the best as well, an emotional fanfare in the beginning and a main theme choral supported one at the end, you get the idea! 'Track 9' tries something different, with now La La choir setting up a romantic blushing feel and works again most effectively. The most energetic moments are in 'Track 10', with main theme statements, classical inspired moments and the rap choir again. But after 2 minutes it moves to some calmer music as well. It even has some brief guitar, and playful My Best Friend's Wedding moves. That guitar feel returns in 'Track 11' while 'Track 12' has one final energy moment, with a variation on the theme of course. In the end, 102 Dalmatians deserves at one end a higher rating, because despite all the energy and comedic moments, it never loses the cohesion and the moments are so much better then most Newman scores. For instance also Ice Age has nice moments, but truth be told this score has a much smoother air to it. And while its all heard from Newman before, he still excels when he does it just right. 102 Dalmatians will certainly please the fans of the composer and his more cohesive comedic scores. Of course it remains just the good version, and not the great one but I have heard the difference in most of his comedy repertoire, and 102 Dalmatians deserves a welcome notion.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Track 1 (1.35)

2. Track 2 (2.21)

3. Track 3 (3.24)

4. Track 4 (1.17)

5. Track 5 (3.44)

6. Track 6 (4.27)

7. Track 7 (2.06)

8. Track 8 (2.48)

9. Track 9 (1.18)

10. Track 10 (4.22)

11. Track 11 (1.35)

12. Track 12 (0.57)

Total Length: 30.01

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

=== Link to Composer Site: David Newman ===