Brokedown Palace (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

There aren't many movies that dealt heavenly on the emotional response of the audience and in the movie of the characters in the career of David Newman. But luckily, he is still capable in getting some attention by directors. Brokedown Palace is an example of a mature composition, a detailed look of many genres mixed together, an ethnic based score with vocals and mostly an exceptional palette of electronics, making the score near perfect to fit the songs that accompany the movie in the most cases. And true, during the movie the songs and the score are mixed blindlesly together, making the effort of David Newman on that part already a strong success. However, many movies that deal around a dark passage, a human fight against wrong accusations usually don't blend well on disc. And while difficult in many parts, the score is still consistent in the overall tone. What especially makes this score work is the mixed use of vocals, ethnic vocals (usually cries depressing an emotion) and the flawless use of the electronics, and as a listening experience it can still count when the theme is woven in, short or full in performance. I think on the other hand I would have had a harder time in appreciating the score if I hadn't seen the movie first, and perhaps this is one of those scores that listen better when you know what they represent. Brokedown Palace isn't that difficult but it is still a score that draws out the emotions the characters are facing on screen.

The score is not the normal release but in fact a promo, containing an impressive sound quality. But mostly, it is the weird order of the track listings that makes the score not unsatisfying but actually low ending. The score doesn't end I think with the best appropriate track (and that would have been the fullest performance of the main theme). But besides that, the score still stays intriguing (especially during the movie) and a part of that is the perfect mix of sound, meaning the score and dozens of songs flawlessly make the leap without giving the viewer a change of tone. Brokedown Palace's strong point is indeed the sole main theme, the theme that holds the score strong above many other scores. The one and only big performance is in 'Your Friend is Pardoned', at least big in running time because it receives 2 minutes to make the emotional link between movie and audience. And it isn't hard because the theme is carefully developed and wonderfully emotionally laden. It is repeated also other times, through the flute in 'The Girls go to Prison' or through piano in 'In their Cell', but it never receives the attention like it had in track 2. Mostly the score changes from dark underscore to lighter, more upbeat music that carries a dash of hope and optimism. The short tracks during the middle don't develop new ground but each track has something interesting to present, a short performance of the main theme, an interesting development or even a distance Thomas Newman moment (Scent of a Woman like) in 'Alice's Story'. Especially this keeps the score going, even if they don't offer much space for Newman to develop his themes in.

The promo offers not only a great sound quality and the usual combination of short tracks versus long tracks, but mostly a David Newman sound, rich of thought and clear of intention. It just shows that the composer can write rich music, the ones that require a movie to make the point. It is actually nothing I have ever heard coming from Newman and is a refreshing change of pace, even if it isn't the best listen. It is not happy adventure music like The Phantom but music that evokes a thought and a response, a soundtrack that underscores its movie while not exaggerating on pure drama. Newman makes clear notice that the dark and light music is interwoven carefully, making the score never depressing enough and never giving too much false hope. Brokedown Palace is of course not the biggest sensational listen and if people want ethnic adventure, then I would recommend Operation Dumbo Drop over this score. But it is still a score that has intelligence and especially the short moments that tingle my heart each time I hear them. So, I definitely know that Brokedown Palace will have its fans and mostly, this is due to the nature of the score and the theme of David, making clear that there is much we haven't heard yet coming of underrated composer David Newman.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Arrest (4:05)

2. Your Friend Is Pardoned (2:52) Excellent Track

3. "I Didn't Do It" (1:21)

4. Alice Is Beaten (0:50)

5. The Escape (4:04)

6. Alice's Story (1:03)

7. The Girls Go Yo Prison (2:18)

8. Darlene's Ear (1:56)

9. The Bracelet (1:21)

10. Beth Ann's Fantasy Man (0:57)

11. Friends In High Places (0:56)

12. Pool Boy (1:09)

13. In Their Cell (1:12)

14. Hank Meets The Girls (0:53)

15. Alice Meets Nick (0:47)

16. Hong Kong (0:27)

17. Arrival In Thailand (1:03)

18. Night In Prison (1:00)

19. "Thirty-Three Years" (0:44)

20. Alice's Conversation (1:50)

21. Pool Boy Testifies (2:06)

22. Alice & Darlene Argue (1:48)

23. Making Plans To Escape (1:28)

24. Blackmailing Jagrite (1:10)

25."You Didn't Do It" (1:22)

26. "No Pardon" (1:10)

Total Length: 39.48

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