Things you can Tell by just Looking at Her (Bootleg)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

From time to time you see the potential of an upcoming composer, when he handles what most people didn't see of him before. Shearmur became noticed when bringing K-Pax, The Count of Monte Cristo and Reign of Fire and while all different, they handled things darker then most of his others. And when a romantic comedy or drama is heard after that, Things you can Tell by Just Looking at Her can make a clear difference as well. While this score might just handle things too delicately and a bit too long, there is a clear feel and emotion into the music that makes you believe Hans Zimmer himself handled the wheel here. In fact, this score leans closer to some of Zimmer's romantic drama's (As Good as it Gets, Spanglish, Matchstick Men) because frankly I didn't hear another of Shearmur yet in this vein. But also to the Zimmer efforts because its got that laid back feel of guitar, piano and light jazzy feel that made those efforts a bit new for the fans as well. And that's why this score might just come in handy with Shearmur collectors. Good sound quality and a 45 minute running length makes room for 17 tracks, all laid back and easy to listen to, opening with 'Track 1' and a trumpet solo, piano and guitar and already then near the end setting up a feisty rhythm ala Zimmer & consorts. 'Track 2' has the guitar as well and a solo fiddly instrument creating a relaxing effect to even fall asleep with more. 'Track 3' is basically the real sign of a part Zimmer, part Thomas Newman score, and rhythm, solo trumpet, piano, whirling violin all setting a little quirky effect at display. Here you feel the closest to Zimmer's drama scores and Newman's quirky feel.

However, what this score presents most of all is a laid back jazz feel through the trumpet and I think people who liked this in Goldsmith's Russia House will feel a thing for it too. In 'Track 4' and 'Track 6' with piano, when its performing the main theme, 'Track 7' capturing its lazy sound again and the tinkling of the theme along with the trumpet is noticed in 'Track 8'. From time to time, a more versatile tone is welcomed and noticed, like in 'Track 5', because then more Zimmer influence is heard when a Spanish guitar rhythm starts to play. 'Track 10' has got the trumpet again, but the violin makes a welcome matter in the tone here and the tinkling version of the theme on piano also is welcome after all the lazy trumpet performances. Of course by then the mood starts to forget to capture your attention, and the moody tone in 'Track 11' is only noticed after the violin is used sprightly. Luckily near the end it starts to grow a bit, the attention I mean and in 'Track 15' its because of the guitar, experimental in nature and the Spanish influence is then positively matured. The main theme with trumpet in 'Track 16' and a led performance by violin and a more interesting mood (finally you would say) in 'Track 17' close the album. As said, its all a bit too long, and despite Shearmur keeping it interesting through his variations the score could have taken 10 minutes of its length easily and kept its equal standard. Of course as a background score, this doesn't bother much but as a filmscore it does. So Things you can Tell by Just Looking at Her is a nice breezy affair in the vein of Zimmer (just not containing his growing versions or quirky affairs) but just a bit too long, and expect to hear music that supports conversations, and not action and you will adjust yourself to the flow of this score easily, the question is just, how long it will take for you to get tired of it?

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Track 1 (4.09)

2. Track 2 (1.25)

3. Track 3 (3.23)

4. Track 4 (2.38)

5. Track 5 (1.56)

6. Track 6 (4.05)

7. Track 7 (1.31)

8. Track 8 (1.55)

9. Track 9 (1.20)

10. Track 10 (2.39)

11. Track 11 (3.35)

12. Track 12 (1.11)

13. Track 13 (2.50)

14. Track 14 (2.03)

15. Track 15 (3.51)

16. Track 16 (2.15)

17. Track 17 (3.50)

Total Length: 45.20

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Edward Shearmur ===