True Romance

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

How many times do I show that Hans Zimmer is far from an action composer? I always start the review with this exact same cliché but it is the truth. A lot of people will have missed what True Romance brought as music, containing 9 songs and three score tracks. Well, if you think you will get the music like heard on The Wings of a Film compilation, think again. If you think you will get stereotypic Media Ventures action music, think again. For just three tracks, Hans Zimmer comes out very versatile. And even if one track gives me the satisfaction, it still has moments, tiny moments worth of interest or worthy of attention, or simply worthy of a comment. True Romance might not get much out of it but it at least deserves to, from a musical point of view.

First of all, the songs all vary greatly from rock to pop to oldie to country. In a way they all seem to represent the movie well but hardly a few can hold my interest. The score however directly starts this CD off brilliant. 'You're so Cool' is the highlight of the disc with a cool, playful and utter charming piece of music. The representation of the compilation mentioned above is nice but it doesn't contain the best part of that track, the spine tingling emotional oomph it gives when all instruments deliver the most soothing finish a track can wish itself, this moment (several seconds alone) make it the highlight of the score. The other 2 parts all get an aggressive and rough edge with it, both contain the plunky and playful tone of the first track but 'Stars at Dawn' throws in an electric guitar riff that will irritate many (even though it perfectly matches the style of the movie) and 'Amid the Chaos of the Day' has in the middle a short but strong fanfare when both electric guitar as instruments combine together a piece of rage, ending though quietly with a piece not far away from Black Rain. In the end it is not much the score of True Romance, but the first track is goddamn different (meaning any "I hate Zimmer" person is missing some more stroke of genius and diversity) and the rest sums up everything I thought the score would be and not. True Romance will surly interest those wanting rock and pop, more wanting the Zimmer highlight of that compilation.

Score: ***
Songs: **

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. You're So Cool * (3.37) Excellent Track

2. Graceland: Charlie Sexton (3.23)

3. In Dreams: John Waite (3.41)

4. Wounded Bird: Charles & Eddie (5.07)

5. I Want Your Body: Nymphomania (4.15)

6. Stars At Dawn * (1.59)

7. I Need A Heart To Come Home To: Shelby Lynne (4.18)

8. Viens Mallika Sous Le Dome Edais From Lakme + (3.54)

9. (Love Is) The Tender Trap: Robert Palmer (2.33)

10. Outshined: Soundgarden (5.09)

11. Amid The Chaos Of The Day * (4.49)

12. Two Hearts: Chris Isaak (3.33)

* Soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer

+ Delibes as arranged by Howard Blake

Total Length: 47.00

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Hans Zimmer ===