Dave

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

James Newton Howard can be called the chameleon of Hollywood movie scoring. Surely every composer to date is versatile in his branch but the year 1993 proved that part beyond doubt for Howard. He truly is a chameleon in sound. The dark path, somber sound was revealed to us with Falling Down, getting things tenser and more confronted with mystery in The Fugitive (one of his nominated scores) and hopefulness along with a dose of drama was uncovered with Alive. Apart from The Saint of Fort Washington I know what Dave has of sound. A not tight mood, a loose comedic twist and combining the thematic intelligence it makes it an interesting listen once and a while. Nothing new or innovative but all the diversity in project and tone took James Newton Howard's career on the move, and for the fans of film music it got them hooked on several scores of magnificent quality.

Howard's Dave keeps changing of form. We all know a certain kind of comedy isn't simple to express in various tones but Dave can be called a slight difference in the list. Comedy needs no big score but an adjustment of sound in visual aid, back up the joke, romance or plot that identifies itself and create the light fluffy and cool sound that doesn't make the movie dark or heavy. Howard inserts the tones all into a package of rather interesting quality. 'Main Titles' introduces us to the main theme of the film, nothing strikingly huge but it works. 'You're On' starts with a patriotic flute motif before turning playful when Kline's character steps out of his presidential role (for those not knowing a thing of the movie, Kevin Kline plays the president of the United States when the real one falls into a coma after a rather busy ehhh ... Clinton move, for Kline who looks very similar to the president its a hell of a task). 'She Hates Me' is a better, more uplifting secondary theme but still the moments of any real importance are 'Into the Fog' and 'End Titles' with its strong recapitulations of the main theme of Dave.

Surely Dave is a good listen but it also has several downfalls. While the main theme surely sounds good, I didn't really find a moment of any real importance. The lack of highlights is one of its flaws. It also means that the score might become a bit dull on occasions, meaning its not the score to listen to day after day. But of course as background source or occasional stir Dave is suited like none other. The score of James Newton Howard is a typical light, solid attempt that does its job in the movie, and for its worth on disc for the fans that are interested in comedy / drama soundtracks. Especially those with an interest towards Howard's sound will be pleased with Dave, a charming solid listen for its moment. Being a chameleon in movie scoring surely has its perks, not only for the movies he scores but the fans receive the same trademark always in a different feel.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (2.58)

2. The Picnic (4.13)

3. To The White House (3.03)

4. You're On (2.01)

5. Are You Threatening Me? (3.25)

6. She Hates Me (3.12)

7. The Teaching Montage (1.07)

8. Do You Like Magic? (2.23)

9. Dave Passes Out (1.11)

10. The Tunnel (1.49)

11. How'd You Get Started (2.01)

12. Into The Fog (3.40)

13. End Titles (4.14)

Total Length: 35.20

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

=== Link to Composer Site: James Newton Howard ===