The Postman

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

If James Newton Howard can do one thing really good it is creating the pace and perfection for epic adventures of all sizes. Waterworld being the prime example, in lesser ways The Postman that follows it. Both movies had budget, one movie succeeded in making cash and that was Waterworld. I thought The Postman wasn't bad but perhaps a bit too long. But Howard delivers us again a perfect score to represent the best of the American pride. And what Howard does best is avoiding the Americana sound but creating emotion through the choral backup of the LA Masters Chorale (he always does it and I love him for it), but especially he creates the energy when it has to. Those moments are the best of the score and are the cream of the crop, again James Newton Howard fans can worship other moments of their beloved composer.

Others probably mentioned that the adventure was good, but the rest dull. In a way I can understand it but I for one like the background stuff, not always uplifting but Howard's themes enjoyed me, just like other soundtracks of him did the same. The Postman offers one prime theme, the adventure to look for and he weaves it with style in 'The Belly of the Beast' or other times more relaxed and it sounds equally impressive. Other refined adventure music moments are 'The Restored United States' and 'The Postman'. The rest is indeed sometimes underscore but I find it mostly a joy to hear, and Howard fans will equally love the sudden hints towards Alive. The 'Main Titles', used frequently in trailers isn't the big theme but a typical Howard composition, not far behind Unbreakable. And for the rest people will complain about the lack of original score, well the amount is quite good, raising 45 minutes of score. But my problem lies with what follows it, probably some of the dullest songs I heard in my live. They all may sound decent in form and style but I can play these babies when I tuck myself in my bed, and fall asleep in less then 5 minutes. The main thing is that there are too many of them, 3 maximum sure but 8, with one by Kevin Costner isn't truly inspiring. My favorite for shit title of the year has to be 'I Miss my Radio', "not when you are playing dude" is my advice.

A 70 minute soundtrack album with the biggest capacity devoted to the score of James Newton Howard is more then some other scores have received, without songs of their kind. I at least discovered that The Postman offers me the enjoyment of a good old epic adventure score, not the loud one but those that give you the pleasure of listening to them. I surely recommend this soundtrack to the Howard fans and those that enjoyed Alive, the more adventure moments and themes. Don't be scared about the track listing, the times are long and the material numerous in quality. The songs will please one, bore the other but mostly it will scare the casual soundtrack purchaser. Well don't because Howard's score is more then worth the attention and I enjoyed a lot of his pure scoring style, his thematic adventure music combined with the excellent LA Masters Chorale, surely one to remember at the end of your day.

Score: ****
Songs: *1/2

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (2.20)

2. Shelter In The Storm (6.22)

3. The Belly Of The Beast (6.49) Excellent Track

4. General Bethlehem (6.55)

5. Abby Comes Calling (10.49)

6. The Restored United States (6.43) Excellent Track

7. The Postman (9.50) Excellent Track

8. Almost Home: Jono Manson (3.58)

9. It Will Happen Naturally: Jono Manson (2.17)

10. The Next Big Thing: Jono Manson (2.18)

11. This Perfect World: John Coinman (3.38)

12. Once This Was The Promise Land: John Coinman (2.06)

13. I Miss My Radio: Jono Manson and John Coinman (2.42)

14. Come And Get Your Love: John Coinman (3.06)

15. You Didn't Have To Be So Nice: Amy Grant and Kevin Costner (3.38)

Total Length: 73.43

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