Poltergeist

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

People will always ask why the horror scores were more celebrated with the Academy then his creative or beautiful efforts. In fact the only Oscar seems to be (forever) The Omen. Alright but why celebrate The Omen if you have got other outstanding efforts such as Star Trek, First Knight, Lionheart or simply dozens of others. And yet, one of Goldsmith's other horror scores was equally nominated for Oscar consideration yet this one didn't win. In all its fairness, perhaps Poltergeist didn't really do much as thematic musical material but more then ever, the experience of listening to it is unquestionable. It is perhaps one of the most effective listens I have heard in a long time and mainly its accompanying stir with the movie, resulting as its groundbreaking experience on disc makes Poltergeist a true winner. I know, I'm not for horror scores but when they are this effective (on disc as in the film) and so truly original, it is easy to forgive its sins and applaud its strong points. And to mention it one more time, Poltergeist has got flaws but more importantly is pure horror on disc, pure good horror.

What Poltergeist has against it might be its overall interest. I saw the movie countless times before purchasing this soundtrack (also good to know is the fact that it is a deluxe edition of some sorts). People who didn't see the movie will not embrace this score as much as those who saw it before. It is indeed a hard kooky and some things even take me a bit out of the concentration but it is merely the impact of knowing what it does, knowing what it has to do that makes Poltergeist supreme. What exactly I'll tell you: first of all I like the anthem that starts the score. In fact, it is a vital part of the movie as many will agree with me. It soon changes into 'The Calling / The Neighborhood (Main Title)', first a high tone reflects the Television signal and more importantly the ghosts' calling but also portrays a charming lullaby for Carol Anne, the main character of movie and story. Also pick up the fast melody at the end for all its worth. The first scary track is already a short winner in its category, 'The Clown / They're Here / Broken Glass / The Hole / TV People' offers many outtakes but mostly you have to pick up the first scary tone, not only scaring the hell out of you but when accompanied through visuals (the hand that jumps out of the screen) it truly makes you unease. Horror music of Goldsmith couldn't be more effective, from here on you notice the intensity of Goldsmith's music.

Running through the various tracks, you also notice the dozens of Carol Anne's quotes of theme, making sure that she is the central pawn but also that she is still present. That changes when we hear 'Twisted Abduction', one of the finest tracks on the score. The choir that enters, representing the other world truly gives you chills from start to finish. Do not think for one moment about the demonic chants of The Omen because in fairness, these moments are much more effective in reality. Perhaps my favorite moment in the movie, even if its incredibly short is the following: when Carol Anne communicates through the Television's frequency with her mother (already assisted with the three scientists), she suddenly remarks "Mommy, there is someone else here" and the music becomes mysteriously awe inspiring, as to what Carol Anne in fact means and who that person truly is. Unforgettable. Tracks 8 and 9, who run for a good 16 minutes offers you in the begin an intriguing string work, when the ghost appears but mostly Goldsmith is setting the atmosphere pretty dark before all the choral awe is unleashed in 'Rebirth', the standout of the album. With majestic fanfares of hope, use of choral mysticism and threatening danger, this is one of Goldsmith's best creations in a long time.

To tell you the truth, from then on, the music becomes total ruckus. Each scary moment is now showing itself with full dissonance and it actually bores rather easy, but in the movie you hardly pick it up and mainly this is the full bodied attack on the house, coffins breaking through the floor and god knows what follows. 'Carol Anne's Theme (End Title)' is a final statement of the lullaby accompanied through a children's choir, giving it the most full bodied statement and scaring your pants off when they in fact start to laugh at the end of the score, this is sick but truly effective. So, Poltergeist is not your listen of fun nor does it truly sound interesting from start to finish. But the really good moments do intrigue and the bad moments make their effect so good in the movie, it doesn't matter at the end. I know that several people will not find Poltergeist that good as me, but others and I believe the ones that saw the movie will surely see it as the fitting atmospheric scary soundtrack. It is one that haunts you more then first imagined. Believe it or not, but during the score I kept rephrasing the words "They're Heeeere".

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Star Spangled Banner (1.30)

2. The Calling / The Neighborhood (Main Title) ** (4.06) Excellent Track

3. The Tree (Outtake) * (2.26)

4. The Clown * / They're Here * / Broken Glass (Outtake) * / The Hole (Outtake) * / TV People * (5.12)

5. Twisted Abduction ** (6.56) Excellent Track

6. Contacting The Other Side * (5.10)

7. The Light (2.04)

8. Night Visitor / No Complaints ** (9.03)

9. It Knows What Scares You * (7.36)

10. Rebirth (8.23) Excellent Track

11. Night Of The Beast ** (3.51)

12. Escape From Surbubia ** (7.10)

13. Carol Anne's Theme (End Title) ** (4.19) Excellent Track

* Previously unreleased

** Contains previously unreleased material

Total Length: 68.12

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===