Hocus Pocus (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

TWith Hocus Pocus, Debney indeed favors that bold orchestral and packed action chase music. And the score has also the big melodic impact and some fun cues. But where other composers might try to pick up the fun and enjoyment, there goes Debney along with each scene and improves more the movie then the musical enjoyment. In other words you receive the traditional Mickey Mouse sound. That is the problem with this promotional CD Hocus Pocus. Debney has crafted a bold and orchestral rousing score, but in all the wackiness through there's missing a constant melodic line, it doesn't sound like each instrument creates its own tone but such a fast paced chase score. Debney weaves in each moment his short but good main theme, but so quick that it flies too fast before your eyes. You don't have to tell me that the score will have more effect in the movie then usual, but on disc it sort of destroys the ultimate magic the score definitely possesses.

The first track 'Main Titles' has a good bombastic fanfare of the main theme and the second track is more playful. But from track four the mayhem sort of starts, in the movie as on disc. The moment those witches are loose, Debney starts pumping all the brass and power of his orchestra and the sound becomes powerfully impressive and fun in moments, but melodically it can not hold the sheer amusement it could have done. Debney has to underscore all the scenes and does this rather good, but melodically it needs too much of your attention, at least that's my impression. There are also some themes I recognized or found very similar to other scores. Like Goldsmith's Carol Anne theme from Poltergeist, heard in various tracks such as 'Brother / Sister Theme' and 'Congratulation / Resurrection' and Disney's own march of the broomsticks by apprentice Mickey Mouse during the famous Fantasia scene in 'Who Stole the Brooms?'. A neat hidden extra by Debney for those who care about these sort of things.

The best track that spices things really good is 'Congratulation / Resurrection', a powerful and choral magic surrounds the Debney music for once perfect and the result is stunning, for the movie at least. But the problem of this score isn't specifically the wacky nature of the playful chase music, but the constant use of it, interrupted sometimes with a calmer moment. At the end it becomes it bit tiresome and you have to concentrate yourself each time on the ongoing chase music. A good point though is the choir that creates more magic then the already quirky score of Debney, used during some occasions, especially during number 18. Hocus Pocus may sound bold, as sheer amusement it can not hold your complete interest and there are too much quirky moments to fully enjoy the entire score of Debney. The CD does have very good sound and of material it offers more then enough. So, Hocus Pocus may very well offer enough orchestral punch to entertain the casual Debney fan, as fun, it sparsely surprised me. Hocus Pocus is a nice addition but only if you see it somewhere decent of price. Otherwise, it might become an overprized addition to your collection.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (1.14)

2. Max Meets Allison (2.00)

3. Halloween (0.37)

4. To The Witches' House We Go (1.38)

5. Max Lights The Enchanted Candle (1.42)

6. Escape From Witches' Lair (2.02)

7. Brother / Sister Theme (1.50)

8. Witches On A Rampage (1.19)

9. Graveyard Attack (3.00)

10. Witches On Holiday (1.44)

11. Who Stole The Brooms? (0.59)

12. Witches Tricked / Safe Again? (2.43)

13. Winnie's Lament / The Capture (3.53)

14. Setting The Trap / Scherzo (2.48)

15. Brother / Sister Talk (1.18)

16. Winnie Flies / Zombie Speaks (2.10)

17. Witch Attack (4.43)

18. Congratulation / Resurrection (4.48) Excellent Track

19. End Titles (1.33)

Total Length: 42.13

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

=== Link to Composer Site: John Debney ===