Snow Dogs (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

John Debney is considered by many to be an excellent composer, yet he is also known by many critics to be the main comedy composer of Hollywood today, and alone the credentials of the last few years point out why they think that way. Of course Snow Dogs is a family affair, so comedy and adventure is mixed in one another and Debney behind the wheel can carry both to high levels. In case of Snow Dogs, what you expect comes true, meaning it is adventurous and it has got that theme you just know how its gonna sound like, the moment you hear it for the first time. But it doesn't matter because like for instance Iron Will and White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (also by Debney) they all sound just like a evening of fun. Meaning even though not that brilliant its just so cool for a spin. And so Snow Dogs proves the same as Iron Will. The score opens with 'I'm Adopted', a light comical feeling prevails through the score and is surrounded by the usual light strings and piano but its not until the 2nd track that the main theme shows itself, namely in 'Flight to Tolketna' which gives that theme you just so expect a nice run, it also got that Western feel through the brass, which I'll come back at later. 'Ted Meets the Dogs' opens softly with the main theme, later it moves to a wild trip of music with sometimes Mickey Mouse music (but then more structured) but especially that Western, call it Texas mood with the guitars that remind you easily of the second American Tail: Fievel Goes West, which is good since that was the better of the 2. That tone is expanded in 'Ted Outsmarts Demon', which brings that guitar and violin to the fore.

A piano version of the main theme grows a bit to romantic standards with flute and brief cello in 'Romance and Snowflakes' but its 'First Sled Ride' that gives you the standard high quality Debney scoring. Basically it starts with the main theme bursting through with its heroic version but then it moves to great beefed up Texan explosive adventure scoring. Simply recall An American Tail: Fievel Goes West and you get an equally orchestral punch of that style. The brief 'Ted Down the Mountain' has some Hawaiian comedy fair before softer tracks intermingle with the more heroic faster orchestral music. 'Saying Goodbye' has the main theme on piano, 'Race Day' has a pumping orchestral jig returning, 'Racing to Alaska' an explosive end with several seconds of heroic adrenaline, 'A Hero's Decision' has equally that pumping heroism with an alternate version on the main theme with some fanfares in the mix. 'I'm your Father' is Disney stock with a soft version of the main theme before the inevitable end has to arrive. 'To the Finish Line' has the main theme in working orchestral order before it moves to some light suspension and a happy version of the theme, meaning we don't know who won the race for sure. 'They're Coming In' has both the piano version as the more orchestral one of the main theme while the last track brings nothing new. In the end, its all the same what you expect and just like Iron Will, its cute, cuddly and entertaining for the time it lasts. Nothing of the high standard of Debney this time, but while he seems to have fun composing Snow Dogs, we can say that we had fun listening to it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. I'm Adopted (2.12)

2. Flight To Tolketna (1.14)

3. Ted Meets The Dogs (4.46)

4. Ted Outsmarts Demon (1.43)

5. Romance And Snowflakes (2.46)

6. First Sled Ride (2.30) Excellent Track

7. Ted Down The Mountain (0.51)

8. Saying Goodbye (1.57)

9. Heart To Heart (1.58)

10. Race Day (1.32)

11. Racing To Alaska (1.53)

12. A Hero's Decision (2.22)

13. I'm Your Father (2.45)

14. To The Finish Line (3.09)

15. They're Coming In (3.37)

16. A New Start (0.47)

Total Length: 36.12

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