The Usual Suspects

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

What became a standard scoring assignment for Jerry Goldsmith (L.A.Confidential, City Hall) or James Newton Howard (Primal Fear, A Perfect Murder) has become the territory of a man called John Ottman. He distinguished himself not only as the editor of several movies but together with his unique scoring abilities it became clear that both the movie and its mood became linked to an unforgettable approach of movie scoring. Call this beautiful in a very dark way, perfect as mood setter but denying everything else, this particular score is a masterpiece of musical words. I haven't seen much scores that blew me away in the context of the film. Brian Singer's outstanding movie received a combination of dark but extremely effective tones and the emotional lighthearted nature when all what was doubted in the begin made perfect sense at the end. Both the begin 'Main Theme' as the end 'The Water' are combined with a striking main theme and a personal piano accompaniment, this is extremely effective combined with the more darker and mysterious moments. I can not deny that Ottman himself possibly gave the best performing score for this movie, it was one soundtrack that directly captured my attention, within a second intrigued me from the start and for a thriller score without a big bombastic feel is something I don't always expect.

The Usual Suspects helps the movie tremendously and has several moments worth remembering on disc, solely for what they create as mood. 'Getting on Board' and more then anything 'The Garage' are striking violent action rhythms while the main mysterious character Keyser Söze received a wonderful dark main theme, it impresses in and outside the context, 'Keyser Appears' is spot on with all the right tricks and skills. And not to forget the powerful moments in 'The Killing of a Rat' and 'Back to the Pier'. Ottman more then ever creates a sole musical accompaniment, meaning I feel that no one else could have perfected this score for this particular movie. Brian Singer surely did choose the best choice for the musical score. In a way, The Usual Suspects will bring more power to those that saw the movie first, it has so much intelligence that the various strong orchestrations only work with the context, or that you know what they are supposed to be doing. Ottman surely put him into the spotlights for sure and I can't help but wonder if he wasn't considered as a possible nominee for the Oscars. Thriller scores with this kind of mystery of story and intelligence isn't one I will always recommend but for whatever reason I like this effort because I find it one of the most intriguing listens of the year. People shouldn't expect miracles, this isn't an easy listen and it has its lesser parts but knowing that this accompanies that particular movie, it is a wonder that The Usual Suspects delivers the goods in and outside the intelligent storytelling of a man called Keyser Söze.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Theme (3.40) Excellent Track

2. Getting On Board (2.56)

3. The Story Begins (1.09)

4. Payback Time (1.39)

5. Farewell Fenster (0.45)

6. "He's Here!" (1.47)

7. The Garage (2.24)

8. Verbal Kint (2.10)

9. Keyser Appears (2.35)

10. "It Was Beautiful" (1.18)

11. The Arrests (1.17)

12. Redfoot (1.39)

13. New York's Finest (1.43)

14. Kobayashi's Domain (2.23)

15. The Killing Of A Rat (3.29) Excellent Track

16. "I Work For Keyser Söze" (1.37)

17. The Faces Of His Family (1.45)

18. The Plan Begins (1.56)

19. Back To The Pier (3.37)

20. Casing The Boat (1.55)

21. A Gift (1.37)

22. The Greatest Trick (3.16)

23. The Water (2.33) Excellent Track

Total Length: 49.58

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

=== Link to Composer Site: John Ottman ===