U-571 (Promo)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

What's the fuzz about submarine scores? Well, its just that they deliver everything on raw power and bring the music of the orchestra or synthesizer to life, that they stir up the emotions through choral moments or that they simply use every side available to create the perfect environment. With Crimson Tide and The Hunt for Red October we have witnessed good examples, adding one is Richard Marvin's long awaited suspension score U-571 for Jonathan Mostow's new tension builder, which is once more an example of a perfect suspense movie. This adding with the already created tension are the awesome sound effects and exactly what any movie needs, the patriotic and high tension score, with all the thanks to Richard Marvin and Jerry Goldsmith. Three things you will encounter: first the patriotic touch. This is where Jerry Goldsmith steps in. When temp tracking the movie with Air Force One and specifically asking to get the same American feel was leaving Richard Marvin with less then fewer options, simply create a patriotic theme that resembles each side of Goldsmith's one and the director is pleased. This all works but original it is something else.

Second thing we encounter are raw action and suspense moments, the dissonant and powerful tones reflect the ongoing war between the submarine and its enemy, namely the Destroyer. And the suspension is building towards high climatic moments such as witnessed in 'Sub Battle' (which leans closely to 'The Hijacking' of Air Force One). And third we have the less positive background score, with many moments where not much really happens. The moments that do reflect positive intentions are basically the patriotic and action / suspense tracks. The opening track 'End Credits #1' and 'Finale and Dedication' conjure up the flair of patriotism and heroism well enough and some massive action examples are found in 'Chase' and 'Destroyer Battle'. The basic but flat underscore is well found in 'Tyler's Torpedo Plan' and other shorter cues. Still, what they offer in the film as a second sound effect is well then appropriate. The real weak point that doesn't destroy the ultimate grading but more the pleasure for listening to the album are really those underscore moments, nothing really starts to unravel and listening to it time after time isn't really my idea of fun.

But the best material is saved for last (especially is you listen to the tracks in chronological order, check it out at the bottom of the page). First suspense and power all the way, then patriotism and ending with some really nice cues 'Finale and Dedication', using music recently heard in the trailer of Enemy at the Gates and for my taste the best track of the score, and 'Quiet Theme (End Credits #2)', a softer theme and maybe the original main theme of the movie, which is good that is is found on the disc. Honestly, what U-571 misses in general is really a good mood, the score has too many boring background cues, those that do stand out are those non boring but energetic action packs + its American feel overall. But what U-571 delivers recording to movie accompaniment is sensational, the powerful building tension and the sharp dissonance do make it all more effective. It also shows why people wanted a release in the first place. If you listen to the score as found on the disc it has all the best moments in the begin, but if you use the correct order it ends with more punch and it simply feels better. To you to judge if it is all worth it, that one hour feel of being inside the U-571. So join us with Marvin and Goldsmith as those American heroes. Dive! Dive! Dive!

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. End Credits #1 (2.16) Excellent Track

2. Sub Battle (5.45) Excellent Track

3. Material Office (1.13)

4. Chase (2.54) Excellent Track

5. Finale And Dedication (4.40) Excellent Track

6. Picking Up Survivors (2.41)

7. S-33 Leaves Port (1.43) Excellent Track

8. Big Leaks (1.46)

9. Restarting The U-571 (1.06)

10. Going To 200 Meters (1.05)

11. Destroyer Battle (8.35) Excellent Track

12. Enigma Photo / Swastika (2.08)

13. Pier Intro (0.55)

14. Lock And Load (2.16)

15. Taking The U-571 (1.44)

16. Tyler Picks Trigger (1.15)

17. U-571 Rises / Trigger Struggles (2.34)

18. S-33 Sinks (2.22)

19. Searching Below (2.14)

20. Opening / U-571 Attacks (2.29)

21. U-571 Surfaces (1.24)

22. Tyler's Torpedo Plan (5.10)

23. Quiet Theme (End Credits #2) (3.38) Excellent Track

Correct Order: (20 - 13 - 3 - 7 - 12 - 14 - 15 - 19 - 18 - 2 - 6 - 9 - 11 - 22 - 10 - 8 - 16 - 17 - 21 - 4 - 5 - 1 - 23)

Total Length: 62.18

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