Road to Perdition

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Finally returning to the orchestral roots, fans have awaited with anticipation when finally hot composer Thomas Newman would return to the more traditional style of his musical career. The last score that tried it (but included equally the more plunky bounce) was The Green Mile and it was a dark score, with its lighter moments and equally beautiful emotional touch. The one before was orchestral amazement into one killer soundtrack namely Meet Joe Black. And I was wondering, of those two, which one I would receive the most off. Sadly for me, it is The Green Mile that is discovered and barely a glimpse of the pride found in Meet Joe Black. This score is actually post The Green Mile like, since it covers the equally dark mood, just as The Shawshank Redemption did. Also, the sudden playfulness of American Beauty is often accentuated by its returning instrumentation. Yet, there is still a touch that makes Road to Perdition worth it. Recommended to the fans only for its appearance on occasion, it is the orchestral beauty of a main theme that makes the newest of Newman good. However, there is the long killer length that makes the newest of Newman hard. I'm starting to hate long length releases and a time like this doesn't help if you already have problems with the music, they just expand them.

The score might start with Celtic touches, you will not find them again. It is nonetheless a good and inspiring opening of the score. At times reminiscent of Braveheart through its bagpipes, 'Rock Island, 1931' equally possesses the more melodic emotional themes and oozes you to relaxing moods. 'Just the Feller' is an example of moody remembrances of The Green Mile, the mandolin in 'Mr. Rance' reminds you easily of American Beauty's quirkiness while strong dark moods of 'Pit Borrowers' take you back to The Shawshank Redemption, all three scores I have heard but not decided to copy, since it wasn't all that stimulating to hear it again. That is the problem I have with the score, since it takes me back to memories of scores I don't really adore, I find it hard to connect to Road to Perdition, equally since the time takes these memories in repetition. And even if they are melodic and good, they don't do it for me. However there are of course exceptions. 'Road to Chicago' and 'Virgin Mary' state the main theme first on piano, later by an orchestral performance and are quite enchanting. Further the more emotional but equally uplifting moment in 'The Farm' is well worth your attention, even if it doesn't offer memorable touches of theme. However, it is the moment, the main theme performance in 'Cathedral' that always quivers my spine. First soft, later its stunning main theme performance with its complex string momentum, ending with soft choir like in Oscar and Lucinda, this track is the highlight for me of the disc. But I can understand that people would equally adore the 'Dirty Money' cue, as it (just like in Oscar and Lucinda) starts picking up pace and orchestral playability, it is a fun piece and worth remembering.

But if that is what you want only, you will feel just like me disappointed. Because the rest isn't of that stature. Either dark in its mood or forgettable in its constant background sound (apart from the already mentioned tracks), Road to Perdition doesn't run anymore. 'Murder (in four parts)' is dark, moody and gloomy and is barely interesting in musical attention, the gritty sounds covering 'Finn McGovern' are non acceptable and the guitar straight out of American Beauty picks up your attention in 'Meet Maguire' but that is also it. Its perhaps like I'm disappointed of the score which I'm not, its simply the unnecessary length that keeps me disappointed because the music doesn't make the link for me. For some the time will not even be enough (which it always is for those) but for others it will be too much and that is not attentive when you already puff before you start listening to it. Road to Perdition still has the moments every Thomas Newman fan was dying to hear, it still contains the good parts. But I'm also discovering that it is not the Newman I craved for (that one scored Meet Joe Black, Oscar and Lucinda, How to Make an American Quilt). I recommend the soundtrack to those who liked what dark moods The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption brought, but I'm afraid that the few moments of orchestral brevity can't light your whole impression of Road to Perdition in good positive memories.

Score: ***
Songs: *

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Rock Island, 1931 (3.22)

2. Wake (1.55)

3. Just The Feller (2.44)

4. Mr. Rance (1.38)

5. Pit Borrowers (2.25)

6. Murder (In Four Parts) (7.53)

7. Road To Chicago (3.06)

8. Reading Room (1.25)

9. Someday Sweetheart: The Charleston Chasers (3.06)

10. Meet Maguire (1.44)

11. Blood Dog (1.05)

12. Finn McGovern (2.11)

13. The Farm (2.09)

14. Dirty Money (3.10)

15. Rain Hammers (2.41)

16. A Blind Eye (2.27)

17. Nothing To Trade (2.25)

18. Queer Notions: Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra (2.45)

19. Virgin Mary (1.34)

20. Shoot The Dead (2.25)

21. Grave Drive (1.20)

22. Cathedral (2.39) Excellent Track

23. There'll Be Some Changes Made: Chicago Rhythm Kings (2.59)

24. Ghosts (3.40)

25. Lexington Hotel, Room 1432 (1.44)

26. Road To Perdition (3.55)

27. Perdition - Piano Duet: Tom Hanks & Paul Newman (1.39)

Total Length: 70.27

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=== Link to Composer Site: Thomas Newman ===