Super 8 [Soundtrack, Import]

In some ways Super8 was an "ET" for today's crowd - bigger, more explosions, more scares, more grit - yet it also recaptured something of the nostalgia of the times and hints of the intimacy. I was struck on hearing the music by Giacchino of similarities in the music as well - some melodic turns of phrase, some orchestral textures - yes, a more gritty soundtrack, but this soundtrack proves to me at least that Giacchino is a strong composer with a deft command of the musical resources at his fingertips - perhaps not the same ease of melody that John Williams has shown through the years, but nevertheless a truly enjoyable experience both within and without the film.

Michael Giacchino is JJ Abram's main choice of composer, and once again returns to the fold in Super 8. I have to confess I am a fan of Giacchino, and this score is an orchestral delight from start to finish. One thing that really stood out for me was that Giacchino went for a style of orchestration that emulated the fantastic John Williams in some of the more action based tracks. That's not to say this sounds like a John Williams soundtrack - Giacchino has stamped his mark on it, but it does sound like a hybrid of their two styles in the latter half. It sounds fantastic!

The first section of the score does sound a little disjointed, but this is only because of the exceptionally short running time of some of the tracks. Of the first 12 tracks, 8 of them are below a minute in length and some tracks are over before they have even got going. Many of these tracks feature some great piano and string writing though, and they do make for a great listen individually, even if collectively the first half of the album doesn't flow amazingly well. In the second half of the score, Giacchino doesn't hold back in the action cues (with a lot of brass present), and this certainly provides a good contrast to the quieter first half.

I won't go into every track, but one that deserves special mention is "Letting Go", which contains the best statement of the main Super 8 theme and contains some really exquisite writing for brass and strings. The track builds up slowly and by the end it is spine tingling stuff - it is tracks like this that are the reason I love film scores!

Running in at around 80 minutes, you get a lot of music for your money and this can only be a good thing.

Overall, I think this is Giacchino's finest score to date. I loved his previous work on Lost, and on Star Trek, and his effort for Super 8 has definitely reinforced my opinion that he is one of the finest composers out there currently. His non-reliance on electronics and synths and instead focusing 100% on the orchestra is something to be commended. He is a composer that continues to improve with each passing score, and I can't wait for his follow up score to the Star Trek reboot. Until that comes, Super 8 is definitely a score I shall revisit often.

So Michael Giacchino - he is such an up and coming composer. If you've ever watched Lost, Fringe(pilot episode), MI:3, or Star Trek(2009) he is the man responsible for the amazing soundtracks.

He has his signature style, for example it seems he is not so shy with the brass section - mainly used to creep the crap out of you or strike fear or urgency into a scene. But to me he is a master of sweeping, deeply emotional music. And if he wants to make you shed a tear, you know he's gonna do it with that lonely and lingering high string.
Think of some of the saddest moments in Lost, or the track Labor of Love from Star Trek, it's totally submerging music. You don't need the visuals to be overwhelmed! Giacchino doesn't just enhance a film/tv show, he helps make it what it is.

And so it is with the opening of the Super 8 soundtrack, you get the best of his composing ability.
John Williams took 2 notes in Jaws to give you the heebie-jeebies, and sure Giacchino uses 3 but it has the exact same effect! Then, in comes the beautiful, thoughtful and melancholic melody to set the mood for the next scene, where you get what i would call Joes theme. It's so simple and yet so beautiful, it re-occurs throughout the film, and fits in perfectly in so many different ways.

I won't bore you with blow by blow score detailing, but what I will say, is that the first tracks set the standard for the rest and none of them will disappoint.

I'd totally recommend you buy this CD, beautifully composed and it works well as a stand alone piece(as does Star Trek 2009).
Go buy it! Buy it! Right now! :)