Episode 81 - Avengers: Age of Ultron

Kristen Romanelli and David Kociemba return and join Christopher Coleman and Marius Masalar to discuss, in-depth, both the film and film score, by Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman, for Avengers: Age of Ultron. Also, WHYBLT? is back and they share three scores you might have recently missed that you should be listening to!

Episode Highlights

00:37 — Opening and Welcome to Kristen Romanelli and David Kociemba

09:18 — WHYBLT? Madding Crowd, Pirates and Huck Finn.

17:09 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - General film reaction

26:36 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - General score reaction

42:58 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - Spoiler film discussion

01:07:42 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - Spoiler score discussion

01:30:33 — The Final question: Where does the score work best?

Music Selections

00:01 — "New Avengers" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman

09:46 — "Opening" (Far from the Madding Crowd) by Craig Armstrong

11:29 — "Seven Chests" (Pirates Passage) by Andrew Lockington

13:36 — "Main Title" (Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn) by Robert Gulya

16:41 — "Rise Together" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

37:18 — "Hulkbuster" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

42:20 — "The Battle" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

54:28 — "Vision" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

01:06:24 — "Wish You Were Here" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

01:10:12 — "Outlook" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

01:11:03 — "Red Ledger" (The Avengers) by Alan Silvestri

01:12:13 — "Vision" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

01:06:24 — "Wish You Were Here" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

01:40:33 — "Farmhouse" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman

01:42:30 — "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman

Notes:

Follow Kristen Romanelli on Twitter.

Find David Kociemba at Emerson College

Follow Marius Masalar on Twitter.

Follow Christopher Coleman Twitter.

Support Tracksounds:

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

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Interview - Gareth Coker (Ori and the Blind Forest)

Marius and Gareth sit down for a detailed discussion about Ori and the Blind Forest—the game, the score, and the incredible stories behind its four-year development cycle. Naturally, they stray off topic too, tackling the future of game audio, the role of library music in modern scoring, the power of game music concerts, and the amazing resource that Twitch has become for gamers and developers alike.

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Intro & musical background

04:20 - Getting the Ori gig

06:52 - Long development time for the game and its impact on musical development

10:00 - Moon Studio's distributed development structure

14:36 - Constant testing by the entire team and how it contributes to polish

17:07 - Musical flow on album and why the main title cue isn't on the album

20:52 - How the incredible prologue came together, and its many musical challenges

28:25 - Finding the score's musical identity; references, and how visuals inform the music

33:50 - Unifying the flavours of each location's score

35:42 - Working with the Nashville Music Scoring Orchestra

39:30 - Score excerpt from 'Finding Kuro'

40:30 - Video Games Live concerts and inspiring listeners to engage with new genres

42:14 - The landscape of recent game releases, the role of the composer, patience, and the value of immersing yourself in the project

46:58 - Whether or not new game devs recognize the potential value of great music

50:54 - How Gareth discovered Aeralie Brighton and her magnificent voice

56:21 - Library music and whether or not it's a threat to creative opportunities for composers

59:32 - What's next for game audio? What's the "next level?"

65:15 - Future projects and the way it feels to experience such a huge release

66:42 - Finishing games and how polish and process influence the way people engage with a game

69:31 - Word of mouth marketing, release schedules, and having fun "trolling" on Twitch

71:03 - Having fun "trolling" on Twitch; Twich as a platform for feedback and engagement

73:14 - Conclusion

Music Selections

00:00 - 01. Ori Lost in the Storm

16:49 - 02. Naru Embracing the Light

22:55 - 04. The Blind Forest

32:16 - 07. Finding Sein

34:47 - 22. Kuro's Tale II: Her Pain

37:33 - 09. The Spirit Tree

49:34 - 31. The Sacrifice

52:52 - xx. Ori and the Blind Forest (Launch Trailer)

61:11 - 16. Climbing the Ginso Tree

73:36 - 32. Light of Nibel

Notes:

Download Gareth Coker's score excerpt from "Finding Kuro"

Special thanks to: Greg O'Connor-Read

Support Tracksounds:

Buy Ori and the Blind Forest Soundtrack by Gareth Coker at Amazon.com

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

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Episode 80 - The 2014 Cue Awards

The 7th Cue Awards are finally revealed! Christopher Coleman, Marius Masalar, Edmund Meinerts, Richard Buxton, Thomas Medina, and Steven Sharrat, are joined by award-winning composers and record industry professionals to accept their awards. All eleven award categories are announced as well as the winners of The Genius Choice Vote! Additionally, Richard Buxton's spotlight on scores and composers from Asia returns with The Monkey King Award.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Opening and Welcome to the 2014 Cue Awards

04:08 — How the Cue Awards Work

06:36 — Best Action Score: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

22:58 — What is The Genius Choice Vote?

23:35 — Best Dramatic Score: Cue Award and The Genius Choice Vote Winner

35:55 — Best Score for Television: Cue Award

38:11 — Best Score - Television: The Genius Choice Winner

45:10 — Best Score - Video Game: Cue Award and Genius Choice Winner

01:03:04 — Best Score - Animation: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:13:37 — Best Cue - Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:22:55 — The Monkey King Award

01:26:31 — Record Label of the Year: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:36:06 — Best Theme: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:46:00 — Composer of the Year: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:50:05 — Best Overall Score: Cue Award and Genius Choice Award Winner

01:57:43 — Wrap Up and Spotlight Titles from 2014

02:11:14 — Credits and Thanks

Music Selections

00:01 — Cue the Orchestra by Marius Masalar

06:59 — Sun Wukong, The Monkey King (The Monkey King) by Christopher Young

11:35 — Niu Wo Wang, the Buffalo Demon King (The Monkey King) by Christopher Young

23:59 — Main Title (The Field of Lost Shoes) by Frederik Wiedmann

32:09 — The Imitation Game (The Imitation Game) by Alexandre Desplat

36:17 — Main Theme (Gunshi Kanbee) by Yugo Kano

38:34 — Main Theme (Game of Thrones) by Ramin Djawadi

45:50 — The Seeding (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Michael Curran, Geoff Knorr, Grant Kirkhope, Griffin Cohen

47:06 — Planetfall (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Michael Curran, Geoff Knorr, Grant Kirkhope, Griffin Cohen

47:46 — The Signal (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Michael Curran, Geoff Knorr, Grant Kirkhope, Griffin Cohen

51:49 — Planetfall Ambient Late 2 (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Michael Curran, Geoff Knorr, Grant Kirkhope, Griffin Cohen

54:49 — Xeno Titan (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Michael Curran, Geoff Knorr, Grant Kirkhope, Griffin Cohen

01:03:33 — Dragon Racing (How To Train Your Dragon 2) by John Powell

01:14:06 — The Future of Mankind (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Geoff Knorr

01:17:38 — Flying With Mother (How To Train Your Dragon 2) by John Powell

01:17:38 — Naoki Sato Suite - Arranged by Richard Buxton

01:17:38 — Son of Batman (Son of Batman) by Frederik Wiedmann

01:36:35 — A New Beginning (Civ. Beyond Earth) by Geoff Knorr

01:40:18 — Maleficent Flies (Maleficent) by James Newton Howard

01:46:24 — Opening Titles (Monuments Men) by Alexandre Desplat

01:50:43 — Two New Alphas (How To Train Your Dragon 2) by John Powell

01:50:43 — Should I know You? (How To Train Your Dragon 2) by John Powell

Notes:

Special thanks to: Albert Tello (Costa Communications), Laura Engel (Kraft/Engel), Maria Klienmann (Walt Disney Music), Dan Berry (Gorfaine Schwartz Agency)

Support Tracksounds:

You can purchase Marius Masalar's original piece "Cue The Orchestra" on Bandcamp!

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

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Bonus - Superhero Rumbly Bumbly

The crew welcomes Steven Sharrat (Tracksounds contributor) to his first SoundCast and talk recent superhero film news, rumors, and composer gossip including: Danny Elfman on the Avengers, Hans Zimmer on introducing themes for Aquaman and Wonder Woman, John Ottman on X-Men: Apocalypse and Philip Glass joining with Marco Beltrami on The Fantastic Four.

Episode Highlights

00:30 — Those Menacing Avengers

03:30 — Hans Zimmer: Aquaman and Woman Wonder themes

03:28 — Danny Elfman: Music to Avenge By?

18:59 — John Ottman: X-Men Apocalypse

21:00 — Philip Glass and Marco Beltrami on the Fantastic Four

25:32 — Wrap Up and Contact

Music Selections

00:01 — Main Title (Spider-Man) by Danny Elfman

01:25 — Rumbly Bumbly Bee (Dinosaur Diner) by Lois Young

02:39 — Flight (Man of Steel) by Hans Zimmer

07:00 — And I Thought My Jokes Were Bad (The Dark Knight) by Hans Zimmer

10:16 — End Credits (Spider-Man) by Danny Elfman

18:41 — The Future/ Main Titles (X-Men: Days of Future Past) by John Ottman

21:12 — Cassandra's Dream (Cassandra's Dream) by Philip Glass

23:24 — Main Title (The Homesman) by Marco Beltrami

26:54 — Rumbly Bumbly Bee (Dinosaur Diner) by Lois Young

Support Tracksounds:

"Rumbly Bumbly Bee" (Dinosaur Diner) by Lois Young is available at Amazon.

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

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Bonus - 2014 Cue Award Nominees Announcement

Founded in 2002, The Cue Awards are the official awards of Tracksounds.com. The 2014 awards make for the seventh year the awards have given. The nominations are made by all eligible contributors to Tracksounds and The SoundCast in the last 12 months and seek to recognize “the best in soundtracks” for that year.

Each contributor may nominate up to FIVE titles in each category. Each makes their nominations, 1-5, in descending order. The highest ranked receives 5 points and the lowest 1 point. The nominations are tallied and five nominees in each category with the highest total points become the official nominees. Occasionally tiebreakers are necessary and to allieviate any ties, a simple vote is taken in each category.

This year we had one special case, where, having six eligible voters, resulted in a tie remaining even after the tie-break votes were cast. Because of this you will find SIX nominees in the Best Sci-Fi/ Fantasy Score category.

This year we have made nominations in 11 categories. Two award categories were removed this year: “Breakout Composer of the Year” and “Surprise of the Year.” But another category was re-added, “Best Theme.”

Starting today, The Genius Choice Vote is open! From Feb. 16 and running through Feb. 23, you will be able to cast your very own vote for each of the nominees. The winners of the Genius Choice Vote will be announced along with the official Cue Award Winners in a few weeks time.

You can cast your vote now at http://bit.ly/geniuschoicevote

You can receive all of the 2014 Cue Awards updates on the official site - cueawards.com

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Episode 79 - Oscar Best Score Nominations

Yes. The Oscar nominations have been public for a while, but it takes time for these things to settle in. The crew assemble (virtually) to discuss each of the five nominees in the BEST SCORE category for the 87th Annual Academy Awards. We give our predictions as to who we think will win and also who we'd like to see win. We also share some responses from Twitter and Facebook on the topic. Also in this episode WHYBLT? is back and Edmund Meinerts gets his chance to lay down his thoughts on Shore's Battle of the Five Armies score and our discussion in ep. 78.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — "Olflactenal Nominations"

00:39 — Intro and welcome

02:04 — WHYBLT?

24:48 — Re-Battle of the Five Armies with Edmund

39:30 — Oscar Best Score Nominations Intro

41:09 — The Grand Budapest Hotel by Alexandre Desplat

49:09 — The Imitation Game by Alexandre Desplat

53:38 — Interstellar by Hans Zimmer

68:20 — Mr. Turner by Gary Yershon

81:09 — The Theory of Everything by Johan Johannsson

90:51 — How to find and follow us

92:12 — Listeners Twitter/Facebook responses: Who will win? Who do you want to win?

95:44 — The Final Quesitons: Who will win? Who do you want to win?

24:48 — Re-Battle of the Five Armies with Edmund

39:30 — Oscar Best Score Nominations Intro

41:09 — The Grand Budapest Hotel by Alexandre Desplat

49:09 — The Imitation Game by Alexandre Desplat

Music Selections

00:00 — "Clippers Discoteque Break" (Pan Am - The Sound of the 70s) by Yoshinori Sunahara

02:17 — "1st Movement" (Jupiter Ascending) by Michael Giacchino

03:36 — "Save This World" (Phantasy Star Universe) by Hideaki Kobayashi

06:38 — "2002 FIFA World Cup Official Anthem" by Vangelis

08:37 — "Big Hero 6" (Big Hero 6) by Henry Jackman

18:00 — "Roman Fanfare" (Coliseum) by Marc Timon Barcelo

19:22 — "Sands of the Coliseum" (Coliseum) by Marc Timon Barcelo

23:03 — "Ecstasy of Gold" (The Book of Life) by Gustavo Santaolalla

38:07 — "The Return Journey" (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

39:03 — "The Darkest Hour" (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

41:12 — "Mr. Moustafa" (The Grand Budapest Hotel) by Alexander Desplat

49:10 — "The Imitation Game" (The Imitation Game) by Alexander Desplat

53:39 — "First Step" (Interstellar) by Hans Zimmer

81:12 — "Cambridge, 1963" by Johan Johannsson

92:23 — "M. Ivan" (The Grand Budapest Hotel) by Alexander Desplat

95:44 — "Where We're Going" (Interstellar) by Hans Zimmer

105:35 — "Moonshine (Traditional)" (The Grand Budapest Hotel) arranged by Alexander Desplat

Notes:

The Video Game Music Database (http://vgmdb.net/)

Blizzard "Overwatch" Announcement trailer: http://youtu.be/UXCNNDHboho

Support Tracksounds:

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

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Episode 78 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Author Doug Adams (The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films) joins Christopher Coleman and Marius Masalar to break down Howard Shore's score for the final Hobbit installment: The Battle of the Five Armies. Richard Buxton joins in for our first WHYBLT (What Have You Been Listening To) segment of 2015 and we also take a few twitter questions for Doug Adams about The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings scores.

Episode Highlights

00:30 — Introduction and "What Have You Been Listening To?"

22:39 — Battle of the Five Armies - movie discussion

33:25 — Battle of the Five Armies - movie discussion (spoilers)

45:08 — Battle of the Five Armies - music in context (spoliers)

50:27 — The Hobbit versus The Lord of the Rings

63:09 — Twitter question - "Will there be a Complete Recordings of The Hobbit?"

66:29 — "Unexpected Unresolution"

76:48 — Twitter questions: LOTR re-recordings? The Music of the Hobbit Films book?

84:02 — The Hobbit on vinyl - digital versus physical releases

94:03 — The legacy of the six films and the six scores

Music Selections

00:02 — Sons of Durin (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

12:46 — The Seeding (Civilization: Beyond Earth) by Jeff Knorr

16:37 — Bathfime (The Homesman) by Marco Beltrami

17:51 — Into The Starscape (The Last Starfighter) by Craig Safan

22:13 — Battle for the Mountain (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

44:39 — The Darkest Hour (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

49:08 — Sons of Durin (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

56:01 — The Ruins of Dale (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

60:21 — Feast of Starlight (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) by Howard Shore

102:30 — There and Back Again (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) by Howard Shore

Notes:

Follow Doug Adams on Twitter (@DougAdamsMusic)

Support Tracksounds:

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

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Interview: Jóhann Jóhannsson (The Theory of Everything)

Christopher Coleman talks with composer Jóhann Jóhannsson about Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominated score for THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. Jóhannsson shares his reaction to finding out about his Golden Globe nomination, his thoughts on some of the other scores nominated, his involvement in the production of the soundtrack and how the voicebox voiceover of Stephen Hawking effected the score.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Introduction to Johann Johannsson

02:00 — Finding out about the Golden Globe Nomination

04:33 — Becoming a part of "Everything"

06:44 — Coming on to the project later

09:38 — Surprisingly Warm

11:40 — Progression and Digression

13:52 — Putting the soundtrack together

16:56 — Fans reaction to film music

19:27 — The voicebox challenge

Music Selections

00:00 — Cambridge 1963 (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

01:49 — Rowing (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

09:12 — The Wedding (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

12:29 — Collapsing Inward (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

14:26 — Rowing [Alternate Version] (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

15:38 — Domestic Pressures (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

18:52 — Prisoners (Prisoners) by Johan Johannsson

22:00 — The Theory of Everything (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

Notes:

Follow Johann Johannsson on Twitter (@JohannJohannss)

Follow Christopher Coleman on Twitter (@ccoleman)

Special thanks to Erica Hungerford at Brigade Marketing.

Support Tracksounds:

You purchase THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK at Amazon.com

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

Subscribe and More Info

Interview: Jóhann Jóhannsson (The Theory of Everything)

Christopher Coleman talks with composer Jóhann Jóhannsson about Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominated score for THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. Jóhannsson shares his reaction to finding out about his Golden Globe nomination, his thoughts on some of the other scores nominated, his involvement in the production of the soundtrack and how the voicebox voiceover of Stephen Hawking effected the score.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Introduction to Johann Johannsson

02:00 — Finding out about the Golden Globe Nomination

04:33 — Becoming a part of "Everything"

06:44 — Coming on to the project later

09:38 — Surprisingly Warm

11:40 — Progression and Digression

13:52 — Putting the soundtrack together

16:56 — Fans reaction to film music

19:27 — The voicebox challenge

Music Selections

00:00 — Cambridge 1963 (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

01:49 — Rowing (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

09:12 — The Wedding (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

12:29 — Collapsing Inward (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

14:26 — Rowing [Alternate Version] (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

15:38 — Domestic Pressures (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

18:52 — Prisoners (Prisoners) by Johan Johannsson

22:00 — The Theory of Everything (The Theory of Everything) by Johan Johannsson

Notes:

Follow Johann Johannsson on Twitter (@JohannJohannss)

Follow Christopher Coleman on Twitter (@ccoleman)

Special thanks to Erica Hungerford at Brigade Marketing.

Support Tracksounds:

You purchase THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK at Amazon.com

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Episode 77 - The Music of Marvel Phase 3 - Part 2

For part 2 of of this Marvel Phase 3 discussion, Kristen Romanelli (Film Score Monthly), David Kociemba, Wendell Jones (Sideshow Sound Radio) finish out with Christopher Coleman and Richard Buxton on Captain Marvel, Inhumans and Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2.

Episode Highlights

00:21 — Let's Talk About Phase 3 ... part 2

01:42 — Captain Marvel

24:07 — InHumans

36:44 — Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2

58:13 — Will Marvel Pull It Off?

Music Selections

00:00 — Extremis (Iron Man 3) by Brian Tyler

07:58 — Main Title (The Cape) by Bear McCreary

14:14 — Green Lantern Main Titles (Green Lantern: Animated Series) by Frederick Wiedmann

20:27 - Silver Surfer Theme (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) by John Ottman

22:47 - Age of Gods (Illusions) by Thomas Bergersen

25:04 - Outlands (Tron: Legacy) by Daft Punk

31:41 - The Third Man (Battle Royale) by Masamichi Amano

33:25 — Plague, Trinity & Wasp (The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo) by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

43:48 - Splinter vs. Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) by Brian Tyler

46:00 - Spyders (Minority Report) by John Williams

49:37 - Following Godzilla (Godzilla) by Alexandre Desplat

53:54 - Entrance to Cave (Tarzan) by David Newman

70:34 - Battle Finale (Iron Man 3) by Brian Tyler

Notes:

Follow Kristen Romanelli on Twitter (@kbfornow)

Follow Wendell Jones on Twitter (@Sideshowsound)

Follow Richard Buxton on Twitter (@monkeybutlerman)

Follow Christopher Coleman on Twitter (@ccoleman)

Support Tracksounds:

Most of the soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon. Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on! Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

Subscribe and More Info