The Other Guys (Film Composers)

One of my great passions in life is film music. I do not consider my self an expert, more of an avid fan. In an attempt to break my mind from the sports strangle hold the Super Bowl and now the Olympics have on me I am doing a bit of an exercise.

I am going to shine a spotlight on 5 composers that are not typically known to the average joe film fan. This is not a list, not a best of, not a condemnation of any name not here. Just an opportunity for me to talk about, and hopefully share some beautiful music with all 2 of you who read this (Hi Mom!)

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Joe Hisaishi:

This master Japanese film composer is the go to man for all of Hayo Miazaki's animated masterpieces. At first glance most people would look at Miazaki's work as simply anime, but that would be an unfair generalization to one of the true geniuses of the animation industry. Miazaki is more like the Pixar of the east, all of his films both soar to incredible technical heights, and touch deep into the soul with incredible emotion. A main reason for the deep, resonating, emotional impact of these films is the note perfect scores of Joe Hisaishi. Hisaishi's music is a perfect complement to the stunning images it accompanies and never fails to low you away when you listen to the music alone.

Here is one of my personal favorites, from Princess Mononoke




Clint Mansell:

Probably one of the most loved and well known pieces of modern film music was written by Clint Mansell, yet he still is on a list like this because so few could recall him by name. Mansell wrote the chilling, haunting and cinematicly perfect "Lux Aeterna" for Requiem for a Dream. A bit of music that has become a staple in move trailers and used countless times for many different goals. There is a simplicity to his music that builds into such grand musical moments that it is difficult to get the full majesty of his works in small doses. I have a feeling Mansell is primed to step into the world of well known film composers in the very near future, because his work is already there.

Since every one has heard Lux Aeterna, here is a fabulous piece from the Fountain:




Ilan Eshkeri:

I can really only speak to one score by Ilan Eshkeri, Stardust. However, for what he lacks in quantity he more then makes up for with amazingness! The score for the film Stardust is very much like the film itself, whimsical, light, beautiful and more or less very happy. Now this can sound like a major turn off to some of you sourpusses out there, but the lasting optimism that this music instills every time I listen is a true pleasure. I am a big fan of "loud" scores as I have been told, lots of sounds that build to one giant gorgeous moment musical bliss. Well this film falls directly in that category. Stardust is indeed loud, bombastic and epic but it is also sweet and emotional. A combination that secures this in my heart for a long time.

Here is a nice cut together of most of the main musical cues from Stardust




Bruno Coulais:

Now here is a guy that I know nothing about. This French composer is on my radar for one very admirable fact. He composed my favorite score of 2009, beating out 2 great Micheal Giacchino scores for the honor. His music for Coraline has such a unique quality, it is all together haunting and scary while still maintaining a sweet and childlike innocence in the music that always leaves you caught between 2 worlds. That sort of musical parallel to the story really caught my attention when I was able to listen to the music independent of the film. I hope that brilliant music in Coraline can bring Mr. Caoulais to the states for more readily available projects in the future!

Here is the end credits music from Coraline




James Dooley:

A TV and video game composer who wrote the just point perfect music for the criminally canceled Pushing Daises TV show. Most of his more famous work comes from the video game side of things so hopefully the meteoric success of Micheal Giacchino will open the flood gates for guys who have cut their teeth in game scores. I find Dooley's work on Daises to be a perfect blend of comedy and romance with just a touch of whimsy to glue it all together. The large sounds he brought to the show is rarely heard on TV and is very cinematic. I hope to hear a lot more from this guy in the future.

Here is a piece from Pushing Daisies

The Super Bowl Hiatus...

I took a little break from the blog to follow in depth the New Orleans Saints miraculous Super Bowl run... THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!! sorry, that happens every now and then.

So the Blog is back on track, a lot less lists (I'll finish the all decade lists in the future, I swears) and a whole lot more stream of consciousness.