Headphones

What headphones do you use to listen to scores? I have the Apple EarPods, which are okay. I didn't like the sound of them at first, but I have adjusted to them and they don't sound as bad anymore. I have done some research and come across the site WireCutter.com which gives a great review on cheap pairs of earphones that you should buy on a low budget based on your needs: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-headphones-under-30/

The verdict is the Panasonic RP-TCM125 Ergo Fit which you can get on Amazon.com HERE. This pair apparently sounds much better than most headphones out there (even some $100 ones), and they are only about $7-15 depending on whom you buy them from. If you can get past the cheap design, they are worth a buy.

What are your favorite headphones (or earphones)?

The Amazing Spiderman 2

I am so excited about the release of The Amazing Spiderman 2. This title is composed by Hans Zimmer and a few others including Pharrell Williams. Hans Zimmer had a few contests in the past months in excitement for this score. I hope that this ends up becoming what I'm eagerly expecting. This score is expected for release on May 2, 2014. Here's a preview from the score that I found:

Another score that I think will be great is Maleficent by James Newton Howard. This is expected for a release on May 30 of this year.

I’m listening to How to Train Your Dragon right now by John Powell, so I am also very eager for the release of the sequel, also done by John Powell. I don’t think that we should expect this score until June though.

Tha's a Wrap by Thomas Bergersen

Thomas Bergerstein recently released a nice and long song. It's about ten minutes, but it sounds great, I almost wish it was longer. You can listen to it below. He also allows you to download it for free here (right click and select "save target as"): http://www.thomasbergersen.com/Thomas_Bergersen-_-That%27s-A-Wrap.mp3

Contest: Soundtrack Giveaway

I was thinking about beginning a giveaway of a physical CD. What do you guys think of this? What soundtrack would you like to win? Send me your ideas and I will consider them. If you share this with your friends, I'll try to earn you extra entries into the contest when it happens.

Transformers: Age Of Extinction

Steve Jablonsky has done an amazing job on the current three scores in the Transformers trilogy. I have the complete and/or expanded versions of them, so there's a ton of music to listen to there. I haven't quite listened to all of it yet, but I will soon (along with posts about them, of course!)

The fourth installment is set to release on June 27 of this year, and, of course, Steve Jablonsky has come back to compose it! Are you excited for this next score?

How To Train Your Dragon

How To Train Your Dragon is a funny animated film that will send you soaring with dragons. The music, composed by John Powell, is outstanding. It won 3 academy awards: Annie Award for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production, IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for an Animated Feature, and IFMCA Award for Film Score of the Year.
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of music from the film. I listened to the whole thing today already, and now I am listening to it again! The main theme is by far one of the best themes. It sticks with you, it’s memorable, fun, exciting, and it really does make you feel like you are flying!

DreamWorks Animation Studios have decided that they will be releasing a second and third How To Train Your Dragon. You have probably seen the preview for the second, which is set to be released June of this year. The third one is definite, though, and you will expect its release June of 2016. I am excited to share with you that John Powell will continue with this series and compose the music for all three films! I can’t wait to get my hands on the second score later this year.

"This Is Berk" 

The first track on this album is "This Is Berk". This is a fantastic introduction to the album. It sends you the exciting theme that you hear throughout the score.

 "Did Anybody See That?"

This track is great, it brings you into some intensity, but then lightens up as it ends with the theme.

 

 "Forbidden Friendship"

"Forbidden Friendship" is a cool track. It is quite relaxing because it doesn't blow up in any highs. The theme is carried into this around the middle, which is played nicely with the bow.

 "Test Drive"

This is another exciting flight track. This goes in and out of intensity, both starting and finishing with that familiar theme from the beginning.

"Battling The Red Death"

This track reaches a good high in intensity, and holds it longer than in the other tracks. This is the track for the big battle finale at the end of the film. This is the longest track in the album, so you get a good mix of music. It goes in and out of intensity, going to a heroic tune, then back up again, and finally ending with the heroic and happy main theme.

The Captain America Sequel

Alan Silvestri composed the music for Captain America: The First Avenger, as I said in my previous post. Unfortunately, though, he will not be composing the sequel: Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Instead, Henry Jackman will be taking up the job (of course, this has already happened). The score is set to release on April 4, 2014. I am not familiar with this new composer, so I think that I will go and check him out. Do you have any thoughts about Henry Jackman? I would love to hear from you! I will be looking at the second Captain America score still. I’ll take a quick look into Henry Jackman and report back a quick review on him. Oh, and sorry for the “frenzy” the other day, it kind of sucked.

Captain America: The First Avenger by Alan Silvestri

Alan Silvestri is one amazing composer. Some of my favorite works of his are from Forrest Gump, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers. I really hope that he will be the composer of the next Captain America film along with the two Avenger movies set to release in the mere future. Of course, since this post is titled "Captain America", I will be briefly discussing this score.

Captain America: The First Avenger is one of the best movies in the Avenger series. Maybe I feel this way because I love history. It has some good action sequences in it, and the overall story is great. There’s only one downside to this film, though. Steve (Captain America) never gets back to the woman he loves at the end because they had to do something to bring him into The Avengers. What makes this film even more exciting and enjoyable is, well, the score.

The music from this score has some slight similarities to the music in The Avengers, but this is probably just because Alan Silvestri composed both scores. The main theme for Captain America is well done. It brings joy, and is memorable. You will experience some quiet music in the beginning, but as you get into it, it gets more and more intense. Below is a complementary link to the soundtrack for your enjoyment. Take a little time and listen to it, then come back and share your thoughts.

Here's the link: http://www.4shared.com/archive/-fMrwu1bba/Captain_America-The_First_Aven.html

"Do You Want To Build A Snowman?" And Other Original Songs From Disney's Frozen

The movie Frozen won an Oscar for the best animated feature film. The song "Let It Go" also won an Oscar for the best original song. Ii seems to be snowing hard enough for a snowman, so, "Do You Want To Build A Snowman?"

 

This song is a little sad because Anna doesn't get to see her sister Elsa anymore. I like the song though.

 

 

                                     

This song, as I stated above, won an Oscar for the best original song. This version from the movie is sung by Idina Menzel. She did great, but I kind of like the version by Demi Lovato a little better. You can listen to it below.

 

                                     

 

 

 

 

                                   This next song is called "For The First Time In Forever".

 

The movie Frozen did a phenomenal job. The songs in it are well done, and the movie is funny. If you haven't seen it yet, I definitely recommend either renting it or buying it. The composer, Christophe Beck, did a great job on the orchestral music too. I haven't gotten a whole lot of time to listen to it, so I am providing you with the 2-Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack for free. This soundtrack has lots of extras, something definitely worth looking into. Listen to it today and come back and share your thoughts on it.

 

Here's the link: http://www.4shared.com/archive/Wn1ZmCE_ce/Frozen__Deluxe_Edition_.html

Remember to come back throughout the day to catch all of todays posts. It's music frenzy day!

The beginning of a snowstorm?

Apparently there is a "massive" snowstorm coming my way, and everything is canceled, so I cannot leave my house. Well, this frees up some of my time! I am going to be doing many different posts throughout the day, so stay tuned!