Middle-Earth Music Reviews - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Leyrana Silumiel · 02-27-2004, 02:42 PM

Eh. This is just my review of the Return of the King soundtrack.

Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King soundtrack

Musicians: Howard Shore

Genre: Classical

Canonical Tolkien or Original?: Original, but Tolkien Related.

Review: To be honest, the Return of the King soundtrack was the first soundtrack from the films that I've gotten my hands onto. I have to admit, though, that the soundtrack seemed, to me, awesome. It opened with the nearly traditional soft music that I mentally always relate to the hobbits, and swept grandly up into a beautiful score in "Minas Tirith." Billy Boyd performed well on "The Steward of Gondor," and "Minas Morgul" definitely brings dark images to mind.

Return of the King was not without the majestic music that developed the battle scenes, though. "The Ride of the Rohirrim," "The Fields of the Pelennor," "The Black Gate Opens" and "The End of All Things" vividly portrayed the film's battle scenes in sound--from the thunderous, ominous drums to the triumphant, heroic trumpets.

The final song of the soundtrack, "Into the West," which was performed superbly by Annie Lennox, is definitely deserving of the Golden Globe it received for Best Original Song. The music and lyrics are haunting and melodic, and it's definitely a tear-jerker.

Do you recommend it?: Most definitely.

Price you paid: About $20 (from Wal-mart--that's with tax).

Where you bought it: Wal-mart (where a very lovely card insert features characters from the movies--girls, the cover with just Aragorn on it has Legolas on the back of the inside of the card!)

Do you know of any online samples?: Amazon.com features samples of "A Storm is Coming," "Hope and Memory," "Minas Tirith," "The White Tree" and "The Steward of Gondor" right here

02-27-2004, 02:42 PM	#18
Leyrana Silumiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 58	Eh. This is just my review of the Return of the King soundtrack. Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King soundtrack Musicians: Howard Shore Genre: Classical Canonical Tolkien or Original?: Original, but Tolkien Related. Review: To be honest, the Return of the King soundtrack was the first soundtrack from the films that I've gotten my hands onto. I have to admit, though, that the soundtrack seemed, to me, awesome. It opened with the nearly traditional soft music that I mentally always relate to the hobbits, and swept grandly up into a beautiful score in "Minas Tirith." Billy Boyd performed well on "The Steward of Gondor," and "Minas Morgul" definitely brings dark images to mind. Return of the King was not without the majestic music that developed the battle scenes, though. "The Ride of the Rohirrim," "The Fields of the Pelennor," "The Black Gate Opens" and "The End of All Things" vividly portrayed the film's battle scenes in sound--from the thunderous, ominous drums to the triumphant, heroic trumpets. The final song of the soundtrack, "Into the West," which was performed superbly by Annie Lennox, is definitely deserving of the Golden Globe it received for Best Original Song. The music and lyrics are haunting and melodic, and it's definitely a tear-jerker. Do you recommend it?: Most definitely. Price you paid: About $20 (from Wal-mart--that's with tax). Where you bought it: Wal-mart (where a very lovely card insert features characters from the movies--girls, the cover with just Aragorn on it has Legolas on the back of the inside of the card!) Do you know of any online samples?: Amazon.com features samples of "A Storm is Coming," "Hope and Memory," "Minas Tirith," "The White Tree" and "The Steward of Gondor" right here