Super Heroes

[ehowton]

After a month of immersing myself in The Dark Knight and revisiting and ultimately including Batman Begins with every listen, as well as re-watching Batman Begins again, I finally popped in, "Gotham Avenger" Original Music by Danny Elfman, Shirley Walker & Elliot Goldenthal, and what a treat that was! Even knowing how this disc was put together didn't save me from the surprise at how effortlessly the songs not only blended together, but complimented each other in their selection. While the original Elfman score was very heavy and consistent, this mix manages to breathe into it a much needed rounding of levity and depth, mostly with the inclusion of Shirley Walker's tracks which seem uneventful when listening to Batman: Mask of the Phantasm alone. The unofficial conclusion of "side one" ends without a transition, but not without fanfare! The tracks selected for this compilation brilliantly tie into one another on an individual level, and collectively, create a wonderful landscape of Gotham. Elfman's original sound is found throughout, which essentially ties the entire album together in a neat, magnificent package. After the brooding, atmospheric ZimNewHow scores, this one managed to put a smile on my face from start to finish. Incredible!

Unfortunately and surprisingly, the same cannot be said of my initial reaction to "You'll Believe A Man Can Fly" which, after the goosebumps-inducing title track, left me unmoved. I began this one first, because I thought I'd enjoy it more, either through eager anticipation, or the fact it was discussed in such length through email and across several blog entries. I don't want to be Mr. Sourboots just yet, because I haven't given the entire album its due, and I hate to prejudge; I'll likely listen to it over and over and may even learn to love it. I'm just surprised I wasn't initially infatuated with it as I had expected to be, being instead completely blown away by "Gotham Avenger."

Comments

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

I've listened to none of them. I really need to start bringing music to work again.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

My headphones help me in ignoring my coworkers and oftentimes become the waffling point for whether or not they should disturb me. It works great!

[melancthe.livejournal.com]

This helps me too. No one bothers me when I'm wearing headphones and concentrating ...

... although, admittedly, that might be the frowny-face look of don't-piss-me-off-ishness rather than the earphones. Hmm.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I manage to wear disdain of the entire human race as an expression of warning to those who wish to distrub me. And except for my management, and the completely clueless, it works rather well.

[melancthe.livejournal.com]

disdain of the entire human race

I'm turned on already.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I have to listen for the 8200 Executive line throughout the day.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Understood. What I so enjoy about my noise-canceling headphones is that while they mask the drone of my fan, server, and desktop - non white noise sounds pass unfiltered. That being said, the 'ring' of the phone sounds as if I weren't wearing headphones at all. And with this technology, I really don't need much volume to have an enjoyable listening experience.

[galinda822.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'll put those on my Christmas list for Santa.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

I took a gamble with the $60 Sony's (as I couldn't justify paying $350 for the Bose) and they work surprisingly well. I saw the same set at Target recently for $49.99, so tell Santa to shop red.