MovieScore Media continues its bountiful series of releases with another ‘new’ composer: Scott Glasgow. And, yet again, we have been reminded that there is abundant talent waiting out there ready to be discovered. Chasing Ghosts is a spooky murder-mystery that in a sense is similar to The Bone Collector, another thriller with spooky and sorrowful overtones. Glasgow’s music is also alike to Craig Armstrong’s Bone Collector score; both have sombre themes and dark, slowly-progressing murder music and (although to a lesser extent in this score) an innocent choral presence.
However Glasgow’s music is fully his own. He remarks in the album’s liner notes that he tries to utilise ‘architecture- not just thematic development’. Indeed this is most apparent in the murder music (‘Flashback & Murder Chaconne’, ‘Meatlocker Murders’ etc.) where he uses a grim, slowly-progressing passacaglia that manifests itself first in a hazy form, but eventually becomes more prominent as the killer’s bloodlust grows. The ‘Murder Fanfare’ accompanies many of these scenes, first heard on low strings in ‘Captain’s Orders’ amid solemn bell tolls, subtly interweaved into ‘SWAT Brief’ and again in ‘Meatlocker Murders’ more forcefully, but it is quickly brushed aside and replaced by the remorseless and single-minded murder motif, now layered on itself. This dark music is one area where Glasgow excels; it is purposefully driven but full of sad overtones. Indeed, ‘sad’ music seems to be another of his special talents, showcased in the string adagio of ‘Lament’ and the overwhelming, shimmering climax of ‘Karis’. So it could be said that Glasgow has a gift some modern composers are missing- the ability to underscore the emotion behind a scene and not just the action on-screen. As a consequence this means that the majority of the album is downbeat, with the notable exception of ‘Santiago’.
Glasgow also gives each character a theme, not exactly a new concept but a welcome one among newer scores. The cop, Harrison, receives a troubled and mournful theme that reflects his past, while low, groaning poly-chords not dissimilar to the murder motif accompany flashbacks into that past. Taylor is portrayed by an innocent piano theme heard in ‘Meet Taylor’ and the composer point out his use of different keys for different scenes. The action music as heard in ‘SWAT Raid’ and ‘Warehouse Chase’ is threatening and energetic but somewhat formulaic; nevertheless at least we aren’t assaulted with a barrage of electronics. Brass is never used to a massive degree, and instead most orchestrations lean heavily on the strings, heard in their fullest in the conclusive ‘Karis’ (I know I’ve mentioned it above, it’s just really good).
The album is 70 minutes long, and although it has a little too much dark and gritty material, this isn’t much of a deterrent. I urge you to sample this new composer’s talent, or at least give ‘Karis’ a listen on Itunes (or below). If you enjoy dark and brooding yet well-structured and thought out music, get the album. It is obvious from the liner notes that Glasgow has put a great deal of consideration into this score, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more from him in the years to come.
SWAT Raid is relentless action fare
Crossing The Bridge is one of the more propulsive and energetic pieces on the album
Handstamp Murder is the murder music in its stilted, not quite fully-grown form, opening with the Murder Fanfare
Warehouse Chase is gritty chase music, the tension kept high by brassy rumbles
Karis is an exceptionally emotive finale with full, shimmering strings
(You'll need an MP3 compatible player to listen to these sound-clips)
1. Main Title (1:55)
2. SWAT Raid (6:49)
3. Interrogation for Violin and Orchestra (4:23)
4. Parents (2:56)
5. Captain's Orders (1:03)
6. Flashback & Murder Chaconne (3:32)
7. Taylor Meets Davies (1:29)
8. Crossing the Bridge (1:53)
9. Harrison (2:04)
10. Handstamp Murder (2:43)
11. Autopsy (2:15)
12. Looking At Photos (2:47)
13. Rain Talk (1:12)
14. The Sting Op (4:51)
15. Meet Taylor (1:35)
16. Spencer (1:55)
17. Meatlocker Murders (2:46)
18. Taylor's Apt (1:20)
19. Return to the Club (1:43)
20. SWAT Brief (1:13)
21. Descent Into Maelstrom (2:06)
22. Warehouse Chase (5:12)
23. Lament (2:18)
24. Santiago (1:04)
25. Totentanze (3:32)
26. Karis (3:25)
Total Duration: 01:09:05
|
Search this site
powered by FreeFind |
|
|
|
Newest Review
 |
||
