Amazon Review
Tim Burton's adaptation of Daniel Wallace's bittersweet Southern Gothic novel is billed as Burton's first authentic human drama, but that's a convenient ploy that ignores the story's allegorical nature and imaginative leaps. Composer Danny Elfman, however, fully understands the dark and mysterious undertones that pepper the film, crafting this restrained and enigmatic score.
Elfman's epic, melodramatic scores for comic book adaptations (Batman, Spider-Man, The Hulk) established him as a mainstream Hollywood composer, but as longtime fans know, he's rarely as expressive as when teaming up with his ally Burton. Elfman's score here blends Rachel Portman's delicate pastoral sensibility with Thomas Newman's unsettling, enigmatic rhythms. Twangy fiddle and other melodies that echo the film's many gothic shock scenes add spice to the mix. The film closes with the delightfully bonkers "Twice the Love (Siamese Twins Song)."
The film's melancholic theme song, "Man of the Hour," by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, and six other tracks that dominated the pop charts half a century ago, helped Elfman (along with Pearl Jam) receive a deserved Golden Globe nomination. (Jerry McCulley, Amazon.com)
Media Reviews and More
This is the soundtrack to Tim Burton's Hollywood hit, but the highlight for rock fans is Pearl Jam's newly written ending theme. Eddie Vedder's gentle, warm voice is a must-listen for fans. Following this with contributions from Bing Crosby, Buddy Holly, and Presley, it's hard not to reflect on the "conscience of the United States," something that tends to fade in real life these days. Danny Elfman's score, a popular composer, also evokes a quiet emotion. The entire album is generously sung. While the film's quality remains unclear, this is a truly soothing soundtrack. (Kazuyoshi Hirano) --- March 2004 Issue -- Contents (From "CD Journal Review")
The soundtrack to Tim Burton's latest film. It features the poignant ending theme, a ballad written by Pearl Jam after seeing the film, as well as rock 'n' roll classics that reflect the era.
-- Contents (From the "CD Journal" database)
