|
“All in all, this CD will prove a thoroughly
enjoyable experience for most film music enthusiasts. The fact is
just about every track of UNEARTHED could be used in a film
trailer...or in a feature film.”
|
Dig This!
Review by Christopher
Coleman
Produced by E.S.
Posthumus
Orchestrations by E.S.
Posthumus
Performed by E.S.
Posthumus, Seattle
Choir Company (choir);
David Spillane (Uliean
pipes; Efrain Toro
(Percussion); Pedro
Eustache (Woodwinds &
Reeds); Michael Landau
(Guitars); Matt Lang
(Drum Loops); Lance
Morrison (Bass Guitar)
The formulas for
financially successful
music are firmly
entrenched. "Copy the
popular," is chief
among them. Indie
music; however, is
managing to keep the
music-world fresh and
interesting...and
actually establishing
what is sure to be
copied tomorrow.
One such Indie-group,
E. S. Posthumus has
also been making
subtle waves within
the realm of film
music- specifically in
movie trailers. Their
first ripple came with
the inclusion of their
music in the PLANET OF
THE APES trailers in
2001. Also, a
selection was used in
the intriguing teaser
trailer for the Steven
Spielberg film,
MINORITY REPORT. Most
recently, in one of
the most downloaded
trailers on the
internet, the
SPIDER-MAN trailer
features a
power-packed selection
from the E.S.
Posthumus' UNEARTHED.
The use of E.S.
Posthumus' work in
such high-profile
trailers is definitely
high praise and strong
indication that its
evocative nature will
be appealing to many
film score fans.
Throughout UNEARTHED,
one will easily hear
similarities to some
of the most popular
scores in the last ten
years, while never
being in danger of
truly "ripping" off
any single composer.
To create their
"sound," E.S.
Posthumus employs a
variety of
synthesizers, loops
and samples. The
combination itself
will draw comparisons
to Media Ventures, and
there are a few thin
similarities, but E.S.
Posthumus creates a
musical environment
closer to the work of
composer Craig
Armstrong (Plunkett &
MacLeane, Moulin
Rouge, Kiss of the
Dragon) than any of
the Zimmerites. Still,
fans of Hans Zimmer's
GLADIATOR will
certainly enjoy tracks
such as Antissa (1),
Tikal (2), and
Menouthis (10) - as
the forceful vocals
and Middle-Eastern
flavor will bring back
visions of the Roman
deathmatches. Craig
Armstrong's Plunkett
and Macleane has seen
its fair share of film
trailers and tracks
such as Ebla (5) ,
Nineveh (8) and
Pompeii (12) exude the
same power and
thematic bliss as
Armstrong's
well-utilized work.
On the lighter side,
UNEARTHED contains a
few pieces that come
closer to
jazz-new-age-fusion.
Despite their relaxed
posture tracks such as
Ulaid (4) and Cuzco
(7) are no less
entertaining and help
to round out the
overall listening
experience very well.
Both feature a
Celtic-thread, Ulaid
(4) in particular.
Other peace-inducing
tracks include Nara
(6), and Estremoz (11)
- with its lead
guitars and gorgeous
female chorus. Its the
closest thing to a
love-theme on the
album.
Despite not being a
true "soundtrack,"
UNEARTHED satisfies
like the best of them.
Not being constrained
by film sequences,
directors or
producers, E.S.
Posthumus is able to
deliver high-quality,
emotional music which
seems to underscore a
story we simply
haven't been privy to
- which is what makes
it perfect for use in
big budget movie
trailers. Despite its
electronic and
synthesized
foundation, Unearthed
maintains a strong
"organic" feel
throughout every
track. The various
acoustic percussions,
guitars and woodwinds
layered above the
electronic foundation
keeps the music
approachable...and in
the end, more
enjoyable than the
typical electro-score.
All in all, this CD
will prove a
thoroughly enjoyable
experience for most
film music
enthusiasts. The fact
is just about every
track of UNEARTHED
could be used in a
film trailer...or in a
feature film. Don't be
surprised if it
happens! E.S.
Posthumus, if they
have any desire to,
could probably do an
exceptional job at
film scoring...or at
least at developing
themes for film. While
its probably easier
and cheaper to obtain
rights to use Indie-music
in film trailers,
hopefully artists such
as E.S. Posthumus
will, at the very
least, plant seeds of
creativity within the
minds of Hollywood
directors, producers,
and even within the
composers they hire.
Don't let the next
time your hear a
selection of UNEARTHED
be in another trailer,
reach into those
pockets and buy this
CD. If you're a modern
soundtrack lover,
you'll definitely dig
UNEARTHED!
Rating: 8/10
|
Track |
Track Title |
Track Time |
Rating |
| 1 |
Antissa |
5:11 |
**** |
| 2 |
Tikal |
3:47 |
**** |
| 3 |
Harappa |
4:36 |
**** |
| 4 |
Ulaid |
5:10 |
**** |
| 5 |
Ebla |
6:09 |
**** |
| 6 |
Nara |
4:51 |
**** |
| 7 |
Cuzco |
4:03 |
**** |
| 8 |
Nineveh |
3:42 |
**** |
| 9 |
Lepcis Magna |
3:27 |
**** |
| 10 |
Menouthis |
3:56 |
**** |
| 11 |
Estremoz |
5:06 |
***** |
| 12 |
Pompeii |
3:41 |
***** |
| 13 |
Isfahan |
4:34 |
**** |
| |
Total
Running Time |
58:08 |
|
|
