John Williams

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YOUR CD PLAYER IS NO LONGER SAFE – Complete JAWS Soundtrack Now Available

November 17, 2015 | Ryan Paquet | 8 Comments Share this

On November 17, 2015, Intrada Records released on CD the complete soundtrack to the 1975 classic Jaws. The Oscar winning score by John Williams is one of the most iconic film scores of all time. Although its not a video game score, it is a very important release.

The soundtrack is spread across 2 CDs, with the first containing the original film score and some alternate takes, and the second disc containing the original 1975 separately recorded soundtrack and source music from Amity Town Beach. The album is available for $29.99.

With this release Intrada Records has now released all scores to the Jaws series including Jaws 2 also composed by John Williams, Jaws 3-D by Alan Parker, and Jaws The Revenge by Michael Small.

You can purchase all of the soundtracks of the Jaws series on Intrada’s website. I have ordered my copy, is this something you might pick up? Do you have any fond memories of the music from the Jaws series?
Film, Game Music

Far, Far Away: My Favorite Star Wars Remixes

August 26, 2015 | Shawn Sackenheim | Comments Off on Far, Far Away: My Favorite Star Wars Remixes Share this

When LucasArts started ramping up for the release of the strategy game Star Wars: Force Commander in 2000, one of the things they did was release mp3 samples of the music. At the time, I held John Williams’ original scores in the highest regard and wasn’t familiar with the growing fan remix/arrangement scene. So what I heard when I first clicked ‘Play’ on “Imperial Rage (Leviathan Mix)” startled me. I couldn’t imagine that someone would ever take those perfect pieces of music and put a beat to it, back it up with guitars and throw in samples from the movies. Within seconds, however, I realized how great the mix sounded and never again questioned someone having a go at the revered source material. With the impending onslaught of all new Star Wars games and movies this Fall I thought I’d take some time to highlight my favorite unexpected spins on the classic compositions.

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Featured, Game Music

Journey Nominated for Grammy Award

December 6, 2012 | Gideon Dabi | Comments Off on Journey Nominated for Grammy Award Share this Journey Nominated for Grammy Award

The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees have just been announced, and with it, a piece of history. For the first time ever, a video game’s full soundtrack has been nominated for this award. Austin Wintory’s beautiful score for Journey, the downloadable title from thatgamecompany (makers of 2009’s Flower) finds itself among the biggest of the big boys up alongside other nominees like Hans Zimmer (for The Dark Knight Rises) and John Williams (for The Adventures of Tintin). Although we have a seen a huge influx of accomplished, big-studio film composers make their way over to gaming, it is not any of them or Activision or EA that can boast of such an honor, making this an even more notable occasion.

I do not expect Mr. Wintory to come home with the prize as I am sure that too many who vote have not heard Journey‘s unique and sweeping score. Even still, this is an incredible boost to the legitimacy of the art produced in this genre. The exceptional music writing in video games comes as no surprise to the readers and contributors to this site, but it’s about time the rest of the world took notice and learned what it was missing!

Congratulations, Austin Wintory! A well-deserved nomination for a beautiful score that helped to shape one of the most memorable experiences I have had in quite some time. And if any of you have not yet bought this soundtrack, what the hell are you waiting for?
Game Music, Reviews

Feel The Power of the Force… Again! The Force Unleashed II (Review)

January 3, 2011 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

The Star Wars franchise has its own soundscape. Everyone knows it. Everyone recognizes it. And whether it’s John Williams doing the score or someone else, the style remains remarkably consistent. It’s like a branding initiative in musical form.

For games in the franchise, one of the key names to watch for is Mark Griskey. This guy got his professional start with LucasArts doing primarily Star Wars titles, including Knights of the Old Republic II. In 2005, he went freelance and began to do work for many game-based adaptations of films (including the Narnia games and Pirates of the Caribbean). His freelance status did not strain his relationship with LucasArts, however. He went on to do the score for the 2008 hit title Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, a new game featuring a Sith apprentice to Darth Vader. The game received mix reviews, though generally positive. Its music was praised by the likes of… well, us. Sadly, a retail soundtrack was never made, but we were well-impressed with Griskey’s score.

Now, the sequel is out, and we have nine tracks’ worth of audio on our hands to discuss the merits of The Forced Unleashed II‘s soundtrack. This digital-only soundtrack was released as a sort of promotional bonus with the game, just as it was with the previous title. But we want you to know about the quality of the soundtrack. With any luck, Griskey’s soundtrack for the upcoming MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic (developed by BioWare) will get a full-scale retail release, perhaps as a printed CD.

But enough about publishing, or the lack thereof. After the jump, you’ll get my impressions of Griskey’s latest Star Wars videogame score. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Bioshock 2: A Return to Rapture and to Form (Review)

March 3, 2010 | Gideon Dabi | 1 Comment Share this

Garry Schyman has been an awfully busy man this year. In fact, both Bioshock 2 and Dante’s Inferno were released on the same day. Coincidentally, both games were treated with a fair amount of skepticism and derision at the mere announcement of their respective developments. Whilst Dante’s Inferno was deemed a game that could not possibly be anything short of ludicrous based on its source material, Bioshock 2 was deemed needless; the sequel that had no business being made. Much to the dismay of the nay-sayers, Bioshock 2 – by most accounts (including my own) – has proven itself to be very deserving of being made and could very well be a GOTY candidate.

From the phonographs and radios pumping out oldies tunes to the highly regarded “Cohen’s Masterpiece”, the music of Bioshock was integral to creating the world of Rapture and, subsequently, the game’s incredible artistic success. Often times in games, the same composer is not brought on to score the sequel. Most developers (and filmmakers, for that matter) often have someone else play on the themes written by the previous composer. Equally often, the original’s score is forgotten about and a whole new score and set of themes are written for the sequel (read: Army of Two: The 40th Day). In this case, 2K Marin chose to keep Mr. Schyman and have him lead us all back to Rapture.

Was it a good move? Does Schyman manage to rekindle our love for Rapture? Click the jump to find out! (more…)