Shows
Soundtrack ShowdownBest Game Music of 2020We’re trying something new!
We really want to talk about some of the great new game music that is coming out every year. But games episodes are so hard to do. The soundtracks are hard to compare, particularly of brand new games where we need to play them fully and work out what tracks are most comparable – where those tracks are even known, or available!
So, we’ve come up with a new approach. We have looked through a lot of the best music and games from the last year and come up with 6 catego...
2021-04-061h 45Soundtrack Showdown2021 Valentines Day Special – Secretary (2002) v The Duke of Burgundy (2014)Welcome to our customary February “Romantic Movie” showdown in honour of Valentine’s Day.
*CONTENT WARNING* This year we are looking at two films that look at BDSM relationships. Please note that this makes the episode somewhat more ‘adult’ than usual. We focus primarily on the music and the underlying relationships, but please avoid this episode if discussion of sex, sexuality and bondage is uncomfortable for you (or unsuitable for the environment in which you listen to podcasts).
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening Music
2 – Characters and Fetishes
3 – Sexual Fantasy
4 – Relati...
2021-02-261h 32Soundtrack ShowdownChristmas Special – The Santa Clause (1994) v Elf (2003)Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, it’s the Soundtrack Showdown Christmas Special.
This month we compare Michael Convertino’s score for The Santa Clause and John Debney’s for Elf. Two cult films built around dominant comedians of their generations.
Rounds for this month
1 – Santa’s Workshop
2 – The Journey
3 – Showdown with the “villians”
4 – Credits Song
5 – Legacy
Stay safe out there everybody.
We hope you’ve enjoyed another year of Soundtrack Showd...
2020-12-231h 25Soundtrack ShowdownLockdown ListensIt’s November, and that means time again for one of our “fireside chat” episodes where we sit down and talk about the music that has influenced us. This year, in the spirit of 2020, we talk about the music that has gotten us through Lockdown. Note that at the time of recording, we actually were in the UK’s second national lockdown.
We also provide some of our best tips for how to survive and remain productive through lockdown.
So, whether you are listening to this at time of release, and still going through the feels of...
2020-11-301h 36Soundtrack ShowdownKing Kong (1933) v Bride of Frankenstein (1935)It’s Ella’s favourite time of year again, Halloween!
And this year we’re celebrating by going way back into the vaults to two of the earliest soundtracks in cinema history. We consider the work of the “father of film music” Max Steiner in his seminal 1933 score to King Kong. And what could stand against that? Only the equally iconic Franz Waxman and his score for 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein.
Rounds for this month
1 – Monster Intro
2 – Romance and Flirting
3 – Rampage and Carnage
4 – Finale and *spoiler*
2020-10-301h 31Soundtrack ShowdownEnnio Morricone Special: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966) v The Mission (1986)In July this year (2020) we lost one of the true titans of film composition, Maestro Ennio Morricone.
This week we talk about two of his finest achievements. His iconic collaboration with Sergio Leone on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from 1966 vs Roland Joffe’s somewhat dated 1986 masterpiece “The Mission”.
Rounds for this month
1 – Main Theme
2 – Arrival
3 – Tension and Combat
4 – Elegy
5 – Legacy
Stay safe everyone.
An easy way to share us with...
2020-09-301h 38Soundtrack ShowdownPan’s Labyrinth (2006) v The Shape of Water (2017)This month we focus on the Mexican film director, screenwriter, producer, and novelist – Guillermo Del Toro.
We’re talking about the music for two of his most respected “adult fairytale” films,
Pan’s Labyrinth - score by the Spanish composer Javier Navarrete; and
The Shape of Water - score by the French composer Alexandre Desplat.
Rounds for this month
1 – Main Theme and Main Character [13:12]
2 – The Supernatural [31:50]
3 – Suspense [45:34]
4 – Death And Resurrection [1:04:36]
5 – Legacy [1:18:48]
Stay safe everyone.
An easy way to share us w...
2020-08-031h 36Soundtrack ShowdownThe Godfather (1972) v Public Enemies (2009)This month we talk about two gangster films made by legendary directors.
We have Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal The Godfather from 1972 up against one of the ‘most watched’ movies of the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown, Michael Mann’s 2009 Public Enemies. This pits the Italian maestro Nino Rota against one of our favourite contemporary film composers, Elliot Goldenthal
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening Music
2 – Character Transformation
3 – Love theme
4 – Finale
5 – Legacy
Stay safe everyone.
An easy way...
2020-07-141h 21Soundtrack ShowdownLogan (2017) v Man Of Steel (2013)We kick off season 3 with a battle of the ages, Marvel vs DC
Representing DC, we have Hans Zimmer’s score for Zac Snyder’s 2013 Superman reboot – Man Of Steel
And for Marvel we have Marco Beltrami’s score for Logan from 2017, the farewell to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, directed by James Mangold.
Rounds for this month
1 – Main Character Theme
2 – Villain Theme
3 – Action
4 – Emotion and Breakthrough
5 – Legacy
Stay safe everyone.
An easy way to share us with you...
2020-06-041h 23Soundtrack ShowdownThe Leftovers (2014) v Wayward Pines (2015)This month we made the ill-advised decision to watch two TV series about grief and the end of the world. We promise that we decided to do these before it got bad!
We only discuss season 1 of each show. In our humble opinion, the best viewing experience is to only watch season 1, and leave it at that.
An early disclaimer. We hit the spoilers hard from the beginning of this show. If you’d prefer to watch the shows first, maybe hold off on this one until you have. Particularly Wayward Pines is the sort of...
2020-05-061h 30Soundtrack ShowdownJoker (2019) v Taxi Driver (1976)Social isolation special.
We absolutely didn’t intend this. But, as Covid-19 reaches pandemic proportions and social distancing measures are put in place around the world, we find ourselves analysing two films that consider the consequences of social isolation.
Rounds for this month
1 – The city
2 – Relationship with women
3 – Guns and violence
4 – Transition
5 – Legacy
We hope that this episode brings you some joy and distraction from the current state of the world. But remember, if you’re having trouble coping...
2020-04-011h 32Soundtrack ShowdownValentines Day Special: Brokeback Mountain v CarolIt’s our 2020 Valentines Day special and this year we’re looking at two landmark pieces of LGBTQ+ cinema; Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain – score by Gustavo Santaolalla, and Todd Haynes’ Carol – score by Carter Burwell
With special guest Mahatma Khandi (@mahatmakhandi)
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening
2 – Lovemaking
3 – Loss
4 – Contemporary Music
5 – Legacy
Bonus Content: Documentary on Carol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMoxoFuzESA
We hope you’re enjoying these Soundtrack Showdown episodes as much as we enjoy making...
2020-03-041h 33Soundtrack ShowdownThe Great Escape (1963) v Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)This month we compare the work of a master and their apprentice.
Elmer Bernstein wrote some of the one of the most iconic and enduring scores in the history of cinema. However, he also has a legacy as one of the great teachers of Hollywood. Rising star, Bear McCreary owes a particular gratitude, having been mentored and essentially introduced to the industry by Bernstein.
We compare McCreary’s most recent big score - Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with one of Bernstein’s absolute best – The Great Escape.
Rounds for this m...
2020-01-291h 21Soundtrack ShowdownChristmas Special - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) v The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000)Christmas Special - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) v The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, it’s the Soundtrack Showdown Christmas Special.
This month, Ella and Tristan compare Danny Elfman’s score for The Nightmare Before Christmas and James Horner’s for The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Rounds for this month
1 – Christmas
2 – Villains
3 – Plots and Plans
4 – The Christmas Delivery/Raid
5 – Legacy
We hope you’ve enjoyed another year of Soundtrack Showdown episodes...
2019-12-161h 14Soundtrack ShowdownSix soundtrack trends we wish would dieThis month Ella and Tristan embrace the negative and talk about six soundtrack trends that really grind our gears.
1: Poor music placement/editing
2: Inconsistent Sound
3: Weak Hero Themes
4: Percussion tracks (and ostinatos)
5: The decline of Danny Elfman
6: Overuse of unusal instruments or non-instruments
Warning: Some minor spoilers for the 2017 movie “It”.
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our...
2019-11-3059 minSoundtrack ShowdownThe Stepford Wives (1975) v Get Out (2017) This month we compare two social-message horror films. The Stepford Wives – Composer Michael Small, and Get Out – Composer Michael Abels
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening Theme
2 – Something’s wrong
3 – Reveal
4 – Suspense
5 – Legacy
If you missed our September Episode (aka S02E05, or Episode 17) that’s because it was a Twitch stream. You can see the episode on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/GJAK5XFCZG0. You can also follow our Twitch Channel at https://www.twitch.tv/soundtrackshowdown
To...
2019-10-311h 34Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 16 The Fellowship of the Ring v Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneThis month we go Look at mega-fantasy film franchises from 2001. We analyse Howard Shore’s score for the Fellowship of the Ring and John Williams’ for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Rounds for this month
1 – Prologue
2 – The Ordinary World/Innocence
3 – Action
4 – Evil
5 – Legacy
Special Treats
The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films – book by Doug Adams, a great read if you are into the films and the music. The most comprehensive study on any film score tha...
2019-08-311h 34Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 15 Game of Thrones v American GodsA titanic battle between two small screen blockbusters as we compare Ramin Djawadi’s score for Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and Brian Reitzell’s score for American Gods (2017 - )
Rounds for this month
1 – Main Themes
2 – Characters
3 – Songs
4 – Musical Story Telling
5 – Legacy
Special Treats
Tristan’s video essay on the Game of Throne main theme
Excellent detailed analysis of Light of the Seven from ‘The Week’ (not Verve, or whatever I said in episode, which is not even a real publication)
Spotify playlist of some of our favourite music from Game of Thrones and American Gods, including all the tracks we talk about in the epi...
2019-08-021h 28Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 14 Blade v Black Panther This month we go back to the world of superheroes as we compare two African-American-centric Marvel movies. We analyse Mark Isham’s score for Blade (1998) and Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score for Black Panther (2018) plus the commercial music that was used in both films.
Rounds for this month
1 – Heroes
2 – Villains
3 – Action
4 – Pop Songs
5 - Action
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellar
2019-07-031h 24
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 13 FernGully v AnastasiaWelcome to Season 2 of Soundtrack Showdown
Kicking off our second year we compare two animated classics. Alan Silvestri’s score for FernGully (1982) and David Newman’s score for Anastasia (1997)
2019-06-071h 27
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 12 Final Fantasy v Legend of ZeldaElla and Tristan compare the music of Final Fantasy VII and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
And yes, we talk about One-Winged Angel!
2019-04-291h 24
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 11 Legend (1985) v Legend (1985)It’s a very special episode as we review two scores for the SAME FILM.
Ridley Scott’s 1985 film Legend was released with two different scores. A Jerry Goldsmith orchestral score in Europe, and a Tangerine Dream electronic score in North America (and Russia, go figure)
2019-03-311h 24
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 10 The Fountain v Tristan + IsoldeIn our first annual romantic special this month we compare Clint Mansell’s score for The Fountain (2006) and Anne Dudley’s score for Tristan + Isolde (2006)
2019-03-021h 29
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 9 Side Effects v You Were Never Really HereHappy New Year
This month we compare Thomas Newman’s score for Side Effects (2013) and Johnny Greenwood’s score for You Were Never Really Here (2018)
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening Themes
2 – Murder
3 - Anxiety
4 – Production and techniques
5 - Legacy and Impact
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com
2019-01-301h 34
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 8 Die Hard v Home AloneMerry Christmas everybody!
This month we compare Michael Kamen’s score for Die Hard (1988 – totally a Christmas movie) and John William’s score for Home Alone (1990)
Rounds for this month
1 – Christmas
2 – Schemes
3 - Action
4 – Emotion, Family, Relationships
5 - Legacy and Impact
Added bonus – Does Kevin McCallister grow up to be Jigsaw from the Saw franchise? http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/did-kevin-from-home-alone-grow-up-to-be-jigsaw-a-deadly-serious-investigation/
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com
2018-12-211h 29
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 7 Our Favourite ThingsWe discuss our favourite soundtracks. The music that moves us, inspires us and has shaped our development as composers.
Soundtracks discussed –
Braveheart (1995)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Shadows of the Colossus (2005)
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Finding Nemo (2003)
3X3 Eyes (1991)
A Page of Madness (1927) – Soundtrack 2004
Link to the Spotify Playlist featuring these (and more!) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uVGSMzGHMlSR8SD576Jxq
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite social media (twitter, facebook and insta) or via our website - www.tristellarmusic.com
This month you can vote for what you’d like us...
2018-12-032h 06
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 6 The Omen v The VVitchIt’s our first annual Halloween Special!
This month we compare Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score for The Omen (1976) and a more modern example, The VVitch (2015) score by Mark Korven. Along the way we share some of our (perhaps contentious) views on the horror genre generally.
Rounds for this month
1 – Opening music
2 – Missing Children
3 - Matricide
4 – Horror Scenes
5 - Legacy and Impact
Added bonus – the Apprehension Engine by Mark Korven http://www.markkorven.com/Apprehension_Engine.html
Video at - https://youtu.be/1lTYPvArbGo
To find out more, or leave us a message you can reach us at @tristellarmusic on your favourite...
2018-10-311h 26
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 5 Under the Skin v La Marche de l'EmpereurThis month we do two firsts, our first foreign language film (not counting Mad Max) and far more importantly our first movies scored by female composers - Micah Levi’s score for the disturbing Under the Skin and Emilie Simone’s for the adorable La Marche de l’Empereur (which was released with some changes for the English-speaking world as The March of the Penguins)
2018-10-011h 26
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 4 Breaking Bad v Stranger ThingsTwo modern American TV scores do battle in this months Soundtrack Showdown – Dave Porter’s eclectic Breaking Bad versus the 80’s nostalgia synths of Stranger Things by Stein and Dixon.
2018-08-101h 23
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 3 Sicario v Mad Max: Fury RoadIn the most explosive Soundtrack Showdown so far, we talk about the representation of women in film music, the politics of the Mexican-US border, and the meaning of the word 'doof'.
2018-07-171h 30
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 2 Batman (1989) vs The Dark KnightEpisode 2 of Soundtrack Showdown. We look at two movies about Batman vs his arch-nemesis the Joker. Danny Elfman’s score for Batman (1989) and Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s score for The Dark Knight (2008). In a spirit of light-hearted (but often quite heated) competition we break the scores down over five rounds, in which we discuss how well the music works in key areas, then declare an overall winner. This week, our rounds are – 1 – Batman Themes 2 – Joker Themes 3 – Style 4 – Action Music 5 – Legacy and Impact
2018-06-061h 10
Soundtrack ShowdownEpisode 1 Psycho vs JawsIn episode 1 of Soundtrack Showdown, we look at two classic horror film scores, Bernard Herrmann’s score for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) and John Williams’ score for Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975). In a spirit of light-hearted but sometimes heated competition, we break the scores down over five rounds, discuss and analyse how well the music works in key areas, and then declare the overall winner. This week, our rounds are: 1 – Monster Motifs 2 – Main Themes 3 – Techniques and Production 4 – Suspense Music 5 – Legacy and Impact Who will win?
2018-05-0257 min