The Sound of Muffin

Soundtracks. As far as my music endeavors go, I probably frequent them most often. But why is this? Well, if you keep reading, I'll tell you.

I began listening to soundtracks when I realized I seem incapable of reading while another human being is making language with their complain-holes...musical or otherwise. This quickly frustrated me, as reading (especially textbooks...oh, how I want to burn each of their pages slowly, savoring each word blackening into carbon residue) is boring...really boring. This is when I invested in the Iron Man movie soundtrack. Admittedly I found this particular track didn't quite fit the reading style, feeling more like a rock album than anything else, but it was a step in the right direction and enough to get me hooked on lyric-less music.

Before I continue I'd like to make a quick note. If you're looking to get into soundtrack listening, be very careful to read the album details, especially in regard to the movie industry. You see, for most movies nowadays, you'll get two musical releases for both. One of these releases is called the soundtrack...the one you think you want. This is false. You do not want this. All the "soundtrack" is, is the songs used, or from bands used in, the movie itself...which usually suck. What you really want is the second of the two, the movie score. This contains the hopefully glorious bits of ear-caressing pressure waves you desire. Moving on.

As I delved a little deeper into the world of soundtracks, I also realized, like other genres of music, it contains it's own styles. That being said, the scores I will be talking about and recommending will be tailored to my own interests, but I highly suggest you explore the wonderful world of soundtracks by yourself...after, of course, checking out what I recommend.

My next big endeavor was Halo 3. Why Halo 3 you ask? Well, why Iron Man? The best way to come across a soundtrack you'll enjoy is through watching a movie or playing a video game and realizing, "Hey, I like the music in this movie/video game." What I discovered in Halo 3 was the style of soundtrack I enjoyed most. In summary, a choir, orchestra, and piano (don't know if pianos are standard orchestra equipment) can do some awesome crap. Now, like other music, not all the tracks in an album are a jewel-encrusted donut full of golden custard. There are going to be a few goat testicles in there. On the whole though, you find it nice to have the whole thing, especially when you have to read your next demonic physics assignment.

But once again, why soundtracks? For me, a good score can give generate that "THIS IS AWESOME!" feeling generally felt by most during an epic moment in a video game or movie at any time. And why is this? Because most of the best tracks come from those pivotal moments of back breaking testosterone, or tear-jerking emotion. Now that I've had some fun diving in the ocean of soundtracks, I've come across my share of tropical paradises and oil spills. The best part is, though, that most compilations contain at least one good piece capable of that epic feeling...even if it only lasts for a few seconds. If you are looking to get on the track to good sound, allow me to help you start off in the right direction:

NOTE: Before you listen to ANY of these, I highly advise ensuring you have a good speaker system or headphones, and pumping the volume to ridiculous...seriously. If not, it will still be epic, but may slightly lacking in awesomesauce.

From the aforementioned Halo 3 soundtrack: One Final Effort and Never Forget.

Mass Effect 2: The Normandy Reborn, Suicide Mission, and End Run.

The following two are from Hans Zimmer, one of the best movie soundtrack composers today:

Batman Begins: Molossus.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End: He's a Pirate.

A track from James Newton Howard (also a great composer), Treasure Planet: To The Spaceport.

And finally, regardless of my feelings about the movie itself, we have Arrival to Earth from the Transformers "Score."

Well, hopefully I've at least sparked an interest in some of you...for all the others, in no way do I apologize for wasting your time...and for those who are wondering why I didn't give a link to anything from John Williams or the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, well, you can stuff it.

> EpicError