Friday, October 4, 2024

Spectre

 


Spectre
(Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Original Music by
Thomas Newman

In celebration of this year's Bond Day, Renovatio Records proudly presents a new album release of Thomas Newman's haunting score for Spectre, the 24th official James Bond film and the second directed by Sam Mendes. Daniel Craig reprises his role as agent 007, joined by Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, and Ralph Fiennes. Spectre follows Bond on a globe-spanning mission to uncover a shadowy criminal organization known as SPECTRE. As he unravels the mystery, Bond is forced to confront figures from his past, all while questioning his future as a secret agent. While the film earned praise for its action sequences and performances, it faced criticism for its pacing, length, and reliance on formulaic narrative decisions. Still, it grossed an impressive $880 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest grossing Bond film after Skyfall.

One of the film's most lauded elements was the score by Thomas Newman, who came back after his acclaimed work on Skyfall. For Spectre, Newman crafted a score that further integrates his signature style while pushing the Bond franchise’s music in new directions. He skillfully weaves the iconic James Bond theme into the score in subtle and inventive ways, while also exploring a more introspective tone. With his use of delicate strings, haunting woodwinds, and layered electronic textures, Newman creates a sonic landscape that mirrors Bond’s internal struggles and the looming menace of the SPECTRE organization. Additionally, Newman uses location-specific cues to enhance the film’s international scope. Tracks like “Los Muertos Vivos Están” incorporate percussion, flutes, and guitars with Mexican flavor, while “Funeral in Rome” features an angelic choir to evoke the grandeur of Rome, giving each setting its own unique soundscape.

A distinctive action motif appears throughout key moments in the score, including the car chase in the cue “Rome Pursuit” and the high-octane sequences like “Snow Plane” and “Westminster Bridge.” However, much of Spectre’s score leans towards atmospheric, ambient textures, reflecting the film’s darker, more personal narrative as Bond faces off against his greatest nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Tracks such as “CNS”, “The Pale King,” “Hoffler Klinik,” “Secret Room in L’Américain,” and “Oberhauser’s Base” feature subtle electronic pulses and abstract flute lines that evoke the shadowy presence of the SPECTRE organization, adding layers of tension and intrigue.

Newman's romantic themes are also a standout feature of the score, showcasing his ability to craft lush, emotionally resonant melodies. “Donna Lucia,” which accompanies Bond’s seduction of Lucia Sciarra, features delicate woodwinds and sweeping strings, while “Madeleine” develops a bittersweet, introspective yet romantic theme for Bond's evolving relationship with Dr. Madeleine Swann. The gentle woodwinds and soft strings of this theme are quintessential Newman, known for his ability to convey deep emotion through his music.

While some critics have argued that Newman's score lacks the classic Bond swagger of earlier entries, his work on Spectre offers a more mature and reflective take on the franchise’s music. It may not have the instantly recognizable, recurring themes of past Bond scores, but it compensates with intricate textures, atmospheric moods, creative use of location-specific sounds, and evocative romantic music. By stepping away from the more flamboyant jazz and rock influences that defined earlier Bond music, Newman allows the score to evolve in exciting new directions.

Originally released by Decca/Universal Music in 2015, the Spectre soundtrack contained most of Newman’s score but was criticized for being too lengthy, with extended ambient sections that challenged listeners. This new release from Renovatio Records trims the duration by almost 20 minutes, while still offering the score’s highlights, arranged in a chronological program that follows the film’s narrative arc that flows smoothly. Additionally, Sam Smith’s Academy Award-winning song “Writing’s on the Wall,” previously absent from the Decca release, is now included. Celebrate Bond Day by revisiting Spectre’s score and appreciating how Newman masterfully blends his style with subtle nods to the Bond musical legacy.


Track listing:

1. Los Muertos Vivos Están (2:45) - featuring Tambuco
2. CNS (2:17)
3. Funeral in Rome (3:43)
4. Donna Lucia (2:02)
5. Rome Pursuit (5:01)
6. The Pale King (2:35)
7. Hoffler Klinik (1:41)
8. Snow Plane (3:55)
9. Secret Room in L'Américain (6:21)
10. Madeleine (4:29)
11. Oberhauser's Base (3:33)
12. It's Good to Have You Back, 007 (3:40)
13. A Man Hard to Kill (5:21)
14. MI6 Demolition (3:32)
15. Westminster Bridge (4:20)
16. Out of Bullets (1:51)
17. Writing's on the Wall (4:38) - Performed by Sam Smith

Total Running Time: 61:44



Size: 329.2 MB
Files type: FLAC Audio File [.flac]
Channels: 2 (stereo)
Sample Rate: 44.1 KHz
Sample Size: 16 bit
Bit Rate: 1,411 kbps


Cover Artwork:





Credits:

Original Music Composed by Thomas Newman

Score contains interpolations of the "James Bond Theme" written by Monty Norman

Produced by Thomas Newman and Bill Bernstein

Music Recorded and Mixed by Simon Rhodes at Abbey Road Studios, London
Additional Recording by Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Assistant Engineering: Lewis Jones, Gordon Davison, Matt Jones
Orchestrations by J.A.C. Redford
Orchestration of "Writing's on the Wall" by Simon Hale
Additional Arrangements and Programming: Simon Franglen
Music Editors: Bill Bernstein, Yann McCullough, Peter Clarke
Audio Coordination: George Doering
Digital Coordination: Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Music Preparation: Jill Streater, Global Music Services
Orchestra Contractor: Isobel Griffiths
Assistant Orchestra Contractor: Lucy Whalley
Concertmaster: Thomas Bowes
Choir: London Voices; co-directors: Terry Edwards and Ben Parry
Album Mastered by Simon Rhodes at Abbey Road Studios, London

Instrumental Soloists:
Guitars, dulcimers: George Doering
Synthesizers, drum programming:  John Beasley
Percussion: Paul Clarvis, Frank Ricotti
Electric violin: Sonia Slany
Alto flute, bass flute: Phill Todd
Piano: Thomas Newman

Tambuco: Ricardo Gallardo, Alfredo Bringas, Raúl Tudón, Miguel González
Percussion Arrangements by Yamil Recz

"Writing's on the Wall"
Written by Sam Smith and James Napier
Performed by Sam Smith
Produced by Jimmy Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice
Sam Smith appears courtesy of Capitol Records
A division of Universal Music Operations Limited

Score Published by United Lion Music, Inc.
"James Bond Theme" Published by EMI Unart Catalog Inc. (BMI)
"Writing's on the Wall" Published by Naughty Words Ltd. (PRS), Stellar Songs Ltd. (PRS), Sony/ATV Music Published (PRS), Salli Isaak Songs Limited (PRS), Universal Music Publishing Limited (PRS), United Lion Music, Inc. (BMI), U/A Music, Inc. (ASCAP)


Cue Assembly:

Track Title

Cue Title

1. Los Muertos Vivos Están

Los Muertos Vivos Están (Edited)

2. CNS

Vauxhall Bridge

3. Funeral in Rome

The Eternal City (Edited)

4. Donna Lucia

Donna Lucia

5. Rome Pursuit

Hinx

Backfire (Edited)

6. The Pale King

The Pale King (Edited)

Kite in a Hurricane (Edited)

7. Hoffler Klinik

Crows-Klinik

8. Snow Plane

Snow Plane (Edited)

9. Secret Room in L’Américain

L’Américain (Edited)

Secret Room (Edited)

10. Madeleine

Madeleine (Edited)

End Title (Edited)

11. Oberhauser's Base

Silver Wraith (Edited)

End Title (Edited)

A Reunion (Edited)

12. It’s Good to Have You Back, 007

Safe House (Edited)

13. A Man Hard to Kill

Blindfold

Careless (Edited)

14. MI6 Demolition

Detonation (Edited)

15. Westminster Bridge

Westminster Bridge (Edited)

16. Out of Bullets

Out of Bullets

17. Writing’s on the Wall – Sam Smith

Writing’s on the Wall – Sam Smith


SPECTRE (P) & © 2015 Danjaq, LLC, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. SPECTRE, 007 Gun Logo and related James Bond Trademarks © 1962-2015 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. SPECTRE, 007 Gun Logo and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq, LLC. This compilation and cover artwork © 2024 Renovatio Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. For promotional use only.

Renovatio Records [0-01702-19097]

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