Top 15 Scores Of 2009

2009 was a year of one-night stands. It’s great when you are doing it, listening to the scores, but in the morning it’s all awkward and you leave with a short memory of greatness that doesn’t last. Sometimes you come back, but it doesn’t stick with you. I was listening to scores from previous years and I wonder if the scores of 2009 will even grace a top 10 list when including music from this decade. I have a hard time finding even one cue that makes me emotional (although I did find some… more on this later.)

It’s funny because I have been very positive this year and during my half-year roundup I had some very good words to say about the current state of film music. My average score from my reviews is 80, which again suggests that this has been a good year. Perhaps I have been a bit selective about the scores I review, because if I reviewed all 150 scores I’ve listened to during the year, then the picture would be more than a little different.

I constantly find myself re-visiting older scores and I don’t even have to go too far back to find them. That being said, I have compiled a list of my top 15 scores this year so here we go:

15. Coraline by Bruno Coulais
A very inventive score by Bruno Coulais was my first love this year. The movie itself was very fun and adventurous and the score matched that perfectly. To me it sounded like a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman production at times, but it still kept it’s playfulness and originality throughout. Bruno Coulais certainly raised his game with this score and you really need to listen to the score and watch the movie as the story unfolds. Great stuff. Read my review.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

14. Pope Joan by Marcel Barsotti
Pope Joan or Die Papstin as it was originally called is one of my most powerful surprises this year. Barsotti has created a lush orchestral score for the Vatican drama movie about a woman who disguises herself as a man and enjoys the respect of her/his colleagues. An interesting story with an even more interesting score. The very strong score has no immediate flaws, but it can also be said that true highlights are lacking. Overall it’s so damn enjoyable to listen to that the one big failing doesn’t bother me much at all. You should listen to it as soon as possible and I guarantee you an hour of great music.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

13. Battlestar Galactica Season 4 by Bear McCreary
While not as good as season 2 or season 3, Bear McCreary came back with more music than and previous season and rightfully enjoyed massive amounts of praise from most critics. The themes are back and if cues like “Farewell Apollo” don’t touch you then you must be made of stone. There’s plenty of great music here, but perhaps not enough to fill 2 CDs. If it was just 1 CD, it might have been at the very top of my list. The music here will no doubt fill you with happiness if for no other reason than  McCreary being wonderful, young, fresh voice in the world of film music.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

12. Life in One Day by Johan Hoogewijs
It’s a movie and a composer you probably won’t have heard of, but one that you should pay attention to. The wonderful orchestral score he created for Life in one Day will touch your heartstrings, I promise you. Its powerful emotional themes are not the only treasures you will find, as in between there are great examples of cues which don’t require that epic sound.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

11. Moon by Clint Mansell
Clint Mansell and minimalistic scores go well together usually, and it’s certainly the case here. For Moon he created a sound that’s very anonymous in the movie, but hits a home run on the soundtrack. The main theme is incredibly catchy and the long cues are trance-like, not in the type of music, but in the way that seven minute plus cues go by in the blink of an eye. It’s truly a bizarre movie, and so is the score, but in a good way. One of my sleeper favorites this year.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

10. The Tudors Season 2 by Trevor Morris
First there was season 1 which in my opinion was a great score, then came season 2 which was even better. If you don’t know, The Tudors is a great television show about the life of King Henry VIII played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The versatile Trevor Morris has created one of the best opening titles I have heard in years and in season 2 he built on that to create a full score for season 2. It might even sound slightly familiar as it has a very dramatic flair over it, like a light Remote Control Productions score, but its different as well in ways you just have to experience. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

09. Home by Armand Amar
A beautiful documentary with an even better score. It has all the hallmarks of a great score. The themes are beautifully presented with the breathtaking images. Its also a very versatile soundtrack with music from all over the world. Armand Amar is no stranger to me, but he might be to you. I suggest you check him out now and one of my favorite scores; Le Premier Cri which he also composed the music for. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

08. Ink by Jamin Winans
Who is Jamin Winans and what is Ink? Those were just a couple of the questions in my mind when I put this CD to the test. He is a very talented person, let me tell you that much. Not only did he compose for the sci-fi movie Ink, he wrote the script and directed it. I have never seen the movie itself, but the score is truly a work of genius. A minimalistic score in the vein of Moon by Clint Mansell, but it has its own sound.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

07. The Twilight Saga: New Moon by Alexandre Desplat
This is high on my surprise of the year list as I didn’t expect Alexandre Desplat to deliver a score of this magnitude, especially when you consider the scores he has produced this year. Most were pedestrian scores that didn’t even register. As though he was sleeping through the other scores and decided to go all out with this one. The energy here is amazing and the theme he created for this movie is one of the best all year. If only the movie was as good as this score, then we would really have something to shout about. Easily in my top 10, Alexandre Desplat finally delivers a score I can truly love. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

06. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen by Steve Jablonsky
Before I start I have to say something: This is a great action score. An over the top action score that doesn’t hold back. Yes it’s quite anonymous . Steve Jablonsky, Michael Bay and Hans Zimmer decided to not overuse the old themes and not create too much new stuff. Instead they just decided on pure action scoring of the highest grade and they succeed with this in my opinion. Yes it’s one of the “one night stands” type of scores that is incredibly good while you listen to it, but be honest, can you remember anything from it? For a pure impact score, they don’t come much better than this. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

05. Angels & Demons by Hans Zimmer
There were a lot of expectations for this one because most would agree that The Da Vinci Code was a great score by Zimmer. I liked The Da Vinci Code, I liked it a lot, but I felt that apart from “Chevaliers De Sangreal” it was a bit lacking. That being said, the theme is what the score was remembered for and that’s what made it so great for most people. In Angels & Demons Hans took another approach, one of sheer explosive tones instead of themes. It’s a bit like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in that respect but oh boy does it work. From the start with 160 BPM you get a sense of what to expect; it’s violent, explosive, and consistently holds you by the ears. It delivers on all fronts and deserves to be in the top 10. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

04. Agora by Dario Marianelli
This is not a greek tragedy, but a greek feast for which Dario Marianelli has invited you all to take part and take part you should. This is a score I expect most people might have missed and it is a true shame if that’s the case. I hope you read my review and it peaked your curiosity. One of the most surprising scores of the year for me, not because I didn’t believe Dario Marianelli could do it, but because it just dropped in my mailbox unexpected. I had not heard of this, took a listen and I was immediately taken in by the slightly epic tones of Marianelli’s work. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

03. The Lazarus Project by Brian Tyler
After being bombarded last year by one action score after another (make that last couple of years) it was refreshing to listen to The Lazarus Project by Brian Tyler. Its sound and themes are some of the best this year. Some would argue that “Jaybird” is the only cue that is worth listening to but I disagree. It has greatness all over it and while “Jaybird”  is the best one, the title track and other cues are a truly remarkable listen in an otherwise dreary year for scores. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

02. Avatar by James Horner
James did it again and most of the critics agree. The moviegoers love the movie that James Cameron has created and the 3 hours of music which James Horner composed for it didn’t go unnoticed. It is one of the more controversial scores of the year as people have been discussing Horner’s use of old themes and scores. I am taking a different approach to it all. Although I respect and understand the controversy I can’t help but think that a lot of people are missing the point of good music. It seems, and this is just my theory, that music that was great in one score (for example Glory) isn’t great if used in another score (for example Avatar). This is completely illogical to me, but it doesn’t matter. I enjoyed this score immensely, still do and will do for a long time. A wonderful score that has everything except a grand theme, and if it had that, it would give my nr. 1 a proper run for it’s money. Read my review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

01. Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
This was the biggest relief of 2009 believe me. I was afraid, nay, terrified when I heard Michael Giacchino got the job to score Star Trek. As a huge Star Trek fan (of films, TV series and the music) I was very afraid of what this man could do. I haven’t been his biggest fan, Lost is pretty much lost on me and I didn’t particularly like Speed Racer from last year. Thankfully all my fears were for nothing as Giacchino delivered — oh my, did he deliver! He not only managed to keep it “Star Trek”, but he managed to create the true feeling of that universe while at the same time make new themes and sounds, that for me is Star Trek. I didn’t think it was possible and I love this score to death I really do. Giacchino also composed the best three-note bad guy theme for Nero that is as awesome as his “Roar!” from Cloverfield. To boldly go… Read Jon’s review here.

Find more videos like this on Soundtrack Fans

Best Bad Guy Theme: Nero from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
Biggest sigh of relief: Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
Most controversial score of the year: Avatar by James Horner
Biggest disappointment of the yar: X-Men Wolverine by Harry Gregson-Williams
Biggest positive surprise of the year: Star Trek by Michael Giacchino

What are your favorites? Tell me your top 5, 10 or 15 in the comments section below.

Other articles of interest:

• Critic’s Choice: Top 73 Film and TV Scores of 2009
• Top 10 Movie Scores 2007
• Soundtrack Review: Shrek Forever After (2010)
• Soundtrack Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)
• Oscar Nominee Scores Reviewed!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.