Modern soundtrack review (under construction)

Opening
Welcome to the 1500s. The full orchestra is in effect here to welcome us to the Golden Age. It’s expertly done, with tons of information in this minute and a half track. 5/5

Philip
A darker tone hits us than the opening. The sound can only be described as ominous, with bassy undertones. 2.5/5

Now You Grow Dull
A chorus complements the string suite on this one. The tones are off on purpose. It then levels into a lighter end. 3/5

Horseriding
A guitar works with the strings to create illusions of walking or waltzing. The strings lighten up, and a happy tone converts into a darker tone. A very pleasant listen. 4/5

Immensities
The same softer tone continues into immensities. This track doesn’t really contain a lot of information; it seems to be very steady-as-she-goes pitch. A safe, easy listen, dominated by the strings. 3.5/5

Bess and Raleigh Dance
A questioning piano motif starts this one off, and it’s immediately creating a sense of pleasant tension. The chorus chimes in with increased strings bravado, and it’s another heavenly sound. The action goes between quiet rising and quiet falling. Only the end keeps it from being perfect. 4.5/5

Mary’s Beheading
Strained strings aplenty, just like in “Psycho.” Then, the amount of information drops off substantially, with longer notes adding to the tension. Disjointed sounds start here. An ethnic sounding singer (only via distance and language, which isn’t quite English) starts to ramp up the intensity again, with the ending really bringing it all together. 4/5

End Puddle / Possible Suitors
It really does sound like we’re traveling through a rainforest, although perhaps that’s not the “puddle” that’s really in the movie. Our pleasant strings take solo hold here, with what seems like a violin solo to tie it all together. 3.5/5

War / Realisation
The tones of a standard battle track appear here with bossy and brassy sounds aplenty as well as drums. The strings isolate and temper back and forth to create a rising action. A chant appears near the end to increase the tension. 3/5

Destiny Theme
In stark contrast to the war theme, Destiny is a lot more hopeful. It sounds like a bit of a generic theme, but it works well. Don’t knock it just cause it’s simple. 3.5/5

Smile Lines
The song was so simple I didn’t even really notice it. Was pleasant though. 3/5

Bess to See Throckmorton
An improvement over the last few pieces, a combination of drums and the violin or viola make it more emotional. 4/5

Dr Dee Part 1
Another soft piano motif plays its part here with limited information. There’s not a lot going on in this track. It’s just a background track with the occasional rising action, but then it falls away. 2.5/5

Horseback Address
A more stirring and rousing song comes up here. There’s a little more action in this one, and a little more hope. It’s uplifting and enjoyable. The chorus adds to the action. The action rises really well as well, it’s just a rousing piece. 4.5/5

Battle
Another battle track; and this one is again just pretty generic with lots of drums and switching action. As an individual listen, it’s quite jarring. Sure, it may work in the context of the film, but not so much here. A male choir adds to the tension, and there are the stereotypical battle pauses as well. It’s actually one of the worse battle songs I’ve heard. 1.5/5

Love Theme
Another softer introduction here to the love theme. Strings mostly dominate this one from the get-go, in a pleasant if not earthshattering theme. It’s definitely no “Across the Stars” by John Williams, but it’ll do. The 2nd half makes it a much more pleasant listen, with some new musical information being presented. 3.5/5

Divinity Theme
A female voice as well as a choir come in on this piece to start the track. I’m a sucker for choirs and I love them, but this one just isn’t doing it for me. It’s more opera than modern. After the initial themes, it opens to a more eastern sound. Overall, the sound is fine, but it’s not great. 3/5

Storm
A slight choir chimes in before the main orchestra really starts hitting. This track is good from the initial notes. It’s the highlight of the album. The action continues to rise throughout this piece, with more and more intense notes hitting and hitting. 5/5

Walsingham Death Bed
A slow, steady series of notes starts this one off. The piano comes in with color notes. The choir, violin, and piano all make this one a very pleasant listen. 4/5

Closing
All of the themes and motifs come together in the end for the closing. The strings take one final lap around the park, and it ends in quite a fitting fashion. It’s a very good sendoff as the main theme permeates through the air. 5/5