Modern soundtrack review (under construction)

Prologue
The whimsical strings flutter in and out, introducing us to a darker theme off the bat, but one with grandiose brass as well. It sounds very Disney-ish in its initial composition. A lighter tone takes over for the 2nd part of the piece, but it’s decidedly worse than the 1st half. Whereas the first part, I would gladly give a 5/5, the lighter tone takes the whole track down to a 4/5. It’s still a good track, but not great.

Li Na Says Goodbye
Slower and somber seems to be the tone here, but not sad. A mix of quiet piano and strings implies something of emotional value going on, with the occasional harp tone in the backdrop. But, just as soon as it starts, a more excited tone comes into the fray with honestly really good vibes. It’s like the happy parts of “Ori and the Blind Forest.” 4.5/5

I Gotta Go
Sweeping strings and brass come in and out of this quick song with a happy tone. And like a lot of this album, it is quick. 3.5/5

The Goons
A Middle Eastern sound welcomes us to this track, with almost a sinister vibe. The bass is deep, and the drums are muted yet present. The goons must be ominous. 3.5/5

All Dressed Up
The lighter harp or piano, I can’t quite tell, returns to give us another song with shades of “Ori.” It’s properly lighthearted but well done. A somber and quiet piano track takes over, with the main theme present in a slower form. 3.5/5

The Tea Is Ready
The grand orchestra comes in hot on this track, but then immediately gives way to sharp strings and a background chorus. It sounds mischievous, something out of Warner Brothers. The orchestra comes back at the end with the hint of the main theme, but it’s not quite long enough to get involved. 3/5

Finders Keepers
An ominous sound again welcomes us. Pounding drums and rapid strings set a hurried tone. It’s Mission Impossible, but with dragons. It’s an ADHD form of orchestra music; there’s a lot going on. I’m sure it works for the movie, but not so much as an independent listen. 2.5/5

City Walk
If “Finders Keepers” was ominous and fast-paced, this one is light-hearted but fast-paced. The brass and strings are lightly jumping in and out of volume. 3/5

Aerial Acrobatics
A stereotypical aerobatics song, if there ever was one. The brass comes jumping out at you, with a typical elongated pause in between beats. It does sound like somebody is jumping out on the screen, so that’s a fair assessment. There are hints of greatness in the track, but the hints don’t ever materialize, leaving you wanting something better. 2.5/5

Din and Li Na
Finally, some emotion! The strings introduce a heartfelt melody immediately into the beginning. Signs of hope filter through the track with pulsating strings and a lovely piano bit. It just ends, though, and leaves you again wanting more. 4/5

Long Admits
What are you admitting, Long? A lively bit of music here; the strings immediately come into the fray again but almost asking questions. It’s stereotypical, even if I’m not sure what it’s emulating; I know I’ve heard this sound before. 3/5

Din and Mom Argue
The piano at the beginning immediately reminds me of “S.T.A.Y” by Hans Zimmer, but it doesn’t lead to as good a motif. This sound could have been better if it were longer, but it isn’t bad. 3.5/5

Shanghai Showdown
Klein missed his calling by not creating the “Mission Impossible” soundtracks. His sound is derivative of Zimmer. Again, that’s not a bad thing, but again, it leaves much to be desired. Frantic percussion dominates this track’s initial bite. The 2nd bit leads to a more traditional orchestra breakout but again, it’s kind of meh, and the main theme comes in for a bit, but not enough for an impact. 2.5/5

That Same Old Shikumen
A minute had passed in this song before anything of note really caught my ear. But you know what it sounded like? “Finding Nemo.” The strings and the piano overlay reminded me of the introduction of “Finding Nemo.” Again, not bad, but just derivative. Still, the sound works pretty well. It really redeems itself by the end as we get another hint of the main theme. 4/5

**

Certain Expectations**
Slow and somber. It seems to be what Klein does best. When left to the piano, he can create magic, and this track has one of the few times I’ve really heard magic in Wish Dragon. But he abandons the piano early on for a more haunting and suspenseful tone, and that’s not what Kelin does best. But he introduces a chorus again as well as a deeper drumline, albeit a slow one. It was so close to a good enough song, but alas, it’s not there. 3.5/5

The Wish Dragon
Can he redeem himself with the titular track? A chorus and softer tone come in again, and Klein does it very well. Pulsating strings in the background work to his advantage as well. So yes, he did redeem himself. It took long enough, but this one is quite good. It leaves you content as it fades into the background. 5/5

Teapot Battle
The second-to-longest song on the album, and this one is a battle track. It’s a stereotypical battle from the beginning, with frantic and pulsing brass and strings highlighting ominous tones. Softer tones do play a part in the middle as well, but they quickly give way to more stereotypical battle tones. It’s too frantic to be good, despite the hints of something better. 3/5

True Sacrifice
I’m a sucker for emotion, and with a title like “True Sacrifice,” it better live up to the expectations. Sweeping strings again introduce you to something emotional. A chorus and rousing brass really do deliver. It’s a great song. 5/5

My Last Wish
Another banger of an emotional hit. The chorus comes in swinging, and it is uplifting. If only it didn’t end so poorly, with seemingly random notes. 4.5/5

Everything That Matters / The End
The piano introduces us again to this piece, soft and slow and melodic. Something that you can listen to all day. But it quickly gives way into something else, with the harp occasionally making its voice known. It’s soft and the timbre is there. But, about a minute and 45 seconds in, it livens up to a happy tone… and then becomes ominous again. It’s like Klein has ADHD but is skilled enough as a composer to translate that into his music. There are some really good parts, there are! 4/5

A Tale As Old As Time (Suite I)
Let’s see how the longest song on the album is. It’s upbeat but soft. The strings, guitar, and piano work well together to create an uplifting song. Klein uses either a guitar or a similar instrument to create a lovely sound at first. The 2nd part of the song is much more rousing, with traditional themes through and through. The orchestra is in full effect. It’s incredibly light-hearted, very well so. 4/5

A Tale as Old as Time (Suite II)
Klein is allowed to stretch his wings in this piece. The soft harp/piano/xylophone (can’t really determine which) comes in at the beginning and plays our main theme with a strings backdrop. Then the main orchestra comes in. It sounds very much like “How to Train Your Dragon.” The main theme continues to present itself through various arrangements, and it’s what we’ve wanted this whole time. 5/5

Din’s Piano
The theme finally comes back around in piano form only, and it’s good. 4.5/5