This is the newest CD in my collection, and I’m crazy about it! So, I decided to write a little review on it. This isn’t what I would call a well-written piece, I just kinda slapped it together real quick, so, enjoy! XD
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Soundtrack Review
Review by Agwolfcp
Music Composed by Julian Nott
While Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit boasts incredible stop-motion animation and a clever plot and script, it is the movie’s musical score that ties these components together and makes whole one of the best movies ever made. The occurrence of familiar themes (familiar meaning used in the three W&G shorts) and new ones being repeated in varied ways throughout the score also helps pulls the story together and makes events in the movie feel more connected.
Track 1- A Grand Day Out: This track is well-named, to say the least. It begins with the famous “Wallace and Gromit” theme that first debuted in the earliest Wallace and Gromit short, A Grand Day Out. When it abruptly changes to a more mysterious, “horror movie” type of music, it sets the mood for the film, especially with its interesting instrument selection. It’s an amusing track, and is one of my favorites.
Track 2- Anti-Pesto to the Rescue: This is an extremely entertaining track. Starting with more mysterious music, it then transitions into one of my most favorite arrangements in the score, the music that is featured as Wallace’s Rube-Goldberg-like alarm system is set off. The listener is then introduced to the “Anti-Pesto” Theme (as far as I know, it does not have an official title, so that is what I will call it from here on). I personally prefer this theme over the “Wash-‘n-Go” Theme that is used in a similar scene in the short A Close Shave (though I like that theme a lot too). Tastefully mixed in with the Anti-Pesto Theme in this track is another theme that has been used previously in the W&G shorts. As I said before, this is a very entertaining track, and I feel it is one of the best ones in the whole soundtrack.
Track 3- Bless You, Anti-Pesto: This track, while not one of my favorites, is still enjoyable. It is a slower section of music, and begins with a slow variation of the Wallace and Gromit Theme. Imaging what is happening in the film during this track makes it a bit more interesting.
Track 4- Lady Tottington & Victor: This track begins with rather regal music, perfectly fitting into the scene. There is an amusing bit about a minute into the track that hints at future music, and is my favorite detail in this particular track (unfortunately, since I haven’t seen the film that recently, I can’t recall exactly what’s happening in the movie at that point in the music. I would check, but I can’t do that either at the time being, but will as soon as possible).
Track 5- Fire Up the Bun-Vac: This is another great track. It features more of the Anti-Pesto Theme, and the “Bunny Heaven” piece is cute (if music can be described as “cute”). This is a track that, while not necessary, it is fun to visualize what is happening in the movie at the time it is playing.
Track 6- Your Ladyship: This is another slower track, but once again it fits the event in the movie very well, and is still pleasing to listen to. And there’s some more “foreshadowing” music at the end…
Track 7- Brainwash & Go: This Track is awesome, especially if you know what’s happening in the movie while it’s playing. While the situation isn’t so much funny as it is wacky, the music is extremely comical towards the end. At the beginning of this track is some “sci-fi”-ish music that sets the mood, which then transitions into the “Bunny Heaven” theme, and then unexpectedly changes into very panicked sounding music with an interesting percussion arrangement. This is another one of my favorites.
Track 8- Harvest Offering: Beginning with some traditional church organ music, this track almost immediately changes, becoming more mischievous sounding. Later, it becomes mysterious, similar to the music at the start of the movie/score. It is in this track, I believe, that the listener first hears some vocals, which fit into the music very well. The track ends with a bit of music that signals trouble for the local residents. I like this one a lot, as it is amusing and is well composed with an excellent selection of instruments.
Track 9- Arson Around: For those of you who have seen The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, you know that the title of this track is rather bad joke… This track starts out slow, but those who have seen the movie will enjoy the part with the organ music for reasons besides the organ music itself. The haunting-sounding music later in this track is entertaining and gives the music a sense of urgency that once again helps create the mood for the scene.
Track 10- A Big Trap: I would also consider this one of the best tracks. There is a good blend of several themes in this track, including the Wallace and Gromit Theme, the Anti-Pesto Theme, and another theme that was used in the W&G shorts. Also featured is some more comical music, though it is different from previous comical music in the score. At one point there is a short violin solo, and good use is made of the bass drum and other instruments. The music in this scene is very exciting and fast-paced, and the vocals that are in a few parts fit in beautifully and make the music even better. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks. Note: I am a little confused, though. In this scene in the film, there are several quiet pauses, and there is a detail in the music that I don’t think I’m hearing when I listen to this. I’m wondering if this music was smooshed together on the CD, and if a part was edited out (that would be very difficult in this track. Once again, I’d check, but I can’t right now.) I did see something online about nine tracks being excluded from the CD, but unfortunately the web page wouldn’t load, so I can neither verify or deny this.
Track 11- The Morning After: Though this track is mainly composed of mysterious-sounding music, there is one part that anyone who has seen the movie will definitely recognize, a very dramatic part that the music creates most of the drama in. However, there is some music that seems to be missing from this part, the music that goes along with the building of the rabbit hutch for Hutch. (I’d check, but, you know…)
Track 12- Transformation: This is another fun track, and it is fairly easy to tell what’s going on at certain points during the music (if you’ve seen the movie). The music is very dramatic, and it fits its track title. Familiar bits of music that have been heard in previous tracks can be picked out throughout this track, and the well-chosen instruments all do their jobs flawlessly. This is another favorite of mine.
Track 13- Ravaged in the Night: The best part in this track is the music that sounds like gigantic footfalls. It always makes me smile, because I know what’s coming next (in the film). The themes in this track are all fairly familiar by now, some of the regal music that accompanies Lady Tottington, and a tiny bit of the Wallace and Gromit Theme. Mysterious music can also be heard.
Track 14- Fluffy Lover Boy: This track starts out with some sad music created with variations of familiar themes. Of course, then is has to switch to some more of the mischievous music, but that’s part of the fun of this track- the swift transitions. Then, it’s back to more of the melancholy melody. And then, it’s time for a reprise of the Transformation music. Next, the music switches to a more urgent tone, and you can almost hear the hopping (or the impression the music gives of it). Then there’s the bit of music that gives this track its title. It’s short, sweet, and funny. No, scratch that, it’s hilarious. The music fits that part incredibly well, and the scene wouldn’t be half as funny without the score behind it. Yep, another favorite.
Track 15- Kiss My Arrrtichoke: This track is like a roller coaster with its ups and downs: from Victor’s villainous theme, to Gromit’s (and Hutch’s) triumphs featuring the Anti-Pesto Theme, along with some more of a theme from the W&G shorts. This is one of my favorites too.
Track 16- Dogfight: Four words: I LOVE THIS TRACK! It is hilarious! Apart from numerous funny visual details (i.e. searching for coins, for those of you who know what I’m talking about), the situation in this scene is actually very serious, and so, it is the music that must supply the comic relief. This is another track, that while not necessary for the enjoyment of the track, it makes it more fun if you can visualize the scene while you are listening. I have literally laughed out loud when listening to this one; the music is so entertaining, and well-paced with just the right timing. Some of the music is composed with familiar themes, but much of the music is that “foreshadowing” music I mentioned earlier (in track #4), along with some brand-new music. The instruments are played with amazing skill, and the arrangement is just astounding. I doubt I need to say this, but… this is one of my favorite tracks!
Track 17- Every Dog Has His Day: This track starts out with a sad, slow variation of the Wallace and Gromit Theme. But then it picks itself up and becomes an upbeat, joyous version, and then slows down into a pleasantly happy variation. However, some of the music at the end of this track is a bit misleading, but it’s supposed to be. This track is a good one, especially with its perfect dynamics (of a music-sense)
Track 18- All Things Fluffy: This track begins with more of Lady Tottington’s stately theme, and slowly transitions into a variation of the Bunny Heaven Theme. It ends with a bit of a bang, music-wise and visually (with the movie). This track does its job and suits the ending well.
Track 19- Wallace and Gromit: It is in the credits (of the movie) that one finally gets to hear the whole Wallace and Gromit Theme, the theme that has been with them since their humble beginning in A Grand Day Out. This is a fun track to listen to with the Mega Bass on (if your music player has that option), as it is played marching-band style with a generous part given to the bass drum. And yes, I love this track too.
An incredible soundtrack for an incredible film. I would definitely recommend this to any Wallace and Gromit fan, or anyone who appreciates music full of nuances- you’re sure to enjoy it. I know I sure did, and still do!
And yes, if you haven’t noticed, I am a Wallace And Gromit fanatic! Oh, and I’m sure you’re wondering by now why the heck I can’t check the stuff I’m unsure of. It’s not a very exciting reason; we just lent our DVD to some family members who wanted to see it. I hope that satisfies your curiosity.
So, has anyone else listened to this soundtrack, or at least paid a little attention to the music while you watched the movie? Because I’m curious about what other people think about this music.
*edit* sorry the pic's a little late. i meant to post that too when i posted this, but go figure, i forgot.
