Rating:
Genre:
Soundtrack
Release Date: 09/20/2005
A study in contrasts, the score to
The Corpse Bride,
Danny Elfman's second 2005 collaboration with
Tim Burton, features some of the composer's gentlest, most restrained pieces as well as some of his vividest ones. Tellingly, most of the pieces that soundtrack the land of the living, including the
"Main Titles" and
"Victor's Piano Solo," are gray-on-gray pieces inspired by
chamber music. Meanwhile, the music of the dead spans the macabre but still vibrant
"Remains of the Day" -- which explains how
the Corpse Bride came to pass, and makes a refrain like "die, die, we all pass away" sound downright cheerful -- as well as the swooning, spooky romance of
"Moon Dance." Indeed, aside from a few slightly scary tracks,
The Corpse Bride's music is largely (if darkly) romantic:
"Piano Duet" and
"Finale" both have an otherworldly sweetness shared by the ruefully witty
"Tears to Shed," in which
the Corpse Bride's friends (including the maggot that lives in one of her eye sockets) try to convince her that lacking a pulse isn't so important when it comes to true love. The
soundtrack's other songs are just as pithy.
"According to Plan" neatly outlines the living couple's families and their reasons for marrying --
Victor VanDorts' parents are grasping
nouveau riche, while
Victoria Everglot's are aristocratic but penniless -- and offers some clever commentary on arranged marriages to boot.
"The Wedding Song," meanwhile, recalls the madcap whimsy of
The Nightmare Before Christmas, although for two films with similar looks, themes, and creative teams,
The Nightmare Before Christmas and
The Corpse Bride's scores are remarkably, and admirably different. The
soundtrack also includes a suite of bonus tracks by
Bonejangles (who is voiced by
Elfman) and his
Bone Boys, a group of underworld hepcats inspired by
Cab Calloway,
Django Reinhardt, and hot
jazz and
swing in general. The
"Minnie the Moocher"-esque
"Remains of the Day (Combo Lounge Version)" and
"Ball & Socket Lounge Music #2," for example, would make a great soundtrack for hipper Halloween and Day of the Dead-themed dinner parties. Equally playful and sophisticated,
The Corpse Bride is a delightful score that delivers on all of the expectations of an
Elfman/
Burton teaming.
~Heather Phares, All Music Guide
;)
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