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!earshot year-end picks 2005

Robert Daniels
Robert Daniels
Robert Daniels

My name is Robert Daniels and I am the host of “Visions In Sound” a Movie, TV and Videogame soundtrack program on CKMS 100.3FM in Waterloo, Ontario.  Among my many shows (over 280) I have spoken to some of the best-known Hollywood composers including Graeme Revell, Elliot Goldenthal, Howard Shore, Mychael Danna, Harry Gregson-Williams and many others.  2005 marked my 5th year on the air and I hope to continue for many years to come.

My Top 5 records of the year

#5  Howard Shore - A History Of Violence – (Decca)
Fresh off of his Oscar winning scores to The Lord Of The Rings, Howard show’s no signs of slowing down.  Poignant and stirring “A History Of Violence” is an amazing score, a solid #5 

#4  Alex Wurman - March Of The Penguins – (Milan)
Never has the plight of penguins been so interesting.  Alex’s score adds an extra emotional level to this documentary.  This moving and beautiful score is a perfect fit to this film.

#3 Robert Rodriguez, Graeme Revell & John Debney - Sin City– (Varèse Sarabande)
This three composer score has a fantastic flow and helps bring the world of Sin City to life.  Much of this score is in your face and it doesn’t let up.  Of special note is ”The Hard Good-bye” section of the score done by Revell.  

#2 Harry Gregson-Williams - Kingdom Of Heaven– (Sony Classical)
 A beautiful score that immediately sets us in that era.  Gregson-Williams’ blend of ethnic music with standard scoring is perfect for this movie and the score stands as a great example of Harry’s talent as a composer. 

#1 John Williams - Star Wars-Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith – (Sony Classical)
Some may say that it is cliché to put this score in the #1 position.  However, John Williams has done an amazing score for the final chapter of the new trilogy. Seamlessly combining his well-known themes with some solid new scoring, Williams has proven again that he is the master of film music.  Of special note are the cues “Battle Of The Heroes” and “Anakin’s Betrayal” these solidly place this score the in #1 Position.

Most under-rated record of the year
Battlestar Galactica – Bear McCreary – (La La Land Records)
Don’t be fooled by the title.  This is not your 70’s Battlestar Galactica. This score is amazing and proves that great music can be produced for Television.  Bear has created some great themes and instrumentation with some surprises thrown in.  So say we all.

Most over-rated record of the year
War Of The Worlds – John Williams – (Decca)
It’s hard to believe that this score is from the same composer as the #1 score.  Plodding and sometimes boring this War Of The Worlds is a bit of dud.  Try as they might to hype this score it just falls flat. 

Best personal campus/community radio moment or experience of the year.
 I hosted my program “Visions In Sound” for “24hours of Soundtrack music” on June 10, 2005. It was a great experience and raised a lot of money for CKMS and also raised the profile of my show. 

Record you are most anticipating for 2006
X-Men3 - Lalo Schifrin – (?) It will be interesting to see what the composer of the TV series “Mission: Impossible” and “Enter The Dragon” does with this popular series.
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