James Bond Soundtracks 1995 to Today
After six years we got a new Bond- Pierce Brosnan, a new film- "Goldeneye" (1995), , and a new composer- Eric Serra. The producers wanted a different kind of sound to bring James into the 90's. While an interesting score, fans weren't thrilled and apparently neither were the producers who had Serra's arranger and orchestrator, John Altman, rescore the entire tank chase sequence. Serra's version is on the CD (I swear I hear the Chipmunks in there). A cover version of Altman's is included on "Bond back in Action-Vol. 2"
"Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997) introduced composer David Arnold to the series. He combined a little of the old John Barry sound with his newer boom, crash, action music. We also got TWO CDs of music this time! (Only half of the score had been completed when the first album was put together and Chapter III records put out a CD with the rest). Unfortunately, one of the best Bond themes in a long time, "Surrender", performed by K. D. Lang was pushed back to the closing titles in favor of the Sheryl Crow's almost unlistenable "Tomorrow Never Dies". (Another one for the "What were they thinking" list). We also got a great collaboration with the Propellerheads on the "Company Car" track and Moby's take on the James Bond Theme during the closing credits.
Mr. Arnold was back for "The World Is Not Enough" (1999) with a title song performed by the band Garbage. Another good action score with a lot of the Bond theme thrown in, but more on the techno side. While it works well in the type of action movies the Bond films have become, it leaves the listener wishing for a little something more.
"Die Another Day" (2002) by Arnold again with Madonna performing one of the worst Bond title songs ever! That track, a Bond theme remix (yawn) by Paul Oakenfold, and some interactive computer nonsense take up space better filled with music. Blame whoever put the CD together because there was plenty of good music in the film. There is some exciting chase music on the CD and a couple of near thrills in the snow scenes when the OHMSS bass line kicks in and the trumpets start to blare, but that only lasts a few bars before it switches to the standard action fare.
"Casino Royale" (2006), a "Bond Reboot" film, introduces Daniel Craig to the role. The familiar James Bond theme doesn't show up till the end credits. Snippets of it are scattered throughout, but one misses the guitar riffs and blaring trumpets. Perhaps, learning their lesson from the last CD, they jammed 75 minutes of music onto this one (and 13 extra tracks on the i-Tunes site). The theme, "You Know My Name" by David Arnold and Chris Cornell is not on the CD and the version in the film is only available... in the film!
"Quantum Of Solace" (2008). may be Arnold's most interesting Bond score. He has taken a lot of flak in the past for over-using the Bond theme, but like Casino Royale it only shows up here in the end credits. Bits and pieces wind through the film and the emphasis is on action cues, but the atmospheric, location oriented music make this a a more listenable soundtrack. The title song, "Another Way To Die" by Jack White and singer Alicia Keys is included. It worked well during the credits, but you'll probably never listen to it again. Track down the instrumental instead.
and of course...
James Bond will return!