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Spider-Man: Homecoming (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Michael Giacchine (CD review)

What we have here is ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ which was released on Audio CD on the 7th of July 2017. It is another fine composition by Michael Giacchine who also composed the music for the film ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’. That soundtrack had a bleak if not dysfunctional start before picking up nicely by track 3. I’m pleased to say the opening track to ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ is upbeat and will have you thinking of the web-slinging hero as he makes his way downtown swinging between the skyscrapers.

So, it’s a good if somewhat short opening to this album of 22 tracks that provide just over an hour of listening. It’s almost an hour and 10 minutes but not quite. While 22 tracks might seem a lot, 8 of them are under two minutes and two of those don’t even make it to the minute mark.

The opening track is a short burst of the theme from ‘Spider Man’ the original television series which I thought was very cleaver. Yes, it’s a new Spider-Man film with a new cast but this short burst of the original theme quickly reassures you you’re in familiar territory. Track 2 is titled ‘The world Is Changing’ and starts softly. It does have the odd crescendo but, overall, is fairly subdued for Giacchine.

Track 3 ‘Academic Decommitment’ is very melodic in its entirety which took me by surprise. Usually, the melodic flow is interrupted by a change in style and/or volume, no doubt to give emphasis to on-screen event. Yes, there is a build up in the last few seconds of the track but this is to be expected as the on-screen story unfolds. There are a few tracks that suggest in their composition that either someone is going somewhere in a hurry or there is a pursuit in progress.

Perhaps my favourite track is number 7, ‘Webbed Surveillance’. It’s quite upbeat and goes along at quite a pace. The orchestration is very good and it leaves you in no doubt that something important is about to happen and you need to pay attention. At just under 5 minutes long, it is one of the longer tracks but well worth a listen.

I did find it hard with some of the shorter tracks as just as your admiring the music, it ends and the next track starts. Track 17, ‘Lift Off’ probably has the loudest start of any of the tracks but as the previous track ends on a loud crescendo, you might not notice.

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ would be a worthy addition to anyone’s collection of soundtracks or you’re a fan of the film. Michael Giacchine is a talented composer and while I can hear similarities to the soundtrack from ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ they are very different in styles.

If there is one word that could be used to summarise this soundtrack it would be ‘strident’. The music is overall fast-paced and upbeat. There’s lots of drama, usually emphasised with a strong drumbeat. I’m not sure this is an album you would listen to if you were trying to relax. Sure, some tracks like 19, ‘Vulture Clash’, start quietly, almost serenely but after 30 seconds you are into the heavy drama again with loud drums, symbols clashing, violins and the horn section giving it full blast.

I’m not criticising this soundtrack as I think it is very well done. All I’m saying is that personally I would need to be in the right frame of mind to listen to it. It is in the most part strident as I said. Even the last track. The one for the ending credits. This one has two odd bits but you would need to past the first 6 minutes and 10 seconds. Very odd indeed.

Andy Whitaker

July 2017

(pub: Sony Music Classical. 1 CD 67 minutes 22 tracks. Price: $11.40 (US), £ 9.99 (UK). ASIN: B072K3J3P4)

check out website: www.sonymusicmasterworks.com

AndyWhitaker

I live in deepest darkest Essex where I enjoy photography, real ales, walking my dog, cooking and a really good book. I own an e-book reader which goes with me everywhere but still enjoy the traditional paper based varieties. My oriental studies have earned me a black belt in Suduko and I'm considered a master in deadly Bonsai (there are very few survivors).

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