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“FROM HELL is an exceptional effort from Jones. It effectively communicates
the foreboding streets of London and the mystery of Jack the Ripper. It
isn't the sort of score for listening to all day long, but it sure demands
the occasional leisurely spin the CD player.”
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One Helluva Score
Review by Christopher
Coleman
Conducted by Geoffrey
Alexander
Produced by Nick
Redman
Orchestrated by Joel
H. Rosenbaum
Performed by: The
Academy of St. Martins
in the Field; The
London Voices;
Belinda Sykes (female
vocalist); Bill Brooks
(Overtone Vocals);
Andy Finton (Chinese
Flutes);
Ray Mann Chinese
Orchestra (Chinese
Musicians); Trevor
Jones (Synthesizers)
Executive Producers:
The Hughes Brothers,
Robert Townson
Stepping out of their established niche, The Hughes brothers explore
Victorian England and the legend that was Jack the Ripper in FROM HELL. Trevor Jones'
accompanying score to the very atmospheric visuals is, in a word,
"perfect." Both the Hughes brothers and Jones alike forego the usual
bag-o-horror-flick tricks, and produce a film and score that is infinitely
more interesting than 99% of other films of this sort. After the initial
speed-bump of "The Nobodies" - Wormwood Remix (1), by Marilyn Manson, FROM
HELL really takes hold of the listener's attention. The score
conveys the gothic nature of story. Jones does this most effectively
through:
lowly chorus, dissonant strings, rumbling bass, the occasional bell toll.
All combine to transport the listener to the darkened streets of 1888
London, England. Jones' music subtly helps to create the mystique the
Hughes Brothers were after and this carries right over to the Varese
Sarabande's presentation of the soundtrack. If listening to this score
alone, one will likely take a peek behind them once in a while...just to
be sure they are, indeed, alone.
A couple of noteworthy tracks are 8,
The Compass and the Ruler, and 13, Bow Belle (Absinthium). Both are mixed
to sound as though they are being played on an old phonograph including
speed fluctuations, pops, crackles, and hisses. While Bow Belle is nicely
mixed with some of Jones score in the film, the soundtrack of FROM HELL does not
include this portion of the music. Track 8, goes a similar route. Starting
off with the same antiquated sound, playing one of Jones' main,
gothic-motifs, it quickly transforms into full stereo sound. Finally, the
track moves from its methodical pace into a full invigorating gallop,
before ultimately returning and concluding in suspenseful fashion.
FROM HELL is an exceptional effort from Jones. It effectively communicates
the foreboding streets of London and the mystery of Jack the Ripper. It
isn't the sort of score for listening to all day long, but it sure demands
the occasional leisurely spin the CD player.
Rating:
6/10
|
Track |
Track Title |
Track Time |
Rating |
|
1 |
Nobodies
(Wormwood Remix)
Marilyn Manson |
4:59 |
* |
|
2 |
In Memoriam |
7:03 |
**** |
|
3 |
Royal
Connections |
5:08 |
*** |
|
4 |
Sprig
of
Red
Grapes |
5:12 |
*** |
|
5 |
Whitechapel
Murders |
7:23 |
*** |
| 6 |
Chasing the Dragon |
7:39 |
*** |
| 7 |
Portrait of a Prince |
6:45 |
*** |
| 8 |
Compass and the Ruler |
6:06 |
*** |
| 9 |
Marylebone Workhouse |
3:51 |
*** |
| 10 |
Investigation |
4:13 |
*** |
| 11 |
Death Coach |
3:56 |
*** |
| 12 |
Pennies for the Ferryman |
6:22 |
**** |
| 13 |
Bow Belle (Absinthium) |
3:08 |
** |
| |
Total Running Time (approx) |
72 minutes |
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