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Michael Giacchino first arrived in my world through the blistering score of the Medal of Honor, video game soundtrack. The soundtrack was renowned by film score enthusiasts as a musical entity on par with, if not better than, much of the orchestral product within the film world. Medal of Honor established Michael's musical presence in a very robust manner. Indeed, his work was immediately compared to that of Maestro John Williams. Now that's impressive!
Having departed the Medal of Honor series, Michael developed a score for "Call of Duty" in 2003, and now, turned his attention to Lucasarts' "Secret Weapons Over Normandy". Perhaps the finest compliment I can pay to much of his work is by admitting that I feel as if I lived through a motion picture experience after listening to his scores. And not just any movie; a sprawling one with gusto. "Secret Weapons Over Normandy" is no different.
The soundtrack begins with the fanfare of the adventure, delivering a fun, patriotic theme that conveys a heroic feel to it. One can be swayed into thinking that they are about to watch a grand World War II adventure movie from the 50's since that is the tone it represents. It was refreshing to hear such a theme emerge, as with pasted electronics and sound effects from a lot of the current movie crop, concentrated orchestral sound seems to be slipping away. Ironic that it should arrive as a score for a video game.
The overall texture of the score can be likened to that of John Williams' work in Episode 4 of the Star Wars trilogy. Specifically, and not surprisingly, the music carries a similar feel from the that of the galactic dogfight sequences against the Imperial's Death Star. Conversely, there are segments of the score that also merge an Eastern European sensibility to it, with dramatic vocals featured in the intense 'Stalingrad' track, and a superb stomach churning underscore for the 'Fjords of Norway'.
The main theme returns in a healthy dose throughout the score, with different variations represented during different conflicts and settings. Without playing the game, you can immediately sense the heroic tide turning, or conversely, visualize moments of peril through Michael's musical voice.
It truly does feel as if you are engaged in an air battle in the skies of Europe whilst listening to this score. While it does not match the elegance of "Medal of Honor: Frontline", or the consistency of the original "Medal of Honor" score, fans who seek an orchestral mastery will find themselves rewarded with this enjoyable listening experience.
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1. Main Theme (4:56)
2. Dunkirk Harbour (3:20)
3. Battle of Britain (4:18)
4. Operation Sea Lion (3:53)
5. Zauara (4:12)
6. The Siamese Coast (4:25)
7. The Rescue of Pauline (4:16)
8. Midway (6:05)
9. Copenhagen (3:33)
10. Stalingrad (4:07)
11. East Prussian Factory Run (3:34)
12. Fjords of Norway (4:34)
13. Stealing the Me262 (5:05)
14. Peenemunde (4:43)
15. Harz Mountains (3:07)
16. The Normandy Coast (4:39)
Note: This is a two-disc set, with the second disc comprising of bonus music (14 minutes worth) and interactive interviews with the composer.
La-La Land Records
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