About the Soundtrack: Transitioning into the world of film music is guitarist/composer Jonny Greenwood, with his score for Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film "There Will Be Blood". As the title indicates, this is a rather dark film and one that required a bleak score, which the composer was able to oblige. Greenwood approached the material by writing music based on the film's scenery as opposed to writing themes for the characters; he believed this strategy lent itself more effectively to the narrative of the story. Greenwood's work is represented in 11 tracks which add up to a relatively short running time for a soundtrack. As my review will indicate, there really wasn't a need for additional content with this score.
What You Need to Know: In a score that's lacking any pleasantries, Greenwood's entry into film music is one I'd rather forget. In a style that is unrelenting in its methodical approach, Greenwood essentially creates a dark underscore that is often repetitive and equally as gloomy. While many fans might applaud the textures of the music, I found myself uninterested and prepared to move on after just a few tracks. This score didn't work for me.
As I listened to the tendencies of the music, I noticed that one could listen to each of the tracks for about 30 seconds and have a full understanding of how the remainder of each cue would play out. It's as if the music was programmed (even though the work was performed by live instruments). True, there is an interesting sound that Greenwood is able to create, but the music is stuck in the same mode throughout and that is one of sheer darkness. If Greenwood and Anderson intended to create a score that is unsettling, well then they succeeded. This one is full of oppressive ambience.
I'm sure there will be some who will criticize my take on Greenwood's score, probably by stating that I am not in touch with artistry and originality when it comes to film music like this but I simply don't care -- I couldn't find any personal enjoyment or fulfillment with this effort. I kept waiting for the music to open up a bit from its restricted, one-tone approach but that moment never came. Certainly, this material may grace the film much better than the stand alone experience, so I will have to wait and see (or hear) until I see the movie.
Final Grade: "There Will Be Blood" is a major let down for me. With all the hype surrounding Jonny Greenwood's writing for this score, I would have thought there would have been something entertaining to latch onto. As it is, the only positive comment I can make is on the design of the CD case, which has nothing to do with the music, so that's not saying much. In the end, unless you're involved in some sort of odd research project or you're heavily into a macabre underscore, you can skip this soundtrack altogether.
Perhaps Greenwood should have looked at writing themes for the characters after all.
