Danny Elfman

[tchoyy]

I've tried and composed a lot of styles, I've listened to a lot of famous composers.
Well now I know.... I'm a huge fan of Danny Elfman, I was a big fan at the beginning, but now I'm sure.
I'm listening to some of his scores :
* The nightmare before Christmas
* Sleepy Hollow
* Edward Scissorhands
* Batman
Etc...

I love his view of the orchestra and the way he makes it sounds Dark and funny in his demo. Obviously he's helped by orchestrators but he does the whole job, he gives the ambiance that always match !

What do you think ?

[WoodIsGood]

I'll go on record and say that I am a huge fan of Danny Elfman's work. Yes he's been fortunate in that he hooked up with a talented young filmmaker in Tim Burton at the very beginning of his career, but he has also developed an unmistakable style that is often copied but rarely duplicated. I believe his music training was limited to Oingo Boingo at the beginning of his career and his buddy Steve Bartek (also in Oingo Boingo) was knowledgeable in orchestration, so they made a good pair. Correct me if I'm mistaken on that. His ability, as you stated, to write music that is both dark as well as funny is one of his strong points. The only criticism I have is that he often goes back to the familiar four note Batman theme in some of his other scores and puts a slight variation on it. Maybe that's part of his style, but there have been times when I've been listening to his music and I notice that Batman-like phrase pop in and I wonder why. Other than that I am a big fan and own several of his soundtracks. Edward Scissorhands is a particular favorite. :)

[chocothrax]

Danny is of course the greatest living film composer. :) My favourite is Edward Scissorhands. I think it has the best use of choir i've ever heard. If you haven't heard them check out Black Beauty and Sommersby. I don't really hear people talk about them much and they are some of his best work.

[tchoyy]

I listened to the main titles of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" : pure genius ! I love the way he used his electro sounds, very impressive ! :eek:

[chocothrax]

I liked Chocolate factory a bit at first, mainly because I was forcing myself to like it. Later I realized it's just Danny on autopilot. Except the songs are interesting.

[dcoscina]

There seems to be 2 Elfmans- the overt melodic one who composed scores like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Black Beauty, Nightmare Before Christmas, etc. and the more modern Elfman who does Dolores Clairborn, Hulk, Spiderman, Good Will Hunting etc.

It took me a while to like the "newer" Elfman although I actually really enjoy his Spiderman theme (the one that sounds a little like "Somewhere" from West Side Story) and his motivic Hulk score. I mean, the guy can score films and does have his own style. Nice in a day and age where almost everything sounds like everything else.

[chocothrax]

I'm one of the Elfman fans that's waiting for Danny's grand return to greatness... :)

[Stephen Rees]

There are a couple of compilation albums of Danny Elfman's work called 'Music for a Darkened Theatre'.

Reviews here..........

http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/elfman1.html

http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/elfman2.html

The second is probably better than the first, and includes suites from 'Black Beauty' and 'Sommersby' too which, as Choco mentioned above, are terrific pieces of work.

Its a good way to get to know a wide variety of Danny Elfman's older music.

[Sherief83]

I love danny elfmen's work. he is really creative and brings something new every time. I espcially love his batman scores and hulk. also spiderman's main theme is great. you guys have no idea how I got the chills when I heard his spider man theme for the first time when the first spiderman movie played. he really is great with heroic type of themes. he also seem to have this beautiful sense of beauty when it comes to something with pain or love. Overall, i would have to say he is the reason why I got interested in movie scores long ago.

[chocothrax]

He's the reason I got into listening to film scores as well. My first score purchase was Sleepy Hollow.

[PaulR]

He's the reason I got into listening to film scores as well. My first score purchase was Sleepy Hollow.

Great film and a great and effective score. At least Elfman tried to be original and has a great mentor.

[tango9jeff]

Oh yea I'm a huge elfman fan! The first batman soundtrack is soo amazing! I remember sitting in the theater on that long intro through the tunnels through the batcave and what not until the big theme hit. Man oh man.

[doug hazelrigg]

Sorry, never cared much for Elfman

His work lacks the cohesion that such as Williams and Shore have

[chocothrax]

Elfman crushes Shore. :)

[TheVamp]

Elfman crushes Shore. :)
It's funny, Shore is one of the composers I know I'm supposed to like, but don't really. I do think he's a composer of great integrity and talent and the amount of research he does before he starts wrting is staggering, plus he does all his own orchestration... sheesh! It's just that the end product doesn't really move me that much all of the time. Some of his stuff I like, most I don't. It's like a musician friend told me once when I was first trying to find a way to realize my own music, he said, "It doesn't matter what method of wrting or recording tecniques you use, all that matters is what comes out of the speakers."
As for Elfman, I like all of his early stuff, as he got older he started to get boring but, again, that's just me. All that matters is what comes out of the speakers.

[zvenx]

"Sorry, never cared much for Elfman"

I was beginning to think I am the only one in the world who was not or never impressed by Mr. Elfman's scoring..
I actually liked Oingo Boingo.

They may work for the scene, however I think all of them sound alike, and that he is a one trick pony, cause I can hear any piece of music he did and within two bars know it is him... and there are no melodies of his that I have ever remembered two seconds after hearing them. but that's just me. Different strokes for different strokes.....
oh just remembered one piece of his work that I love, the Simpson theme music.
rsp

[shnurgle]

It's funny, Shore is one of the composers I know I'm supposed to like, but don't really.
You don't have to like anyone. The only composer I truly respect is Weird Al.

EDIT: Seriously. Have you heard his Sonota for Slide Whistle and Prepared Anus? Riveting my brothers, riveting.

[chocothrax]

"Sorry, never cared much for Elfman"

I was beginning to think I am the only one in the world who was not or never impressed by Mr. Elfman's scoring..
I actually liked Oingo Boingo.

They may work for the scene, however I think all of them sound alike, and that he is a one trick pony, cause I can hear any piece of music he did and within two bars know it is him... and there are no melodies of his that I have ever remembered two seconds after hearing them. but that's just me. Different strokes for different strokes.....
oh just remembered one piece of his work that I love, the Simpson theme music.
rsp

Hm all his music sounds the same? Yeah I know I mistake Sommersby for Batman like all the time. Elfman sounds less the same all the time as most other film composers.

[TheVamp]

You don't have to like anyone. The only composer I truly respect is Weird Al.

EDIT: Seriously. Have you heard his Sonota for Slide Whistle and Prepared Anus? Riveting my brothers, riveting.

I know I don't have to like anyone. It's just the way he's hyped in certain film music fan circles it's like he's the second coming or something. I don't get it. Now I know how Pauline Kael must've felt like when people started talking up Kubrick. ;)
Some of his stuff I like (I love his score for The Fly) and some I can do without. Just today I was listening to his Lord of the Rings stuff while I was cleaning the house. It's fine. Just doesn't get the blood flowing like John and Jerry does. Maybe when I get the complete recordings I'll feel different. I mean, It's not like I let other people dictate my musical choices, it's just that the way some film music fans talk about him I feel sometimes like I might be missing something, ya know?

[chocothrax]

90% of Shores fans are just Lord of the Rings fans who've just found film music and worship him like god. Have to take them with a grain of salt. I think Shore did an ok job on LOTR but really how could someone mess up the music for something like that anyways.

[shnurgle]

I know I don't have to like anyone. It's just the way he's hyped in certain film music fan circles it's like he's the second coming or something. I don't get it. Now I know how Pauline Kael must've felt like when people started talking up Kubrick. ;)
Some of his stuff I like (I love his score for The Fly) and some I can do without. Just today I was listening to his Lord of the Rings stuff while I was cleaning the house. It's fine. Just doesn't get the blood flowing like John and Jerry does. Maybe when I get the complete recordings I'll feel different. I mean, It's not like I let other people dictate my musical choices, it's just that the way some film music fans talk about him I feel sometimes like I might be missing something, ya know?
No I know dude. Just said that to get in a Weird Al plug. :D

[TheVamp]

No I know dude. Just said that to get in a Weird Al plug. :D
Oh, well then it was worth it! :D

[TheVamp]

90% of Shores fans are just Lord of the Rings fans who've just found film music and worship him like god. Have to take them with a grain of salt. I think Shore did an ok job on LOTR but really how could someone mess up the music for something like that anyways.
Well, I shudder to think to think of The Lord of the Rings by Hans Zimmer. :eek: If I was the director, I would've gone with Poledouris. Man, that would've been awesome!

[chocothrax]

Well, I shudder to think to think of The Lord of the Rings by Hans Zimmer. :eek: If I was the director, I would've gone with Poledouris. Man, that would've been awesome!

Yes Poledouris would be a nice choice. I bet Debney could do a good job as well.

[TheVamp]

Yes Poledouris would be a nice choice. I bet Debney could do a good job as well.
He certainly did well with Cutthroat Island.

[chocothrax]

He did more than well with Cutthroat. :) It's a masterpiece.

[tango9jeff]

I don't know chocothrax but you make some bold statements on Shore and his seeming stupid fans. I personally find some of choir orchestrations in that movie very powerful and amazing. Did you just miss out on the huge choir segment as the The final tower is destroyed in "Return of the king"? That whole track is amazing! Much of his work was great. Again I understand everyones different options but to say

"I think Shore did an ok job on LOTR but really how could someone mess up the music for something like that anyways." just seems over the top! Anyways your opinons are your own.

[chocothrax]

I find LOTR pretty undetailed and a little boring. He did have to write a ton of music so I understand cutting some corners.

[Sherief83]

Howard Shore's music doesn't go with every thing but i think he did a brilliant job in LOTR. there are some moments where the music is very veyr touche specificly the choirs work he did, it's fantastic. i love his solo violin moments too. very good. he prooved him self in LOTR. before that I really don't remember hearing anything about his work. may be Mrs doubtfire but that was ok.

I also would like to state that I agree with people when they say danny's stuff is getting repitive but in a way in the end it comes to if your a fan or not. just like if your fan of hard rock/metal music or not, because it's over repititive and it's the same darn tones(if any) since the 1970s. you have to be a fan to enjoy.

[mattmann13]

90% of Shores fans are just Lord of the Rings fans who've just found film music and worship him like god. Have to take them with a grain of salt. I think Shore did an ok job on LOTR but really how could someone mess up the music for something like that anyways.

well he did stuff up king kong...

[Phantom]

I would give Danny Elfman a perfect 10/10 top score for this amazing dreamworld type of music.

Ever since Edward Scissorhands - It was back then when I enjoyed every movie he composed music for. But as much as I love his scores, he is not my favourite.

Mainly not my favourite because his music, although is absolutely phenomenol, still is not the type of music I would go for if I had to choose just one.

So I have to give my favourite composer award to Hans Zimmer. Ever since I watched Days Of Thunder as a kid, the opening theme, the action sequences of the races, the slow theme when the car is being built (most impressive), and of course... the 'victory theme' and 'end title'. Even though this was not orchestral music, it was still music composed by an individual.

From there on, Hans Zimmer composed for more great movies, each one being a blockbuster hit, mainly because of the soundtrack - it's sometimes the music that makes the movie - IMO.

Zimmer continued working on amazing scores - take Gladiator and The Last Samurai for instance. Now there are two movies with the best scores ever heard. Can't forget 'Crimson Tide' either :D

I now watch a new movie, and always try to know who composed the music.
When I first saw The Last Samurai; not only was the star my favourite actor, but during the credits I said to myself, "This has got to be Hans Zimmer" - and without surprise it was :)

But as I said, Danny Elfman is the best for movies like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Sleepy Hollow.

These movies were very dark and very gothic. Each one has the same eery feeling to it and only Danny Elfman can create the right atmospheric score - nobody else.

IMO I would say that Elfman is best for dark gothic orchestral scores, Badelt best for high pirates and heroic action sequences (very much like Hans Zimmer in fact, especially since they work together) and Zimmer best for Electronic as well as orchestral scores (look at Days Of Thunder to Rainman, and The Lion King to The Last Samurai) - simply amazing types of genres along the years! No-one does it better :cool:

There is also Harry-Gregson Williams - probably best work was on Shrek and Enemy Of The State. Maybe even Kingdom Of Heaven too, but I am yet to see that one.But his greatest work ever with some of the best talent I have ever found can be heard in the most amazing videogame franchise 'Metal Gear Solid' :D

Coming back to Danny Elfman, I notice his work reminds me of Alan Silvestri, but only from Silverstri's score for Van Helsing.

Hey David, one of the best topics - maybe I should get you mad at me and make one for Hans Zimmer and battle it out :)

Thanks :)

[chocothrax]

well he did stuff up king kong...


huh??

[chocothrax]

I would give Danny Elfman a perfect 10/10 top score for this amazing dreamworld type of music.

Ever since Edward Scissorhands - It was back then when I enjoyed every movie he composed music for. But as much as I love his scores, he is not my favourite.

Mainly not my favourite because his music, although is absolutely phenomenol, still is not the type of music I would go for if I had to choose just one.

So I have to give my favourite composer award to Hans Zimmer. Ever since I watched Days Of Thunder as a kid, the opening theme, the action sequences of the races, the slow theme when the car is being built (most impressive), and of course... the 'victory theme' and 'end title'. Even though this was not orchestral music, it was still music composed by an individual.

From there on, Hans Zimmer composed for more great movies, each one being a blockbuster hit, mainly because of the soundtrack - it's sometimes the music that makes the movie - IMO.

Zimmer continued working on amazing scores - take Gladiator and The Last Samurai for instance. Now there are two movies with the best scores ever heard. Can't forget 'Crimson Tide' either :D

I now watch a new movie, and always try to know who composed the music.
When I first saw The Last Samurai; not only was the star my favourite actor, but during the credits I said to myself, "This has got to be Hans Zimmer" - and without surprise it was :)

But as I said, Danny Elfman is the best for movies like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Sleepy Hollow.

These movies were very dark and very gothic. Each one has the same eery feeling to it and only Danny Elfman can create the right atmospheric score - nobody else.

IMO I would say that Elfman is best for dark gothic orchestral scores, Badelt best for high pirates and heroic action sequences (very much like Hans Zimmer in fact, especially since they work together) and Zimmer best for Electronic as well as orchestral scores (look at Days Of Thunder to Rainman, and The Lion King to The Last Samurai) - simply amazing types of genres along the years! No-one does it better :cool:

There is also Harry-Gregson Williams - probably best work was on Shrek and Enemy Of The State. Maybe even Kingdom Of Heaven too, but I am yet to see that one.But his greatest work ever with some of the best talent I have ever found can be heard in the most amazing videogame franchise 'Metal Gear Solid' :D

Coming back to Danny Elfman, I notice his work reminds me of Alan Silvestri, but only from Silverstri's score for Van Helsing.

Thanks :)


Badelt best for pirates? I'm sorry but Debney takes that honor. :) You are saying that after Days of Thunder every movie Zimmer scored for was a blockbuster hit? He's done about 60 films since then and I can assure you that a good portion of those were not blockbuster hits. Not sure how Metal Gear Solid is Gregson-Williams best work when he didn't even write the theme...not sure how Van Helsing sounds like Elfman...I agree that Last Samurai is a good score though. :)

[IvanP]

I would give Danny Elfman a perfect 10/10 top score for this amazing dreamworld type of music.

Ever since Edward Scissorhands - It was back then when I enjoyed every movie he composed music for. But as much as I love his scores, he is not my favourite.

Mainly not my favourite because his music, although is absolutely phenomenol, still is not the type of music I would go for if I had to choose just one.

So I have to give my favourite composer award to Hans Zimmer. Ever since I watched Days Of Thunder as a kid, the opening theme, the action sequences of the races, the slow theme when the car is being built (most impressive), and of course... the 'victory theme' and 'end title'. Even though this was not orchestral music, it was still music composed by an individual.

From there on, Hans Zimmer composed for more great movies, each one being a blockbuster hit, mainly because of the soundtrack - it's sometimes the music that makes the movie - IMO.

Zimmer continued working on amazing scores - take Gladiator and The Last Samurai for instance. Now there are two movies with the best scores ever heard. Can't forget 'Crimson Tide' either :D

I now watch a new movie, and always try to know who composed the music.
When I first saw The Last Samurai; not only was the star my favourite actor, but during the credits I said to myself, "This has got to be Hans Zimmer" - and without surprise it was :)

But as I said, Danny Elfman is the best for movies like Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and Sleepy Hollow.

These movies were very dark and very gothic. Each one has the same eery feeling to it and only Danny Elfman can create the right atmospheric score - nobody else.

IMO I would say that Elfman is best for dark gothic orchestral scores, Badelt best for high pirates and heroic action sequences (very much like Hans Zimmer in fact, especially since they work together) and Zimmer best for Electronic as well as orchestral scores (look at Days Of Thunder to Rainman, and The Lion King to The Last Samurai) - simply amazing types of genres along the years! No-one does it better :cool:

There is also Harry-Gregson Williams - probably best work was on Shrek and Enemy Of The State. Maybe even Kingdom Of Heaven too, but I am yet to see that one.But his greatest work ever with some of the best talent I have ever found can be heard in the most amazing videogame franchise 'Metal Gear Solid' :D

Coming back to Danny Elfman, I notice his work reminds me of Alan Silvestri, but only from Silverstri's score for Van Helsing.

Hey David, one of the best topics - maybe I should get you mad at me and make one for Hans Zimmer and battle it out :)

Thanks :)


What do you think of John Williams?

[Phantom]

I think John Williams cant be touched on any score he has done

I mean it is John Williams after all

But the score for War Of The Worlds was not exactly the best he did

Although it was nice work

But look at Star Wars and Shindler's List - truly amazing huh :)

[IvanP]

mmmmm I think War of the worlds was not so good because of Tom Cruise

[Phantom]

chocothrax - hi

I most certainly apreciate your comments

cannot argue with anyones taste

glad you like The Last Samurai :)

its my favourite socre :cool:

about Metal Gear Solid - original score (the main theme fopr number one) was not Gregson, you are right, but I miss-explained - I was thinkig about MGS2 but did not mention it was the second game I was reffering to

he did continue the theme from Metal Gear Solid 2 on to MGS3. And he created it wonderfully
plus the entire OST for MGS2 and MOST of MGS3 is his

Van Helsing does not remind me of Elfman right the way through. Only the theme called Transalvanian Horses does. And the end title sort of does but if you listen closely, you will notice the theme Silvestri used hear is adapted from his theme in The Mummy - sounds so similar. But is it his own theme so we cant call it a copy ;)

[Phantom]

mmmmm I think War of the worlds was not so good because of Tom Cruise

well being my fav actor I agree it was not the best movie he did

I think it was not so important for him to be in that film

its okay for him but does not suit him so much

it was a standard part of a father protecting his kids

i like to see Cruise in M.I-II - and Top Gun - thats the Cruise I know :cool:

but no doubt it was nice to see him in that movie - i have to say i watchd it for 3 reasons - John Williams, Spielberg, Cruise

good movie but sadly I was dissapointed with all three people (no ofence of course - its not like I can do better or anything ;) )

but you wouldnt think this was spielberg's work.

[chocothrax]

If John Williams can't be touched on any score he has done how can you say Badelt is best for pirate score when John Williams has done Hook? Wouldn't Hook be best? Which ELfman score sounds like Van Helsing? I'm curious.

[Phantom]

If John Williams can't be touched on any score he has done how can you say Badelt is best for pirate score when John Williams has done Hook? Wouldn't Hook be best? Which ELfman score sounds like Van Helsing? I'm curious.

you are mising the point

i love all these composers - i really look at them as mentors and learn from everything they do
nobody is better than the other - only better in what score they work on

i m not basing it on every score in the world

please understand i know zimmer has made over 60 movies if not more - i certainly dont mean every one was a blockbuster - but the ones i enjoyed certainly were

opnions do vary which is very common

i prefer badelt becasue of pirate of the carribean - you say 'hook' - but IMO pirates is a theme you can remember and a very heroic one. plus some of my fav acotrs were in that movie which also makes me think of their characters when i hear the soundtrack

i never said van helsing sounds like one of elfman's scores but the playing style makes me feel as tough i m hearing elfman - maybe thats becasue it was a medievil/gothic type of movie - thats all

;)

[chocothrax]

You said Williams scores couldn't be touched so I assumed that meant they are the best. Not sure what Elfman has to do with midieval music but I guess everyone can think of a composer differently or something. Yeah Zimmer has done over 60 films...he's done around 100.

[Phantom]

well for me personaly... its like this...

may seem strange but cant be helped when you hear a new score ;) ....

when i hear a new score or watch a new movie i might sometimes say to myself, "Wow that was the best movie ever" or "wow, the best score I ever heard"

but that's a gut reaction because you would have just finished watching it or listening to something

i guess I could be more precise

I would say in all fairness that John Williams is truly the best composer for classical music - after you listen to the entire Star Wars collection, you can't say much after that :)

Now for me saying that Elfman reminds me of Silvestri for his score on Van Helsing - bare in mind it was only that one score alone that gave me a thought of Elfman's music. Not meaning its the same but kind of reminds me of the atmosphere in his work.
Once again... everyone looks at music differently - that's where great inspiration comes from ;)

Thanks :)

[chocothrax]

John Williams is truly the best composer for classical music

Did you mean to write film music?

[Phantom]

yes

i said classical because thats the style he uses as in star wars for example

i assume classical mostly refers to classical like bethoven?

well anyways hope there is no confusion - but yes i did mean film though

thanks

ps - not film music in general as in the best film composer

i mean best film composer for projects he has done

simply put - nobody can create star wars better than him

the same way i meant that badelt was best suited for pirates of the carribean and hans zimmer was best suited for galdiator, and so on :)

[mattmann13]

huh??

you know that one, with the big guy in a shnurgle suit and the fat singer dude who has the alter-ego of wonderboy, and the piano guy with the big nose?