Behold the power of the Internet. I was able to download MP3s of the new John Williams Attack of the Clones soundtrack today, a month before it’s released. This CD reminds me a great deal of the CD for Phantom Menace. When that album came out there were complaints that Williams used mainly underscore (music from dialogue scenes) and left off most of the action cues. The same seems to be true here (at least the ¾s I heard before having to go to work).A few notes: I was surprised I got so far into the album without hearing references to the old familiar themes, even a track about Yoda refrains from recalling his Empire Strikes Back motif. Stuff from Phantom Menace (the Tattooine fanfare and “Duel of the Fates” do show up in later tracks). The new love theme is interesting since it’s obviously a variation on Leia’s theme from A New Hope, descending instead of rising. I wonder if Williams is having fun altering his old motives. I was startled to hear actual electric guitar during the chase music in track three, along with lots of percussion. (Perhaps Williams enjoyed toying with modern sounds during his work on A.I..) There’s also some electric piano used on the love theme, plus some atmospheric synth work similar to the colorations in Harry Potter.
So far the music is good, but nothing especially stands out. Of course I’ll buy it anyway, just because it’s Star Wars; and like any Williams music I’m sure I’ll grow to like it a lot.
Update: Actually, the Yoda theme *does* appear in the “Yoda and the Younglings” track. And I think the music I referred to as a Tattooine fanfare is actually for Coruscant.
I guess I should’ve listened to the album fully before reporting, but I was pressed for time and was typing as the music played.
