THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2013)




We are guessing you’d be too overwhelmed by the spectacular visuals during this 160 minute epic movie to pay much attention to the score composed by HowardShore. And that is why you should own a copy of this highly recommended soundtrack album – especially if you’re a fan of fantasy score. The award winning composer takes us to Middle Earth again for the fifth time (after The Lord of the Rings series, and last year’s An Unexpected Journey), and boy, what an adventure it is.

With 116 minutes of music generously spread over two discs, this soundtrack plays well, depending on how you look at it, without visuals. While things are tame on the first disc (running at 50 minutes) with easy listening through tracks like “Wilderland”, “Mirkwood” and “The Woodland Realm” (there are a few enticingly action packed cues like “Flies and Spiders” and “The Forest River”), the real adrenaline rush lies in the second disc.  

First, the main theme of this second movie makes its presence felt in “Thrice Welcome”, a track that kicks off Disc 2. Then you hear the all familiar Shire theme in “The Courage of Hobbits”, before it makes way for the highlight of this album – the theme for Smaug. Things begin to turn sinisterly dark with the second half of “The Courage of Hobbits”, with a very unique decision to showcase the Balinese Gamelans. The chimes add an exotically dark tone to the score, and this is proof why talents like Shore are worthy our support for the soundtrack industry.

Things continue to get darker in the following tracks “Inside Information”, “A Liar and a Thief”, “The Hunters”, “Smaug” and “My Armor is Iron”. There is so much intensity and a considerable bit of creepiness in these cues – something which reflects the score for the second Lord of the Rings score from The Two Towers. These cues also drive the action where it matters, something which will please action score fans.

Things turn hopeful with English singer Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” and the closing track “Beyond the Forest”, making us already looking forward to next year’s score for There and Back Again. Also available in stores is a special edition of the soundtrack which contains 13 extra minutes of material, including one bonus track and 12 extended score cues. 

ALBUM RATING:



Recommended Track: Disc 2 (7) The Courage of Hobbits

Revi
ew by John Li

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                           TRACK LISTING
1
The Quest for Erebor
2
Wilderland
3
A Necromancer
4
The House of Beorn
5
Mirkwood
6
Flies and Spiders
7
The Woodland Realm
8
Feast of Starlight
9
Barrels Out of Bond
10
The Forest River
11
Bard, A Man of Lake Town
12 The High Fells
13 The Nature of Evil
14 Protector of the Common Folk
                      DISC TWO
1
Thrice Welcome
2
Girion, Lord of Dale
3
Durin's Folk
4
In the Shadow of Mountain
5
A Spell of Concealment
6
On the Doorstep
7
The Courage of Hobbits
8
Inside Information
9
Kingsfoil
10
A Liar and a Thief
11
The Hunters
12 Smaug
13 My Armor is Iron
14 I See Fire
15 Beyond the Forest


 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Composer: Howard Shore
Label: Watertower Music
Release Date: December 10, 2013