THE DEPARTED (Score)

 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Composer: Howard Shore
Featuring:
Sharon Isbin, G.E. Smith, Larry Saltzman, Marc Ribot
Label:
Silva Screen Records
Year Release: December 5 2006
Links:

www.silvascreenmusic.com


thedeparted.warnerbros.com

 

 



TRACK LISTING
1
Cops or Criminals
2
344 Wash
3
Beacon Hill
4
The Faithful Departed
5
Colin
6
Madolyn
7
Billy's Theme
8
Command
9
Chinatown
10
Boston Common
11
Miss Thing
12
The Baby
13
The Last Rites
14
The Departed Tango

REVIEW

We know people who love this Hollywood version of the Hong Kong contemporary classic that was Infernal Affairs (2002). We also know people who loathe and despise this adaptation that changes the original gritty Asian setting to a more violent South Boston context.

One grave mistake that has haunted mankind is comparison – and if you compare this original score to that composed by Chan Kwong Wing (Initial D, Confession of Pain) for the original movie, you’d be sorely disappointed too.

While Chan’s score features Asian elements like soaring Chinese instrumental melodies, Howard Shore’s treatment for Martin Scorsese’s movie is a totally different one.

Known for his intense orchestrations for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Shore changes course and uses simple straightforward guitar cues to illustrate the confusion and tension as depicted in the film. Featuring four talented guitarists, they individually tackle Shore’s compositions with either an acoustic or electric guitar. The plucking of the strings in each track clearly exemplifies the uncomplicated mood of the entire 42-minute album.

While tracks like “Cops or Criminals” and “Command” resonate with the album’s one running main theme, softer emotional moments are reflected in cues like “Beacon Hill” and “Billy’s Theme”. Accompanied by flowing strings, these are the sections of the album which effortlessly soothe your listening experience.

The best bit on the disc has to be “The Departed Tango”, which sums up the 14 tracks with a foot-tapping number layered by ta seductive guitar, steady percussions and firm basses. You have to take your hats off the Oscar-winning composer for so brilliantly putting these elements together to make one sophisticatedly enjoyable track.

It is clear the soundtrack is characterized by a strong Latin and Tango influence. If this is not your cup of tea, you find the album repetitive. But give it a few spins over those lazy weekend afternoons; you’d realize that the disc does make good independent listening.

 

SOUNDTRACK RATING:

Review by John Li

 

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