Until 1999, Craig Armstrong was best known for his production work alongside Massive Attack. But then, seemingly in one year, Armstrong created a name for himself as a soundtrack composer--and a good one at that. Plunkett ... more »& Macleane established his unique blend of symphonic and ambient elements in a score that defied categorization. On The Bone Collector, Armstrong has created another strong soundtrack in a similar vein. Don't expect the foreboding chill of Massive Attack's Blue Lines on this instrumental score, nor fast-and-furious breakbeats. Instead, Armstrong simply peppers his vast, slow-moving orchestral movements with the occasional turntable scratch or keyboard synth effects. The London Symphony Orchestra perform the bulk of this work, which sounds at times like Orff or Mahler made for the chill-out room at a rave. Occasionally repetitive, The Bone Collector is still easy to recommend for its creative arrangements and sheer power when played at volume. Great stuff. --Jason Verlinde« less
Until 1999, Craig Armstrong was best known for his production work alongside Massive Attack. But then, seemingly in one year, Armstrong created a name for himself as a soundtrack composer--and a good one at that. Plunkett & Macleane established his unique blend of symphonic and ambient elements in a score that defied categorization. On The Bone Collector, Armstrong has created another strong soundtrack in a similar vein. Don't expect the foreboding chill of Massive Attack's Blue Lines on this instrumental score, nor fast-and-furious breakbeats. Instead, Armstrong simply peppers his vast, slow-moving orchestral movements with the occasional turntable scratch or keyboard synth effects. The London Symphony Orchestra perform the bulk of this work, which sounds at times like Orff or Mahler made for the chill-out room at a rave. Occasionally repetitive, The Bone Collector is still easy to recommend for its creative arrangements and sheer power when played at volume. Great stuff. --Jason Verlinde
CD Reviews
Powerfully moving and original
bear283 | 11/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
""the bone collector" was a great thriller that needed an equally great score. Craig Armstrong has provided that score and more. He has made it suspenseful, moving, and above all he has convaded the romance between lincoln and amelia. the score stays with for a long time and amkes you want to hear it over and over. this is a truely original and moving score. It is one of my favorites. I usually don't like thriller scores but this was is great because it doesn't jsut concintrate on the suspense but the love and worry the characters go theough. Craig Armstrong deserves a nomination for this."
I finally found it. Taxi Ride was used in another trailer.
Joel Munyon | Joliet, Illinois - the poohole of America. | 05/16/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"That trailer was for the GODS AND GENERALS trailer. Overall, I loved the atmosphere on this cd. Great stuff to use for documentaries or while writing deep and complex stories - which are some of the things I use soundtracks for. This cd is now out of print but you can pick up a copy on ebay about once every few weeks. I'd rate The Bone Collector up there with Fargo and The Thin Red Line in terms of most underrated musical scores.
If you can find this cd and you enjoy soundtracks, this one is certainly worth it."
Debut?
Jeff Cotton | London United Kingdom | 03/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For the best of Craig A. check out his strks to Best Laid Plans and, especially, Romeo + Juliet. I'm about to buy this one on the basis of those two, and his rather good solo album. Swoopy and throbby - what more can one ask?"
Where are Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel singing "Don't Give Up"?
Charles Haigh | Torrance, CA USA | 07/13/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel sing "Don't Give Up" during the closing credits, yet this track is nowhere to be found on this "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack." Shouldn't an "original motion picture soundtrack" include ALL the music heard during the playing of the film? Correct me if I'm wrong...please."
4 bones for The Bone Collector
Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 11/17/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Craig Armstrong is a scottish composer who is relatively new to American film music. He has a unique new sound that fits well into the film. For The Bone Collector, Armstrong uses a large symphony orchestra and a few synthesizers. The main title, "New York City" is a great theme with an 8 note piano motif plus an awesome orchestral background along with synthesized percussion. The rest of the music contains mostly dark passages of strings and synths with the main theme approaching here and there. To accompany the London Session Orchestra, the Metro Voices are thrown in and you can hear them in "Prelude", "Race Against Time", "Amelia's Crisis", and "The City Awakes". "Amelia's Song" contains a subtheme which is taken from the main theme on the piano with strings accompanying it. There are some great brass cues too, such as "Taxi Ride", with gigantic tympani crashes, "Seizure", "Pier Pressure", and the awesome "Final Confrontation" which gets the heart pumping at the end. Overall a solid score with great sound and a new name in film music."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1