The Corpse Bride [Soundtrack]

Danny Elfman (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: WEA/Reprise
• ASIN: B000AMPZGC
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,452 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Main Title

2. According to Plan

3. Victor's Piano Solo

4. In the Forest

5. Remains of the Day

6. Casting a Spell

7. Moon Dance

8. Victor's Deception

9. Tears to Shed

10. Victoria's Escape

11. The Piano Duet

12. New Arrival

13. Victoria's Wedding

14. The Wedding Song

15. The Party Arrives

16. Victor's Wedding

17. Barkis's Bummer

18. The Finale

19. End Credits Part 1

20. End Credits Part 2

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Did composer Danny Elfman have enough juice for two movies by Tim Burton in a single year? His first 2005 outing, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is one of his all-time best, and the songs he wrote for each of that film's children are marvels of satirical invention. A few months later, both Burton and Elfman are back with The Corpse Bride, a stop-motion animated film in the vein of The Nightmare Before Christmas. This time it feels as if Elfman may have overextended himself. The composer has fun with Gothic atmospherics, (when in doubt, you can't go wrong with either a harpsichord or an organ) but the instrumentals feel a bit perfunctory. The best part about the album is hearing Elfman's ditties performed by a gaggle of top British actors such as Albert Finney, Joanna Lumley and Tracey Ullman on "According to Plan," and Helena Bonham Carter (surprisingly touching) and Jane Horrocks on "Tears to Shed." Elfman himself sings "Remains of the Day," a tune that tries just a little too hard to be zany; zaniness is achieved more subtly on the fourth and last vocal track, "The Wedding Song," a clever pastiche of light operetta. But it's on the last four tracks, credited to Bonejangles and His Bone Boys, that Elfman finally sounds as if he's having fun, letting loose with casual New Orleans-style jazz. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

Three-time Oscar-nominated Danny Elfman, one of Hollywood's most in-demand composers, continues his long-standing collaboration with innovative director Tim Burton for the soundtrack to the stop-motion animated feature Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elfman's talent shines in Corpse Bride..., September 23, 2005

By 

James Head (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Corpse Bride (Audio CD)

Without a doubt, the Burton/Elfman/(Depp) pairing (or trio) has been a profitable and impressive one in the past. With outings such as THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, BEETLEJUICE, SLEEPY HOLLOW, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, I am amazed at what an outstanding director and composer/conductor can do together.

CORPSE BRIDE is certainly no exception. Elfman's talent pours from this impressive compilation of ditties and instrumental pieces set in the Gothic-like days of yore. Victor and Victoria, who have never met, are set to be wed, and their families react differently to this occasion in the track entitled "According to Plan." This delightfully funny and rich tune sets the stage for the rest of the album, which contains a mix of several more vocal tracks and many instrumental tunes.

The gothic feel prevails elsewhere on the album, with liberal use of the harpsichord and organ. Instrumentals such as "In the Forest," "Moon Dance," and "Finale" ooze with gothic mystique and a sense of times gone by. Each time, Elfman captures the essence of emotion and action from the film, translating it flawlessly into music, both with and without words.

In the moving "Tears to Shed," Helena Bonham Carter laments the Corpse Bride's dilemma with humor and a touch of sorrow. Elfman himself voices Bonejangles, who belts out "Remains of the Day" with jazzy style. The final vocal track, "The Wedding Song" is a melliflous mix of styles that sends the listener on a truly marvelous journey. Its exciting, allegro pace is full of transitions as those involved with the wedding take turns sharing their points-of-view -- all building to a truly magnificent and brilliant cadence.

I must say that I disagree with the Amazon reviewer's opinion that this album shows Elfman overextending himself. While the soundtrack to CHARLIE... was most excellent, CORPSE BRIDE runs in a different musical vein. Its style, while often satirical and humorous, is distinctly old-worldly; perhaps even other-worldly. The notion that Elfman has overextended himself simply isn't the case -- the orchestrations here are rich and full, the lyrics clever and appropriate for all ages, and the overall ambience created by the album is one of slightly spooky, very kooky fun.

Elfman's delicate touch and distinctive style should not be missed here. You won't regret the chuckles you'll get from the vocal performances, nor will you the humming you'll do as you continue to sing the tunes to yourself long after you're done listening. Very highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Danny Elfman is My Hero, January 4, 2006

By 

Casey Germane (CF, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Corpse Bride (Audio CD)

Let's face it, he's the master of opening titles. The opening to this score will not disappoint! I love how it starts like a fairy tale then changes into a monotonous, gray tune that at the same time is still really pretty.

The harpsichord rules this album for the most part, the majority of the music being awesome Baroque/Victorian/Gothic scores...they're simply astounding. Bits of 20's style jazz is sprinkled throughout. It's cool and relaxed and so much fun!

A few highlights (besides the Main Titles):
Victor's Piano Solo- a calming, Beethoven-esque piano piece with a, erm, rather abrupt ending.
Moon Dance- comparable to Ice Dance from Edward Scissorhands, but has more of an ethereal beauty to it.
Piano Duet- Just listen to it.
New Arrival- I think it's about 30 or 40 seconds long, but it's this amazing blast of jazz!
Finale- beautiful...Danny Elfman rocks the finales all the time, too.
End Credits Part 1- Lovely. Amazing cello and piano stuff here.

Then there are four additional jazz songs by "Bonejangles and His Bone Boys". You won't regret buying this!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Victorian Meets Jazz In A Wonderful CD, September 23, 2005

By 

Lauren "LC" (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Corpse Bride (Audio CD)

This soundtrack is wonderful! It lives up to Danny Elfman's astouding career easily. Let's go through the songs:

1)Main Titles- A great opening piece. The mysterious elements blend seamlessly with the Victorian sound Elfman plays with throughout the movie.

2)According to Plan- You know a song is good when it entertains and informs at the same time! It's tons of fun to hear these wonderful British actors singing together.

3)Victor's Piano Solo- Pretty self-explanatory. Beautiful tune.

4)Into The Forest- A soft beginning turns into a tune of wonderment, soon followed by ringing notes of terror. Classic Elfman heard here--very cool.

5)Remains of the Day- The song where Elfman's voice shines, it is also the introduction of jazz into the story. A highly morbid song, sang with happy sounding music, is always awesome and welcome in Burton/Elfman collaborations. (My personal favorite!)

6)Casting A Spell- Another song that blends mystery with some Victorian. Eerie, yet... catching.

7) Moon dance- This song is beautiful, and has a very creative tune. It brings curiousity to my mind, for some reason.

8)Victor's Deception- The music portrays many emotions in this song--from horror vibes at the beginning to sweet and sad in the end.

9)Tears To Shed- I love this song as well! 8 provides a perfect introduction. Helena Bonham Carter's voice is full of emotion, and Jane Horrocks and Enn Reitel have wonderful character voices that make the song what it is.

10)Victoria's Escape- Full of Victorian Horror music, with some pretty melodies played in the middle.

11)The Piano Duet- Excellent. Just excellent. This piece is just so cool; especially near the end. The voices at the end are very cool too.

12)New Arrival- A very short, very jazzy piece. Catchy.

13)Victoria's Wedding- An interesting piece, with rapidly changing emotions. A happy ending is there.

14)The Wedding Song- The fourth and last lyrical piece. This one is absolutely wonderful! At times slow, at others fast, it's always a happy excitable smash.

15)The Party Arrives- This song seems to have a different tune every couple seconds-it seems to describe everyone arriving, one by one. Very cool.

16)Victor's Wedding-At times, it is quiet and almost morose, but eventually, the happiness can be heard coming back. It's filled with hope and joy, with only a touch of sadness.

17)Barkis's Bummer- Very low note song. Mysterious with a touch of fear. Intriguing chords.

18)The Finale- This is the lightest song on the soundtrack. You can feel the happy ending in each individual note.

19) and 20) End Credits parts 1&2- A very fun way to watch the credits. Jazzy, cool, and a good summary of the songs heard throughout the movie.

Bonus Tracks- Excellent interpretations of songs from the movie-it could pass for a jazz act!

This is an excellent soundtrack! Trust me, you won't regret buying it.