Customer Reviews

The Corpse Bride

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I got this soundtrack on October 15, since I was totally dying to see the movie and I read a bunch of reviews fot the album on this website, reading that it was really good. So I went to Tower Records and bought this soundtrack along with a $20.00 gift card as a birthday present for my BFF. I listened to this soundtrack right when I got home, and I LOVED IT!! Right when I put the CD into my CD player, put on my earphones, and turned on the CD player, I heard the main titles for the first time. It was a gorgeous melody, and I listened to the whole CD. I enjoyed every single track, even though a few weren't that impressive, such as track #12)New Arrival, and the Bonus Tracks From Bonejangles and His Bone Boys. But some of the songs were very special to me, and I'm thrilled to hear that Corpse Bride is an animated musical, since I love those kind of movies as a toddler, and still do as a 12-year-old. However, it's disappointing that there's only 4 songs with lyrics when I bet Danny Elfman could've composed even more awesome songs with lyrics for this movie. But if he did do that, then it would take longer to animate this movie, considering how the producers took about a decade to film this movie. Anyway, here's what I say about my favorite songs, which I listen to almost every night before I sleep.

1)Main Titles: This was a great beginning to the album, with a lot of sweet instrument playing this piece and a great, touching melody.

2)According To Plan: I was really, really impressed with this song. I loved how Victor's and Victoria's parents were fussing over the arranged wedding in this catchy, amusing song. I just LOVE that clever line that goes, "and that's why everything, every last little thing, every single, tiny, microscopic, little thing must gooooooooo according to plan!"

3)Victor's Piano Solo: Wow. I was so moved by this piece. It's so beautiful, it took my breath away. Since I didn't see the movie yet, I visualized Victor playing his solo in private in a Victorian parlor with warm sunshine streaming from a window upon him and his piano.

5)Remains of the Day: I love the jazzy, upbeat melody and singing that Bonejangles sings to Victor about the tragic story of Emily the Corpse Bride. Two thumbs up for the creative lyrics!

9)Tears To Shed: The parts when the Black Widow and the Maggot sing are amusing and a little cheesy, but Emily, who is voiced by the beautiful actress Helena Bonham Carter, sings so beautifully and I can hear the sadness reflected in her voice. I love the flute that plays in the background when she sings.

11)The Piano Duet: It's SO beautiful, especially when it switches from the melody of Tears To Shed to this beautiful, moving melody with a quick beat. I can see why people wished the piano pieces were longer.

14)The Wedding Song: I can see why people say this is their least favorite song on the soundtrack. I used to think it was lame and weird, but I like it now. My favorite part is when the female singers sing about how Emily the Corpse Bride has arrived and that her dream of marriage has come true.

18)The Finale: Gorgeous piece. It's touching and perfect for the ending of a great story.

19)End Credits Part 1: I liked this piece a little better than the Main Titles. It's very beautiful, how it started out with a solemn solo by the piano with a instrument that sounds like the windchimes, and then long, sad notes from the cello. The violins and violas were beautiful, and I loved it when the flute played, since I'm a flute player myself.

I LOVE THIS SOUNDTRACK!!!! I haven't seen the movie yet, and people say it's weird, but this is totally the kind of movies I love to watch!Customers, if you're a freak for Corpse Bride, or if you haven't seen the movie and you're dying to see it, I recommend this item to you. I hope you'll enjoy this soundtrack as much as I do!

The Corpse Bride is a visually stunning piece of stop motion, but as with many of Tim Burton's film, it is the talent of Danny Elfman that really gives it the kick it needs. And what a kick it is.

The Corpse Bride doesn't have nearly as many vocal tracks as Nightmare Before Christmas (only 4) which was sort of disappointing. Perhaps it was unnecessary, as some of our key characters express themselves pretty clearly in their shy ways and don't need a song. Still, I'm a sucker for singing along, so I'm quite thankful for the grand, stylish, jazzy tune of "Remains of the Day," my favorite song on the album, sang by Mr. Elfman himself, amongst others. Other vocals include "According to Plan," which sets up our story, "Tears to Shed" with a lovely chorus by Helena Bonham Carter, and "The Wedding Song" in which we reach the climax of our story. Fine tracks, to be sure.

As I said, our main characters are pretty introverted and thus more emphasis was placed on the instrumentals. "The Piano Duet" has to be my favorite piece, and I agree with those that say they wish it was longer. "Victor's Piano Solo" is also excellent. The background music is perfect for the film, each song lending to the fantastic, ethereal character thereof. The "Main Titles" are akin to Edward Scissorhands. Most of the songs are quiet and dreamy, with the exception of "The Party Arrives" and the 42-second "New Arrival," and will remind you of every detail of the snowy, gray world of The Corpse Bride.

As a bonus, there are 4 tracks not in the movie, played in the style of the character Bonejangles' band. These are lots of fun and a nice added treat.

Overall, this is a well-constructed album and recommended to any fan of the film, Danny Elfman, or those with a taste for soft orchestral music.

I got this soundtrack on October 15, 2005, Saturday, since I was totally dying to see the movie (back then, I hadn't seen the movie, and I was totally dying too) and I read a bunch of reviews fot the album on amazon.com, and listening to some of the song samples. Lots of reviews told me that it was really good. So I went to Tower Records and bought this soundtrack along with a $20.00 gift card as a birthday present for one of my best friends. I listened to this soundtrack right when I got home, and I LOVED IT!! Right when I put the CD into my CD player, put on my earphones, and turned on the CD player, I heard the main titles for the first time. Worrying a few times that it might not be good and that I had wasted my money, I was pleased to hear that the first track, the main title, was a gorgeous melody, and I listened to the whole CD. I enjoyed every single track, and this is one of the few CDs in which I enjoy every single songs. But some of the songs were very special to me, and I'm thrilled to hear that Corpse Bride is an animated musical, since I love those kind of movies as a toddler, and still do as a 13-year-old. However, it's disappointing that there's only 4 songs with lyrics when I bet Danny Elfman could've composed even more awesome songs with lyrics for this movie. But if he did do that, then it would take longer to animate this movie, considering how the producers took about a decade to film this movie. And I really wish that the piano pieces were longer and had an actual ending. Anyway, here's what I say about the tracks.

1) Main Titles: This was a great beginning to the album, with a lot of sweet instruments playing this piece and a great, touching melody. It was eerie, gorgeous beyond words can describe, and soothing. I loved the ticking of the clock in the middle of the song.

2) According To Plan: I was really, really impressed with this song. I loved how Victor's and Victoria's parents were fussing over the arranged wedding in this catchy, amusing song. I just LOVE that clever line that goes, "and that's why everything, every last little thing, every single, tiny, microscopic, little thing must gooooooooo according to plan!"

3) Victor's Piano Solo: Wow. I was so moved by this piece. It's so beautiful, it took my breath away. Sometimes I repeat this song. Before watching the movie, I visualized Victor playing his solo in private in a Victorian parlor with warm sunshine streaming from a window upon him and his piano. It sounds better on the soundtrack than it does in the movie.

4) Into the Forest: A great beginning, and it was really relaxing to listen to. Until the part when the music gets really eerie and silent, and then, IT'S LOUD! And the choir begins singing notes in these eerie voices. This is music is played during the scene in which Victor goes to the forest to practice his vows and accidentally ends up marrying Emily the Corpse Bride.

5) Remains of the Day: I love the jazzy, upbeat melody and singing that Bonejangles sings to Victor about the tragic story of Emily the Corpse Bride. Two thumbs up for the creative lyrics!

6) Casting a Spell: Uh, not so great. Kinda boring, but also pretty eerie and kinda dark-sounding. But a bit cool.

7) Moon Dance: This track is sooooooo relaxing, beautiful, and sweet. I've heard it's kinda similar to the song "Ice Dance" from Edward Scissorhands. But I love this. I can just picture Emily dancing happily.

8) Victor's Deception: Another song I'm not very impressed with. But I love the part in this song when Victor and Victoria see each other again and talk and lean in for a kiss.

9) Tears To Shed: The parts when the Black Widow and the Maggot sing are amusing and but little cheesy. Emily, who is voiced by the beautiful actress Helena Bonham Carter, sings so beautifully and I can hear the sadness reflected in her voice, except she isn't the best singer, though. I love the flute that plays in the background when she sings.

10) Victoria's Escape: I love this one! I love the end of this song, because it's pretty eerie-sounding and dark. It's the part when Victoria goes into the church and begs Pastor Galswell to help Victor.

11)The Piano Duet: It's SO beautiful, especially when it switches from the melody of Tears To Shed to this beautiful, moving melody with a quicker beat. I can see why people wished the piano pieces were longer.

12) New Arrival: I love how this song blasts into my ears. It's about 40 seconds of lively jazz music.

13) Victoria's Wedding: An interesting song. The scene where Victoria is married to Barkis and Victor grieves over his loss of losing his opportunity to marry her and decides to marry Emily instead.

14)The Wedding Song: I can see why people say this is their least favorite song on the soundtrack. I used to think it was lame and weird, but I like it now. My favorite part is when the female singers sing about how Emily the Corpse Bride has arrived and that her dream of marriage has come true.

15) The Party Arrives: Eh, an okay song, I guess. Not so interesting.

16) Victor's Wedding: Love, love this one! I love it when it comes to the part when Emily tells Victor how she loves her, but she couldn't marry him because she felt Victoria was the one for him. And then Victor and Victoria are reunited. It makes me wanna cry.

17) Barkis's Bummer: I didn't like this one. It's of Barkis entering the church, tries to take away Victoria, sees the Emily, the woman he murdered, fights with Victor, and gets poisoned.

18) The Finale: Gorgeous piece. It's touching and perfect for the ending of a great story. Before seeing the movie, I visualized a wedding ceremony between Victor and Victoria taking place, Emily dissolving into butterflies on a balcony, and Victor and Victoria gaily leaving the church with confetti and rice showering them, with the newlyweds getting onto a horse-drawn carriage, leaving the church to start their new, married life, with the camera closing in on a graveyard. And then the credits come in.

19) End Credits Part 1: I liked this piece a little better than the Main Titles. It's very beautiful, how it started out with a solemn solo by the piano with a instrument that sounds like the windchimes, and then long, sad notes from the cello. The violins and violas were beautiful, and I loved it when the flute played, since I'm a flute player myself. Once, tears came into my eyes as I was listening to it. It's just totally moving.

20) End Credits Part 2: The second part of the credits sounds great! It's jazzy, fun, wild, and great to dance to. It's kinda like the first part of the end credits represents the Land of the Living and the second part represents the Land of the Dead.

BONUS TRACKS FROM BONEJANGLES AND HIS BONE BOYS
(these songs were not played in the movie. I don't know why they were included on the soundtrack, but who cares! These are great too!)

21) Ball & Socket Lounge Music #1 (Band Version): Great song. Fun, lively, and I love the piano that plays at the beginning. I wish I knew how to play the piano and that I could play this song.

22) Remains of the Day (Combo Lounge Version): A different version of the song "Remains of the Day," but no singing or anything. Just jazzy music. I prefer the original song.

23) Ball & Socket Loung Music #2: Love this one!!!!! It's really lively, fun, and just great to dance to. Pretty short, though.

24) Ball & Socket Lounge Music #1 (Combo Version): Eh, I prefer the band version of this song.

I LOVE THIS SOUNDTRACK!!!! And the movie is just equally wicked cool. People, if you're a freak for Corpse Bride, or if you haven't seen the movie and you're dying to see it, or just some Tim Burton fan, I recommend this item to you!!! I hope you'll enjoy this soundtrack as much as I do!

Danny Elfman is perhaps the most underappreciated composers in the music industry. His work on soundtracks like "Batman" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is perhaps the best examples of his talent as a composer. His latest work "Corpse Bride" is another great soundtrack to add to his body of soundtracks. The music on the soundtrack is a good combination of haunting and playful melodies. The actors in the film all contribute to the vocals on the album and surprisingly they were all good, especially Helena Bonham Carter who really stood out with me on the gorgeous ballad "Tears to Shed". "The Wedding Song" is a loud, over the top number which is another favorite track of mine. My favorite moment in the song when the guests starts singing about the bride. I especially loved the instrumental tracks like "Victor's Piano Solo" and "The Piano Duet". The four bonus tracks by Bonejangles and his Bone Boys are fun songs. When I saw the film, I thought the musical numbers were a bit over the top and annoying but as I listened to them again, I was surprised to find myself enjoying them more so. I love this movie and I love the music just as much now.

When will Elfman get his due credit? The man is one of the most versitile composers of his day, and has not been awarded a thing. Personally I think that Nightmare before Christmas was his best. But Corpse Bride was fantastic. He know how to fit into Burton's visions perfectly.

after hearing the songs all cut up on the film the originals will be a relief. the opening is definitally setting the opening for the following song "According to Plan". all the songs just add to the mood of the film especially the jazzy showstopper "Remains of the day".

The music of the movie is just great, and you can't expect less than that. While listening to this CD, you'll probably remember some songs of "The Nightmare before Christmas", all of them as great as in that movie (especially the "Wedding song"), though this time the CD contains only a few lyrics, being score everything else. The music fits perfectly for the movie, and most of the melodies are really pleasent to hear. And at the end, there are bonus tracks that include some jazz-swing instrumental melodies that evoke the song "Reamins of the Day".

And for those, like me, who play the piano, you'll get really excited when listening to the piano solos. Belive me: you'll run to surf the net to get the sheet music. Defenetly worth your money.