Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema

Alan Lazar | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 22, 2010
• Label: Lakeshore Records
• Total Length: 55:25
• Genres:
• ASIN: B003TJPNV0
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,277 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Score That Lacks A Lasting Impact, July 13, 2010

By 

Kaya R. Savas (North Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gangster's Paradise: Jerusalema (MP3 Download)

Jerusalema (or the Americanized title Gangster's Paradise) is a very familiar story about youth growing up in the slums and finding a life of crime as a way to rise to the top. It's Goodfellas mixed with City Of God. The score was done by South African native Alan Lazar whose score is a simple tapestry of cultural flavors that pulse life into the story.

Percussion makes up the majority of the score and its structure. Almost all the cues are percussion based. Usually percussion is associated with aggression and action based cues, but here it's not the case. Lazar successfully creates arrangements that cover a wide array of emotions beyond typical rhythmic thumping.

There is some beauty that emerges from this score and emotion flows from the solo instruments and vocals used, however most of the immediate impact is lost due to the incredibly short cue times. Most of the tracks fall between the 1 and 2 minute range so the score never has a chance to fully take off. The score is worth a venture and is a small undiscovered treat. It lacks thematic structure and any lasting impact, but makes up for it with the overall character and identity of the score.