Customer Reviews

Lady In The Water

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Over a number of years it has become virtually certain that when James Newton Howard writes a new film score that it will include at least one theme, motif, coda, or lyrical moment that will just blow you away. His music for M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water" is no exception. While most of this score is lyrical with nods to suspense and menace, there is a central thematic motif for the so-called Blue World and the character named Story, the "lady in the water." This motif appears early in the album, but comes to a grand expression in "The Healing" and "The Great Eatlon." Whether performed by orchestra with or without chorus, or solo piano (one of Howard's trademarks) it is enticing and at times resounding. Sadly, as with his last two associations with Shyamalan, Howard's music is probably better than the film, but that does not detract from this recording which is a solid production from Decca with adequate packaging. There is a significant problem with the album and musical choices for the film in general. The decision to reproduce four Bob Dylan songs by new musical artists is a bit dubious at best. They do not work very well. At the very least they tend to be distractions on an otherwise fine soundtrack.

I am not a fan of M.Night Shyamalan's films. I am though a fan of the composer he turns to for his films, James Newton Howard. Since I loved his work for that dreadful film "The Village", I had to hear James' latest work for the film "Lady in the Water". I was so not disappointed in what I heard. The orchestral score reminded me a great deal of his work on "The Village". It had that same essence of innocence, mysticism, danger, suspense, and melodrama. The last four tracks on the cd are Bob Dylan cover songs. I absolutely hated Silvertide's versions of "Maggie's Farm" and "It Ain't Me Babe", not so because I like the original versions (which I don't because I am not a Bob Dylan fan) but because I find Silvertide to be an extremely annoying knock off of The Black Crowes. Talk about nails on chalkboard. The singer is hideously awful. I did though love the haunting cover of "The Times They are a-Changin'" by A Whisper in the Noise and Amanda Ghost's version of "Every Grain of Sand". A Whisper in the Noise's cover was so beautifully well sung. Same with the Amanda Ghost's Bob Dylan cover. Despite the Silvertide tracks, "Lady in the Water" soundtrack is an exquisite reminder of James Newton Howard's talent.

James Newton Howard has now outdone himself AGAIN! King Kong was incredible, the Village was outsdanding, Signs was just amazingly good, and all the rest... well, you get the picture. This CD is every bit as good as what I've come to expect from Mr. Howard. It blends the suspense of Signs, the thematic excellence of the Village, and the fantasy elements of something completely original.

BUY THIS!

Lady in the Water is by far the best score James Newton Howard has written for one of M. Night Shyamalan's films. I'm a big James Newton Howard fan, but I hadn't come to expect work this extraordinary in a film by Shyamalan. The scores for The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable did not hold my attention, but the score for Lady in the Water had me from the Prologue. I was thoroughly impressed. The theme is straightforward and is heard many times, yet it is woven so many different ways you cannot be bored with it. The Healing and The Great Eatlon are the most powerful tracks, climaxing the themes into emotional and gripping music. The last four tracks are songs by Bob Dylan, and I can't say I really appreciate those being on the soundtrack, but the rest of the music is phenomenal. I highly recommend it and give it 10 out of 10 stars.

James Newton Howard's Score to "Lady in the Water" is one of the greatest scores of the year, if not the decade. Filled with uplifting melodies, inspiring harmonies and racing thrills, Howard's score captures the heart and mind! Accompanying M. Night Shyamalan's bedtime story fantasy, the music makes the ridiculous feel real and powerful.
While all of the tracks are suburb, some stand out tracks are:
1) The Prologue
2) The Party
3) Charades
10) The Healing
11) The Great Eatlon
12) End Titles

Ohh, and the Bob Dylan cover tracks are enjoyable too. I'm not really sure why they're there, but I don't mind. All in all, every track is enjoyable and well crafted on every level. James Newton Howard really accomplished something great here, as he usually does for Shyamalan films. Let's hope this time The Academy recognizes it.

If you enjoyed the movie - this CD will be a great on-going reminder of the fun and the joy and the sadness and the laughter.

I truly enjoy this beautiful music, even to this day! I loved the movie and the music from the movie-- something that doesn't always happen. I have listened to it many times since I originally received it. The music is great for an easy, smooth flowing and creative listening.

Simply stunning score. The theme is possibly the most moving track you will come across in years. You can not hear it through without your eyes watering and every inch of your skin turns to goose flesh. By far James Newton Howard's best score to date; although his score for Signs should be hard to top, he has done it.

First off, I have yet to buy my own copy of this CD (8/3/06), but I have listened to my sister's and I am more than anxious to acquire my own copy so I can listen to it whenever I want.


Whenever James Newton Howard writes scores for Shyamalan's films they always tend to be his best work. From Unbreakable's urban rhythms to the scratchy violins of Signs and the haunting melodies of the Village they are all distinct from one another yet instantly recognizable as being in Shyamalan's Twilight Zone.

Lady in the Water is no different. It shares some resemblance to The Village minus Hillary Hahn's solos, but it is much more than Howard in wistful mode. "The Great Eatlon" is Probably Howard's first HUGE cue for Shyamalan yet, and it works beautifully!

I whole-heartedly recommend this score and the movie as well! Go support Shyamalan and Howard! Right now! Turn off your computer, head for a CD shop, buy the soundtrack, then rush to the cinema and see Lady in the Water, the most original film of the year!

Great to see the Minneapolis based, "A Whisper In The Noise" on this sound track (Times They Are A-Changin). The rest of their albums are wonderous and they are truly moving live.