Customer Reviews

Mad Men - Original Score Vol. 1

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

As sublime to listen to as AMC's "Mad Men" has been to watch, I was compelled to buy this album on hearing Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Song Of India' masterfully interwoven into the scene where Betty descends the Savoy Hotel staircase to meet Don for cocktails on Valentine's Day (episode: "For Those Who Think Young"). Whilst David Carbonara's entire score hangs together very well, standout tracks include 'The New Girl' suite (playful hints of Martin Denny), 'Betty's Ride' with its gently undulating bossa nova, so right for 1962, and the Mancini-esque 'How Many Get Sable', with its nod to an era of Holly Golightly haute coifs and Haute Couture. The haunting 'I'm Not Going To Fight' and 'The Carousel' underscore the series' darker side with subtle melancholy, like the sun's fading rays permeating an empty room on a winter's afternoon. This collection has now all-but toppled Kent Rolfe's superb soundtrack to "Sideways" from No.1 in my "music-to-work-by" top five. Order with confidence and savour every last note.

This collection of pieces from David Carbonara's instrumental score from arguably television's best current series (and it's most sophisticated in terms of elegant character driven drama -- and comedy -- and visual style) includes pretty much all the familiar cues from the first season of the series and several from the second. It's cool, emotional, soothing as a very dry martini and just as edgy as it has to be. Carbonara also orchestrates a swingin' period instrumental of the main title theme that originates, of course, with Aceyalone and RJD2 (and it also includes his interpolation of Song of India from the second season Valentine episode -- when Don watches the immaculate Betty descend a set of hotel stairs).

The only disappointment comes with slim packaging that include just a few photos and credits, unlike last year's collection of songs from the first season which was lavishly illustrated and included a liner note from series creator Matt Weiner.

Carbonara stands alongside LOST's Michael Giacchino and Battlestar Galactica's Bear McCreary as composers doing the kind of original and brilliant -- and listenable -- work that Williams and Goldsmith, and others, did for television in the '60s. I hope, in addition to another song collection for season 2 and beyond, we'll get more of Carbonara's ultra cool work made available.

Highly recommended for fans of the series, lovers of ultra cool lounge (with a cinematic orchestral twist) and anyone who appreciates original score.

IF YOU LIKE THE SHOW,THIS IS SECOND BEST. NOT ALL SONGS FROM SHOW ON IT,BUT ALL THE GOOD ONES.

Great CD.

Sensual, intoxicating, decadent and beautiful songs all collected together.

I have ,only recently, become a fan of MADMEN on AMC. I have always been a big fan of the 60s, having grown up in that time period. My film library is very heavily populated with as many films from the 50s and 60s as i can find available. The styles, the themes and most of all the music from that time period has always appealed to me. So as i have been playing catch up with episodes of MADMEN, I am loving the show more and more and was pleasantly surprised to find, not only a 'songs from' the show but an actual score of the original music. As soon as i sampled the first song I immediately purchased the MP3 from Amazon. This wonderful score not only compliments the excellence of the series but also evokes the great scores by composers such as Henry Mancini, Neal Hefti, Lalo Schifrin and the like. David Carbonara has perfectly captured the style and class of the show as well as conjuring up great images from that era. This collection is an instant favorite of mine. Looking forward to hearing more of this great music!

Excellent product, just as I expected. No surprises. I really appreciate Amazon using the the US Postal Service, rather than UPS. This is one reason I shop on Amazon.