Signs [Soundtrack]

James Newton Howard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 2002)
• Original Release Date: August 2, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B00006AWG7
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,039 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Main Titles

2. First Crop Circles

3. Roof Intruder

4. Brazilian Video

5. In The Cornfield

6. Baby Monitor

7. Recruiting Office

8. Throwing A Stone

9. Boarding Up The House

10. Into The Basement

11. Asthma Attack

12. The Hand Of Fate - Part I

13. The Hand Of Fate - Part II

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the Right "Signs" For Howard, August 7, 2002

By 

G M. Stathis (cedar city, utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Signs (Audio CD)

Upon first impression one may not be very impressed with James Newton Howard's score for M. Night Shymalan's "Signs," indeed one might suggest that we have heard much of this before in John Williams' "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," Jerry Goldsmith's "Twilight Zone" or a number of works by Bernard Herrmann ("The Day the Earth Stood Still, "Garden of Evil" and "North by Northwest" come to mind). In time, however, one recognizes that there similar motifs here, but that overall Howard has again created a memorable work that is clearly his own. Howard's score begins with and focuses upon a repeating, almost staccato motif which is quite sinister at times and yet becomes benign it not triumphant. In fact, the growth of this musical motif proves a bit more dramatic and satisfying than what is happening on the screen. This motif is heard variously on solo piano, wood winds and even the full ensemble, but usually remains with singular instruments along with changes in tone and intensity until at last it riases to a powerful crescendo. In his music for Shymalan's "Unbreakable" Howard played with a heroic main theme that takes time to be uncovered completely. Hints and pieces of the theme appeared early in the film but its full presence was not revealed until a critical scene in the film and was then repeated at other important moments. Howard has done this in other film scores where he holds back the full expression of a theme until he feels the time is right. In "Signs" Howard uses a similar device. His main motif moves through the majority of the score with only small hints that something else will come of it. This motif increases to a frantic crescendo in "The Hand of Fate Part I," and finally, in a powerful musical resolution, Howard bring his motif to its full power, and then allows it to quietly recede once again. The final two cuts of this recording will undoubtedly be listened to over and over again until one realizes how the earlier parts of the score are neatly tied into this quite marvelous musical ending. Howard's score proves to be an integral part of a film that is somewhat disappointing. The central motif seems always to be there to accectuate the assumed threat portrayed in the film. Even when the story gives way to humor, Howard's music reminds us of what's doing here and this brings to mind a certain similarity to Dimitri Tiomkin's score for Howard Hawk's "The Thing" ("Signs" bears a number of similarities to this great film). In both cases the music plays a central role in keeping the mood and in reminding us of what is on the other side of the door. The soundtrack recording is well produced and packaged. James Newton Howard's score for "Signs" is one of the best of a year that has already produced some very memorable pieces.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another masterpiece from JNH! Awesome score! Awesome film!, August 2, 2002

By 

ERW (U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Signs (Audio CD)

I don't know how James Newton Howard does it...but it's scary how he keeps getting better and better.
This special movie is easily the best of Summer 2002 and this score is as well. This may be a Score of the Year before all is said and done as well.
Lush, lyrical, atmospheric, brooding...a touch of Herrmann/Hitchcockian moments.
The highest compliment that can be paid to a score I give to this: It's a character in that film. I can't imagine seeing that movie without this perfect music.
I can't wait for JNH's next score!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, December 3, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Signs (Audio CD)

Listen. Just a soft single note. Suddenly WHAM! A shrill three note motif. One that literally sends chills down your spine. Listen to this in broad daylight. Chills. Listen at night. What was that? a door creaking open? Or was it Howard's score?
This CD will give you a slight uneasyness, like Funeral March for a Marionette (Alfred Hitchcock Presents). Buy this CD. Buy this CD.