Customer Reviews

Taken [Original Television Score]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I was blown away by Taken, the series. Then I heard Laura Karpman's powerful soundtrack. What a stunning way to enhance the epic feel of this series. Sci-fi fan or not, those who appreciate film scoring, or indeed good music, should add this CD to their collection. It's right up there with The Magnificent Seven and Close Encounters.

Laura Karpman has managed to create beautiful music here- this music just happens to be a score to "Taken." I would urge anyone who is a fan of American classical music (Copland, Berstein, Williams, etc.) to buy this soundtrack. It is very Americana and simply gorgeous, mysterious, longing and joyous all at the same time. I'll admit I'm partially biased because I really liked the mini-series "Taken," but my roommate just walked into the room and listened for a while and said, "What is that? I really like it," and he hasn't even heard of "Taken," much less seen it. My only criticism is that they did not include the 'end credits' music on the album. Either way, it's still wonderful music.

Taken is exactly what occurs when you become mesmerized by the haunting music score composed by Laura Karpman. The visuals were solidly underscored by the music that eerily and brilliantly
cast shadow and light on the drama involved. The music of Taken is a neo classic and will stand the test of time for listeners who appreciate fine music.

I'm not usually the type to go in for television soundtracks, but I remember being "taken" by the music the entire time I watched the series. Buy this music, listen to it one or two times, and I swear, you'll not be able to get it out of your head. Glad to see that good music is still being made these days!

I'm not generally much of a soundtrack person and have only ever bothered to buy one other score -- Phillip Glass's for THE HOURS. But Karpman's seeps into your pores in a way that's somehow both haunting and moving, so I've bought hers for TAKEN, as well. The film is unimaginable without it.

The score sounded like a fine symphony to me. The variety of rhythms and moods were very appealing. I liked the recurrence of a main theme, yet that melodic theme did not overwhelm. Sophisticated and very appealing.

Wow! I got the CD to TAKEN on a friend's recommendation and was completely blown away, virtually transported. This is really one smart soundtrack with a huge range of sounds; etherial, exciting, visceral, visual, never once underestimating the listener. Had to play it full out while driving through the giant redwoods. I felt like I was in the center of my very own Tolkien novel come to life. Just plain thrilling music.

Taken was a television masterpiece. A finely crafted story, magnificent acting, and spectacular special effects created one of the greatest TV moments since the technology was created. Perhaps the finest aspect of Taken, however, was it's soundtrack. A sweeping score that perfectly complemented the emotion portrayed by Leslie Bohem's screenplay and would tug at the core of anyone capable of being moved by music. It is one of the finest scores I've ever heard.

That said, this soundtrack was ultimately disappointing. The brilliance of the music was a given. However, only 45.5 minutes of music was included (out of 80 possible). As well, one of the main songs I wanted to hear was not included. Specifically, the music that accompanied Allie's departure, even though the music played afterward (15. Allie's Gone) was. So if I could I would have to give this soundtrack 4.5 stars. However, since that's not possible, I feel obliged to give it 5, since the music really is spectacular.

This is a score that makes you feel spectacle inside. It makes you really believe that there is more to the Universe than just human beings. When I listen to it, it puts me in a world of imagination and my mind takes me places I have never thought I'd see. There is real magic behind this. It even makes you wonder where Laura Karpman comes from because it is so magical. If you are a fan of this brilliant epic mini-series you will love the feeling you'll get when you hear the music time and time again.

Everyday people who sit in front of their tv or go to the movies usually aren't looking for a brilliant soundtrack...they want to be visually occupied. At least as a generalization. Music in tv or film is usually only noticable when its A: either really bad or B: really good.
In my opinion the soundtrack for Taken was definitly the latter. It is definitly a soundtrack that can be listened without watching what it was meant for and can just enjoy on its own. I recommend it to anyone who whose interested.