Customer Reviews

Toys: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

†Ω¥§--∆˚
This is by far one of my most treasured CDs. The movie is fantastic (in my opinion), but the soundtrack is brilliant. Hans Zimmer's larger-than-life militaristic score gets the "Fisher-Price" make-over with delightful results! His tracks interject classic songs like "Closing of the Year" and even an opera-themed piece.
∆˚
"Toys" is one of these special albums that literally became a soundtrack to my life. Many listeners will know what I am talking about. The keyword here is "association," where, when we hear a song, we can recall memories which can literally flood your mind, and you'll remember things you'd forgotten years prior. I became "one" with tracks 8, 9, 10, and 11...the power tracks that literally lead into one another perfectly, building up slowly throughout:
∆˚
The General - the slow build-up of clouds and darkness... I used to visit the mountains of Colorado in the dark, vast fields and hills shadowed by a starry sky ripped apart in the West. And Michael Gambon's dictating his use of power gives me chills to this day!
∆˚
The Mirror Song - the title is perfect. I know nothing of Thomas Dolby, but he performs Trever Horn's song perfectly. I prefer this version to the Robin Williams/Joan Cusack version in the film. What is Dolby singing? "So real...surreal..." This song is perfect in every way.
∆˚
Battle Introduction - one of the greatest (short) pieces Zimmer wrote. His music here chills me, and he's only done it since then with "The Thin Red Line" score. This piece is sad...
∆˚
Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Intro Battle Mix) - and we end with a remix of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's piece...I know nothing about them. I listen to this track with headphones to hear the subtleties, and only when I'm in the mood for powerful themes.
∆˚
Unfortunately, I have associated and re-associated these four tracks so often (along with the rest of the album) that my brain freezes up upon hearing this music. Which is why I now listen to it on rare occasions. It's too precious.

The soundtrack from the movie "Toys" is Beautiful. It is mezmorizing, as is the movie. Both are amazing. Each track compliments the CD. Tori Amos and Enya are just some of the artists that contribute. "The Happy Woker" (Amos' song) is entrancing...I have fallen in love with it. Hans Zimmer has done tremendous work this time. One of my favorite tracks on the CD is "The mirror song" sung by Robin Williams and Joan Cusack in the movie...but on the soundtrack any sign of William's singing is distorted and the volume is lowered so we can barely understand him. That was disapointing. Other than that the Soundtrack is great. Just like the movie, it's filled with whimsey and wonder.

I bought this album primarily for the theme/Christmas song "The Closing of the Year," which is a classic. The rest of the soundtrack is enjoyable as well; it doesn't rely totally on having watched the movie, although that is helpful. If you liked The Fifth Element soundtrack, this one is similar in a couple of areas, including a moving soprano solo and stirring instrumentals.

First and foremost, lets get one thing clear. This is not just another wonderful Hans Zimmer soundtrack. His influence is present (especially in the rousing battle themes) but the majority of the work is that of the main man, the musical maestro, the God of music production himself... Mr Trevor Horn. Unbelievably, this is to date the only music score which Horn has arranged - and it is absolutely wonderful. Say what you like about the film - I think it's probably the 2nd most underrated film of all time after John Glen II's A View To A Kill - and the music is one of the main characters. Buy it, treasure it - you won't hear anything else like it.

I bought this CD for the song, "The Closing of the Year" - as I couldn't find that song anywhere else, and it's one that I've loved. But the rest of the album is great too. There's a song called "Happy Worker" by Tori Amos - if you're a fan of hers, you won't be disappointed. Once again, the instrumental songs (by Hans Zimmer) are outstanding! This is a fun album - so glad I bought it! :-)

The movie is good but the music is spectacular, fresh and provocative. The standouts are Wendy and Lisa, Enya, and Grace Jones (gulp!) I cannot listed to Closing of the Year enough, does anyone know where I can get the CD single of this gem? I have heard the extended version and it is better!

From Amos' quirky "Happy Worker" to the powerful Grace Jones track (and what an astonishing diversity of artists is compiled here, too! ), this soundtrack is just about perfect.

It's the only holiday album I've heard that doesn't veer into "syrupy" territory, and the decision to include a reprise of "Closing of the Year," far from being a redundant waste of CD space, gives the listener a perfect sense of completeness when listening to this album.

I bought this CD for Tori AMos' Happy Worker, but when I got it home, I fell ion love with the CD and have been recommending to everyone ever since.

I was impressed by the music for this movie when I saw it in the theaters, and just had to have the soundtrack.

The hauntingly beautiful "Happy Workers" track(s) are mesmerizing, and "Let Joy and Innocence Prevail" is wonderful, as is "Closing Of the Year".

-Robert

Produced by Trevor Horn, with score arrangements by Hans Zimmer, the soundtrack to the movie "Toys" is as odd and eclectic as the film. With Robin Williams providing background vocals to Thomas Dolby, a beautiful Tschaikovsky piece tacked onto some Wyndham-Hill-inspired Christmas synth, and a robotic electronica tune from Tori Amos, "Toys: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" is definitely for those who like to step out of the mainstream from time-to-time. It makes fun background music at Christmastime with "The Closing of the Year" but typically spends the other seasons sitting on my shelf.

Music afficionados can expect some surprising vocal performances by Grace Jones, "Wendy and Lisa", and an operatic piece that soars rather beautifully across the middle of the soundtrack. Add to that the oddity of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Enya, and Horn's techno-tronic marches, and you have an interesting piece of work. Recommended for people whose musical tastes paint with a broad brush.