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A movie can only be as good as its soundtrack. With that much being said, you can definitely say The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was a great movie with a stunning soundtrack.
I have to agree with a fellow reviewer who said that the Hobbit was like a giant music video! The following is a list of all the songs and my review from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Original Motion Soundtrack – Special Edition:
My Dear Frodo (8:03) (5-stars)
The beginning of the Hobbit starts out with the depressing history of the dwarves, and their forced exodus from their homeland. This song fits the mood of the attack perfectly. The song eases into the more dramatic parts very harmoniously. This is a common thread throughout many of the other songs and makes Howard Shore, the composer, such an amazing artist.
Old Friends (5:01) (4.5-stars)
Opening with a jolly, Shire/Hobbit theme music, this song introduces the main character and his life beautifully. The music follows along a happy tune until a little over halfway when it drops down to a more subtle melody. Nevertheless, a beautiful score.
An Unexpected Party (4:09) (4.4-stars)
This song, which covered the time from which the first dwarves started coming in until the last few, cautiously builds tension. The rise in tension is very slowly and expertly done to create a mood of tension for Bilbo, but keeps the viewer relaxed. Shore does it again!
Blunt the Knives (1:01) (4-stars)
Any true Hobbit (whether book or movie) fan can totally say they loved this part. Sure, it was a little cheesy but the song was very funny and the way in which the dwarves acted is just hilarious. That and you get to hear Gandalf’s chuckle at the end . . . that is always something to smile at. Oh, the dwarf cast really did sing the whole thing in case you were wondering.
Axe or Sword (5:59) (4-stars)
This song opens up rather gloomy after the Blunt the Knives song, but it quickly makes its spot as it gives viewers the feeling that Bilbo must make a hard decision that will affect his life forever.
Misty Mountains (1:42) (5-stars)
Definitely the best song in all of soundtrackship, this song, though it has only 1:11 seconds of singing, has marked the entire movie. The tune of this song will play throughout the movie and soundtrack many times. That and the words are almost contagious. If you listen to this song, you might as well memorize the lyrics right away because you won’t get any rest otherwise.
The Adventure Begins (2:05) (4.8-stars)
This song does great at portraying the mixed feelings of Bilbo after he finds his choice is final. However, the song quickly moves from his despair/happiness to a clear song of excitement. The most memorable part of this song would be the nine second remix of the Shire/Hobbit theme song, amazingly redone!
The World is Ahead (2:20) (4.75-stars)
This song is short and to the point. It captures the feelings of all involved in the mission and picks up, very smoothly, the theme of the Misty Mountains. Because of that simple fact, this song is one of my favorites.
An Ancient Enemy (4:57) (No rating)
Now, this song, as well as “Warg-Scouts”, “Over Hill”, “A Thunder Battle”, “The Defiler”, and “Out of the Frying Pan”, is a little too dark for my taste. I love dramatic music but when a song is just plain out dark, it kind of turns me away. I’m sure some would like them, just not me. Theses scores are good, but didn’t grasp the action part of it as much.
Radagast the Brown (6:39) (5-stars)
Here is one of the main stars of this soundtrack. With a dramatic movement of violins and such, this song makes a grand entrance for Radagast the Brown, one many will soon not forget. You will hear his theme song in other parts of the soundtrack
The Trollshaws (2:09) (4.9-stars)
Although I had mixed feelings about the whole troll part of the movie, the music for the scenes was amazing. This song builds the tension, quite cleverly, for the next scene, which involves the next song, “Roast Mutton”.
Roast Mutton (4:57) (5-stars)
Being one of the most dramatic and complex songs of them all, “Roast Mutton” is one of the greatest masterpieces of this CD. Starting with a simple, almost whimsical, feeling, the song builds up until you can almost see everything unfolding. You see Bilbo trying to free the horses. You see the arguments and then, with a stunning twist on the Misty Mountains theme, you can see the dwarves attack the trolls. It is a song to remember and easily deserves the 5-stars.
A Troll Hoard (2:39) (4.6-stars)
This song calmly delivers Bilbo the sword, Sting. He discovers a few things about the world around him, and he puts them in his mind, as the song tells us.
The Hill of Sorcery (3:51) (5-stars)
Being another dramatic-but-not-too-dark song, this song opens with a short, remix of a theme prominent in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy (LOTR). However, I cannot place the theme. I would say it is Frodo’s theme but that wouldn’t make any sense as he has almost nothing to do with this entire movie! So, that would lead me to believe it is some theme for the ring, meaning this scene has to do something with things dealt with in the LOTR movies (some suspect they relate to the Black Riders). Very interesting.
As Radagast is in this scene, you will hear his theme song.
Warg-Scouts (3:02) (No rating)
See “An Ancient Enemy”
Rating for the first disc: 60.95 out of 65 stars!
Second disc:
The Hidden Valley (3:50) (4.95-stars)
Following the attack of the wargs, the group hides in a hidden valley leading to the Elven world, Rivendell. The first look (or is it “hear”) we get into this new version of Elven music is a wonder. Compared to the LOTR Elven music, these new versions are full of crisp, full versions of some great vocals. The song ends with a great dramatic part that represents the way the dwarves must feel being surrounded by Elves . . . their hated enemy!
Moon Runes (3:39) (4.7-stars)
With some more, calm Elven music, the plot of the dwarves is revealed. The melody and harmony are perfectly fit with the Elven world.
The Defiler (1:14) (No rating)
See “An Ancient Enemy”
The White Council (9:41) (4.9-star)
Having to deal with Saruman, Gandalf must petition for the dwarve’s mission and this song gets right to that point. Giving the ever-present feel of the elves, the song also works on the words given, explaining each important object or name with a particular sound. Very complex.
Over Hill (3:44) (5-star)
Another amazing hit, this song starts out similar to the other calm parts of the movie, about halfway it does something that sounds familiar to the theme for the air views in the Fellowship of the Ring. It then slowly moves into the Mist Mountains theme again, making its tune even more prominent, and more clear.
A Thunder Battle (3:55) (No rating)
See “An Ancient Enemy”
Under Hill (1:55) (No rating)
See “An Ancient Enemy”
Riddles in the Dark (5:21) (4.56-star)
Now, this song borders on the edge of being dark, but its overall mood turns it into something that just creeps you out. Since it deals largely with Gollum and Bilbo, you will hear renditions of the Ring of Power theme song, as well as some music definitely inspired by the LOTR movies. However, nothing in the LOTR moves redundantly to this soundtrack. No, Shore does an amazing job of redoing it all in an even better way!
Brass Buttons (7:38) (5-star)
Picking up with the terror of Gollum pursuing him, Bilbo must go through a series of smart moves to evade his pursuer. The music catches this maze of moves and thoughts and even expands, once again, on the Ring of Power music. About 1/4th in, the song does turn to some of the darker music heard in the other songs, but the music surrounding it keeps it under control. A very moving song that, in the end, will astonish you with a flourish of harmony in a difficult scene.
Out of the Frying Pan (5:55) (No rating)
See “An Ancient Enemy”
A Good Omen (5:47) (4.87-star)
With a happy start, this song jumps right out, to many, as a song that might want to skip. However, soon after the strange starting, the songs molds into a remake of sorts of “My Dear Frodo” with a touch of “The White Council”. An exemplary song! And, since this song covers the last part of the movie, it, of course, ends on a note that makes sure you’ll be there for the sequel.
Song of the Lonely Mountain (6:01) (4.42-star)
There are many mixed feelings about this song, but, since it is only in the credits, I suppose it does not affect the mood of the movie all that much. Anyway, I have yet, on my like 25th time listening to it, decided whether or not I like it. Neil Finn’s voice and lyrics are very good, but the mood of the song is a little . . . un-middleearthish. The only rating I could work out was a 4.42 out of 5.
Dreaming of Bag End (1:57) (4.8-star)
A simple Hobbit/Shire themed song with a whimsical selection of soothing tunes. Nothing earth-shattering but still relaxing.
A Very Respectable Hobbit (1:22) (4.25-star)
Beginning with the Hobbit theme song, this song quickly makes work of the Shire. Though it is not in the movie, one can easily imagine Hobbiton with this song.
Erebor (1:19) (3-star)
This song starts out disappointingly with what sounds like a bagpipe! A bagpipe! Where does that fit in? Anyway, the song is supposed to give us a vision of Erebor, the lost dwarf kingdom, but, it gives me nothing but questions. Probably not Shore’s best.
The Dwarf Lords (2:02) (4.2-star)
With a quick recap of the Dwarf Lords, this song does quite well compared to some of the other extra tracks. The highlight of this song would be the up-and-down movement of the string instruments.
The Edge of Wild (3:34) (4.9-star)
Ending the extra tracks, “The Edge of the Wild” makes up for any of the disappointment in the other extra tracks with a great encore. By using the Misty Mountains theme one last time, it guarantees a listen from beginning to end. The up-and-down of the string instruments keeps the listener entranced and the buildup of volume somewhere in the middle will keep one listening until the end, naturally. The song also ends with an ominous note and symbolizes that the story is not over.
Rating of the second disk: 59.55 out of 65 stars!
Rating for entire soundtrack: 120.5 out of 130 stars. Not bad . . . not bad.
Is it worth the money: Most definitely!
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Ever since I saw The Hobbit I wanted to buy the soundtrack right away! It's beautifully composed and just like the LoTR's soundtrack, I knew it's going to be wonderful~ I pretty much listen to the whole soundtrack on the way to class almost every single day and it makes my whole day epic.I love it so much! Thanks and cheers~!
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Rachel
Another amazing soundtrack by Howard Shore
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Another musical masterpiece Mr Shore...
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the best edition.
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