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300

 

 

300 (2007)

Composer(s):
Tyler Bates 

Released in:
2007

Reviews
Controversy, gossip. allegations and the wow factor...
by
Kim (May 31, 2007)
"300" easily will go down as 2007's most controversial soundtrack due to allegations of plagerism, temp tracking and note for note "ripping" by most other reviewers and sites.

Quite frankly, since I don't own a copy of Eliot Goldenthal's "Titus" I can't speak for the allegations, and will go off of what I hear on my own copy of "300"- a score I proudly would list in my top 20 favorites in my collection.

I can't say if this is typical Tyler Bate's work, as I also haven't heard "Snakes on a plane" yet, but I would venture that "Snakes" doesn't include extensive use of guitar, taiko drums and ancient Macedonian folk songs. "300" is one colorful palate of changing and powerful themes, to me strongly reminiscent of Bear McCreary's fantastic score for the second season of Sci-Fi's "Battlestar Galactica". I also would dare to say I have heard similar types of work in "Kingdom of Heaven", "Black Hawk Down", "Gladiator", "Troy" or even "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". Similar, I said- not exact and not to my mind in the realm of plagaristic. The listener is entitled to his or her opinion and this is mine.

I also give "300" another description- in track 3 "the wolf"- sexy, evocative. Something that arguably the other soundtracks listed above missed out on. I find track 1 "To Victory" one of the most incredible first -at -the -start tracks ever to be put onto cd, luring you in for a further listen. Track 2 "The Agoge" continues in the vein of 1 with little to slow the pace but its track 3 that brings the promise of what is to come. I also particularly enjoyed "Submission" (track 5 on my Warner Brothers 101272-2). The soloist vocals are crystal clear, plainitive and stunning. There are some softer, more gentler tracks to "300's" epic brutality, such as "Goodbye My Love" (track 9) sure to please any collector that likes a good romantic theme. I also particularly enjoyed track 14- "Come and get them".

I would hope that in time, the allegations, gossip and general uproar will exonerate Mr. Bates and his work here. This soundtrack truly raises the question of "What IS original anymore?" We could all argue that a particular soundtrack sounds like (but not exactly like) another. How many of our beloved composers have used Holst's legendary composition "The Planets" for inspiration? Do we holler plagarism when we recognize a similarity? (Star Trek VI's opening titles anyone?)

I found "300" to be unique enough to hold its own and deserve to be recognized. I also thoroughly enjoyed it and I recommend it. I feel it nicely compliments some other very good sand and sandal type soundtracks but "300" also tops some of them in its depth and variety. It has a "wow" factor all its own.

3.5 stars out of 5,
by
Alex (April 4, 2007)
My actual rating is 3.5 stars out of 5, but the rating system won't allow me to do this rating so I rounded up to 4 stars. Within the context of the film, Tyler Bates' "300" is a rousing and highly effective score, sometimes pulse-pounding and sometimes moving. This sense of grandeur carries over to album, but not to the same extent as within the film. While many will probably compare this score to say, Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings", a similarly-themed epic film, this is not a fair comparison in the least, and those expecting music along the same line will be disappointed. Bates has constructed a score that very much fits the tone of the picture: Gritty, harsh; occasionally poignant.
Bates blends electronics with orchestra to modest effect. "To Victory", "Come and Get Them", and "No Mercy" tend to fall more into the arena of pulsing, grinding electronics that create a harsh, brutal soundscape. This harshness is balanced by some more lush, heroic, moving pieces: "Goodbye My Love" introduces a moving, rousing theme for the Spartan warriors, using full orchestra and beautiful vocals by both choir and solo performer Azam Ali. These more emotionally-enclined tracks: the aformentioned "Goodbye My Love", "Tonight We Dine in Hell", "Glory", the touching "Message For the Queen", and the final cue "Remember Us" (which ends the album with a bang) are definitely the highlights of the album. Interestingly, Bates often blends ethnic ambience with modern, urban electronic influence, a musical experiment that works to moderately interesting effect, and adds an air of originality to the score.
I'm still not sure what to think of Bates as a composer though. There's clearly a talent here, but it seems to me underdeveloped, not *quite* emerging to fullest potential. His score for "Dawn of the Dead" was okay but nothing great, and "Slither", despite being one of the best horror films of '06, was an uninspired, loud, uninteresting score. "300" is his best work yet, so if anything he seems to be progressing. I'm interested to see what he comes up with next. As it stands, "300" is a bit long (a little over 59 minutes), but is nonetheless a worthwhile listen.



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