Backdraft is an early
Hans Zimmer action score that is generally still considered to be one of
the best that he has ever done. Being an early entry for Zimmer,
Backdraft contains a lot of foreshadowing of what he would compose for
later projects. It's quite good for being an early effort, and the score
is filled with cues that captured the hearts of film trailer producers for
years.
While electronics have
always been a staple of Zimmer scores, they are noticeably toned down here
compared to what would be heard in later scores. Sometimes the samplings are even
utilized for some cool integrated sound effects (such as the "mask
breathing" effect in track five) which actually works quite well in the
context of the score. The action tracks are especially noticeable as the digital
tweaking doesn't go as far over the top as other
Zimmer action cues have a tendency to do. This is actually quite pleasant in its own little way,
but the action cues here lack the complexity that Zimmer would also go on
to provide for such scores as The
Peacemaker and Gladiator.
Again, however, the lack of complexity might entice some listeners who
have grown tired of having their ears banged around by the heaviness of
those aforementioned scores.
The quieter moments are
definitely well-scored, and Zimmer's use of the piano is a refreshing
departure from his other works that I've heard so far. The chorus work is
also very good, although at times it can be heard to tell if it is real or
sampled. There are a couple of themes floating around in the score, and
Zimmer shows restraint in their usage, which again can be a good thing at
times. The main theme is quite patriotic, but it lacks the power that
Zimmer would later imbue in subsequent themes.
Like all Media Ventures
scores, the CD is mastered in a way to make the tracks all merge together into
one suite and this album is put together quite well. The score flows
nicely from track to track and the segues link the cues perfectly. My only gripe are the two
songs that are on the album, one that opens it and one that closes it.
Given the just over 40 minute running time of the disc, and the fact that
these two songs take up over 12 minutes of play time, this leaves a little
less than 30 minutes that is devoted to the score.
This is another great Hans Zimmer
score that, while it is more restrained than some of his other works, is
definitely enjoyable and a nice break from the head-pounding intensity
that he would become known for. Even after the great success of more
recent Zimmer scores, fans still give this one a warm regard (no pun
intended). ****
