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An album by Original Soundtrack/Basil Poledouris
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Rating:
Pros: Incredible from start to finish.
+5
Cons: You dare suggest this soundtrack has cons?
The Bottom Line: My first love (when it comes to soundtracks).
In my life, there are various soundtracks that manage to strike a certain nerve, whether it’s for my love of crazed battle or a sweet serenade, they just stick with me and never leave, even if I don’t listen to the songs for some time. Before Hans Zimmer there was James Horner’s Braveheart, and long before that, there was Basil Poledouris’s Conan the Barbarian.
While I have only recently gained possession of the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack, this is one of those soundtracks that’s always been in the back of my mind as “I want that soundtrack – I want that music so I can listen to it whenever I goshdarn please.” Finally, finally I managed to get it and without the distraction of Arnold on screen hefting his sword around, it’s just that much more powerful because you get to zero in on all the large and small things that make Basil Poledouris’s work great. I am so very sad that Poledouris is no longer in this world – movies will forever miss out on an amazingly impressive talent.
Now let’s get down to the good stuff. If you haven’t seen the movie, ah, that’s actually okay. Just as long as you know this is sort of Sumerian-times music – not something you’ll encounter. I’ve not even heard Hans Zimmer pull off anything like this – and I freaking love Hans Zimmer.
1.) Anvil of Crom – 2:39 What better way to start this soundtrack/movie off than with a set of banging drums and brass. I love how the two horns aren’t quite sounding at the same time – it’s like organized disorganization. You’ll soon get the full Conan theme. It’s a beautiful theme, with strings absolutely singing. It’s powerful, but also tense in their own way.
2.) Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom – 5:40 I love the scope Poledouris uses in everything, as well as the kind of space you feel when you hear this, it almost echoes like the music is coming together from wide open spaces. And when things heat up, if you don’t turn up your sound…well I’ll just have to say you’re nuts. And of course, chorus baby! Chorus! Wonderful, wonderful, dangerous chorus matching up with the sharpest trumpet I’ve heard in a long time. Fantastic battle music and if you don’t like it, you might as well quit listening now and go brand “Crazy” on your forehead.
3.) Gift of Fury – 3:53 This is a slower track, echoing the despair and death that occurred in the movie amidst the snow. Dominated by the chorus with strings offering strong support, the occasional brass striking up when needed.
4.) Wheel of Pain – 4:13 Beginning quietly with not-quite-creepy strings and horns (I love what Poledouris does with his brass), slowly we are worked into stronger, burlier stuff. I used to wonder if that screeching noise heard in the movie was a sound effect or part of the music. Well, now I know. Adds a fine spark of character into the music as things work their way up to the climax we should all know so well when the adult Conan finally raises his head before finally winding down.
5.) Atlantean Sword – 3:54 Very mystical, lingering tones and pieces of instruments appearing and disappearing as we visit an old king’s tomb. It’s got a few nice little rises in it, along with a tiny piece that slows before building into the final climax.
6.) Theology/Civilization – 3:17 Aside from the intense battle music, this is definitely one of my favorite tracks. Whenever I watched the movie, I adored this slice of music and I still do. I was so excited to finally have the ability to hear it whenever I liked. The combination of various clinking and sparkling percussion and woodwinds that play off each other is like faded magic from long ago. And that’s before it even gets into it’s full fledged sprint across open lands.
7.) Wifeing [Theme of Love] – 2:14 Exactly what it claims to be; slow, gorgeous melodies of the movie’s love theme that you’ll hear in the future. However, even though it’s slower, it doesn’t have any less impact on you.
8.) Leaving/The Search – 6:03 This song rises and falls depending upon where we are. Sad about a lover’s departure or wandering over the windswept terrain. In some spots it’s actually quite moving – I love the swell of strings (and is that a triangle in the background?) that happens around 3:15, as well as the rises around the 4 minute mark.
9.) Mountain of Power Procession – 3:25 A commanding march up the mountain – a song many will remember well, I’m sure. This is one of the prime examples of Poledouris giving each instrument it’s own handful of sheer power even as they all work together to form this song.
10.) Tree of Woe – 3:36 Decidedly low, drawn, and freaky with the occasional I-don’t-know-what-that-is sound. Deadly, even with the mystical inclusion of what I can only guess are bells (I swear it almost sounds like shattered glass), and then bringing in that oh-so-beloved melody of mine from track 6 in full flourish, ending on a more solemn note.
11.) Recovery – 2:16 Starting in a clarinet with the main theme, it soon grows into so much more, complete with chorus. Delicious.
12.) Kitchen/The Orgy – 6:34 One of the best tracks on this soundtrack, without a doubt. Reminiscent of track 2, only starting out a little more march-like and at a slower pace. But don’t worry, the trio is only sneaking around right now – the battle will come up soon. I’m not sure what the chorus is singing, to me it sounds like it could be Russian, but I could be totally wrong. In the end, I don’t care because it just sounds cool. Of course, we need the orgy music (music you’ll also hear in the second movie), and very smooth, almost waltz-like in the way it swoops and curves around on itself, but it still retains that very Conan/Poledouris style. Then of course, you get a few violent clashes (love the cymbals and gong), the song wraps up.
13.) Funeral Pyre – 4:33 Similar to and the beginning of track 8, the loss of a loved one is poignant and deep. With slightly reworked pieces of the love theme, this soon works its way up into another specific section I have forever come to love. It just smacks of loss and future revenge.
14.) Battle of the Mounds – 4:56 You can just hear the preparation for battle in the beginning stages of this track, and if the gods aren’t going to help, “Then tell them to stay out of the way!” I love the way this winds up and then blooms into chorus. It dies down for a moment for a prayer, and then leaps directly into fierce battle music similar to track 2 but no less enjoyable.
15.) Death of Rexor – 5:38 This track almost literally slides into existence, then has a brief, shining pause (if you know what I mean), and then transforms into a desperate, yet triumphant version of the main theme. Like a dogged victory. Then it drops down into tones similar to track 3 but a little faster until a short, but fuller bit of the theme. Immediately after, a gentle chorus appears, trading off with tones reflecting the darkness of Doom until it fades.
16.) Orphans of Doom/The Awakening – 5:32 Very slow beginning with gentle chorus, like a sad dream, which, considering the movie circumstances, is essentially true. Then it drops to reminiscence of love and loss, rising and falling until a final decision is made and a triumphant horn takes over (another favorite part of mine) and erupts into a fiery flourish and resounding end.
I love this soundtrack because of what Poledouris has done with the music. It’s almost opera-like in the way he uses his woodwinds and the chorus and the combination of drums and tambourines. Everything is so distinct, hitting at its own time and you can clearly hear every instrument even when they’re all clashing together at full force. I honestly don’t remember the last time I’ve heard someone create songs with separate instruments acting so distinctly and with so much power even while a part of the whole. It’s wonderful work, let me tell you. Yeah, yeah, I know, if I love it so much, why don’t I just marry it, right? Hey, I just know when to appreciate awesome work, that’s all. And I’m not sure if the open space feeling is due to something Poledouris did or it just happened to be the recording studio they were in, but I couldn’t care less; it worked out great for the music, so all is well.
I do admit I am a little sad that the music played when Conan was doing his gladiator thing is not present, nor is the section when the trio raid the snake tower. On that same note, don’t be surprised when you fail to hear the battle music after the Orgy section, as it’s essentially the exact same thing as you hear elsewhere on the CD when it comes to battle music (namely track 14), so you actually aren’t missing out on anything. Initially, I’d thoughtStill, I’m not going to complain at all because it has the incredible battle music and the free, beautiful track, “Theology/Civilization.” I played this soundtrack on my 3-hour drive to school and boy oh boy that was so much fun. It’s great to cruise on the highway with certain pieces just cranked.
So highly recommended that if I knew certain people I passed on the street were soundtrack fans (as not everyone is), I’d made copies and chuck them at people.
May Poledouris live forever.
NT
More of Poledouris & Conan with the Conan the Destroyer soundtrack!
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Yes
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More Conan the Barbarian reviews
Loved the movie. The best line is when Conan tells the Mongol general tht the definition of a good day is: "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women." You have to love good movie dialogue!
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Compliments (3)
This score, IMHO, is one the best of the last 1/2 20th century. Truly epic and egaging, the music tells a story and the movie would have been far less without it. My advice is read the reviews for the Varese Records recording. It is sadly years out of print, and has 4 more glorious tracks on it. Used copies are going for nearly $100 if that tells you anything. Get a copy of it if you can though. If you can't, do yourself a favor and at least pick up the lesser but still great Milan version. This … more
Comment
Compliment
This score, IMHO, is one the best of the last 1/2 20th century. Truly epic and egaging, the music tells a story and the movie would have been far less without it. My advice is read the reviews for the Varese Records recording. It is sadly years out of print, and has 4 more glorious tracks on it. Used copies are going for nearly $100 if that tells you anything. Get a copy of it if you can though. If you can't, do yourself a favor and at least pick up the lesser but still great Milan version. This … more
Comment
Compliment
About the reviewer
Nicole (ssjakira1)
Ranked #73
Ranked #73
Age: 27 Currently: Freelancing my butt off and querying my other novel, Blood for Wolves. Who likes seriously factured fairy tales? =D Like books? Then take it from a real, live … more
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Original score composed by Basil Poledouris. Recorded at International Recording Studios, Rome, Italy. Includes liner notes by Kevin Mulhall. The soundtrack to the Arnold Schwarzenegger epic Conan the Barbarian consists of the dramatic, exciting score from Basil Poledouris. His grand, sweeping arrangements capture the roaring adventure of the film. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Song List: Disc 1
1. Anvil of Crom
2. Riddle Of Steel / Riders Of Doom
3. Gift of Fury
4. Wheel of Pain
5. Atlantean Sword
6. Theology / Civilization
7. Wifeing (Love Theme)
8. The Leaving / The Search
9. Mountain of Power Procession
10. Tree of Woe
11. Recovery
12. The Kitchen / The Orgy
13. Funeral Pyre
14. Battle of the Mounds
15. Death of Rexor
16. Orphans Of Doom / The Awakening
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Song List: Disc 1
1. Anvil of Crom
2. Riddle Of Steel / Riders Of Doom
3. Gift of Fury
4. Wheel of Pain
5. Atlantean Sword
6. Theology / Civilization
7. Wifeing (Love Theme)
8. The Leaving / The Search
9. Mountain of Power Procession
10. Tree of Woe
11. Recovery
12. The Kitchen / The Orgy
13. Funeral Pyre
14. Battle of the Mounds
15. Death of Rexor
16. Orphans Of Doom / The Awakening
Label:
Var se Sarabande (USA)
Release Date:
October 17, 1990
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