Friday, October 12, 2018

Score Sample: Sleepy Hollow (1999)

I've done a few Halloween themed score samples over the years on this blog. So how did I manage to avoid putting some Danny Elfman up? Not sure, but it is time to remedy that. I picked one of Elfman's most gothic scores. It is one that has all the hallmarks of Elfman's style, but blown up huge and dark, with those haunting vocals and imposing proportions. That means we get some Sleepy Hollow music today.

While I'm not the biggest fan of the film, I can't deny that the powerhouse score is one of Elfman's best from the 1990s. It matches the over the top visuals that Tim Burton concocted for the film. It builds on the suspense and horror the situations in a deliciously in your face way, and it is a lot of fun to listen to. Lots of great tracks to explore on the soundtrack, but I'm going with the end titles which are some of Elfman's best.

So here is End Credits from Sleepy Hollow composed by Danny Elfman.


2 comments:

  1. I usually like Tim Burton's brand of oddness rather more than not, but this movie overall missed for me by more than a mile. In truth, it's hard to outdo the "Ichabod" segment of Disney's "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" (1949). Regardless, I can't argue with your appreciation of the score: good stuff and on target.

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    1. Yeah I know it was Burton's attempt to make a full blown horror film, but it just doesn't land for me. I've tried it a number of times and each time I'm just not engaged by the whole thing. I've run into quite a few folks who love this movie, but I just can't get there. I think the recent "Crimson Peak" attempted a similar vibe and did it better.

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