James Horner’s re-recording of his score to Brainstorm clocks in at just over 30 minutes. But within these 30 minutes is some of the most impressive and original material Horner has ever created. There’s a wonderful clash of emotions right off the top of the album opening with angelic female chorus to a crash of dissonance and confusion. Great stuff! The next track is the epic and tragic “Lillian’s Heart Attack.” Horner is a master of building his cues up to an incredible climax and “Lillian’s Heart Attack” is one of his finest creations.
“Michael’s Gift To Karen” is such a welcome contrast to all the chaos in the score. I haven’t seen the film so I don’t know what the piece represents but it’s such a lovely melody and is a great cue overall. However, once it’s finished Horner is back with more angry, dissonant orchestral bursts with two AWESOME cues that really complement each other; “First Playback” and the epic action cue “Race For Time.” “First Playback” is a great suspense builder which moves seamlessly into one of Horner’s finest action cues; a cue that Christopher Young loved so much that he incorporated it into one his own scores.
The score ends with a doozy of a cue. It’s the polar opposite to the opening cue. It’s starts off mean and ugly – atonal, dissonant, chaotic, terrifying – but then the orchestra swells up, comes together harmonically and the atonal nature of the cue blossoms into a reprise of the opening angelic chorus melody. Brilliant. The cue slowly moves along with a reprise of the “Michael’s Gift To Karen” theme right at the end of the piece. Before you know it the album is done.
Brainstorm is masterful film music. It’s Horner at his all time best and I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone! One additional note – the recording. Veteran engineer Eric Tomlinson (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Aliens) is at the top of his game with a crisp and detailed recording of the London Symphony Orchestra. It’s one of his very best sounding albums!
BRAINSTORM | Varese Sarabande VCD 47215 | 1983
