Some thoughts on the soundtrack. Just purchased it from Amazon and listened to it three or four times, but will focus on the songs right now (I did enjoy the music tracks overall, but it takes a little longer to obtain a definitive opinion on some of the tracks). Feel free to disagree, as this is just one person's opinion:
Mandy sounds fantastic, but I did not like "When Will My Life Begin." I can't quite put my finger on it, but let me try. It sounds too much like a song straight out of High School Musical, too pop-sounding, too neat and loud and well-produced to entirely work successfully as an opener. The ending of the song is much better, as are the two reprises - wished the song was slowed down considerably and a little rougher around the edges.
"Mother Knows Best" is THE big highlight for me. It's vintage, timeless Disney, with some terrific lyrics ("skip the drama, stay with Mama!") and the violins really subtly add to the song's creepy, underhanded vibe. I had never heard of the actress chosen to play Mother Gothel, but she completely becomes the character in this song and has me excited to see the film soon. I am a sucker for a good villain song.
And the reprise is equally terrific.
Ugh. "I've Got a Dream". Is this the best work Alan Menken could do here? Really? The same guy behind clever and charming and endearing songs like "Be Our Guest", "Under the Sea", and "Never Had a Friend"? It's not awful - or maybe it is. The piano work is pretty well-done, and the lyrics are mildly amusing, but it just isn't memorable or as good as it could have been. Should have been left on the cutting-room floor, unless it's remarkably well potrayed in the film. It sounds like a one-note joke that we've seen in countless movies - these big brutes are actually big ol' sensitive guys. Hope I'm wrong.
Now we've all heard "I See the Light". Like I've said before, it's far from bad, but also far from groundbreaking or original and a bit too close to "A Whole New World" for my liking. Those who enjoy traditional love ballads should like this tune - me, I'd prefer something a little offbeat like "Kiss the Girl", "Bella Notte" or last year's "Ma Belle Evanagline" (which Jim Cummings predictably nailed and made far more interesting than this song) everytime. Unless it's a VERY good song like "Beauty and the Beast" or "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
"Healing Incantation" (which is sang in the film a few times, but I'm speaking of the Moore version) is short but sweet and what I hoped the rest of the soundtrack songs would be, a bit low-key and earthy instead of loud, clumsy, and commercial (minus "Mother Knows Best", which could be placed in any era Disney film and still be a welcome addition). But to each their own.
So overall, an underwhelming score though and a letdown for me considering Alan Menken's ridiculously impressive pedigree. I'm still very excited to see the film, mostly to see how the animation turned out, and because I know I'll love Mother Gothel and Maximus and the rest of the characters. But as far as recent Disney films go, I'd have to say Tangled's score musically does not match up to
The Princess and the Frog or
Toy Story 3.
If you've managed to download it, could you upload it for us?
