Disney's pioneering 1982 effort in computer animation has garnered a small but devoted cult audience, despite--or perhaps because of--its now-dated, rudimentary vid-game aesthetic. But while designers Jean Giraud and Syd Mead gave its visual design a certain streamline moderne panache, its musical score attempts a similar back-to-the-future fusion with somewhat more mixed results. Given the composer's often chilling, landmark synthesized score work a decade earlier on Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, Wendy Carlos seemed like an apt choice for Tron. But without her previous collaborator's taste for Beethoven, Elgar, and Rossini, Carlos's instincts wend from atmospheric, 20th-century European modernism to cheesy '50s B-film melodramatics, with the sonic limitations of '80s synth technology sometimes a burden. Still, those fond of her solo work and collaboration with Kubrick on Orange (and The Shining) will find familiar charms in "Water, Music, and TRONaction," "TRONscherzo" and "Theme from TRON." But Journey's "Only Solutions" and now all-too-ironic "1990's Theme" further fix the score firmly in the '80s. This debut CD-release of the score also features three bonus tracks, the original "TRONaction" and two other unused cues, including a solo synth rendition of the film's anthem. --Jerry McCulley
Product Details:
Audio CD Release Date:
January 29, 2002
Studio:
Walt Disney Records
Composer:
Wendy Carlos
Number Of Discs:
1
Format:
Soundtrack
Average Customer Rating:
based on 25 reviews
Track Listing:
1.
Creation of Tron
2.
Only Solutions - Journey
3.
We've Got Company
4.
Wormhole
5.
Ring Game and Escape
6.
Water, Music, And Tronaction
7.
Tron Scherzo
8.
Miracle and Magician
9.
Magic Landings
10.
Theme from Tron
11.
1990's Theme - Journey
12.
Love Theme
13.
Tower Music - Let Us Pray
14.
Light Sailer
15.
Sea of Simulation
16.
New Tron and the MCP
17.
Anthem
18.
Ending Titles
19.
Tronaction [Original Version][*]
20.
Break In [For Strings, Flutes, And Celesta][*]
21.
Anthem for Keyboard Solo [*]
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:
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A musical world unto itselfOct 31, 2009 For me, the score to Tron is a solid 4 out of five star effort. On a more generous day I might even give it 4.5. However, I can see how many people would give the score a much lower grade. I admit that nostalgia probably weighs in quite heavily in my enjoyment of the score. I loved this movie when I was a kid and just hearing the music brings back fond memories of watching the movie, and pretending I was sucked into the computer world with my friends at recess.
I'm also of the opinion that there is a lot more going on in the score than simple nostalgia and it makes "Tron" a rewarding listen. One thing that must be clear is that the music is tied so close to the film that it is impossible to separate them. This goes further than the way the music to Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or Lord of the Rings relates directly to the film. For those movies the themes are linked to the characters and situations, and act as aural cues.
Tron's music is more embedded, it becomes part of the world of Tron, and it seems that Carlos used that world as her inspiration for the entirety of the score. This results in a score that captures the feeling of simplicity and wonder of early computing. The themes are simple and seem to reflect early video game music. Now I know you can argue that a few electronic notes shouldn't be called music, but in the world of early 80's computer gaming it's what you had to work with. Carlos takes those basic themes, weaves them with a large orchestra and then throws in dissonance both in the electronic and orchestral realms. This creates a complete world in Tron.
What becomes amazing is the fact that as you listen to the score, there are moment where the music and the sound effects merge. This occurs most in the final few tracks leading to the end titles. The dissonance and abrupt electric undulating worked perfectly in the film. I was surprised to hear it on the score, because I just assumed it was sound effects. So what you've got here is something more than a score but something that doesn't really work when separated from the film.
And that is what I think the main issue surrounding this score will be. If you've never seen Tron, or didn't like movie, than I think it will be nearly impossible for you to enjoy the score. Some fans of electronic and orchestral fusion might find things to enjoy. Most people will find the electronics to be silly sounding and dated, and the orchestral moments to be too dissonant and off putting. Not what I'd call a score with wide appeal, but one that fans of the film will find themselves listening to time and again.
1 of 29 found the following review helpful:
Nonsense.Aug 19, 2009 Possibly the worst selection in a summer of bad daily bargain offerings on Amazon. When you offer a daily bargain and then make practically all of the choices sonic garbage, you lose your credibility. I'm talking to you, Amazon.
Wendy Carlos - Amazing SoundtrackMar 24, 2009 I would say this is some of her best work ever. Amazing Wendy Carlos blows me away with all original music she composed and recorded with a symphony on this one. A must have.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Wendy Carlos - 'Tron' (Disney)Jun 25, 2007 I'm honestly not all that familiar with the extended catalog of electronic music pioneer Carlos has done outside of her 'Clockwork Orange' and 'Tales Of Heaven And Hell' releases (see my reviews of both), but I was sort of taken with 'Tron'. This is music 'from the future, with a vision'. Really dug the two cuts scored from Journey here, "Only Solutions" and "1990's Theme". 'Tron' may be considered by some to be a bit bizarre, but should be pretty enjoyable to most. Do check this soundtrack out when you can. You won't regret it.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
If You Liked the Movie, You'll Love this AlbumDec 30, 2006 This was the only work of Wendy Carlos I've ever heard, and I thought it was great! For the time period the movie was made in, this music was amazing and ahead of it's time. Watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack go hand-in-hand--I don't think this soundtrack would stand too well on its own. However, for those who've seen Tron, every song will be exciting.
The blending of synth and orchestral music was very well done--so much so that I didn't ever notice it until listening to the soundtrack the first time in my iPod headphones. Every song has a unique blend of synth/live orchestra.
The only reason I gave the CD 4 stars instead of 5 is because it isn't one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again. Rather, listen one or two times, then put it on the shelf, then bring it out again at some later time. The Journey songs on the CD (and in the movie) were defintely not the band's best, so don't get the album just because you're a Journey fan. I'm glad Disney finally published this CD!
based on 25 reviews
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