Reviews: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

by: Howard Shore, Annie Lennox






Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0093624852124
Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
Label: Reprise / Wea
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
MPN: 48521
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Reprise / Wea
Release Date: November 25, 2003
Studio: Reprise / Wea


Rating: - Not quite as good as the first but still lovely
Another beautiful selection of music from a fine movie. It might be something nice to play while you're reading or working on homework. There's something utterly relaxing about listening to a good soundtrack. I've found it a nice way to mark time when I'm working at home. Surprisingly, it can also help you study. I'm no official expert on that, but it personally worked for me.

In any case, a worthy investment.

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Rating: - The Real Deal
This is just a note to confirm that this product truly is the actual soundtrack of the movie. Earlier, I was fooled into buying a cheap, synthesizer version of music "from" the movie. Rest assured that this CD contains the same rich, magnificent music (instrumental and vocal) from Return of the King that you remember. It will trigger the same emotions.

It was nice that Annie Lennox's "Into the West" was included as the final track.

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Rating: - Near Perfection
Okay, I was already determined to love this album when I found out that Renee Fleming stars in three of it's pieces. But Howard Shore truly does provide a gorgeous presentation of his musical talents. Keeping in mind that this is a movie track, and therefore, there is a lot of "incidental" music in this album. It's not always riveting without the action of the movie to complete the story. But that is a challenge every composer of film music faces.

Flemming is flawless, providing a straight-tone (no vibrato), eerie, airy sound in her performances to emphasize the other-worldly influence of this music. One wonders how authentic her "elfin" would be, but since her vocals are nearly indistinguishable from the orchestra, the accent could hardly be determined anyhow.

The End Of All Things is an amazing piece of compositing, and I've been listening to it over and over. As stated by other reviewers, I don't feel that Annie Lennox was the best choice for Into The West. Her voice is harsh and out of place next to the rest of the performance. However, this might have been intentional on the part of the composer, and I will attempt to understand, while taking a star from a perfect score!

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Rating: - I'm Not Doing It Justice
I am quite surprised by the number of reviews that don't give this five stars. Never has there been a score that can provide such depth and emotion in every second. I almost cry every time I listen to it.

Sweeping, epic, beautiful...words can't quite do it justice. I've done my best, the music does the rest.

If you buy anything, buy this.

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Rating: - Superb music to match the outstanding film
Its so hard to choose a favorite amongst the 3 movie soundtracks. They are all so wonderful and differnent. Each film has its own distinct music and they are all so good. Its impossible to pick a favorite or even find one single piece of music that I did not like. Its such a moving and powerful soundtrack. And every time I hear it, I think back on the wonderful film and remember every single scene that the piece of music was attached too. Its relaxing and melancholy and sublime. The Return of the King is my favorite film out of the 3, and I think I am leaning towards this soundtrack as my personal favorite as well. And I love Annie Lenox's last song on this. It is so touching and powerful, it gives me chills every time I hear it. I actually have the 3 set as one boxed set, but could not find it on Amazon anymore, so I am reviewing them all individually.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Reviews

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