Thomas Newman’s score to Skyfall, honors the film’s legacy well while managing to be more modern than its counterparts.
It would be easy to compose an overly romantic and action driven score, but instead Newman’s soundtrack refuses to overplay the action at hand.
In “New Digs” he mixes a single, slightly off key sitar line with tambourines and the plucking of a guitar, but it isn’t long until there is a burst of lush strings and horns, honing in on the class of the scene’s setting.
Newman’s score grows more modern, making use of crisp electronic beats and a synthesized loop in “Shanghai Drive”. This is followed soon after by “Sillhouette”, undoubtedly one of the most theatrical pieces on the record.
But it is nothing compared to “The Bloody Shot”. Marking the first head to head between Bond and his villain, just by listening to this explosive number one conjures up images of Daniel Craig firing shots into a string of henchman, leaving the listener on the edge of their seat.
However “Breadcrumbs” is undoubtedly the highlight of Skyfall, as nothing quite compares to hearing the original 007 theme.
The sleazy guitar line, the embellishing brass backing, and the upward modulation of the strings easily steal the listener’s attention, prompting a moment of reminiscence over this 50 year old franchise.
“Welcome To Scotland” pushes the action to its pinnacle, but “Deep Water” makes the heart race. The strings build the tension after a pause of silence. Slowly but surely crescendoing to a peak that is absolutely riveting.
The Skyfall score is a fresh take on Bond, establishing a stronger sense of reality than many of the more camp scores of the past. It’s still fast paced and glamorous, but on a more subtle scale.
