The new soundtrack to your life.
Everyone is well aware of the power of music in the movies. Steven Spielberg once said that John Williams provided the shark in his seminal 1974 movie, Jaws, as constraints meant that the actual prosthetic shark was as watertight as a sieve. Elsewhere in the movie pantheon music can stir huge amounts of emotion and even evoke tears. Imagine the re-entry into Earth's atmosphere in Apollo 13 without that music. Dry eyes all round.
“Filmtales” is basically what would happen if one of the people who orchestrates music for motion pictures released an album of popular music. Paul Leonard-Morgan, collaborator of Snow Patrol and Belle and Sebastian and composer for TV dramas Fallen and Spooks, turns his hand moving people under his own volition and without the aid of visual storytelling stimulus.
For those that think that this sounds like a poor idea and that the world of popular music belongs with the people then prepare to be surprised. “Filmtales” is, for the most part, an emotional and thrilling journey that delights in parts, moves in others, and generally makes you feel like you are having a pretty good time throughout. Talking Heads' David Byrne once said that the only reason that people put singing in songs was to con the audience into listening for longer. And, interestingly, it is the four tracks with vocal performances that come off worst of all. “Wilderness” is a strong opener, but eventually the Portishead styling makes you wish that you'd put your old copy of Dummy on instead. “All Of You” goes for emotion, but ends up sounding like an intellectualised Cascada track.
The good thing is that these tracks are far from the norm on “Filmtales”. The rich, sweeping strings match the jaunty drum 'n bass rhythms with panache and do actually make you stop what you are doing and picture a scene, either invented or from life. Yes, each song follows the same structure of piano, strings, drop out, beauty crescendo, but Paul Leonard-Morgan does this so well that you love, not resent, the formula. “Camera” has delicacy but depth, “Snatcher” has a wonderful sense of unease and “Seen From The Outside” sounds luscious and full, like the sound of spring itself.
By taking away the confines of conventional rock and pop, Paul Leonard-Morgan has given us an album of considerable reach and flavour. And its something that we should be thankful for. “Filmtales”, in spite of its flaws, is an unarguable triumph and something that should provide listeners with a rewarding and unique experience.