Michael Howard First World War

At long last! World premiere release of oft-requested James Newton Howard score to Joel Schumacher's Falling Down. Dark, violent urban thriller stars Michael Douglas as tragic protagonist on rampage, heading inexorably towards final showdown with retiring cop Robert DuVall. As confrontations grow in intensity, Douglas becomes increasingly unhinged. Howard follows in tow, with initially sparse score growing increasingly dense, clustered as film progresses. Dark ideas, intense action all have their say. Highlights are many, including riveting chase cues, pulsating conflict music, but one standout motif deserves spotlight: Howard writes moving minor-key trumpet solo that plays just once during "not economically viable" scene ("Miracle Mile"), then disappears completely until conclusion ("Falling Down"), where composer now brings film and score together in brilliant, powerful fashion. Sensational writing! Also worthy of attention: haunting series of string chords shifting between minor, major, playing for estranged relationship between everyman Douglas and wife Barbara Hershey. Howard even quotes nursery rhyme "London Bridge", which subtly relates to cop Duvall's own wife Tuesday Weld, who needs the tune to help calm her troubled nerves. It is difficult to overstate dramatic complexities and thematic subtleties of this important music.

James Newton Howard was well-established as a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and arranger in the realm of soft rock before he cemented his legacy as an A-list film and television composer during the '90s. Highlights of his rock resumé in the '70s and '80s had included touring and recording with Elton John and working on albums with the likes of Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, and Toto. After earning his first composing credit on the 1985 comedy Head Office, his first Academy Award nomination came with the 1991 drama The Prince of Tides. Known for delivering wistful chamber music, playful comedic fare, or alternatively ominous or high-octane orchestral music as called for, Howard became more and more in demand for the latter during the 2000s, due in part to his frequent collaborations with director M. Night Shyamalan.