In the Bedroom

There is little doubt that Thomas Newman is one of the most talented composers of his generation and as a result, is gainfully employed on many of the better, serious pictures coming out of Hollywood. His track record from The Shawshank Redemption to Meet Joe Black to the Oscar nominated (and should have won) American Beauty. He seems quite at home with either a traditional symphonic set up or a more eclectic ensemble of instruments that few people would have thought of. Sometimes the latter works and sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately for In the Bedroom it doesn't come together.

Maybe that's a bit sweeping, it just doesn't really work in purely musical terms, but as an exercise in invention and atmosphere it's inspired stuff. It is curious that director Todd Field in his otherwise thoughtful liner notes mention that there is no Newman sound. While the selection of instruments may vary, Newman does have a distinctive personality that does come across here. Field also mentions that many directors what composers to ape Newman, so that leads me to wonder whether he feels the need to push ever harder for invention, but whatever the case, In the Bedroom does not quite work. There isn't much of a main theme, but the sort of melody in the opening track is about the most notable, but is only reprised at the end of the album. The most tuneful (if you can call it that) are the vocals performed by the Newark Balkan Chorus, which are, intentionally or not, slightly out of tune. This does add a certain tension and anguish, isn't terribly appealing.

I can imagine it working well as a disturbing and dark soundscape under the film itself, but as an album it more often than not falls fairly flat. Those who crave Thomas Newman's most quirky writing will likely enjoy every minute, but those accustomed to his most well known work will probably be disappointed. It appears that it was done on a budget which may have pushed towards more creative choices with instrumentation, but I guess it comes down to the fact that I prefer my Thomas Newman a fraction more main stream.