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Beowulf by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard
01/05/2008 . Source: Laura Kayne 
CD. pub: Warner Bros Records B000WVUNXG. Price: $14.99 (US), £ 9.98 (UK) 17 tracks. Buy Beowulf in the USA - or Buy Beowulf in the UK  check out website: www.beowulf-music.com
'Beowulf' is an epic, action-packed, narrative-driven film and the accompanying soundtrack is much the same. With a score by Alan Silvertri, the sound of 'Beowulf' is loud, rich and reverberating, full of crashing, swelling brass and percussion. Abounding and forceful orchestral pieces enrich the story of the brave Beowulf and his heroic battle against the monster Grendel. Tracks such as 'Here To Kill Your Monster' and 'What We Need Is A Hero' describe the harsh, striking confrontation between good and evil, while the ethereal 'Gently As She Goes' would seem to weave the spell of the meeting between Beowulf and his wife. Cast member Robin Wright-Penn adds her enchanting voice to the soundtrack with her two songs standing out amongst other largely instrumental, atmospheric pieces.
The rousing 'Beowulf main title' provides a haunting, dramatic introduction, full of heavy drumming and chanting. From this the score follows the story of Beowulf through tracks entitled 'First Grendel Attack', 'Here To Kill Your Monster', 'What We Need Is A Hero', 'I Am Beowulf', 'A Hero Comes Home', 'Second Grendel Attack', 'He Has A Story To Tell' and 'Beowulf Slays The Beast'. These pieces evoke war, heroism and an age of warriors. Harsh, loud and emotional, they are Beowulf and his fight against the monster Grendel.
The two tracks that provide an interesting contrast to this mostly orchestral, thunderous and stirring soundtrack are those sung by Robin Wright-Penn. 'Gently As She Goes' and 'A Hero Comes Home' are quiet, lyrical and thought-provoking songs. They are gentle ballads expressing the human aspect of Beowulf, his story and relationship with his men and wife and tapping into the engaging character who is more than just his armour and battle-scars.
Concluding the story are 'He Was The Best Of Us', 'The Final Seduction' and another version of 'A Hero Comes Home' over the end credits, confirming the message that Beowulf lived and died a hero and his story will continue to be told in any and all forms and media.
This soundtrack is as rich and emotional, as epic and stirring as the story of Beowulf itself and a suitable and valuable accompaniment to the recent film version of this legendary tale.
Laura Kayne
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