Treasure Planet

I'm a fan both of the Goo Goo Dolls and of James Newton Howard's work scoring films, so this CD was a no-brainer for me. The first time I heard "I'm Still Here" on the radio, before I knew it was even associated with "Treasure Planet," I was hooked. Composed and performed by John Rzeznik (sorry if I spelled that wrong), it's got the classic tone and quality of the Goo Goo Dolls' best work and conveys a really powerful portrait of the Jim Hawkins character. The BBMak song isn't bad either, although it's quite evident listening to it that it feels more appropriate as the sort of stuff Rzeznik performs himself (he composed this one too).

Howard's score, as always, is great. A lot of the tracks have a real salty, seafaring, swashbuckling feel to them, yet Howard has managed to mix that feeling up with very modern instrumentation (I'm sure I heard a synthesizer in there somewhere) and great sci-fi-ish themes. He's a wonderful composer, right up there with John Williams and Howard Shore.

I just LOVED the movie and I got so hooked to "I'm Still Here" that I am now practically FORCING my mom to buy this CD for me. I really like the fact that the music is very Irish-sounding (please forgive me if you disagree) and is very easy to dance to. Conclusion: BUY THIS CD, IT'S AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone's looking for the lyrics to "I'm Still Here" (like I was :P), here they are:

I am a question to the world
Not an answer to be heard
Or a moment that's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say
I won't listen anyway
You don't know me
And I'll never be what you want
Me to be

And what
Do you think you'd understand
I'm boy, no, I'm a man
You can't take me
And throw me away

And how
Can you learn what's never shown
Yeah, you stand here on your own
They don't know me
'Cause I'm not here

[Chorus]...Read more

This review will focus mostly on the score for Treasure Planet by James Newton Howard. Treasure Planet is the third Disney film score composed by Howard and it is by far the best. He combines traditional 17th and 18th century music with modern influenced intruments to produce a totally fantastic adventure score. The score stays true to the nature of Stevenson's story yet at the same time is the perfect compliment to the movie. Overall an A+ and 5 star rating for the score. The two songs that go with the movie are fine in fact they are very good and much more tolerable than the recent Phil Collins songs for Tarzan so another A goes there. OVerall a great cd with a great score!