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Mega-Music

Composed and conducted by

Basil Poledouris

Original Review

Breathtaking!!! CONAN THE BARBARIAN is about as perfect as any instrumental soundtrack can get. It has all of the essentials. A myriad of memorable and outstanding themes, coherence, grandness, and a personality that never quits. Accenting the score are ethnic instruments so as to help set the mood. Basil Poledouris fills this epic score with such a grand palette of emotions and wit, it's hard to imagine anything else he could have added to it. Why fix something if it doesn't need fixing?

Not only is this score probably Poledouris' best work, but it is also, in my opinion, one of the finest pieces ever written. The film itself is sufficient, but ultimately it would have suffered greatly without the brilliant score. One of the most stand-out tracks on the album is one that is titled "Theology/Civilization." This is heard during the part where Conan and Subotai are having a late-night theological discussion. This particar songs has four phrases of the theme that is introduced in it. Each one gradually building toward a gracefully soft ending. "Death of Rexor" is a masterfully constructed piece of choral and orchestral elegance. It is an oddly enchanting combination of both sadness and uplifting emotion.

I must confess, I was not a big listener to the works of Basil Poledouris. Although, after hearing a thoroughly entertaining score like CONAN THE BARBARIAN, this just may change. Sometimes, all it takes is just a listen to one of a composer's best works and I am hooked on their music probably for life. Finally, I am glad I discovered this magical score. It is one of those that you just can't get out of your head, and you probably wouldn't want to.

Rating: *****

Running Time: approx. 68 min.

1. Anvil of Crom
2. Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom
3. Gift of Fury
4. Wheel of Pain
5. Atlantean Sword
6. Theology/Civilization
7. Wifeing
8. The Leaving/The Search
9. Mountain of Power Procession
10. The Tree of Woe
11. Recovery
12. The Kitchen/The Orgy
13. Funeral Pyre
14. Battle of the Mounds
15. Death of Rexor
16. Orphans of Doom/The Awakening


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