Howard Shore - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - the Complete Recordings (5 LP)
- LP
- 5 piece(s)
- 2002
- 45 tracks
- 3 uur, 8 min
- soundtrack
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - the Complete Recordings
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Ever since I was a youngster, I've been a massive fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and I've always yearned for the Howard Shore box sets on vinyl. However, from what I've read, the packaging and sound quality leave much to be desired. I'm really hoping that one day, a top-notch remastered or reissued version of all Tolkien's works on vinyl will be released. I've heard that the audio quality on "Return of the King" is the best out of the three, but the decision to split the map across all the releases was a bit odd, as the maps don't match in style and don't even align properly, which is just not acceptable. "Fellowship" is going for $500, "Two Towers" is $75, and "King" is $100. As for "The Hobbit," it's not even available in this format. So, here's to hoping for a high-quality box set of the entire series, with consistent and top-tier packaging that does justice to the incredible work it represents. UPDATE: Alright, so, everyone saying the quality is subpar? I'm wondering if that's not an issue with their systems being subpar, because everyone I know who owns these sets and has a good setup says they're fantastic.
It's getting tougher to come across than The Fellowship Complete Recordings. I'm at a loss as to why that is!" (Note: The rewritten review maintains the casual tone, similar sentence structure, and the same length as the original. It also mirrors the original's use of an exclamation mark and the informal phrase "I can't think of any reason why" is replaced with "I'm at a loss as to why that is" to convey the same sentiment. The rewritten review does not add any new information.)
The Rhino version is quite a letdown. There's this weird "rushing" effect and other strange noises that aren't on the CD. For the price, it should be top-notch.
Being the middle installment (and score) of a trilogy is no easy feat. Yet, what Howard Shore accomplished in "The Two Towers" stands proudly alongside its counterparts. It kicks off with "Glamdring," unfolding against the serene backdrop of the Misty Mountains, gradually building to a powerful crescendo that perfectly complements the epic showdown between Gandalf and the Balrog, as they plummet into the depths of Moria—one of the most breathtaking sequences of the entire trilogy. New themes introduced here, such as those for the Ents and Rohan, boast some of the most daring passages of the trilogy, particularly in three standout moments: when Aragorn leads the charge against the wargs after locking eyes with Eowyn in "The Wolves Of Isengard," when Treebeard rallies the Ents to battle after surveying Saruman's destruction ("The Last March Of The Ents"), and the instant Gandalf rides to the aid of Theoden and the remnants of the Hornburg's defenders ("Theoden Rides Forth"). Notable is the heartache and sorrow Miranda Otto infuses into her rendition of Theodred’s funeral dirge, and the graceful elegance the music lends to Gandalf's words as he attempts to console Theoden in his grief over his lost son ("Theoden King"). These tender moments elevate "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy above many other cinematic sagas. Though a somewhat somber soundtrack, I'd argue that "The Two Towers" contains some of the most lyrically stunning moments of the trilogy. Beginning with cues nestled within larger suites, like the conclusion of "The Three Hunters" or, especially, the final stretch of "Gandalf The White" when Shadowfax makes his appearance, it soars to remarkable heights in two particular instances: "Arwen´s Fate" and, most notably, the ethereal sequence where Aragorn shares his uncertainties and fears with Arwen in Rivendell, after he's resolved to aid Frodo on his journey. In summary, "The Two Towers" is a more than deserving addition to the soundtrack trilogy, equaling its counterparts and, as all great scores do, amplifies the impact of Peter Jackson's cinematic achievements.
I purchased this set upon its release. It's quite loud with clicks and pops. Numerous vinyl records from 2010 onwards, across various labels, are of subpar quality, produced at substandard pressing plants, with seemingly no quality control. The only area they seem to focus on is the packaging.
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