NIGHTMARE and Elfman musings

[thehefner]

Edit: Link Fixed

So there's a NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Special Edition soundtrack, and let me say that Marilyn Manson's cover of "This is Halloween" and Fiona Apple's version of "Sally's Song" are both surprisingly good. Not as good as the original, of course, but damn good. She Wants Revenge's version of "Kidnap the Sandy Claws," on the other hand...

Also, "What's This?" sung by Fall Out Boy is a multi-layered exercise in confusion and cockteasery frustration for me. It's like, watching me from afar as I sing a well-produced version of a Danny Elfman song! Gahh!

Still, the album is totally worth the price of admission just for Danny Elfman's demo versions of "This is Halloween" and "Oogie Boogie's Song," among others. God damn, I wish he'd do more songs. We don't need more generic soundtracks, Danny! When was the last time Danny Elfman has turned in a really memorable theme?

But then, if his songs in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and CORPSE BRIDE (from what I understand, haven't seen it) are any indication, I deeply fear the man is past is prime. I know Burton's CHARLIE had a lot of backers here on LJ when it came out, but man, the songs were just... forgettable, at best. Now that I think about it, as Oingo Boingo went on, they really stopped being fun, didn't they? Oh, the latter day "Boingo" days had some great stuff like "Insanity" and "Out of Control," but Oingo Boingo was this smart, devilishly upbeat music that you could really dance to, while the later stuff... well, it was good, but where was the fun? I think it was lost along with the horn section. I worry if Elfman has just gone downhill since then.

But then, that's what I thought until I discovered Elfman has a brand new CD out, "Elfman: Serenada Schizophrana, and it's pure classic Burton-esque Danny Elfman goodness. So perhaps there's hope yet.

Comments

[treyhawk.livejournal.com]

and let me say that Marilyn Manson's cover of "This is Halloween" and Fiona Apple's version of "Sally's Song" are both surpringly good.

I have not heard Marilyn Mansion's version yet. The one they are playing on XM is Panic! at the Disco's version, which is much multi-layered fun as well.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Definitely click on the first link and listen to the whole thing on the myspace page. Based on the 30 seconds of the Panic! version, I think I prefer Manson's. He does more of the Elfman-like vocal mannerisms and characters. But I think I will get the whole album and give Panic! a good full listen.

[treyhawk.livejournal.com]

The MySpace link goes to a page that says "Invalid Friend ID."

I can believe Mansion captures more of Elfman's original charm, and I am sure the Panic! version is the one that will get the radio airplay because they are the hot band at the moment. I like the Panic! version because it sounds like the band had a fun time with it, even if the lead singer needs to work on his vocal range. B) I plan to get the THBC DVD with the new CD, so I will check it out then.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Stupid link. I have replaced it with the alternate, more direct one. So now it should work.

[yancentric.livejournal.com]

[i]But then, if his songs in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and CORPSE BRIDE (from what I understand, haven't seen it) are any indication, I deeply fear the man is past is prime.[/i]

are you talking about the oompa loompa songs? i'm pretty sure they were all lifted straight from dahl..

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

The lyrics were, but the music was Danny's. At least, unless Dahl has music sheets written up elsewhere, but I'm fairly certain all he ever did were lyrics.

I do wonder if he could have done more had he the freedom to do the lyrics as well. As it was, it sounded really neutered.

[yancentric.livejournal.com]

of his soundtrack music, i don't know how it ranks with the diehard elfman fans, but I think I actually like Scrooged the best. it actually manages to sound both like christmas music and hauntingly creepy at the same time.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I should give that a listen! There's actually a website (elfman.filmmusic.com) that has, I believe, the original, complete, unreleased soundtrack on streaming. I definitely should check out the Scrooged soundtrack.

[themadhatter26.livejournal.com]

There is only the original soundtrack, so sayeth the Pumpkin King.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Mike. I say this lovingly: don't be a punk-ass idiot. The covers are one thing, dismiss them all you want, fine, but this has four of the original demo tracks by Danny Elfman himself. That's as pure NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS as you can bloody well get, and you would be deeply remiss as a fan to deprive yourself of them. Deeply.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Actually, "idiot" is a little harsh. Let's go with chump.

AND ANOTHER THING! ... you gonna be at Kev's party? Cuz I wanna burn you some Oingo Boingo mixes like whoa.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

PS: Love youuuuu