Danny Elfman / Various Big Fish Soundtrack
Released: December 23, 2003 Origination Year: 2003 Time: 61:24 Tracks: 23 Produced by: Danny Elfman Style: Studio Format: CD Enhancement: None Website: www.bigfish.com

Big Fish is a brilliant film that looks at man’s intrinsic need to be something bigger than what he actually is. The core need of man is to develop an identity in a world where who and what you are may perhaps be the greatest signpost of achievement. Without the development of character and identity, we reach a place of low esteem. In Big Fish, the parable of a big fish in a small pond metaphorically translates to a big persona in his living space and how he inter-relates with his co-inhabitants.

In the telling of this story, the music is important. Danny Elfman’s contribution to Burton's films has always been hand in glove to the telling of Burton's tales. This film and soundtrack is no different. What is different is that Burton chooses, this time, to utilize popular songs to help move the story along in addition to Elfman’s 15 musical compositions.

The album contains a Pearl Jam contribution, “Man of the Hour”, which is heard during the credits of the film. The popular selections on this album are used primarily as a time set. As the time chronologically moves through the film, so does the soundtrack. The sequencing on the soundtrack however does not follow the film’s usage of them. The album places the originals on the first 7 tracks and fills the rest of the album with Elfman compositions closing with another original.

The original offerings come from Pearl Jam, Bing Crosby (Dinah), Buddy Holly (Everyday), Elvis Presley (All Shook Up), The Vogues (Five O’Clock World), Allman Brothers Band (Ramblin’ Man), Canned Heat (Let’s Work Together), and Bobbi Page & Candace Rumph (Twice the Love). And they all sound sonically great.

The other 15 tracks are all Elfman. Danny Elfman becomes more in tune with the films that he scores as the time passes. This film is a one of depth and introspective study where the main character is involved. It is essential that the music, aside from the original songs, bring the emotion of the characters to the forefront. A score well done offers life to lifeless characters and underscores emotions at all the right times.

Elfman’s ability to conjure soft moments and cause them to intertwine with the moments of a film’s story that deals with your absorption of characters is very good. His output is limited here to half an album but what he composes is very effective. The movie itself is dependent on the tales and doesn’t need a continual stream of music to accentuate the scenes. Therefore, many scenes are musically quiet. But you’re so drawn in to the film’s fable that the music could become a distraction. When it is used, it’s soft, unerring, and completely expressive of the moment in which it is used.

The mix of original song hits with a film score is effectual. With the requirements of a Burton film usually higher than that of a natural storyline, such a soundtrack works well. And given the quality of Elfman’s score, it is a good soundtrack.

See the movie!

Track Listing: Man of the Hour (Pearl Jam); Dinah (Bing Crosby); Everyday (Buddy Holly); All Shook Up (Elvis Presley); Five O'Clock World (Vogues); Ramblin' Man (Allman Brothers Band); Let's Work Together (Canned Heat); Pictures; Big Fish (Titles); Shoe Stealing; Underwater; Sandra's Theme; The Growing Montage; Leaving Spectre; Return to Spectre; Rebuilding; The Journey Home; In The Tub; Sandra's Farewell; Finale; End Titles; Jenny's Theme; Twice the Love (Siamese Twin's Song) - Bobbi Page & Candace Rumph.

Danny Elfman: Compositions