Based on the popular novel by Alicia Erian, the new film Towelhead centers around a young woman named Jasira who is sent to live with her Lebanese father in Houston, Texas. With a script written by American Beauty playwright Alan Ball, it’s an artistic yet deliberate look into the secret lives of suburban families of America. Along for the ride is eight-time Academy Award nominated composer Thomas Newman.
And his work here is pretty distinct. Opening quickly and assertively with the heavy drums of “Nothing is Private,” Newman sets the tone of the score and the film by declaring that there won’t be much held back here. And though the drums don’t really come back into this kind of heavy play until “Rifaut Maroun” a few tracks later, by then, they’re whipping up a veritable drum frenzy. Rhythm does play a very important part in this score, though, with each track using various types of drums and beats to tell a story.
After the drum explosion in “Rifaut Maroun,” the music expands into a playfully poppy mixture of Middle Eastern beats and cymbals along with driving guitar in the short but enjoyable “Glamour Shots.” One of the last tracks, “Rain and Good Weather,” provides the score’s emotional side (themes that were first addressed in the superb “Jazira Maroun” come back into play here) with slower and more deliberate strings gradually building and combining with chimes to a sort of melancholy happiness.
Though the entire album is just shy of 15 minutes, there’s a lot of atmosphere and emotion put into those minutes and Newman makes sure to provide listeners with something that is both enjoyable and to the point. While this album could have certainly been longer, the 15 minutes included are more than enough to enjoy what Thomas Newman has created and look forward to his next composition.
Zach’s Rating: A
Perfect For: A quick (15 minutes or so) dose of impressive Middle Eastern tunes
Stay Away if: You like long, established pieces
If you only get one, make it this one: Jazira Maroun (End Title) – they’re all good, but at 3:48, it’s the most music for your money
To purchase the score for Towelhead, visit Amazon
3 users commented in " Music Review: Towelhead: Original Motion Picture Score by Thomas Newman "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackTHERE IS A GUITAR SOLO SONG IN THIS MOVIE THAT HAS BEEN USED IN MANY OTHER MOVIES AS WELL AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE ARTIST AND THE NAME OF THE SONG. IT SOUNDS LIKE CARLOS SANTANA BUT I HAVE SEARCHED EVERYWHERE FOR IT AND I CANNOT FIND IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE SONG IS.I THINK IT WAS IN THE SCENE WHEN SHE ATE OVER HER BOYFRIENDS HOUSE AND HIS PARENTS WENT UPSTAIRS SINCE THEY WERE DRUNK FROM THE WINE THEY HAD AND THEN THIS GUITAR SOLO THAT IS SO RELAXING OF A SONG CAME ON. PLEASE HELP ME FIND THIS SONG!!!!
THANK YOU,
NICK GUERRIERI
“Maggot Brain” is a song by the band Funkadelic
Thank you, i’ve been looking for this song too, but it isn’t in official soundtrack list!
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