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If the trailers for this week’s release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland haven’t quite tempted you to stand in line on opening day, the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack, produced by Danny Elfman, will. Classical music fans will appreciate this orchestration of one of Disney’s most beloved films.
This is not a traditional Disney soundtrack, like the one for the original animated Alice in Wonderland. Instead of light and quirky, as in Ed Wynn’s “The Un-birthday Song,” this is lavish and intense, making full use of the strings and brass. This should go well with director Tim Burton’s eccentricities.
You won’t actually listen to each cut separately; each of the twenty-four flows smoothly from one to another, accentuating a distinct feeling and often multiple emotions within a song. For instance, “Proposal (Down the Hole),” starts as whimsical, building to suspense, then darts straight into action. This is followed by “Doors,” which exudes the fear of the unknown. “Bandersnatched” leads up to conflict, while the following “Finding Absolem” retreats to calm and serenity. This goes back and forth; all the while, the opening cut, “Alice’s Theme,” with robust background vocals, interweaves in and out of the entire score. No matter what the mood, each note is deep, full, and vivid.
Since I don’t remember the details of the original movie, I found myself actively listening to the score, imaging what was happening to Alice throughout this musical story. However, this also served as pleasant background music as I was working—not too distracting.
I don’t consider myself a fan of classical or orchestral music, but the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack is making me rethink this. However, if your mind is made up, and you definitely prefer a more contemporary treatment of this classic film, a companion CD, Almost Alice, has also been released. This 16-cut album features various pop artists, such as Avril Lavigne, The All-American Rejects, All Time Low, and Metro Station providing a musical interpretation in their own respective styles.
That said, even if you don’t particularly care for orchestral music, I strongly suggest though that you give the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack a listen. You may surprise yourself.
