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 A great disappointment, misses the point of the original Nov 22, 2009
Fortunately, I listened to a friend's CD before purchasing it myself.
I found the production to be flawed because of the heavy use of vocal chorusing and the unpleasant artifacts it created.
The most distressing part of the album is that it misses the key message of the original opera: "it's our job but we're not mean". Instead, vocals of this album were very mean and hostile, taking a wonderful story of the human spirit and distorting into something truly horrific. Instead of a tale of desire, longing, and vulnerability this version gives us something angry, hostile, and aggressive.
For instance, the headbanging delivery of Kidnap the Sandy Claws masks the fact that there are supposed to be three separate vocal lines with distinct personalities behind them. The rendition of Making Christmas also misses the point of the lyrics.
I will gladly admit that the instrumental tracks provide a wonderful and creative interpretation of the originals.
Although it's wonderful to see artists pay tribute to what was certainly a masterwork, this production does not come anywhere close to the original.
 "Oh somewhere deep inside of these bones..." Nov 19, 2009
I saw Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time when I was 10, sure the movie came out four years earlier, but now I am in my twenties and I love the story and characters more and more each day (I'm sure the fact that I have figurines of the entire cast of characters all over my apartment... With Corpse Bride scattered throughout... That almost every shirt and sweatshirt I own has Jack on it helps with the love) I have sheet music from the film (and am constantly playing the songs on my bass clarinet), three versions of the soundtrack, an original, a special addition and when I saw Nightmare Revisited I knew I had to have it too.
I was impressed at the interpretations these artists had with the songs. "Oogie Boogie's Song" by Rodrigo Y Gabriela, "Christmas Eve Montage" by RJD2 is a song I blast in my car at Christmas time while I drive around looking at Christmas lights. The Polyphonic Spree's version of "Town Meeting Song" makes me think I'm listening to the soundtrack to "Hair" or even a little "Rocky Horror Picture Show" but when I heard "Nabbed" by the Yoshida Brothers I had to check to see if I was still listening to the right CD.
Alright, there are a few songs where I prefer the original versions (Jack's Obsession by Sparklehorse makes my ears bleed), but a lot of them are just wonderful. It has renewed my love for Jack and the Nightmare he created in 1993. I'm not sure but I think all the contributing artists are fans of the film, and no doubt this album is a work of love for a curious film that has changed my life, and the life of other "emo" people before we were given that name.
However, if you are not a "hard core" fan then you probably wouldn't get this album. If you are a "hard core" fan though, buy this CD. And if you love the music of Mr. Danny Elfman and his voice and you haven't heard of Oingo Boingo 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection (Eco-Friendly Packaging) you should go and look it up on Amazon right now! Go!
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 This has got to be a joke... Nov 02, 2009
Let me start out by saying that I love this music, and anything that Danny Elfman does, but with the exception of a few tracks, this is just garbage, I am sorry to say.
The version of "This is Halloween" and "Jack's Lament" are just crap. Jack's Lament is a song of pain and suffering, but this bad just plays it, as if they were just reading it off paper and with no emotion at all.
Korn did a song on here...that is all that I have to mention for you to understand how terrible that much be.
Really the high point on this album are the instrumentals, which for the most part, are extremely good, especially the Rodgrigo Y Gabriella and the Album Leaf to finish the album with at least a nice high point. Another high point was the Polyphonic Spree. Okay, their version sounded nothing like the original at all, but at least it was emotional and creative, unlike some of the other junk on here.
Also, the version of Sally's Song, okay, not too bad, but they really could have gotten someone better that would have done a 10 times better version I am sure.
Overall, I give this a two, almost a three, but really the Korn and Manson versions are awful. I remember a day when Manson used to do good covers, but that was over 10 years ago and now he is just a joke.
Perfect Revamp Of A Classic Soundtrack Oct 19, 2009
Never was a really big Marilyn Manson fan. Never. I thought everything he stood for was grotesque and insidious and not in a good way. I always felt he was a scum-barking piece of trash. To hear him sing This Is Halloween was like pulling the shroud from a beautiful, but bloated corpse. Sick, but intriguing. That is MM. The fact that song was practically made for him goes without saying. Excellent choice. When you stop watching the horror and the hype and listen to the usic, you will learn to appreciate what Manson does as a musician. Otherewise, you can view him as a scum-barking piece of trash. To him, I believe that is a compliment. Overall, Nightmare Revisited has some excellent efforts by some lesser known entities and it rocks out loud! Great stuff. Manson's song is the best, but there are a slew of gems hidden here and its great to hear new artists sing some old favs. This is classic. Nightmare.
Dig it!
Worth it to collectors and fans of Nightmare before Christmas Aug 14, 2009
OK, I am finally going to review something that I am crazy about, to the point of obsessed, maybe even OCD. I am a huge Danny Elfman fan from the Oingo Boingo days. Recently he has really become the next John Williams with regards to movie soundtracks. While that may be arguable to some, I really don't have time to get into the finer points other than to say that like Williams, Elfman's work compliments the movies and even improves it by completing the stories. Anyway, with that said, I first saw the Nightmare Before Christmas when it first came out and I bought the soundtrack the same day back in 1993. I finally got my hands on this take of the original music and felt compelled to opine.
First, I was a little put off by the seemingly overbearing "goth" and "emo" feel, but upon further review (about 50 times), this is a much broader take than at first glance. Where some of the reviews here are musical midgets that can't see beyond their own like or dislike of a genre of music, my judgment on this is a combination of the artistic interpretation and how it tells the story. I think it is unfair to say Marilyn Manson and run for the hills or synthe/techno what the ?!?! and give it poor remarks solely from a myopic point of view. While all view points are valid to one's self my point in giving a review is to allow others to see my take and make a decision to buy or not to buy based on my experience. Now to the music:
Overture - If you don't understand how Polka has influenced Danny Elfman then this won't make much sense to you (OK polka would have influenced Weird Al more than Elfman but it was fun to write.) For the creative license I give it a 5/5.0. It seemed pretty natural and not a forced interpretation. It is by no means a stretch; and the feel, flavor and mood of the original was not lost. - Score 5/5
Opening - Can you get a better voice then Elfman for the opening? No you cannot!!! - Score 5.0
This is Halloween - Here is my first issue with this compilation. At first this seems to be a fit, but I refused to let "goth" hijack my precious Nightmare just because it creates some buzz. This rendition offers nothing original. It is plainly replayed and poorly sung. There is no musicianship. It is cheap and makes Marilyn Manson look better than he is soley by playing all the notes that already exist; he offered nothing original to it. It is neither darker than the original nor lighter. It just exists for a self serving homage to the singer rather than a tribute to Elfman's work. I wish we could get Ozzy Osbourne. He would give it its due. - Score 0/5
Jack's Lament - I am going to have to reject the All-American Rejects. Here we really have a communication problem. Instead of projecting frustration with Jack's lack of challenge, we get apathy. Instead of hearing pride in ones work...well you get the point. The stepwise bass you here at the beginning is a tribute to Dante's Lament and I'm not talking about the movie Clerks. I wish this would have been done by someone who has some training. The artistic license is just a half a notch above Manson. They took a chance in changing what was communicated, but I don't think it works. Yes, Jack was bored, but he didn't drift into a melancholy, marijuana-induced, apathetic view on existence. He was restless and acted. Something entirely missed in this inconsiderate depiction. - Score 2/5
Doctor Finklestein/In the Forest - At last some thoughtful contribution. It is somewhat minimalist, which allows the focus on what is being communicated. It went darker than the original and now when I see or imagine Jack's stroll into the woods, the woods are a bit eerier, even foreboding. I love the feel. - Score 5/5
What's This? - The creative license here is of note. Its like playing baseball and scoring a touchdown. Sally's song could be emo but this??? When Jack finds something "he never knew he never knew" to quote Pocahontas or Rumsfield if you're just a bit astute, he goes ballisticly unemotionally detached. NO!!! He is exited, renewed and even quickened! It is beautifully sung though, but communicates something entirely out of sync. - Score 3.5/5
Town Meeting Song - Ok, we stretch a 3 minute lyrical masterpiece into 9 minutes. This had better be good, and at first I was disappointed. However, upon further review, it is a musical "redo" ingeniously prolonged. Here, it is the story/not the music that really stands out. It is funny. My favorite line is "OOOHH YES, Does it still have a FOOT?" You couldn't get that kind of excitement in the original without destroying the rhythmic interplay of that sequence, but I would love to hear that kind of excitement in the movie. It would have been funnier. Some will of course not like this selection. It is musical and there are some great rock elements here, but it is the story that takes precedent over the music and it is well done. - Score 5/5
Jack and Sally Montage - This is greatness and a magnificent tribute to the music. This is the best instrumental here. There is some experimentation and it works. This made me want to dig into the Vitamin String Quartet. - Score 5/5
Jack's Obsession - Again extremely miscommunicated, like the media's interpretation of Palin's death panels. But, I do have to give kudos for the musical transformation. It doesn't sound anything like the original, and it doesn't communicate obsession at all. It is very lackadaisical, extremely mismatched, and useless in the telling of the story. But for some odd reason - Score 3.5/5
Kidnap the Sandy Claws - There is some risk here, it is not a reproduction like This is Halloween but it doesn't push Korn's musicianship. It really isn't sharp playing just ok. It is playful, fun, but maybe too abrupt. It has grown on me but not my favorite. - Score 4/5.
Making Christmas - This is fine playing and a great interpretation. It communicates the excitement and energy required. Nice to hear some added metal tributes also. The drum line and guitar work is excellent. Of all the vocals this one is the best and knocks it out of the ballpark. I'm not even a metal fan but can hear the artistry. Thanks Rise Against - 5/5
Nabbed - Another thoughtful, instrumental piece. I loved hearing an oriental flair; and the tributes to the oriental sound without losing the integrity of the work are pleasing. - Score 4.5/5
Oogie Boogie's Song - I don't know if I'm disappointed or pleasantly surprised here. At first, I really wanted this to be vocal and have someone go to town on it. You know that when Elfman goes blues bar he is really having fun. I wanted to see someone play tribute to that kind of fun, but I didn't get it. Instead I got Spanish guitar and good Spanish guitar at that. Score - 5/5
Sally's Song - Beautiful piece, but not shiny - Score 4.5/5
Christmas Eve Montage - This is a fun piece and brings a little of the electra/techno into this mix. I think Depeche Mode would have worked too but you can't have everything. All in all, I'm glad it was included. - Score 4/5
Poor Jack - This is done well. Not a lot of risk taken but some fun elements. - Score 4/5
To the Rescue - More electra/techno but not unpleasant. It is fun and even nostalgic. I could totally see this in an Austin Powers rescue scene. - Score 4/5
Finale/Reprise - OK, a little harder than I expected but it works on some strange level. This is risk taking that compliments the music/story. - Score 4.5/5
Closing - Again no better voice than Elfman's - 5/5
End Title - I really enjoyed this - mesmerizing, pensive, and lyrical. Very well layered, and I feel this is a bit Tangerine Dream like. It is one of the best instrumentals here. - Score 5/5
There are more hits than misses for the eclectic minded. This album has a wide range of styles that the more myopic collector will dismiss. It is excellently put together as a whole and no one style outdoes any of the others. Although the instrumentals do tend to outdo the vocal pieces but that is to be expected. It is easier to rearrange instrumentals than to change the vocal style and not lose the story and maybe that is where the trouble lies for some selections. Either they didn't change anything substantial or they went too far and ruined the story. Simply put the vocals are constricted in the artistic license to keep with the integrity of the story telling. With that, I would have to give the winning effort to Raise Against for Making Christmas. It is well worth the misses. All in all - this compilation is better and broader than I had originally thought.
M. Kent Leckie
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