The Recent MCU Soundtracks Have Been Nothing Short Of Great (IW Spoilers)

Imperial Bishop · May 11, 2018

It's been three weeks since Infinity War so it's as good a time as any to talk about this. I've really been digging the soundtracks for Phase 3 MCU, especially the ones for the past three films.
I'm usually the kind of guy that will look up a film's score if it really connects with me.

There have been a couple of videos and think pieces about the music in Marvel movies being unmemorable and generic, though even I could have agreed about that at some point.
However, it's been noticeable to me that the synergy for the scores in Thor Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War feel so realized and firing on all cylinders.

(the videos are restricted from embedded playback, so enjoy the links)
The 80's inspired synth music in Thor Ragnarok
What Heroes Do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqmNPmvKqJ0
Planet Sakaar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTJTXg7whac

The African tribal drums, flute, and horns in Black Panther
Wakanda:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMFAsidiQfc
Killmonger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8-moTAc-2E

and now Avengers: Infinity War.... Alan Silvestri returning to work on IW and A4 was a blessing. I was taken aback by how much I've been replaying these three tracks in particular.
Forge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obEyScyrd3Q
Even For You:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXESYfjMGqc

And ending the movie on this track (Infinity War)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10dXUS3ch0
made the dread and despair from watching half of the heroes turn to dust.

Also honorable mentions to Doctor Strange's theme and Ant-Man's theme. They deserve more love.

SasaBassa · May 11, 2018

Forge is a banger and the perfect BRING ME THANOS soundtrack. And anyone who didn't mark out when Cap appeared to the arranged Avengers theme is lying.

TBH Tony's theme since IM3, Driving with the Top Down, the Avengers Theme, Black Tears (for GotG) and Captain America March were all fire. Ditto for Taking a Stand from TWS.

Everything you mentioned is great too. TBH I've liked a lot of the MCU music and more recently their character music has been pretty damn good.

Bor Gullet · May 11, 2018

Didn't care for the Ragnarok score. Nothing stood out for me (unless you count the immigration song).

Black Panther though, whew boy I've been listening to that OST for weeks now.

Deleted member 9241 · May 11, 2018

1:25 here was when Thanos enters Wakanda, looking around and sizing up the defenders. The bass in Imax was super deep and that very moment was like a horror movie villain stalking his next victim.

Anth0ny · May 11, 2018

Killmonger's theme is fucking legendary

Imperial Bishop · May 11, 2018

Bor Gullet said:
Didn't care for the Ragnarok score. Nothing stood out for me (unless you count the immigration song).

Not even the Grandmaster Jam Session?
https://youtu.be/g3YmsEVxUhU

I think the score resonates with the new "reboot" direction they're taking Thor in.

Anth0ny · May 11, 2018

Also Spider-Man Homecoming had this greatness:

Sanjuro · May 11, 2018

Very short of everything.

Bor Gullet · May 11, 2018

Imperial Bishop said:
Not even the Grandmaster Jam Session?
https://youtu.be/g3YmsEVxUhU

It's fine. Fits the scene well though.

Deleted member 9241 · May 11, 2018

Never forget Guardians Inferno!

Prine · May 11, 2018

Don't agree, I've not seen BP though. I think IW was quite derivative and forgettable. Thought Wonder Woman & Superman had iconic and memorable superhero OSTs if we're talking about recent comic book movies, WW especially, those guitar riffs man, instantly recognisable, cuts through everything at that moment.

Kurdel · May 11, 2018

Yeah, they are really knocking it out of the park!

Prine said:
Don't agree, I've not seen BP though. I think IW was quite derivative and forgettable. Thought Wonder Woman & Superman had iconic and memorable superhero OSTs if we're talking about recent comic book movies, WW especially, those guitar riffs man, instantly recognisable, cuts through everything at that moment.

BP definitely has a stronger score than IW. The audio mix is still a bit lower than I would want, but it's still brilliant!

Yasuke · May 11, 2018

Black Panther and the first Guardians have the best top to bottom scores in the franchise.

Takyon · May 11, 2018

Don't forget Gotg 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISTZYZq1H80

JayCB64 · May 11, 2018

Prine said:
Don't agree, I've not seen BP though. I think IW was quite derivative and forgettable. Thought Wonder Woman & Superman had iconic and memorable superhero OSTs if we're talking about recent comic book movies, WW especially, those guitar riffs man, instantly recognisable, cuts through everything at that moment.

I find the WW guitar stuff super out of place and jarring when combined with the setting of the film, but that's just me I guess.

hydruxo · May 11, 2018

Black Panther's was really the only MCU score that ever really stood out while I was watching it. I listened to that non-stop for days after I saw the movie.

Marossi · May 11, 2018

How come you didn't put the Thanos looking at the horizon (Alan Silvestri - Porch) song??? Just hearing it give me fucking goosebumps, it was probably my all time favorite moment of all MCU where I was standing like "Did this just fucking happened???"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkMsmUbLLs

It's exactly what one of the top comments on the video said:
"It would have been so easy for Alan Silvestri to just give Thanos some bland, ominous theme that no one remembered. And instead we got this. Such an emotional and wonderful piece for what is easily the best villain in the MCU."

Deleted member 42105 · May 11, 2018

Nah, BP has some fire but Rag and IW had mostly nothingburgers like most MCU osts. Although I did enjoy the Thanos horns

for his Wakanda entrance.

Anth0ny said:
Also Spider-Man Homecoming had this greatness:

Giacchino knocked it out the park with this one. He always has one or two tracks in most movies he scores that stand out.

Cuburger · May 11, 2018

I'm not someone who has thought the MCU has had bad scores (some were better than others) but they've really been pretty consistently good all of phase 3. The IW score was great and actually one of the stand out parts of the movie for me, something that while I like some MCU scores, I usually wouldn't go as far as to think of the score as a key player in the film as it was here.

Silvestri brought the same sort of feeling to a score that I'd I missed in movies of old, and I actually like what he did in IW more than in RPO, even though hearing him be able to play with the BttF theme again was great.

Imperial Bishop · May 11, 2018

Prine said:
Don't agree, I've not seen BP though. I think IW was quite derivative and forgettable. Thought Wonder Woman & Superman had iconic and memorable superhero OSTs if we're talking about recent comic book movies, WW especially, those guitar riffs man, instantly recognisable, cuts through everything at that moment.

You might want to remedy that.
And outside of the main themes, I can't remember a lot of tracks from Wonder Woman or Man of Steel. I also prefer Superman's theme in MoS to WW's theme.
The guitar riffs don't feel like they fit her.

Haee said:
How come you didn't put the Thanos looking at the horizon (Alan Silvestri - Porch) song??? Just hearing it give me fucking goosebumps, it was probably my all time favorite moment of all MCU where I was standing like "Did this just fucking happened???"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkMsmUbLLs

It's exactly what one of the top comments on the video said:
"It would have been so easy for Alan Silvestri to just give Thanos some bland, ominous theme that no one remembered. And instead we got this. Such an emotional and wonderful piece for what is easily the best villain in the MCU."

I didn't want to put too many links in the OP, but yeah, Porch sounds like a dichotomy theme for Thanos if someone listened to it before watching the movie. It works very well for the solemn victory he achieves at the end.

Nikus · May 11, 2018

My favorite MCU soundtracks are still the first ones. Mainly Thor, The First Avenger (Cap theme), and the Avengers theme.
I don't care much for the recent ones, I can't really tell them apart, except Ragnarök and Black Panther. But I'm not a fan of the tonal shift for Thor, and as much as I like the soundtrack on its own, it doesn't really fit the tone of the movie imo. A comedy with a cool synth soundtrack is a bit jarring, even if the soundtrack is good.

Deleted member 42105 · May 11, 2018

Haee said:
How come you didn't put the Thanos looking at the horizon (Alan Silvestri - Porch) song??? Just hearing it give me fucking goosebumps, it was probably my all time favorite moment of all MCU where I was standing like "Did this just fucking happened???"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkMsmUbLLs

It's exactly what one of the top comments on the video said:
"It would have been so easy for Alan Silvestri to just give Thanos some bland, ominous theme that no one remembered. And instead we got this. Such an emotional and wonderful piece for what is easily the best villain in the MCU."

Great cliffhanger piece, reminded me of Game of Thrones.

BossAttack · May 11, 2018

No, man. They're hot garbage, only BP is the exception. IW is just as mediocre as the rest of the MCU scores.

mreddie · May 11, 2018

I really hope Christophe Beck one ups his Ant-Man OST for Ant-Man/Wasp.

T'Chakku · May 11, 2018

SSJDio said:
Great cliffhanger piece, reminded me of Game of Thrones.

I thought I was the only who thought so.
It sounded like something straight out of the show.

I really liked IW's score. Particularly the parts during the emotional scenes.

17 Seconds · May 11, 2018

music is so important to movies like this too. i think it's a huge part of why star wars is popular too.

17 Seconds · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
No, man. They're hot garbage, only BP is the exception. IW is just as mediocre as the rest of the MCU scores.

damn, you're aggressively miserable about the mcu movies too?

Cuburger · May 11, 2018

Haee said:
How come you didn't put the Thanos looking at the horizon (Alan Silvestri - Porch) song??? Just hearing it give me fucking goosebumps, it was probably my all time favorite moment of all MCU where I was standing like "Did this just fucking happened???"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBkMsmUbLLs

It's exactly what one of the top comments on the video said:
"It would have been so easy for Alan Silvestri to just give Thanos some bland, ominous theme that no one remembered. And instead we got this. Such an emotional and wonderful piece for what is easily the best villain in the MCU."

Get chills just listening again.

What an amazing ending, and the music really is a huge part of that.

This piece going into the Avengers piano motif where it just trails off while the title card turns to dust just twists the knife in such a perfect way. It's the most satisfying downer of a movie ending I can recall seeing.

BossAttack · May 11, 2018

17 Seconds said:
damn, you're aggressively miserable about the mcu movies too?

I don't celebrate trash or mediocrity. And, where talking about the film scores, not the movies. Infinity War is one of the best Marvel movies ever, it's score is uninspired mediocrity though. The same with Homecoming, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Ragnarok, and all the rest. The only original scores that stand out in the whole MCU is Black Panther and some of The Winter Soldier. Guardians doesn't count as it relies more on licensed music. Oh, and let's not even get into the sound mixing on most of these films, which is also mostly horrible such that you can barely even hear the mediocre scores when they're playing. Again, BP stands out above the rest.

rashbeep · May 11, 2018

i think they have more character than before, but are still unmemorable

jon bones · May 11, 2018

So much amazing music lately in the MCU

Civil War
Sakaar Chase
Wakanda
Killmonger
Black Tears
Porch
Forge
Infinity War
Help Arrives

Phase III has been next level bonkers

Madison · May 11, 2018

Black Panther is and will always be #1.

Everybody say kikiritikiki

17 Seconds · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
I don't celebrate trash or mediocrity. And, where talking about the film scores, not the movies. Infinity War is one of the best Marvel movies ever, it's score is uninspired mediocrity though. The same with Homecoming, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Ragnarok, and all the rest. The only original scores that stand out in the whole MCU is Black Panther and some of The Winter Soldier. Guardians doesn't count as it relies more on licensed music. Oh, and let's not even get into the sound mixing on most of these films, which is also mostly horrible such that you can barely even hear the mediocre scores when they're playing. Again, BP stands out above the rest.

"trash" really is the go-to word for hyperbolic nerd rage these days

Imperial Bishop · May 11, 2018

SillyEskimo said:
1:25 here was when Thanos enters Wakanda, looking around and sizing up the defenders. The bass in Imax was super deep and that very moment was like a horror movie villain stalking his next victim.

I remember how everything before he shows up goes all quiet and you can hear the wind blowing through the trees. It's so eerie.

Nikus said:
My favorite MCU soundtracks are still the first ones. Mainly Thor, The First Avenger (Cap theme), and the Avengers theme.
I don't care much for the recent ones, I can't really tell them apart, except Ragnarök and Black Panther. But I'm not a fan of the tonal shift for Thor, and as much as I like the soundtrack on its own, it doesn't really fit the tone of the movie imo. A comedy with a cool synth soundtrack is a bit jarring, even if the soundtrack is good.

I think synth can work with anything if executed right. It works in Ragnarok since it's an intergalactic surreal Norse mythology comedy with a lot of energy.

jon bones · May 11, 2018

17 Seconds said:
"trash" really is the go-to word for hyperbolic nerd rage these days

i like your use of "aggressively miserable" - great term for internet kid behavior

T'Chakku · May 11, 2018

Fork said:
Black Panther is and will always be #1.

Everybody say kikiritikiki

Oh my word, oh my gosh, oh my word (oh my gosh)

BossAttack · May 11, 2018

17 Seconds said:
"trash" really is the go-to word for hyperbolic nerd rage these days

How many Oscar nominations for "Best Original Score" do MCU soundtracks have? You wanna bet BP ends up being the first one?

Nikus · May 11, 2018

Imperial Bishop said:
I remember how everything before he shows up goes all quiet and you can hear the wind blowing through the trees. It's so eerie.

I think synth can work with anything if executed right. It works in Ragnarok since it's an intergalactic surreal Norse mythology comedy with a lot of energy.

Yeah I'll have to watch it again, but at the very least I enjoy listening to it.

Thanks for the thread btw, it forces me to listen to some tracks that I overlooked.

cj_iwakura · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
I don't celebrate trash or mediocrity. And, where talking about the film scores, not the movies. Infinity War is one of the best Marvel movies ever, it's score is uninspired mediocrity though. The same with Homecoming, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Ragnarok, and all the rest. The only original scores that stand out in the whole MCU is Black Panther and some of The Winter Soldier. Guardians doesn't count as it relies more on licensed music. Oh, and let's not even get into the sound mixing on most of these films, which is also mostly horrible such that you can barely even hear the mediocre scores when they're playing. Again, BP stands out above the rest.

I wouldn't call it mediocre, but I damn sure agree on the mixing. I can barely recall any music from the film.

ClickyCal' · May 11, 2018

The hypebole of how "bad" mcu music is...is hyperbolic.

WillyFive · May 11, 2018

Alan Silvestri did fantastic work on Infinity War.

Black Panther's OST is easily among the best of the genre.

Thor: Ragnarok I think is a bit overrated, but it fits the movie really well.

Spiderman Homecoming's score was excellent, although the mix in the movie is hard to hear at times.

Guardians 2 even used the same theme from Guardians 1 (progress!).

MCU has been improving it's game a lot in terms of music.

And MCU has had great soundtracks in the past, with Thor and First Avenger, then Avengers, Iron Man 3, and Ant-Man and Doctor Strange.

jon bones · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
How many Oscar nominations for "Best Original Score" do MCU soundtracks have? You wanna bet BP ends up being the first one?

ohh this is another popular take these days, everything is binary: trash or Oscar nominated

17 Seconds · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
How many Oscar nominations for "Best Original Score" do MCU soundtracks have? You wanna bet BP ends up being the first one?

so if it's not oscar worthy, it's trash

man think about how overly negative you are about things you like. it's insane.

BossAttack · May 11, 2018

jon bones said:
ohh this is another popular take these days, everything is binary: trash or Oscar nominated

17 Seconds said:
so if it's not oscar worthy, it's trash

man think about how overly negative you are about things you like. it's insane.

What do you call something that isn't recognized as great by anyone within the industry and no one in the general public can recall off the top of their heads?

Imperial Bishop · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
I don't celebrate trash or mediocrity. And, where talking about the film scores, not the movies. Infinity War is one of the best Marvel movies ever, it's score is uninspired mediocrity though. The same with Homecoming, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Ragnarok, and all the rest. The only original scores that stand out in the whole MCU is Black Panther and some of The Winter Soldier. Guardians doesn't count as it relies more on licensed music. Oh, and let's not even get into the sound mixing on most of these films, which is also mostly horrible such that you can barely even hear the mediocre scores when they're playing. Again, BP stands out above the rest.

What non-MCU scores from films in the last five years do you consider to not be trash then?
Just curious.

WillyFive · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
What do you call something that isn't recognized as great by anyone within the industry and no one in the general public can recall off the top of their heads?

Henry Jackman, maybe?

Glenn · May 11, 2018

They've definitely improved. Although it's disappointing how there's no big, memorable, iconic, John Williams level style theme for each hero. The Avengers is probably the only one that comes close.

17 Seconds · May 11, 2018

BossAttack said:
What do you call something that isn't recognized as great by anyone within the industry and no one in the general public can recall off the top of their heads?

there are several EXTREMELY successful/famous composers who have done marvel films. you are fabricating unrealistic expectations and then acting like it's a complete failure if they don't meet your dumb arbitrary requirements.

you know what, this is pointless. you're completely unwilling to have a real discussion. you just want to be mad about all entertainment all the time.

godofcookery · May 11, 2018

Scores and Themes should be separated in this discussion. For instance, I really enjoy Silvestris Avengers Theme and his work in the scoresof Captain America The First Avenger. Wonderful recognizable stuff. Winter Soldier may also be good, but to my ears the best parts were the callbacks to the First Avenger.

BossAttack · May 11, 2018

Imperial Bishop said:
What non-MCU scores from films in the last five years do you consider to not be trash then?
Just curious.

The ones that get nominated at the Oscars and Grammys? Hans Zimmer will always bring it (Blade Runner 2049, Interstellar, TDK trilogy, Dunkirk, etc.), John Williams isn't as great as he once was but even at his worse he's better than the lot, Johann Johannsen (Arrival, Sicario), Trent Reznor (The Social Network), Daft Punk's stellar work on Tron: Legacy. If we want to go further back then let's talk Clint Mansell (Moon, The Fountain), everything Ennio Morricone ever did, Howard Shore with the LOTR trilogy, James Horner (A Beautiful Mind, Glory), etc. Do I need to go on?

17 Seconds said:
there are several EXTREMELY successful/famous composers who have done marvel films. you are fabricating unrealistic expectations and then acting like it's a complete failure if they don't meet your dumb arbitrary requirements.

you know what, this is pointless. you're completely unwilling to have a real discussion. you just want to be mad about all entertainment all the time.

Nah, the premise of this thread was ridiculous such that I had to chime in. The MCU soundtracks have been anything but "GREAT." I'm sorry to have to tell you this. And, my standards aren't arbitrary. The film and music industry itself recognizes them as not great, since none have been nominated for a Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. And, only Iron Man was nominated for a Grammy, the first MCU movie.

You can like these mediocre scores all you like, but don't try and act like they're great and then get mad when someone points out that no one sees them that way. Don't worry, I'm sure Black Panther will get the first Oscar nod and definitely a Grammy nom. Why? Because it's actually really good.

The Recent MCU Soundtracks Have Been Nothing Short Of Great (IW Spoilers)

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