1942 replies to this topic

[Simon]

Quite like it.

 

The brassy bits drive it on.  The falsetto stuff is really quite moving.  It is a thoughtful song.  And I can imagine if the titles and sequence are as sensual as the song, and they allow it to breathe, it could be a really quite stirring experience in the cinema.

[mummyboy11]

It has it's merits, no doubt.

 

That being said...my only issue, and the reason I don't think it's better than SF, is the lack of some kind of percussion or instrumental alongside the chorus. The song builds UP AND THEN...the falsetto..., which is not so bad (in terms of what worried the non-Sam Smith fans) but lacks some kind of pace, even if the faintest. 

It lacks some grip on the listener compared to Skyfall. 

 

I think the definitive test will be the match up with the intro credits.

 

EDIT: I've played it a couple of times more...it grows on you! I get it now...it's unfair at first listening because I had SF imprinted in my memory. It's more delicate and it must reflect the theme/ambiance of the movie. It's different.

 

I think it's a good job. Also hope it gets the same reception as Skyfall did in the radio and generic music audience. 

 

That's one thing out of the way...now we only have to wait for the film.

I'll get back to my sleep for now. 

 

PS: Does anyone risk an Oscar nomination on the horizon? Being that it is commented to be better than Skyfall?

Edited by mummyboy11, 25 September 2015 - 08:30 AM.

[sharpshooter]

Quite a few saying it reminds them of Michael Jacksons 'Earth Song' - even Radio 1 are having a little dig!

 

https://twitter.com/...313013293215744

Hah, that's funny. 

[Messervy]

The few seconds of the intro are great. I think they will make a very good theme throughout the film.

 

But the song itself is just not "Bondian". It's nothing disastrous, as a song per se, but it just doesn't get the job done as a Bond-song (except for those few seconds of strings at the very beginning and again towards the end).

 

All in all, I don't like it as a title song.

[FredJB007]

I just don't like it.
I do like the music, but Smith's vocals are to me, like "strangling the cat." Say it ain't so, Sam - Take a hike.........

[Messervy]

Yep. As James said in GE: "Who's strangling the cat?"

[antovolk]

My take: Skyfall is better, instrumentals are top notch, approach to vocals will likely grow on me but I can see that being a problem for some people and a potential deal breaker. But I like this, to be honest. I thought it was gonna be worse.

I think at this point best to wait and see what Kleinman does to elevate this with the titles. The Barry-esque orchestration will sound great on the big screen and I could like I said get used to the vocals by October 26. It for sure IMO fits well tone wise with the film.

[SecretAgentFan]

One should take into account what could have been done with the song - with a rhythm section, adding the obligatory brass stings constantly, maybe even the guitar licks...

 

That they did not do this is, IMO, brave and interesting and ultimately much better.

[tdalton]

Well, that was every bit as bad as I'd feared it would be.

[Messervy]

One should take into account what could have been done with the song - with a rhythm section, adding the obligatory brass stings constantly, maybe even the guitar licks...

 

That they did not do this is, IMO, brave and interesting and ultimately much better.

 

So if I get you right, it's a good thing not to have put all the Bondian elements in a Bond song, so that we eventually get a good-but-average-Joe song?...

[SecretAgentFan]

No, Sir, it features enough of the Bondian elements and therefore does not need to be overstuffed with more of them.

[Messervy]

No, Sir, it features enough of the Bondian elements and therefore does not need to be overstuffed with more of them.

That's where I don't agree with you. To me, apart from this very good backgroung theme (but unfortunately too rarely used), there's nothing much to it. It would have been better (mind you, as a Bond song, I mean) with the said elements.

 

That being said, it's always better than AWTD which sounded like a poor draft delivered in haste...

[SecretAgentFan]

So we do agree on one thing. 

[Goodnight]

I like it, good work fella

[antovolk]

Those of you in the US - has it gone up on iTunes now?
Rest of world have to wait till Monday....

[Logie]

What are the chances they'll play this over the end credits and not the main titles?

[tdalton]

What are the chances they'll play this over the end credits and not the main titles?

 

Slim to none, unfortunately. 

[DamnCoffee]

Well, that's the result when someone is clobbed together in 20 minutes. I guess.

[antovolk]

Ok it's on iTunes now, moved forward from Monday. Google Play etc still Monday
https://itunes.apple...0750?app=itunes

[PPK_19]

Amongst all the reaction to the song i completely forgot that Disclosure supposedly contributed to it...anyone know what?

I'm a big fan of theirs (incidentally their new album drops today) but I can't hear anything in Sam Smith's song that sounds like them, or their "sound".

[jamie00007]

Ugh. No, not feeling it. Weak, no punch to it, no hook. Lyrically it's quite nice but otherwise that's not what I want to see to get me excited at the start of a Bond film. Maybe the end titles. Honestly it also has me a little concerned about what happens in the PTS to launch into such a downbeat song. 

Edited by jamie00007, 25 September 2015 - 09:30 AM.

[Guy Haines]

As opposed to us fans, I've had my first comment from a member of the paying public this morning and.... she liked it. Thought it was a pretty good ballad.

[Harmsway]

It sounds like a Sam Smith song, alright. Not overly fond of it.

[The Shark]

Amongst all the reaction to the song i completely forgot that Disclosure supposedly contributed to it...anyone know what?

Phasing low-pass filtered synth pad that builds from 0:29-42. Might be more, but that's all I'm getting for now.

I'd really to hear a remix of this. Deep house, psytrance, Goa... I don't care. Might give it some punch.

[Guy Haines]

Let's not forget the obvious - it is a Bond film theme song, intended for the titles section, (even though it doesn't mention the title)

Lets see how it works with the film title credits.

[DCI_director]

I actually thought that this would be a good song.  It's really just Sam Smith singing.  Not Bond coming into his world at all.  This is just like Die Another Day and Another Way To Die.  This is terrible.  I was sooo wrong in thinking this would be good.

[thecasinoroyale]

I figure now as long as Craig is portraying Bond now he had the impact of 'Skyfall' to craft this "humane" 007, his future theme for Bone 25 will be just as sombre and powerful as this ballad. All about emotions, pain and sacrifice and choice.

 

Gone is the hard-hitting assassin it seems from 'You Know My Name', and now we're getting a conflicted, love-lorn operative. Don't know if I like that transition or not.

[PPK_19]

Amongst all the reaction to the song i completely forgot that Disclosure supposedly contributed to it...anyone know what?

Phasing low-pass filtered synth pad that builds from 0:29-42. Might be more, but that's all I'm getting for now.

I'd really to hear a remix of this. Deep house, psytrance, Goa... I don't care. Might give it some punch.

Thanks Shark, will listen out for it. I'd love to hear a Disclosure remix of this song. As you said l, anything to give it some punch.

A few friends of mine on Facebook don't like it either. The best comment:

"Just heard the new Bond song. It's bland. So very bland.

I was waiting for the part where the string section burst into some form of passionate chaotic melody, as per many other bond anthems (For reference see: Live & Let Die. Greatest Bond anthem ever.) but this just kind of plodded along like some kind of apathetic teenager kicking a coke can down a road.

Well done Sam Smith, you've perfectly captured the feeling of "meh."

I can only assume from the tune that in the next film "Spectre" the most action Bond will have to deal with is going out to the high street only to discover that Nandos is shut. "

Nail. Head.

[thecasinoroyale]

"Kicking a coke can down a road." Haha, perfect. It's VERY melodramatic and sorrowful.

[jamie00007]

" just kind of plodded along like some kind of apathetic teenager kicking a coke can down a road.

Well done Sam Smith, you've perfectly captured the feeling of "meh.""

Nailed it. After a few more listens. It hasn't grown on me. In fact I think it's already starting to grate. Not a song I'd choose ever to listen to for its own merits, and as a Bond theme, well, basically the total opposite of what, to me, a Bond theme should be. I'm no Adele fan, but at least Skyfall gave me a shot of excitement for the film. This song kind of just did the opposite.

Edited by jamie00007, 25 September 2015 - 10:18 AM.