Life and Death
Lost track 20: "Life and Death"
composed by Michael Giacchino
Varèse Sarabande 2006
Michael Giacchino is a favorite of mine. His style is nothing special but if I had to compare it to something it would be John Williams. His music is very orchestral and adjusts for whatever he is composing. His career has seen compositions in animated features, games, television series, and feature films. It is his composition for Lost that I want to discuss.
Lost is by no means a meager show. It has production values through the sky with clean editing, sharp writing, and dramatic characters. I recently watched the 'catch me up' episode that ABC plays whenever the watchers have been subjected to several months of reruns. In this episode, one of the producers said something to the effect of "The show is called Lost because they are stranded on the island but the characters are themselves lost in their own lives." This is a very vital piece of information on the inner turmoils of the many survivors of Transatlantic Flight 815. While the show is about the crash and the people trying to live somewhat normal lives on a fantastic island full of creatures and other violent humans, the premise is the past that all these characters are trying to survive. I love its connection of the present to the past and relish how the narration of that past moves the show.
Giacchino impresses with this score. In "Life and Death", he utilizes the main theme of Season One which is a simple melody of two alternating notes moving to a third. It is a sweet theme that addresses all of the supposition of the above. It gives the feeling of remembrance along with hope for the future. The track begins with piano chords, the chords are prominent throughout the track and album, which hint at the theme. The chords are answered by a low string. This is repeated and the answer comes an octave higher. The the chords are played with no answer before the piano begins its own melody with string accompaniment. This continues through the track and there is little change except in octaves and some variation in the melody. Finally a violin takes over with piano accompaniment. We have passed the torched or in this case turned the tide. Both piano and violin finish the track with simple chords and that same melody ends with soft strings. The track then ends with the show's signature brass down tone trickle. Giacchino actually does this for most of the tracks on the album and is the one bad thing that I have to say about it.
This track finds itself well within the album. This theme is repeated on many tracks and although it was not heard much in Season Two, it was heard in the last episode in Season Three. It is nice that Giacchino can carry it that far. This album does represent a well composed Giacchino work. His sound may not be distinct but his adaptation to the work is very clever. I forever look forward to hearing his score in all mediums.
Lost is by no means a meager show. It has production values through the sky with clean editing, sharp writing, and dramatic characters. I recently watched the 'catch me up' episode that ABC plays whenever the watchers have been subjected to several months of reruns. In this episode, one of the producers said something to the effect of "The show is called Lost because they are stranded on the island but the characters are themselves lost in their own lives." This is a very vital piece of information on the inner turmoils of the many survivors of Transatlantic Flight 815. While the show is about the crash and the people trying to live somewhat normal lives on a fantastic island full of creatures and other violent humans, the premise is the past that all these characters are trying to survive. I love its connection of the present to the past and relish how the narration of that past moves the show.
Giacchino impresses with this score. In "Life and Death", he utilizes the main theme of Season One which is a simple melody of two alternating notes moving to a third. It is a sweet theme that addresses all of the supposition of the above. It gives the feeling of remembrance along with hope for the future. The track begins with piano chords, the chords are prominent throughout the track and album, which hint at the theme. The chords are answered by a low string. This is repeated and the answer comes an octave higher. The the chords are played with no answer before the piano begins its own melody with string accompaniment. This continues through the track and there is little change except in octaves and some variation in the melody. Finally a violin takes over with piano accompaniment. We have passed the torched or in this case turned the tide. Both piano and violin finish the track with simple chords and that same melody ends with soft strings. The track then ends with the show's signature brass down tone trickle. Giacchino actually does this for most of the tracks on the album and is the one bad thing that I have to say about it.
This track finds itself well within the album. This theme is repeated on many tracks and although it was not heard much in Season Two, it was heard in the last episode in Season Three. It is nice that Giacchino can carry it that far. This album does represent a well composed Giacchino work. His sound may not be distinct but his adaptation to the work is very clever. I forever look forward to hearing his score in all mediums.
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