Daft Punk’s Tron: Legacy Soundtrack Review

http://vimeo.com/17687260

Daft Punk’s Tron: Legacy has been one of the most anticipated and hyped electronic music releases of the year.

Die hard fans have been waiting since it was first announced that Daft Punk would be scoring Tron: Legacy. And the Disney hype machine has whipped up enough buzz for Tron 2 that most people have already had a preview of the film and soundtrack.

Does the Daft Punk Tron: Legacy soundtrack live up to the hype?

It depends on what you’re expecting from Daft Punk’s soundtrack.

If you’re expecting a great cutting-edge soundtrack or a great Daft Punk album, the Tron: Legacy soundtrack doesn’t really deliver.

If, on the other hand, you thought that Daft Punk bit off more than they could chew taking on scoring a major motion picture soundtrack and following in Wendy Carlos’s footsteps – you may be pleasantly surprised.

The Tron: Legacy soundtrack is a agreeable collection of short tracks, most of which combine orchestra and synths to various degrees.

The soundtrack sounds huge – there’s no doubt that it will be effective as background to Tron’s visuals. The combination of brass, strings and deep electronic bass shakes the room.

Daft Punk’s music, though, is less satisfying. Most of the soundtrack conforms to dance music norms: compressed sound, rigid 4/4 meter and 16-beat sequences. This tends to emasculate the power of the orchestra, removing meter, dynamics and tempo changes as expressive options.

Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter also make surprisingly conservative use of the orchestrational possibilities of both the orchestra and electronics. For the most part, the strings play minor key ostinati, brass play “pads” and synths are used to add deep bass. It’s not unlike the way Philip Glass extended the orchestra with synths on soundtracks like Koyaanisqatsi, 30 years ago.

As a result, most of the soundtrack doesn’t sound especially “Daft Punk”.

Putting aside the hype, though, the Wendy Carlos legacy, and inflated expectations for Daft Punk – the Tron: Legacy soundtrack can be enjoyed for its own merits.

Daft Punk’s more electronic tracks on the soundtrack, like Derezzed, draw on the duo’s electronic dance music strengths. Several tracks, like Solar Sail, feature arrangements that skillfully blend orchestral and electronic elements.

And the score includes several primarily orchestral pieces, including the Overture, Adagio For Tron and Finale, that are neo-classical surprises. You may find yourself wondering if the music is still Daft Punk. The Overture, especially, takes advantage of the power of the orchestra, starting quietly with strings and horn and then building to a bombastic, brassy climax.

The soundtrack is also Journey-free.

All-in-all, there’s a lot to recommend Daft Punk’s Tron: Legacy soundtrack. There’s more to the duo than dance music and robot suits, and their score for Tron: Legacy has me wondering what they will do next.

The Tron: Legacy soundtrack is currently available at Amazon for $7.99.

If you’ve listened to the Tron: Legacy soundtrack, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!

77 thoughts on “Daft Punk’s Tron: Legacy Soundtrack Review

  1. I agree with you for the most part. This is not discovery 2.0. Neither are daft punk the next John Williams. It IS great music however.

    I’m not a film score aficionado in the least. Besides the Tron and Tron: Legacy scores I have the first 3 (IV, V, VI) Star Wars scores. I listen to them once every 3-4 years.

    I love Daft Punk’s work here partly because I feel it’s them stepping outside their comfort zone. I’m excited and happy that Disney has allowed them this opportunity to grow.

  2. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  3. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  4. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  5. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  6. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  7. I was disappointed at first. Then I realized that, just as you shouldn't read song lyrics without hearing the music first, you probably shouldn't listen to movie soundtracks without seeing the movie itself.

    That said, I'd have expected a bit more cutting-edge electronic music (pardon the cliché). It sounded a bit like the Dark Knight soundtrack but with even less programming. I only listened to it once though, maybe it'll grow on me.

  8. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  9. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  10. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  11. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  12. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  13. I like the soundtrack. When I first heard Daft Punk was doing the soundtrack, I was excited, but not because I like Daft Punk. I knew that they respect the Tron license, and they respect Wendy Carlos, and they are talented enough to use a style appropriate to the movie.

    The music in the original Tron was there to expose the soul in the machine. It was all electronic but managed to have heart. The new soundtrack is an attempt to maintain this soul, and maintain the simplicity of theme. It's background music that drives the emotion in the movie, with swells used sparingly to bring out intensity where it's needed.

    I personally think they should have waited to release the soundtrack in-line with the movie opening so there would be less speculation about how things tie together. That being said, I've been enjoying listening to it and I can't wait to hear it in the theater.

  14. can anything live up to the hype around daft punk?? seriously its ALOT

    no im not really a fan.. and i never have been, but really – "overrated" is like the understatement of the decade when it comes to these guys IMHO

    anyways, its fucking DISNEY.. so obviously they wont really pick from true electronic greats.. they have to pick from something the kids can relate to

  15. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  16. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  17. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  18. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  19. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  20. Overall I am quite impressed with the soundtrack. Unfortunately Daft Punk make WAY too much use of the 'leitmotif' which they present early in the album. Overall the album leaves me with a feeling of a bit too much safety. The orchestra is emotive, however, as stated above the ostinato and excessive 'Inception-escue' use of deep brass is a little bit unoriginal. All in all I wish it was a bit more 'gritty' and 'electric'.

    That being said, it is still without a doubt the best soundtrack I have heard in 2010…

  21. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  22. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  23. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  24. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  25. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  26. I'm curious about the orchestral bits. It's hard to write for an orchestra as it is, but with the burden of having to produce the soundtrack to potential blockbuster movie and the addition of electronic instruments all hell breaks loose. I am still not impressed by derezzed. To me that track sounds like it should have been made 5 to 10 years ago but not today. It's like the two tracks by Journey on the original Tron's soundtrack: They have aged (but they are still better, musically, than derezzed in my opinion). Despite all this I'm pretty confident that we'll get a good movie. Though I wonder whether Wendy Carlos would have been at all willing to write a score for this new movie and if not whether there is someone younger than here who might be the Wendy Carlos of today?

  27. This is a meat and 2 veg soundtrack with very little flair or imagination and sounds like it was knocked up in 5 minutes. Suprisingly bad and has little replay value when played in isolation. When I hear some of the talent in gaming soundtracks, it puts this one to shame. Such a potential probably hobbled by Disney execs, in which case the wrong guys made the soundtracks.

  28. Very VERY disappointed at this soundtrack. Pedestrian at best. Considering the amazing work that Wendy Carlos did this is just utter crap that for me has ruined a movie that I’ve been waiting a long time for.

    Someone above wrote that there are video game composers that would have done a much better job, and I totally agree! There are many composers that would have done much better work than this.

    Daft punk are fine at techno dance .. that’s their thing. But they are totally out of their league in doing a film score. And frankly thus film deserved much better.

    The 2003 PC game Tron 2.0 had a way better soundtrack than this film.

    All I can say is Wendy should have done this score. Or at least a composer that could have brought originality instead of generic crap to the table. There are many good composers out there.

  29. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  30. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  31. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  32. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  33. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  34. I like the soundtrack fine but I got a question and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same impression. Track # 12 "End of Line", does anyone else get reminded of John Carpenter's soundtracks at all?

  35. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  36. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  37. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  38. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  39. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  40. Personally I quite liked it. I don't think it sounds that much like Daft Punk, but i was never a huge fan of theirs anyway. It has a strong 70's synth sound to start off with, then alternating ochestral/electro and occasionally combining the two. Lots of bitcrushed percussion, huge sounding basslines and big epic leads. What isn't there to like? I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this thurs.
    I rate it up with The Social Network for one of the best soundtracks i've heard in recent years.

  41. What do you consider cutting edge? Really in a lot of ways this movie is a looking backwards kind of affair, and I feel like the sounds are suitably retro and lo-fi amidst the orchestral backing.

  42. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  43. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  44. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  45. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  46. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  47. i neither like or dislike this new album,
    what i like is that it's tron, the music fits the story of this movie, it's like a jumper complementing the rest of the wardrobe, giving a warm impression. But….

    the jumper should scream and tear out because on it it says daft punk, two men who thrill us with music like aerodynamic and around the world, who give spectaculair shows and have this mythe around them.

    So in all, is this a perticulairly bad album? noo its great, because it delivered what it should to the movie, but for the die hard daft punk fans, they should deliver a remixed album with that old and proven daft punk sound, otherwise people would fall asleep during the concert.

  48. C.L.U was a great track.. Reminiscent of the Dark Knight which was one of the best soundtracks ever.. Also alot of deep brass much like Inception.. All in all, these Daft Punk Guys have Skillz..

  49. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  50. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  51. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  52. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  53. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  54. well, as a musician and film editor, and occasional fan of Daft Punk, I was blown away by the soundtrack when I saw the movie (at Arclight in Los Angeles, fwiw: LOUD). I'm also not prone to considering how soundtracks play alone with no picture generally.

    the music, while clearly calling on Philip Glass's Koyaanisqatsi, and Wendy Carlos work, supported the picture and drove the emotions of the scene almost to points of bombast. but it all worked really well for me.

  55. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

  56. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

  57. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

  58. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

  59. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

  60. I didn't realized that it was a Daft Punk soundrack until I got home a few hours ago. As I listened to it, I thought for SURE it was Philip Glass reworking his Koyaanisqatsi from 30 years ago. Not because of the style of instrumentation. I heard figures and motifs that are from Koyaanisqatsi. I won't be surprised if there is a lawsuit down the line. I've watched Koyaanisqatsi 30-40 times. I know the music well. There is more than mere semblance of similarity between Daft Punk's "Tron Legacy" music and that of Philip Glass. Knowingly or accidently, they've copied a bunch of his melodies and bass lines.

    Either way, the soundtrack was a great fit for Tron, and cool music on it's own merits.

    1. Jurno, the section you referenced is moving 5 steps up and down a scale diatonically all with the same rhythmic value (unless the link has changed since then), but if you mean a specific orchestral sound then it’s not unique to either composition in any way. As for the scale movement, it gets used all over the place by people that may never have heard of either example. That’s one of the reasons why scales, runs and harmonic progressions can’t be copyrighted like melodies can.

      Or think of a somewhat less common example. Tthe opening four chords of Rob Dougan’s “Clubbed to Death” or “Furious Angels” from the Matrix movies (the former of which explicitly borrowed a longer progression from Edward Elgar’s classical Enigma Variations). Once again, the (shorter) stepwise progression is not unique to those works, and they can be found in lots of other places, including Rare’s soundtrack to the 1990s Nintendo game Killer Instinct.

      Or the movement of a low sustained E natural in the “strings” to the G at the start of both Vangelis’ classic score to Blade Runner in the 1980s (“Main Titles” on the recent CD versions) and Yasunori Mitsuda’s superb Xenogears score (01 – Dark Dawn from the first CD of the OST). You can’t copyright an orchestration technique combined with a two note movement either.

      This is not copyright infringement. Even when there is a clear and intentional influence for an uncommon structure, like the way Nobuo Uematsu openly acknowledged his composition “One Winged Angel” was inspired by Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix and Rite of Spring by Stravinsky there may not be copyright infringement if that inspiration is does not copy the original verbatim.

      Some things have to be able to naturally occur in many compositions or else it would stifle creativity. That’s why copyright infringement law must deftly toe the line between protecting the creator, giving them motivation to create and protecting their craft, while also allowing enough leeway for others to do the same. Can you imagine if someone had been allowed to copyright use of quartal or quintal harmony? Or what about the use of a cadenza in a concerto? All music would have suffered.

      Conversely, if someone spends tons of times constructing a long, unusual melody (in the sense that the longer combination of rhythms and intervals has not been encountered before) then that should be protected, as a whole. But that’s different than a particular type of orchestration or an ostinati consisting of nothing but repeated runs or scales.

      In any case, I do really enjoy some of Philip Glass’ music (especially the recent revival performance of Koyansqatsi at the Hollywood Bowl) and am glad to hear you and Lance Robinson bringing his work up in this somewhat unlikely discussion. 🙂

  61. I love electronic and classical music equally. Listening to the entire Daft Punk soundtrack was a trip for me. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful combination of both genres. The people who criticize this soundtrack overlook the phenomenal musicianship of EVERY track on the album. If whoever criticizes this soundtrack makes something better than this, then maybe they have a right to talk down. But if you can't make something better than this, it is better to just listen and be in awe.

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