A uniquely sad score that follows the tale of Edward Scissorhands with subtlety and sadness. The main theme is a lovely lullaby with choir and orchestra and is the kind of theme the term "haunting" was invented for. Much of the score is filled with this type of sad scoring and perhaps makes it a little on the depressing side. However, the same could be said of Schindler's List, which is considered a masterpiece. There are some slightly more boisterous moments such as in The Cookie Factory, which is similar to The Breakfast Machine from Pee Wee's Big Adventure. It has a strange percussion background to it and is great fun, although not quite as carefree as Pee Wee's music. Edwardo the Barber has a racing violin figure that stunningly demonstrates the first work of Edward's scissorhands. The second half is perhaps more tragic sounding still and is subtitled as Poor Edward. The Grand Finale is a singularly wonderful track that highlights the choir along with full orchestra. It is a very emotive piece and has an amazing tragic, yet triumphant quality to it. The End recapitulates the haunting main theme. Although sad, this is a triumph of Elfman's more sombre and subtle side and is probably his best non-action soundtrack that I own.

Rating ~

  1. Introduction - Titles (2:36)
  2. Storytime (2:35)
  3. Castle on the Hill (6:25)
  4. Beautiful New World - Home Sweet Home (2:05)
  5. The Cookie Factory (2:14)
  6. Ballet de Suburbia - Suite (1:17)
  7. Ice Dance (1:45)
  8. Etiquette Lesson (1:38)
  9. Edwardo the Barber (3:19)
  10. Esmeralda (0:27)
  11. Death! (3:29)
  12. The Tide Turns - Suite (5:31)
  13. The Final Confrontation (2:17)
  14. Farewell.... (2:46)
  15. The Grand Finale (3:26)
  16. The End (4:47)
  17. With These Hands (2:43) (Sung by Tom Jones)

Total Time ~ 49:13