Skip to content

INTERSTELLAR (VINYL)

Written By:

Nick Spacek
interstellarvinyl

AUDIO REVIEW: INTERSTELLAR / COMPOSER: HANS ZIMMER / LABEL: AT THE MOVIES (MUSIC ON VINYL) / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW 

It’s a rare thing that I’m going to say regarding this release, but Hans Zimmer’s score for Interstellar might be the first release I suggest against buying on vinyl. It has nothing to do with Music On Vinyl’s At the Movies release. As a matter of fact, this is a wonderful version in terms of presentation; the packaging is gorgeous and the liner notes by Zimmer and director Christopher Nolan are insanely good reading.

Bonus points go to whomever designed the LP’s center labels. The record sides are denoted in Morse code, which is a clever nod to an important plot point in the film, as well as just being a nifty way to do things in general.

Heck, I’ve even come around on Zimmer’s music. While I still feel that his rise to prominence is based on pedestrian work for the likes of Rain Man, Driving Miss Daisy and The Lion King, here the composer has created something that’s as epic as the picture to which it’s attached. However, that’s precisely why I feel that it being on vinyl hinders the work. Really, what’s necessary for the score to Interstellar is that it needs to breathe and stretch out, and restricting your intake of the music to 22 minutes at a time only serves to interrupt the experience.

It’s really only on side C that the music really has a chance to expand. Being as how the two cuts on that side are rather epic in length, you’re able to listen and feel like something’s really expanding in your mind. The ethereal build of Murph might be the score’s highlight, and even removed from the context of the film it’s emotionally powerful. Paired with Detach, which is the most effective demonstration of how Zimmer can take the powerful pipe organ and use it in a quite delicate and subtle manner, this might be my favorite 20 minutes of music altogether.

However, one side of a double LP does not an album make, and the fact of the matter is that for an experience more true to the film itself, you really need to own this digitally or on compact disc. As good as this sounds – and, again, it really does, with opening Dreaming of the Crash perfectly exhibiting how sonically dynamic this score is in highs and lows – flipping sides and swapping out records distracts from the flow.

If you’re the sort who needs to break up Zimmer’s score, in order to be able to more accurately process it, this is definitely the release for you. Should you find yourself pausing the digital or CD version of the Interstellar score in order to breath, reflect, and take a moment to go over that which you’ve heard, then I heartily suggest the At the Movies version. However, to truly, accurately get the entirety of Zimmer’s vision without interruption, then you’re going to want to look elsewhere – much as it pains me to say so.

 

Nick Spacek

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More