Composed
by Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis and Kristopher Carter
Vocals Performed by Neil Patrick Harris, Grey DeLisle, James Arnold Taylor, John DiMaggio, Kevin Michael Richardson, Tom Kenny, Dee Bradley Baker, Jeff Bennett and Diedrich Bader
"Batman: The Brave and The Bold" Theme Composed by Andy Sturmer
Produced
by New Line Records
Track Listing:
2. "I'm The Music Meister" – Neil Patrick Harris (5:55)
3. "Drives Us Bats" – Neil Patrick Harris and Various (1:46)
4. "If Only" – Neil Patrick Harris and Grey DeLisle (2:35)
5. "Death Trap" – Neil Patrick Harris and Grey DeLisle (1:49)
6. "The World Is Mine" – Neil Patrick Harris (3:33)
7. "If Only" (Reprise) – James Arnold Taylor and Grey DeLisle (2:03)
8. "Drives Us Bats" (Mayhem Of The Music Meister End Credits) – Neil Patrick Harris and Various (0:32)
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It’s
a testament to the creativity and ambition of the producers and show runners
responsible for “Batman: The Brave and The Bold” when they can take the format
of a half-hour super hero cartoon aimed at young children and incorporate the
beautiful gift of music into it.
Composer
Andy Sturmer’s theme for the television series echoes the flight and whimsy of
the 60s television series with its brass instrumentation and percussion. To
tell you the truth, the theme reminds me of a lot of the music specifically
from Nelson Riddle’s score to the ’66 movie, especially the material for when
Batman and Robin take to the seas in the Batboat in search of the Penguin’s
submarine. It’s delightfully zany and sets the mood for this animated Batman
each episode with a heroic undertone that plays up his inability to lose.
NOTE: Ignore the Video; the Point is the Song.
As
we open the episode, a collection of foes including Black Manta and Gorilla Grodd find themselves inexplicably forced
into a need to express themselves through the power of song as they come under
the spell of the one and only Music Meister, voiced and performed by Neil
Patrick Harris. I think Harris, with his background in theatre and previous
experience in that community as both an active participant and recurring host
of the Tony Awards, lends himself perfectly to the character. The concept of
the character works very well with the aesthetic of the show and its tone and
this opening number is a reflection of that with its wonderful vocals.
One
of my two favorites off the album, this is just fun and theatricality at its
most infectious. The tempo is rollicking as Batman gives chase throughout
Gotham City in pursuit of the Music Meister and the lyrics are a wonderful
homage to the caped crusader himself, and how he’s so proficient that he drives
both friend and foe berserk. The track is full of swagger and beat; very 80s
eclectic in its pace and presentation and I love the guitar work that plays in
undercurrent. Of course the song works exceptionally well when perceived from
the point of the view of the villains but I find it charming that even other
heroes like Aquaman and Green Arrow get in on the fun, commenting about how no
matter how hard they try, they can never reach the level of respect and popularity
that Batman holds. It’s funny because it’s true. I love DC Comics
super heroes, but they’ve all got a point on this one.
No
Broadway exhibition would be complete without a full blown romantic ballad.
Somewhat campy and deliberately relatable, “If Only” sings a tale of what one
might call unrequited love that befalls a collection of our characters. The
Music Meister sings his portion for Black Canary while Black Canary sings hers
for Batman. It’s a tender moment of vulnerability for these mythic figures as
they vocalize their possible yearnings for one another. However, the song’s
true intent unveils itself as each performer reveals their true love; fighting
villainy and being villainous as per the individual character. Harris’ vocals
are tremendous here, demonstrating the aforementioned vulnerability and it’s a
touching, albeit comical song.
Capped
with a hard edged foundation of percussion and guitar that picks up its tempo
from the get-go, “Death Trap” is a playful tip of the cap to the precarious
scenarios the villains always had a knack for placing Batman in throughout
their history. This idea carries with the Music Meister as he lyrically
describes what would possibly be the moving parts of this omnipotent
contraption (“Gears Grindin,’ Ropes Bindin,’ Coils Windin,”) and the resulting
fatality of their operations. The exponentially rising pace wonderfully
metaphors the concept of death inching itself closer and closer, building
tension as a result as we sit in awe, wondering if Batman will make it out
alive.
My
other favorite track from the collection, “The World Is Mine” plays as a
hypnotic counterpoint to “I’m the Music Meister.” The track has a wonderful
sense of pitch and beat; it’s not too fast and the fact that it’s a bit slower,
more methodical lends itself to the villainy of the Music Meister very well.
The brass work is generous and brilliant, flourishing with immense boldness and
brevity. It’s a delightful ode to the villain of the episode and it’s over the
top in all the right ways.
Keeping
in the Broadway tradition, the album comes complete with its own reprisals. As
Batman leaves to fight crime, Black Canary reiterates her feelings for him
while looking up to the Bat-Signal. However, another voice adds itself to the
mix, creating a duet between Canary and Green Arrow. This is a great nod to the
comics, where Dinah and Oliver are well recognized for having a romantic
relationship with one another which eventually blossomed into marriage with
their “Wedding Special” published by DC Comics in 2007. Personally, I find
James Arnold Taylor’s voice a better match for DeLisle and they play off each
other’s emotional fluctuations tremendously.
The
album and episode end on a high note with the reprise of “Drives Us Bats,”
which I suspect was meant to be the highlight for the show runners since it’s
given the final word so to speak. Just as great as the full track, condensed and
shortened for the end credits of the show.
--------------------------------------------------------
Neil
Patrick Harris
James
Arnold Taylor
Andy
Sturmer
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