Lost in the Music: Lord of the Rings vol 1 by Howard Shore

     Today on Lost In The Music, I am taking a journey. Away from the cold northern wastes I call home to a land of swords and sorcery. Where the world of Men are fighting an eternal battle to seal away the evil from beyond the mountain, the regal elves question if they should remain in the world and the dwarven clans beneath the Misty Mountain's are scattered as punishment for digging to deep. And in the small village in the shire, the One Ring has passed into the hands of a unsuspecting hobbit that goes by the name of Frodo Baggins.

     This Lord of the Rings Trilogy is my favourite film trilogy of all time. I fell in love with the books before I was 10 years old and when Peter Jackson's Fellowship debuted in 2001 I saw it opening weekend. Once again I fell in love with the series as Tolkien's world was brought to life before my eyes. Aside from the stunning visuals and familiar characters, what blew me away was Howard Shore's magnificent score. To this day, I maintain that the music is by far one of the finest features from the film. While the special effects may seem a little dated by 2013 standards, the music remains perfect.

     Howard Shore's work on the movie is by far and aware nothing short of phenomenal. Shore and his orchestra made me feel like I was there along side of the Fellowship. The music perfectly reflects a quaint little village set during the Medieval era. Utilizing flutes and other woodwinds, Shore's team was able to make me want to visit this small village in the Shire. The only other person to do that was Nobuo Uematsu when he composed the Village of Dali theme.

     As wonderful as the peaceful, laid-back tunes of the Hobbits of the Shire, what is truly Shore and his team's strength are the epic moments. Treason of Isengard, The Ring Goes South and A Journey in the Dark are such examples of story telling using music and visuals alone. When you see the Argonath along the Great River, you cannot help but imagine a refined English gentlemen reading the story to you, describing the great statues of Isildur and Anárion to the reader.

     Howard Shore and his team did a fantastic job on this score. He captured every element of the story, from the jovial, down to earth and even party like atmosphere of the Hobbits to the more adventurous tones of the Fellowship as they journeyed from Rivendell to the Misty Mountains. He captured that feeling of epicness. He made the listener want to feel as if they are a part of the journey. That they themselves would get invested in the story and the characters.

     The Lord of the Ring's trilogy holds a special place in my heart. I know its not as good as other movies that have come out since then, but I don't care. Like the original Star Wars Trilogy, I can still enjoy it in this age of cynicism. The Lord of the Ring's movies appeal to me because I have always been a fantasy fan and probably will be until the day I die.

     This is Daimo Mac and I am lost in the music.