ALAN SILVESTRI: Ferngully, The Last Rainforest

An upbeat, flaky score by Alan Silvestri would be a perfect addition to the mix. Familiar with composing in studios with arrays of synthesizers, Silvestri could create the ambience of an orchestral score electronically while also infusing the music with some of the basic sound effects from the film. Many of the birds, waterfalls, insects, and thunderclaps in the film are actually part of the musical score by Silvestri, who integrates the sounds into convenient rhythms instead of using traditional instruments.

If this is starting to sound a little weird... well, it's supposed to! The score is a crazy combination of Free Willy and The Pricess Bride (the former of which was not yet released, but features a strikingly similar title theme). There really isn't an orchestral presence, but rather a electronic replacement of an orchestra; Silvestri pulls it off better than you would think that anyone could accomplish given the technology of 1992 studios. There are a few strong thematic sequences of the score, often involving light keyboarding. Otherwise, however, some of the happy-go-lucky sequences of bouncy electronics make you sound like you're stuck in the Disneyland light parade --or some bizarre kiddy amusement park ride (Someone... make it stop!). This music evolves into a full pop song ("The Grotto Song") of Silvestri's co-creation, and perfectly sums up the sickeningly positive environment of the whole affair. The score dances through the forest with light feet and a sometimes annoying sense of glee. What saves the music from being a torturous procession of good vibes is, ironically, the vast collection of sound effects. There are entire tracks with only the chirps, the waves, and the various animal sounds of the forest, and when Silvestri combines these effects with minimal music, the score is surreal in its ability to relax the listener. There is even a scary grinding/mechanical sound, followed by a falling tree, in the "Leveller" cue. As was becoming the custom for record labels in the early 1990's, music from FernGully: The Last Rainforest was released on two albums. The first album contained mostly the songs from the film, and was generally considered a decent product. The Silvestri score was released on its own at the same time, at about 45 minutes of length (if you include the sound effects). There isn't much adventure in the score for FernGully: The Last Rainforest, but there is an overdose of cheesy attitude and well-rendered synthetic moments of awe that are meant to wow the minds of children. It's an interesting study from the political standpoint, and certainly a unique entry in the career of Alan Silvestri. Filmtracks

Track listing

1. Main Title (02:27)
2. Skylarking (02:28)
3. Magi Lune's Cave (02:43)
4. Xanthoreas (01:27)
5. Crysta's Journey (03:00)
6. Rainforest Suite (01:13)
7. The Leveller (01:38)
8. Going to Ferngully (06:58)
9. The Grotto Song (04:56)
10. I'm Back (04:27)
11. The Battle for Old Highrise (03:29)
12. Remember Everything (03:02)
13. Spirit of the Trees (03:41)
14. Genesis (02:28)

Total Duration: 00:43:57