If you’re going to adapt one of the most celebrated Batman stories of all time into animation, you’re going to need to create a soundtrack to match.
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The good news is that WaterTower Music and La-La Land Records have taken that to heart, and have created a beautiful orchestral score to accompany DC’s Batman: The Killing Joke. The score was created by Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter, and Michael McCuistion, who have previously worked on projects like Justice League, Batman Beyond, and Young Justice.
“Bruce and Sam are deeply sensitive to the effect of music on the scenes,” says Carter. “During our meetings, we would discuss what was happening not only onscreen, but also what was NOT onscreen that the music can support. Communicating what the characters are thinking and feeling is one of the most powerful uses of music in film, and it was a joy to collaborate with film makers that want to find just the right tone to help tell the story.”
While digital is all the craze these days, the trio decided to work with live musicians for Killing Joke, even going as far as to reunite many of the musicians that worked on another much-loved series.
“We knew right off the bat we were going to hire live musicians for this score” said McCuistion. “We wanted the level of nuance and expression that only live performance provides. We were especially excited to be able to reunite with many of the finest Los Angeles studio musicians who originally played our scores for Batman: The Animated Series to record The Killing Joke. The legacy that we all shared became a catalyst for some truly unforgettable recording sessions!”
“Cinematic, psychological, introspective, and melodic are words that come to mind as to how I would describe what we were striving to achieve musically for this deeply complex and frankly amazing film,” Lolita Ritmanis comments. “It is great to have room to breathe, to allow for themes to be heard in their entirety, to be in full-on feature film mode, and to be able to draw inspiration from the story, the beautiful artwork and the stellar vocal performances of Mark Hamill, Tara Strong, Kevin Conroy, and the rest of cast.”
Speaking of the cast, a special treat for fans will be Mark Hamill’s “I Go Looney”, which is listed as the last track on the album. The Killing Joke soundtrack will hit stores on July 22nd, and the film will release on digital July 26th and physical media on August 2nd.
You can view the entire tracklist below.
How the Story Begins*
We’ve Got a Robbery**
Uncle Not Pleased***
Narcissist and Sociopath**
Hit on Yacht***
Serious Business*
Bats and Babs Cross the Line***
Rooftop Regrets***
The Abyss**
Batman Was Right*
Storage Unit Corpses***
The Halls of Arkham**
Joker Imposter***
Making a Killing**
Jeannie Flashback*
Looking for a Clue**
Broken Books***
Hoods Present the Hood***
Nothing Will Be the Same**
Trapped in a Nightmare*
Jeannie Is Gone*
Bats Pummels for Clues***
Throw the Book**
Horrifying Images**
Bats Receives Tickets***
Ghost Train Stops*
Chemical Factory Heist***
Batman Arrives at the Carnival*
Merry-Go-Round Source**
By the Book**
All It Takes Is One Bad Day*
Let Me Help You**
Oracle Is Here***
End Credits § 3:07
35.
“I Go Looney” §§ Performed by Mark Hamill
* composed by Lolita Ritmanis
** composed by Michael McCuistion
*** composed by Kristopher Carter
§ composed by Michael McCuistion, Kristopher Carter & Lolita Ritmanis
§§ music by Michael McCuistion, Kristopher Carter & Lolita Ritmanis
