Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman's first score of the year is the updated version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The composer's longtime collaborator Tim Burton directs the classic Roald Dahl book into a film that delivers with a memorable music score. The 1971 Leslie Bricusse musical will still be fondly remembered in the long run but Elfman takes inspiration from the book and is able to create exciting songs with changing styles as Dahl's poems become the lyrics. Some classic Oingo Boingo sounds can be heard and the songwriter performs all the vocals of the Oompa Loompas himself. The song for Veruca Salt is a stand out highlight of the album which feels like it's right out of a Byrds song or from the British Invasion of the 1960s. The River Boat music sounds reminiscient of Jerry Goldsmith in some areas and one was even left out of the movie (River Boat Cruise - Part 2). This score is a fun ride which will have you eagerly awaiting Elfman's next Burton project of the year: Corpse Bride.