Yo ho, yo ho, soundtracks are for me!

I recently purchased the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest soundtrack and have listened to it extensively since. I was surprised to learn that the soundtrack to the first Pirates, one of my favorites, was created at the last minute. However, listening to this one made me understand what they meant. Soundtracks should mirror the movie, and this one certainly does. It's swashbuckling and heroic for the most part, but with some sidetracks that are fun but odd. Also, as the new movie is darker in tone, any theme from the first soundtrack that is used in this one is in a lower key; more cellos than violins, more french horns than trumpets. The old themes are used, but not widely, so they were a surprise when they came. Mostly the themes are new or modified. Another fault with the first one was that the music was not very easy on the ears at all times. This one, even in the action tracks, never becomes as grating.


Jack Sparrow - This is a delightful six minute piece that has all Jack's old themes, as well as working in a lovely new one. It's tongue-in-cheek and smooth, with a lovely cello part.

The Kraken - This is one of the new themes, and reminiscent of the Jaws theme. It starts off with low strings and drums, and crescendos into an eery melody on the organ.

Davy Jones - For the "bad guy's" theme, this is very beautiful, starting off with the haunting music-box tune of Davy Jones, and then playing it out again on the organ. It's a surprisingly lovely track on a soundtrack for an action movie.

I’ve Got My Eye on You - The first part of this track is hardly there, just ominous sounding music, and the second half is a rehash of The Medallion Calls from the first one.

Dinner is Served - As suggested by the title, this is the music for the cannibal scene in the movie, the first half being drums and exotic vocals. The second half, however, is the Straussian waltz for when the prisoners are swinging in the metal cages. It seems out of place, but also fitting for the movie that it's in.

Tia Dalma - This track is eery and weird,

Two Hornpipes (Tortuga) - This is personally my favorite piece, very lively and fun, and also slightly out of place in the rest of the soundtrack.

A Family Affair - This is the music for when Will is on the Flying Dutchman.

Wheel of Fortune - This music is the most swashbuckling so far, with the old action theme as well as a new one.

You Look Good Jack - More action music, not very interesting, except for the last bit where there is a rehash of Swords Crossed done with electrical instruments.

Hello Beastie - This is basically all the music from the last part of the movie, rather miscellaneous, but very good. It's very emotional, and if you've seen the movie, sure to bring up memories.

He’s a Pirate (Tiesto Remix) (Bonus) - This is the weirdest track of all. Someone took the last track from the first soundtrack, played it with electrical synthesizers, and put it in the background of a lot of drums. The result at first sounded just like noise. My question is: why?