Death Wish
Herbie Hancock · 1974
40 min · 9 tracks · classical music
A blend of electrifying jazz fusion and atmospheric soundscapes, underscoring the gritty themes of a crime thriller.
Top tracks — play these first
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Death Wish (Main Title) Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its haunting motifs and dynamic rhythms that capture the film's tension.
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Suite Revenge: A. Striking Back, B. Riverside Park, C. The Alley, D. Last Stop, E. 8th Avenue Station — This multi-part suite showcases Hancock's mastery of blending different musical themes and styles, reflecting the complexity of the narrative.
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Joanna's Theme — A poignant piece that reveals emotional depth through its melodic lines, providing a counterbalance to the album's darker tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalInnovative fusion of jazz and cinematic elements creates a distinctive sound that rewards multiple listens.
What we noticed
- Several tracks utilize extended improvisation sections, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood and intensity.
- The final track incorporates a gradual fade-out, leaving the listener with an unresolved feeling that aligns with the film's themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- moody atmospheres for deep focus
- vibrant improvisations during late nights
- wave-like pacing for reflective moments
- cinematic soundscapes in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a shift towards more experimental sounds in Hancock's career.
- Themes
- cinematic jazz landscapes· urban revenge narratives· reflective soundscapes
- Moods
- Chill· Introspective
- Career context
- When 'Death Wish' was released in January 1974, Herbie Hancock was already an established artist, coming off the success of his groundbreaking album 'Headhunters' in 1973. This soundtrack represented a shift in his career towards more experimental compositions tailored for film scoring.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Weather Report· Miles Davis
Tracklist
- 1 Death Wish (Main Title) Start here 6:14
- 2 Joanna's Theme 4:45
- 3 Do a Thing 2:14
- 4 Paint Her Mouth 2:17
- 5 Rich Country 3:46
- 6 Suite Revenge: A. Striking Back, B. Riverside Park, C. The Alley, D. Last Stop, E. 8th Avenue Station 9:25
- 7 Ochoa Knose 2:08
- 8 Party People 3:33
- 9 Fill Your Hand 6:17
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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