I'm with Angst on this, now unlike Angst, I don't have musical training - so I'm just a consumer...however, I'm a collector of soundtracks (tv shows, games - doesn't matter what the soundtrack is for) and as such, I have a grading system (may have posted this before, can't remember offhand). This system is used both on individual tracks as well as complete soundtracks.
Here goes:-
1. Garbage and absolute pants: This music is just plain awful, monkeys bashing away at drums would probably sound better. Will not be enjoyed by anyone regardless how it's used.
2. Very poor: All but the most diehard fans of the musical piece(s) will find this distasteful...sometimes in the extreme. Extremely limited enjoyment outside of the product.
3. Poor: This rating is given when the music can't be listened to outside of the product and enjoyed but
can be enjoyed when used appropriately (e.g. some people like fast paced action music, but such a piece would be completely inappropriate for a slow paced romantic scene).
4. Adequate: The music works for the product, but enjoyment outside of the product will vary between non-existent and mildly entertaining.
5. Good: The music works for the product and enjoyment outside of the product will most likely mildly entertain.
6. Very good (aka excellent): The music not only works for the product but is enjoyed outside of the product without even seeing the product.
7. Masterpiece: The rarest of all ratings given, few truly deserve this rating and will almost certainly vary from person to person. Such a soundtrack can be listened to standalone without knowing the slightest about the product the music was made for, and enjoy the music immensely. When seeing/playing the product, the music fits so well it's almost transparent to you as it [the music] enriches the scenes.
To give some examples, the first Thunderbirds soundtrack cd (as released via Silva Screen) I would rate as "Good". The Man From U.N.C.L.E. soundtrack (both volumes as released via Film Score Monthly) varies from "Poor" to "Very Good". As much as I like UNCLE stuff, I must be honest to anyone who reads any review I make.
I'm sure y'all are more interested in the grading I give the Doom 3 theme, I did some research on this as I'm not sure whether or not the theme is to be used as a menu theme, intro cinematic music, end credits...*shrugs*. Too much in the way of "OMFG!!11one!!! Doom 3 theme! DOWNLOAD NOW!!!111one!!!" to find out exactly. Guess I'll find out for sure when the full version and/or demo arrives on the shelves soon enough.
With that in mind, I give the Doom 3 theme a grading of: Poor.
Keep in mind all of us here have only heard this single track outside of the product and context itself, the rating of mine
might go up to "Adequate" if I feel that the music suits Doom 3. As I've said many times: we shall see. :}
Regards,
Yickle.
P.S. Now it's time to sleep before I hit random keys on my keyboard with my head.
