Tolkien wrote a literary masterpiece. I read it more than 30 years ago and was impressed then. As a movie it was fantastic, one of the rare movies from a book that is faithful and true to the mind's eye. Every LOTR fan that I know felt that the movie was a masterpiece. The score is perfect for the movie. It is not trite. It was not a commercialized effort to write as many tunes as possible so that a soundtrack would be a best seller. The soundtrack was meant for the movie and it did an aweome job. As far as albums go, it may be repetitive. It may not have tunes that are easily whistled or hummed. It is unlikely to have a hit theme song that will be played on the radio. However, as a movie soundtrack, it was superb for the very reason that it enhanced the movie and was an integral part of the whole. That explains why it does not stand as well on its own. I enjoy the album, not because it has great songs, but because it exudes the sense of LOTR. It is a tone poem of sorts. It exudes a mood. There is darkness, but there is also hope. There is fear, but there is courage. If you liked the movie and enjoyed the score, you will like the album. If you are looking for a standard movie soundtrack written with record sales in mind, then this is not an album that listens well as a stand alone. It must be understood in the context of the story and the movie. Also, be aware that the same album came out with multiple covers. Mine has Arwen on the front, but there were also versions with Frodo, or Sam or others from the story. The album inside is the same.

so some people say this soundtrack is too repetitive, but I think that is what ties the whole thing together and makes it so good. There is a theme that runs through the whole film and that gives it a sense of unity, whilst there are other smaller themes such as the music used for the elves and stuff like that gives it a bit more variety, it also means that you can follow the film through in your minds eye, you know which bit has a black rider in it, you know which bit illustrates mordor etc. I think what made me appreciate this soundtrack even more was I was very fortunate to see it performed live in the Royal Albert hall in London, and wow - once you get to hear a full orchestra and choir blast it out, it really makes you realize what an intricate score this is.

This music is always calming me down after school, and it's the greatest, and I always liked the movies too. They did such a great job with making the movies, and the music to go with it. I'd give a special thanks to J.r.r. Tolkien, since I love his books that he wrote. They were just great the first time I read them, to even the other times I've read them as well. These Movies, books, and even the music are just spectacular.