By By Elise Meyers

Only the most talented composers have the ability to write an instantly memorable melody. Composer Danny Elfman once possessed this talent, as evidenced by works such as the themes from both “Tales From The Crypt” and “The Simpsons” and of course his masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas. Melodies like these evoke a wide range of emotions in just the first few strains. They stay with the listener long after the songs have ended. Unfortunately the ability to write great pieces was lost to Elfman sometime before his work on Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and may be gone forever if the Corpse Bride soundtrack is any indication.

This is not to say that Corpse Bride is not a good CD. The haunting “Piano Duet” and raucous “Remains Of The Day” are very enjoyable; they just do not stay with the listener. It would be rather triumphant if it were a freshman attempt by an unknown but as a later work of the both established and prolific Elfman it is very weak. Corpse Bride cannot hold a candle to The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Still, fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas will not be completely turned off by this inferior work. There are shades of Jack and Sally, the hero and heroine of The Nightmare Before Christmas present in Corpse Bride. This is particularly noticeable in the songs performed by the character of Bonejangles who, like Jack, is voiced by Elfman himself. The song “Tear To Shed,” is a heroine’s lament reminiscent of “Sally’s Song.” However, those expecting Corpse Bride to be a brilliant follow-up will be sorely disappointed.

Corpse Bride is worth owning but not worth paying full price for. It is the kind of CD people play once or twice a year and then put away and forget about. The best bet is to sit back and wait a year or so until the barely played copies are being sold for cheap.