Merrick here...

The folks over at soundtrack.net have posted their exclusive “First Listen” of John Ottman’s SUPERMAN RETURNS score.

You can CLICK HERE to hear the mighty Ottman go retro…but not retro.

I’ve seen some Talkbackers questioning whether Ottman is up to following in John Williams’ enormous footsteps. It’s difficult to know for certain based on these limited sound snippets, but I think the music featured here pretty damn impressive.

If nothing else, it certainly seems to capture the passion and spirit of vintage Williams, which…in itself…is no small accomplishment. I, for one, really MISS vintage Williams.

Of course, as far as I’m concerned, almost anything should be an improvement over Ken Thorne’s adaptations for SUPERMANs II & III – which always struck me as as being arranged for, and performed by, a Middle School band (and recorded by technology from the 1940s).

Ottman’s SUPERMAN RETURNS score will be released on June 27, 2006. Can’t wait to hear the whole thing!