Home Podcasts Settling the Score: a Movie Score Podcast

Settling the Score: a Movie Score Podcast

The Tarantino brothers 42 Episodes Jun 10, 2026

From the Tarantino brothers comes Settling the Score, a podcast about the music in the movies we love. Each episode explores the songs, scenes, and sounds that make these films so memorable. The hosts invite listeners to join them and follow on Spotify for notifications on new drops. They can be found on TikTok for more score settling antics.

Episodes

Arrival | Jóhann Jóhannsson Jun 10, 2026 00:41:13 In preparation for Disclosure Day the bros have been contacted by the US Army to decode the anomoly that is Jóhann Jóhannsson's epic score for the 2016 phenemenon Arrival. Ev's score: 9.1 / Al's score: 8.8 / Ky's score: 9.0Musical term: MultiphonicInstrumental Instrument: VocoderIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, g

Project Hail Mary | Daniel Pemberton Apr 27, 2026 00:25:49 Episode new! Amaze, amaze, amaze!

Train Dreams | Bryce Dessner Mar 16, 2026 00:20:43 The world needs a hermit in the woods as much as a settler on the microphone. The bros take a trip out west to delve into Bryce Dessner’s ethereal score for Train Dreams.

Marty Supreme | Daniel Lopatin Feb 26, 2026 00:41:23 Settlers have a purpose. If you think that's some kind of blessing, it's not. It puts us Settlers at a huge life disadvantage. It means we have an obligation to breakdown Daniel Lopatin and Josh Safdie's Oscars Supreme.Ev's score: 8.9 / Al's score: 8.7 / Ky's score: 9.1Musical term: PolytonalityInstrumental Instrument: Prepared pianoIf you like what you hear, follow us on S

This is Spinal Tap | Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner Jan 29, 2026 00:20:19 This one scores out of 11. RIP Rob, thank you for all you gave us.Ev's score: 10.3/11 / Al's score: 9.3/11 / Ky's score: 9.6/11Musical term: Mixolydian modeInstrumental Instrument: Bass guitarIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on TikTok or Instagram.00:00 Introd

Frankenstein | Alexandre Desplat Dec 31, 2025 00:41:14 Some of what we will tell you is fact. Some is not, but it is all true. The bros have created a monster with this one...Ev's score: 8.7 / Al's score: 9 / Ky's score: 8.9Musical term: Adagio Instrumental Instrument: Silver violinIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-set

IT | Benjamin Wallfisch Oct 31, 2025 00:40:26 We all float down here settlers. That's right check behind you for balloons because we're headed into the storm drain for this one. The bros get in the spooky spirit with a trip to Derry to discuss the highest grossing horror film of all time.Ev's score: 8.3 / Al's score: 8.5 / Ky's score: 8.5Musical term: PolytonalityInstrumental Instrument: ChoirIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify an

The Princess Bride | Mark Knopfler Sep 3, 2025 00:32:59 Wait, Grandpa, you’re telling me that the composer for The Princess Bride is also a four time Grammy award winning classic rock legend?! Inconceivable!Ev's score: 9.4 / Al's score: 9.4 / Ky's score: 9.4Musical term: Borrowed chordInstrumental Instrument: SynclavierIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Michael Giacchino Aug 8, 2025 00:43:18 A mother would move heaven and earth for her settlers, and as the bros broach father / uncle-hood they'll do just that. We herald the return of Michael Giacchino with a score worthy Marvel's first family. Ev's score: 8.7 / Al's score: 8.9 / Ky's score: 9Musical term: StaccatoInstrumental Instrument: ChoirIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future

F1 | Hans Zimmer Jul 21, 2025 00:36:59 It's lights out and the STS car is attacking in the turns on this one as we break down how Joseph Kosinski's formula for summer blockbusters just delivered another podium finish.Ev's score: 8.1 / Al's score: 8.3 / Ky's score: 8.4Musical term: OstinatoInstrumental Instrument: Electric guitarIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Bett

Jurassic Park | John Williams Jun 27, 2025 00:40:48 I'm simply saying that settling finds a way...Jurassic Park is back and we've resurrected a dinosaur of a score from the past. This awe inspiring work from the Tyrannosaurus himself, John Williams, has broken containment and is on the loose.Ev's score: 9.1 / Al's score: 9.2 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Suspended chordInstrumental Instrument: French hornIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spo

28 Days Later | John Murphy May 25, 2025 00:29:15 With '28 Years Later' on the horizon, the boys revisit Danny Boyle's sleeper hit that reinvigorated the zombie genre. They discuss the film's production and budget challenges, the value of silence in creating tension, and how Murphy's minimalist, mood-driven approach changed horror scoring forever.Ev's score: 8.6 / Al's score: 8.1 / Ky's score: 8.2Musical term: Post-rockInstrumental Instrument: El

Sinners | Ludwig Göransson Apr 28, 2025 00:55:56 Every settler has a past, and every sinner has a future. Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson have delivered what's sure to be one of the films of the year if not the decade, and we've got until sunrise to discuss it.Ev's score: 9.8 / Al's score: 9.7 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Call and response (music)Instrumental Instrument: Dobro 1932 CyclopseIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King with Dr. Stanley Miller | Howard Shore Mar 27, 2025 00:43:37 Gondor calls for aid...and the Settlers shall answer. We’re making our long-awaited return to Middle Earth to once and for all vanquish the One Ring. Carried to the summit of Mount Doom by Tolkien enthusiast Dr. Stanley Miller, we dissect what made Howard Shore’s epic conclusion to the LotR trilogy a true masterpiece.Ev's score: 10 / Al's score: 9.9 / Ky's score: 9.9 / Stan's score

The Brutalist | Daniel Blumberg Mar 7, 2025 00:30:14 Hot off its Oscar win, the boys discuss the structures, techniques, and collaborations culminating in 2024’s Best Original Score.Ev's score: 9.5 / Al's score: 9.3 / Ky's score: 9.3Musical term: Tone ClusterInstrumental Instrument: Prepared pianoIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up w

The White Lotus | Cristobal Tapia de Veer Feb 19, 2025 00:24:34 Welcome to the White Lotus, Settlers. The guys take a trip to Maui with Cristobal de Veer’s eery score in the Airpods. You know this one’s gonna end with a bang. Ev's score: 8.6 / Al's score: 9.3 / Ky's score: 9.2Musical term: PolyrhythmInstrumental Instrument: Voice of Cristobal Tapia de VeerIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop futu

Captain America: The Winter Soldier | Henry Jackman Feb 4, 2025 00:41:07 Before we get settling, does anyone want to get out? Cap is back, and the bros are celebrating by revisiting where it all began for the Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Henry Jackman's unique contribution to the MCU . Ev's score: 8 / Al's score: 8.3 / Ky's score: 8.6Musical term: AtonalityInstrumental Instrument: ScreamingIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified

Severance | Theodore Shapiro Jan 16, 2025 00:22:37 Every time you find yourselves here, Settlers, it's because you chose to come back. The boys share their theories for what the "work" actually is, draft their top Lumon employees, and continue their anti-temp crusade.

Holiday Scoretacular 2024 Dec 20, 2024 00:29:02 It's the most wonderful time of year, and the best way to spread holiday cheer is settling scores for all to hear. Happy holidays, settlers!

Wicked | John Powell Dec 12, 2024 00:44:00 That's right settlers, it's time to try defying gravity on this one as the bros take a trip to discuss one of their favorite musicals, and the unique twists John Powell added for its adaptation to the silver screen.

The Terminator | Brad Fiedel Dec 4, 2024 00:25:26 It's been 40 years since the infamous words were first uttered: "I'll be back." The boys are back, discussing the seminal, stripped-down sci-fi film that put James Cameron (and Arnold) on the map. Ev's score: 9.1 / Al's score: 8.9 / Ky's score: 9 Musical term: 13/16 time signature Instrumental Instrument: MIDI If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we d

Gladiator | Hans Zimmer Nov 20, 2024 00:41:38 It's Ky vs Emperor Hans on this one as we travel back to Ancient Rome just in time for the follow up to Ridley Scott's epic. It's not all splendor and glory though as we uncover the deception and brutality hidden in this classic score. Ev's score: 8.5 / Al's score: 9 / Ky's score: 8.9 Musical term: Waltz (music) Instrumental Instrument: Duduk If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and o

Spooky Scaretacular 2024 Oct 31, 2024 00:29:37 Halloween is upon us, and the night is dark and full of terrors. It’s time for our yearly roundup of the sounds that scared us in 2024! 00:00 Intro to the Scaretacular 01:47 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' 12:11 'Us' 18:12 'Talk to Me' If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settlin

Up | Michael Giacchino Oct 23, 2024 00:39:08 Settling is out there! Al is setting off the balloons for this one as the bros take a long awaited adventure to Paradise Falls. Ev's score: 8.8 / Al's score: 9.7 / Ky's score: 9 Musical term: Thematic transformation Instrumental Instrument: Muted Trumpet 00:00 We're back! 00:11 Hans Zimmer and the Great Baltimore Disaster 02:22 Dedicating the Episode 04:37 Analyzing the Emotional Impact of 'Up' 0

Wedding Crashers | Rolfe Kent (feat. Chuck Duane) Sep 25, 2024 00:38:49 Rule number one...never leave a fellow settler behind. We're going uncorked on this one as the bros bring on a special guest and Crashers extraordinaire to help settle their first ever R-rated comedy. Ev's score: 7.6 Al's score: 6.8 Ky's score: 8.0 Chuck's score: 7.6 Musical term: Pentatonic scale Instrumental Instrument: Irish bouzouki If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in

American Beauty | Thomas Newman Aug 30, 2024 00:26:06 Ev takes the boys back to the “best year in film”, when Sam Mendes’ directorial debut captured the zeitgeist of late 90s suburban America. It swept the awards circuit then...but how does it hold up 25 years later? Ev's score: 8.6 / Al's score: 8.5 / Ky's score: 8.6 Musical term: Vertical Time Instrumental Instrument: Tabla If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in

Inside Out | Michael Giacchino Aug 1, 2024 00:31:18 The boys set out to make some core memories by diving into Michael Giacchino’s emotional :) score for Inside Out. Ev's score: 8.3 / Al's score: 8.7 / Ky's score: 8.5 Musical term: Pastiche Instrumental Instrument: Glass bowls If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settl

Moneyball | Mychael Danna Jun 27, 2024 00:37:47 We're thinking differently on this one Settlers as Ky changes the game by bringing us our first ever sports film. On the eve of a trip to our hometown ballpark Camden Yards we're taking a listen to Mychael Danna's 2011 hit Moneyball. Ev's score: 8.4 / Al's score: 7.7 / Ky's score: 9 Musical term: Ostinato Instrumental Instrument: Cello If you like what you hear, follow u

Saving Private Ryan with Tom Modly | John Williams Jun 6, 2024 00:50:26 "Earn this...earn it." On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the boys and their uncle—former UNSECNAV Tom Modly—pay homage to Spielberg's Second World War epic, and to all who have served and sacrificed. Ev's score: 9.5 / Al's score: 9.1 / Ky's score: 9.4 / Tom's score: 9.8 Musical term: Rattenuto Instrumental Instrument: Trumpet If you like what you hear, follow us on S

Challengers | Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross May 22, 2024 00:25:20 Come on! The boys dissect modern cinema’s most equilateral love triangle, and the Reznor/Ross techno masterpiece that propels it. Ev's score: 9.2 / Al's score: 9.1 / Ky's score: 8.9 Musical term: Electropop Instrumental Instrument: Synthesizer If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up w

Andor | Nicholas Britell May 4, 2024 00:36:17 One. Way. Out. The rebellion is brewing in this one as Ky celebrates May the 4th with the best body of work to come out of the Star Wars universe in the last decade. Ev's score: / Al's score: / Ky's score: Musical term: Diegetic music Instrumental Instrument: Beskar Bell Basement Pipes If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future ep

Shogun | Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Nick Chuba Apr 18, 2024 00:27:47 Without a good rock, a garden is just a place of growing. Without a good score, a show is just a place of mediocrity. Ev leads the boys to the shores of feudal Japan, exploring how the Ross brothers turned traditional Japanese instruments into modern tools of emotional and psychological expression.

Dune: Part Two | Hans Zimmer Apr 14, 2024 00:38:39 "You are not prepared for what is to come." The boys dive deep into the sands of Arrakis, discussing the old and the new in Dune: Part Two. Ky feels the sand on his face, Ev obsesses over unconventional instruments, and Al hits us with his best Loire Cutler impression. Ev's score: 9.7 / Al's score: 9.7 / Ky's score: 9.4 Musical term: Double Harmonic Major Scale Instrumenta

Oscars Scoretacular 2024 Mar 6, 2024 00:24:32 Hollywood’s biggest annual awards event is upon us, and the race for Best Original Score is tight! The bros entertain the idea of an STS emcee, give their takes on the nominees, and build a podium of their own. 2023 gave us some strong candidates, but there can only be one… Ev's pick: Killers of the Flower Moon / Al's pick: Killers of the Flower Moon / Ky's pick: Oppenheimer If you like what you

Avatar: The Last Airbender | Jeremy Zuckerman Feb 19, 2024 00:39:22 Strings, percussion, brass, woodwinds...long ago the four sections of the orchestra live together in harmony, but everything changed when the brass section attacked. Only Jeremy Zuckerman master of all four sections could stop them... Ev's score: 9 / Al's score: 8.5 / Ky's score: 8.5 Musical term: MIDI Instrumental Instrument: Duduk If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and

Saltburn | Anthony Willis Jan 31, 2024 00:20:19 It's hard to Settle into a place like Saltburn. The boys don Shakespearean chic and indulge in Anthony Willis' synthy, strung-out musical maze.Ev's score: 8.8 / Al's score: 8.2 / Ky's score: 8.7Instrumental Instrument: Moog synthesizerIf you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling

Barbie | Mark Ronson Jan 17, 2024 00:39:05 Barbie has a great day every day, Settlers only have a great day when they get to talk about Barbie. Ky has the boys moving and grooving for this one as they leave the real world behind for Barbie-land to discuss Mark Ronson’s triumph...just in time for awards season. Ev's score: 9.4 / Al's score: 9.1 / Ky's score: 9.5 Musical term: Disco Instrumental Instrument: Yamaha CS-80 If you

The Holiday | Hans Zimmer Dec 22, 2023 00:36:08 Legend has it when Santa Anas blow, all bets are off. Anything can happen. It's a holiday scoretacular y'all!! The bros are curling up by the fire and cupping a warm hot chocolate for this one just in time to get you in the holiday spirit. Ev's score: 7.4 / Al's score: 7.9 / Ky's score: 6.2 Musical term: Interpolation (popular music) Instrumental Instrument: Musical keyboard I

Killers of the Flower Moon | Robbie Robertson Dec 19, 2023 00:32:15 "Can you find the wolves in this picture?" Ev's score: 9.4 / Al's score: 9.2 / Ky's score: 9.4 Instrumental Instrument: Harmonica If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in touch and keep up with our score-settling antics on Instagram and ⁠TikTok.

Loki | Natalie Holt Dec 1, 2023 00:32:29 The bros are stuck in the TVA on this one as Ky guides them through the past, present, and future of the MCU's newest scoring sensation, Natalie Holt and the MCU's best project in years. Settling For All Time. Always. Ev's score: 8.7 / Al's score: 8.4 / Ky's score: 9 Instrumental Instrument: Theremin If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified

How to Train Your Dragon | John Powell Nov 7, 2023 00:40:14 Most podcasts have sponsors. We have...dragons. Al takes the boys (+ special guest Rob Haus) to Berk as they visit John Powell’s soaring score for HTTYD. Ev's score: 9 / Al's score: 9.4 / Ky's score: 9.5 Musical term: Pedal tone Instrumental Instrument: Bagpipes If you like what you hear, follow us on Spotify and opt-in to get notified when we drop future episodes. Better yet, get in

Settling the score Nov 14, 2020 00:00:25 We’re three brothers keeping in touch through the songs, scenes, and sounds of our favorite films. Each episode, we’ll be taking you—and each other—on a journey down the rhythmic rabbit hole. Join us in Settling the Score. You can find full episodes (which include songs from the movies we discuss!) on Spotify.

Settling the Score: a Movie Score Podcast

Episodes

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