The James Bond Themes - Part XXIII: Skyfall.

   Four years after "Another Way to Groan", the next Bond film would have Adele as its theme singer, and...I like it. I'll admit, I like Adele's singing, with a deepish voice that works well for a Bond theme and its emotional tone has a fine range. The instrumental works pretty well, and in the end the theme has a lasting effect. That's the last of the Bond themes for 2013, thank you for reading (and listening) to this.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XXII: Another Way to Die.

   It is fitting that song so disjointed from reality goes into a film that suffered from production disjointedness. And with so many other opportunities from Shirley Bassey to Eva Almer, they chose a duet that sounds more like a demo tape gone wrong. The problem isn't the instrumental, it works fine, but the voices do not go well with the song, looking more like it tried to be like a rock song and not a Bond theme. It just doesn't work that well. But is it horrible? Not as bad as "Tomorrow Never Dies" or "Die Another Day" So, let's end this retrospective with the sky falling.

Overall, I give it a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XXI: You Know My Name.

   After "Bore Another Day" and the end of the Brosnan era of Bond, Daniel Craig would be the new Bond and there would be (obviously) have a new song.  But was it any good? Of course it was. This is a dynamic song that is riveting and electrifying in its approach and its use. It works well for the film and for the franchise itself.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XX: Die Another Day.

   Out of all the Bond themes I was going to review, this was the one I wanted to hear the least. After listening to it, I kinda know why. It is definately a weird, weird, experiment for a Bond song. It has more techno pop than actual depth, and the only reason that you could believe it was a Bond film was if you saw the opening credits to go with this. But even then, this is not a good theme. It has little use and while it may seem like it works for the plot...It doesn't make it any better.

Overall, I give it a rating of 1 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XIX: The World Is Not Enough.

   After the what I like to call "Tomorrow Never Screeches" theme by Sheryl Crow, you really can't go anywhere but up. And with a theme that works so well with the (not as great) film like this, it's ironic the band's name was "Garbage". The lyrics work fine but the voice is so more dynamic and more of a interesting way to go by. The visuals work just fine, and the whole theme does even better. Now then, we get to the closing stretch of the themes, to begin the 2000's with...Madonna. I think you lose about 1 or 2 stars just for that.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVIII: Tomorrow Never Dies.

   The words that describe this song are (for me, anyway) only four. The four are, in order: Really? This was picked? Originally the theme was going to be sung by k.d. lang, but like "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang", it was switched at the last minute for...this. So how is the replacement? If you really wanted a theme to work for this film...you should've stayed with the k.d. lang version because this theme...sucks. Ok, maybe its not horrible, but it doesn't hold up to even the weaker ones, like "Moonraker" or "Kingston Calypso". My problem with is that Crow's higher tone voice at some points don't work in well, it feels out of place. A dissapointing theme.

Overall, I give it a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVII: Goldeneye.

   The film that surrounds this theme actually go hand in hand, they both do their job of conveying the film and being a fairly decent Bond film. Turner does a fine job with here voice, even if the idea of saying "with a golden, GoldenEye" can sound a bit ridiculous. The visuals for the theme work as well, giving the tone that Bond could survive in the 90's. Next time's theme can either show us some more good 90's themes, or show us why Bond could fail in the 90's.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVI: Licence to Kill.

   Licence to Kill was the song for the 16th film in the series, done by Gladys Knight in Timothy Dalton's last Bond film. And it's...rockingly awesome. From the good visuals to the brassy and deep voice by Knight, it sets the tone for the film that wouldn't be captured again for years. Definately a contender for Best Bond theme in the 1980's (Along with A View to a Kill) and for Best Bond Theme Song.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XV: The Living Daylights.

   After the end of the Roger Moore era came the short run of Timothy Dalton with two songs, and this was one of them. And the song was made by who else? A-ha. They were a Norwegian band that did many songs (More than just that one song people seem to remember - "Take on Me") for over 30 years. But forgetting that, is this song any good? Yea. It's got a good tempo to it and it has what I always love, a fun pace combined with a new Bond to have a classicish song.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XIV: A View to a Kill.

   You want some awesomeness? Here ya go, a combination of Duran Duran and an opportunity to do a James Bond theme, in the 80's no less. While the film itself isn't as awesome as the film, the song certainly does have a tone that only the climax of the film. Its visuals (The opening sequence) are a bit weird with the color paper, but oh well. If I could, I would give a rating of 6 out of of 5 stars. Might as well, because why the hell not?

Overall, I give it a rating of 6 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XIII: All Time High.

   See with a title for a Bond film like this (Which is incredibly stupid to begin with), sometimes its a good thing the song doesn't include the title. And given what I've heard of Octo-Whatever, it's hit or miss. So how is the song? It's...Not bad. For 1983, it certainly has some charm to it, putting you into a mellow, yet a focused feel. The singing works well and the lyrics do fine. Fine song surprisngly enough.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XII: For Your Eyes Only.

   Sheena Easton remains the only actress to be shown in the title sequence, and it...makes some sense, I suppose. The 80's for Bond had five songs, with this being the one to introduce Bond to the 1980's...which varied. The song itself is a fine one, being an improvement over Moonraker's song, and it provides some depth that had been lacking recently. Good stuff with good instrumental to go with the film. Could it get any better? You could say it was at an All Time High...

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XI: Moonraker.

   Shirley Bassey is back in the third and final song she did for the Bond series. And...it feels rushed. Probably because it was. Shirley Bassey was not the first choice for the song for Moonraker, but because the choices had rejected the offer and Bassey agreed just a few weeks before the film's release, it has a rushed and odd way to use the Moonraker name in the song. The visuals are a little "subtle", having the "Moon" and other space related things in a film called...Moonraker. It's not horrible, but it certainly is the lesser of the Bassey themes.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part X: Nobody Does It Better.

   Arguably (or not arguable) the best Roger Moore Bond film (And maybe the better of the Bond films in general), and it does have one of the better Bond themes. Carly Simon does have a good tone of voice and good instruments to go with it. The visuals do some sort of wonder (good or bad being arguable), and it feels very in line with the rest of the film. Good stuff.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part IX: The Man with the Golden Gun.

   While the film itself may qualify for silliest Bond film, at least the theme is good, right? Right? Well...It's complicated. The singing by Lulu does have a ruanchy yet very electrifying tone to it, and it does set the tone for the film. However it does feel slightly silly at points which means it fits with the film in unintentional ways. It's a fine theme for a...fine-ish film. Take it for what it's worth.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VIII: Live and Let Die.

   Live and Let Die introduced Roger Moore, who would star in seven Bond films, but the main focus of this review is on Paul McCartney & Wings, who made the theme. With a rock music touch, it sizzles in most ways without any fizzle, with visuals that are still good after almost 40 years. The lyrics work well and it does have an actiony feel that reminds me of On Her Majesty's Secret Service's theme, which is a good thing. Good song for a...decent film.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VII: Diamonds Are Forever.

   Shirley Bassey performs the Bond opening theme for the second time, but the film itself isn't really any good. It shares the same flaw that the Roger Moore films sometimes have: It's campyish with sometimes rock stupid characters. But how is the theme? It's...not bad. Look, Bassey does have great vocals, and the visuals do okay, but I feel that this is somehow a step down from the previous song for some reason. But oh well. Take it for what it's worth.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VI: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Part 2 of 2)

   This was Louis Armstrong's last recorded song, two years before his death, and it is a really touchy song, an emotional song, to go with an emotionally charged Bond film, a rarity somewhat. Armstrong always had a touch for depth and heartwarming lyrics. It goes extremely well, and it does have a somber, yet grand feel.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VI: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Part 1 of 2)

   On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the last of the 60's Bond films, and was the first and only one with George Lazenby. This theme to open the film (After a opening sequence only summed up by a fourth wall joke) was the first since From Russia With Love with an instrumental (Though again that had a song at the end. You might be wondering why I didn't review that instrumental but I'm reviewing this one. I'm reviewing this one as a compromise.), since trying to sing the word "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" in a song (Which usually rhymes) is difficult. So how is this theme? It's really good. Just because a song has no words doesn't mean it can't convey anything. It manages to be heroic and very lifting, standing on its own two feet. This review isn't done yet, there's a Part II, one with a certain Louis Armstrong...

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part V: You Only Live Twice.

   While the film's milage may vary on person to person, the theme is very...memorable to me. It always strikes me in a somber yet strangely effective tone, all from Nancy Sinatra. The visuals may help slightly to carry the song as well, and it does have a good ring to it. This would be not be the last time for Sean Connery, but first, a slight Lazenby intermission...with two songs in one? Hmm...

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.