2. Trickin' Along (1:18)
Another lush action cue, based on the main ostinato. The complex
string writing is back, and in the first section is a peculiar percussion
effect. Later, the piano is introduced, performing a short run in
the midst of the action.
3. Red Light (0:42)
This short cue continues the bass ostinato introduced in track one,
as well as the percussion effect and string action theme.
4. Equal Partners (2:58)
Goldsmith expands on his bittersweet thematic material in a concert-like
arrangement of his main theme, without the trumpet. Instead, soaring
strings backed by piano pick it up, and carry it to new dramatic heights.
5. False Arrest (5:09)
I know you'll be surprised, but some of the woodwind writing in this
score reminds me of, of all things, the Star Wars desert music. It's
written in the same low register, chordal minor woodwind style, with the
alto flute leading. Most of this cue, one of the most important in
the score, is based on the bass ostinato, played on either low brass or
piano, with the aforementioned woodwind effects. The strings also
get a chance to try out the melody.
6. Prowling (1:33)
One of the main highlights of the score, this presents a short scherzo
grounded in alto flute, with string accompaniment. Bernard Herrmann
would have been proud of this, as it's in a style that he visited often.
After the initial 6/8 burst of flutes, a shimmering arpeggio for piano
appears, under a lush string presentation of the main theme. More
of the scherzo ends the track.
7. The Execution (0:52)
Although we've had many instances of uneasiness, this track is the
first encounter we've had with blatant despair in the score, with a grounded
bass ostinato under increasingly dissonant brass and string playings of
the main theme. The effect is truly striking.
8. Eulogizing (4:23)
As an aftermath to the violent execution cue, Goldsmith hands us a
quiet, reflective, and somewhat depressing eulogy cue, based heavily on
desolate strings, but later including a heartwrenching playing of the main
theme on alto flute.
9. The Vigilantes (1:20)
The theme is back (see, I told you it wasn't all action.) in a short
recap for solo piano. A guttural action cue follows it, based on
a grunting ostinato in the low brass, with interjections of the main ostinato
theme. A violently dissonant outburst ends the cue.
10. The Deal (1:20)
Goldsmith continues his richly evocative woodwind passages on top of
the main ostinato in piano, as well as his typical soaring strings.
11. One Way Ride (4:59)
Here we get the most exciting and frantic cue we've had in the album,
continuing with the foreboding bass ostinati in strings and trombones,
as well as huge string fanfares (yes, they're almost used as a brass instrument.)
Also present are frantically dissonant brass and woodwind runs, each followed
by recoiling fragmented trombone figures. In fact, the tension level
sometimes rises almost to the level of parts of his Planet of the Apes
score.
12. A Dusty Death (3:17)
Yet another exciting ostinato-based action cue comes next, based on
a previously unheard string ostinato, as well as the usual arching, nonmelodic
strings, screeching brass, and guttural trombones.
13. Bird Watching (2:20)
We now return to more quieter surroundings, with a softer rendition
of the previous cue's ostinato, under various flute, piano, and pizzicatto
string figures. It's almost like a cue for a spy movie. As
I listen to this more and more, it continually takes on an aspect that
makes it seem like a cousin to Planet of the Apes, but with an added theme.
14. Trouble Downtown (2:18)
After beginning with more fragmented ostinato music, a quieter, more
foreboding presentation of the theme on that ethereal alto flute - one
of my favorite instances of it.
15. Saturday Night Special (1:03)
Another unsettling track. It features a fragmented, vibrato alto
flute version of the main theme that really adds an air of gloominess and
terror to it.
16. Breach of Contract (5:10)
Instead of ending his score with a huge action cue, the climax of the
music is a heartwrenching five minute ode to Goldsmith's unstable, tragic
main theme. The entire piece isn't tragic, though; in the middle,
the composer adds almost a comic version of his theme. That doesn't
last long though, and the final few minutes are more sections of the main
theme over various dissonant brass and string effects. The quality
it takes on here is almost like the strings in John Williams' Schindler's
List.
17. Finale (2:10)
Goldsmith ends his score with a farewell to his main theme, now back
in its native jazz arrangement on muted trumpet, even with jazz percussion.
Although fans of Goldsmith's more modern scores may be put off by its grittiness and dissonance, anyone who loves either his dissonant, propulsive action material or his strong, Wind and the Lion or Chinatown-like themes, give it a shot.
| Music Rating | 8/10 |
| Packaging/Liner Notes | 9/10 |
| Sound Quality | 7/10 |
| Orchestral Performance | 9/10 |
| Length | 10/10 |
