SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Sony Classical

Some eighteen tracks comprising the score which was written by Ed Shearmur. It starts out in true Indiana Jones style with a stirring march but gets more sinister when detailing the arrival of the Zeppelin. Its all action for the robot Army section but the opening section is reprised and developed when Calling Sky Captain is the order of the day. Strings charge up and down the scales with a hint of Sorcerors Apprentice before the brass thunders overhead. Many of the tracks start slightly ominously before the main themes slide in and develop.

When the action hots up strings and bass struggle with each other in what hopefully is an epic battle on screen. They certainly crank up the tension nicely, though there are moments of respite to slowly introduce familiar themes. The journey sequences are more wistful with the hint of a choral background. Quieter moments (an interesting track called 'three in a bed') are heralded by the woodwind section and a meandering piano (H-770-d), before lusher orchestration takes over.

One of the most interesting tracks is 'Totenkopf's Ark' with its strong vocal opening, bells and strident violins as the brass hots things up. It's one of the longer tracks (they range from a minute to over six), and manages to incorporate exciting elements as well as the main themes.

Also worth checking out is a brand new version of 'Over the Rainbow' sung by Jazz Diva Jane Monheit which concludes the selection. She captures the wistfulness of the song whilst imbuing it with a mournful air. Her rich voice can introduce this classic to a whole new generation