I vaguely remember seeing this film and wondering why the score, a "rhythm-based composition" as the album's liner notes extol, suited the images before me, but did little to affect them. On disc it becomes apparent the reason is that there is no musical narrative -- the music does not travel far with the locations or the characters in them. It is a series of urban soundbytes, probably less metropolitan than intended, passably reminiscent of Danny Elfman's "Midnight Run" without the eclecticism. One hears cues using harmonica, percussion, accordion, guitars, saxophones, occasional strings, and sampled sounds and vocals; they are obviously independent tracks, yet frequently sound too much alike. Of course, any Robert Folk score would demonstrate how underutilized he is in Hollywood, and this promo does its job in proving he is more than an orchestral artisan. The music here does have a certain pizzazz (although it is one I am not personally keen on). If you like this style then it is possibly worth a test, as Folk, a music professor of fairly weighty regard, brings his skills and distinguishing choices into action. This ensures the soundtrack is generally bearable, but moments of tediousness remain, and coming from the man who gave us the "Police Academy" march, "Beastmaster 2," even "In the Army Now," this recording is not a sign of progress. Reviewer Jeffrey Wheeler Promotional Albums offer lesser celebrated film composers the opportunity to bring their work (often of good quality but unsung [if you will forgive the pun]) to the attention of prospective producers who might be interested in contracting them for film scoring assignments. Another market opportunity is for short films, trailers, commercials, and other theatre and TV projects where producers with limited budgets might be interested in buying material "off the shelf." Lastly, film music buffs who have admired the scores but hitherto have never had an opportunity of acquiring the music now have an opportunity of buying scores they have admired. For instance anybody who liked Hummie Mann's music for Mel Brook's farce, Dracula, Dead and Loving It (with Leslie Nielsen) can now buy it from specialist sellers such as:   SCREEN ARCHIVES ENTERTAINMENT P.O. Box 500 Linden, VA 22642-0500 PH: (540) 635-2575 FAX: (540) 635-8554 SEND EMAIL TO: craig@screenarchives.com or charles@screenarchives.com website: www.screenarchives.com Specializes in soundtracks, and carries some of those scores you just won't find anywhere else. SUPER COLLECTOR 12072 Brookhurst Street Fountain Valley, CA 92840-2815 Voice: (714) 636-8700 Toll free: (800) 997-2434 Fax: (714) 636-8585 E-Mail: supercollector@supercollector.com website: www.supercollector.com	Reviewer Ian Lace Reviews from previous months Reviews carry sales links but you can also purchase from:
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