For Andrew Niccol’s latest sci-fi revisitation of aging in a dystopian future, Craig Armstrong composed a central theme that’s spun into several dramatic variations – angst, action, romantic, and meditative -  which probably worked great within the film but tend to recur with increasing familiarity on CD.

The brevity of early cues also give the album an awkward start – themes fade down and out rather than appear as interconnected fragments – but there’s enough dramatic drive to maintain interest in this striking electronic-orchestral hybrid. The tragic main theme (with slight Middle Eastern influences) gives the score its emotional anchor points (as in “The Cost of Living”), and Armstrong’s variations include slow builds and outright romantic statements, but the score’s most arresting components are the soft techno elements which have been carefully diluted to blend with his gentle orchestral writing (as in “Mother Times Out” – a tense figure that’s rather oft-repeated in several cues).

The best cuts involve heavier electronics and percussion textures – “Zones of Time” and “Whatever We Have To” are highlights – because they showcase the uniquely smooth veneer that Armstrong maintains. The score is pretty much devoid of harsh & abrasive sounds, and tension is derived from bass grooves and the Middle Eastern harmonics, the latter being either soothing or eerie due to the pliable tones Armstrong prolongs to create just the slightest amount of discord.

Lakeshore’s album is beautifully mastered and features a solid (if not repetitive) 45 mins. of score.

© 2012 Mark R. Hasan