A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is intended as a kind of throwback to 1930s science fiction movies (or at least, our nostalgic view of them) with all our ideas of heroes, heroines, robots, fantasy villains etc included.  It has proved to be very successful indeed at the box office, with composer Edward Shearmur chipping in with his own throwback score.  Of course, these days we consider the ultimate "retro" sound for this sort of thing to come not from the 1930s but rather the sort of thing John Williams wrote for Star Wars and Indiana Jones, which while certainly containing more than their share of homages to classic music of the period aren't really all that much like scores written at the time.  And indeed it is clear exactly what Shearmur is aiming from as soon as the main theme is introduced in the first track, "The World of Tomorrow", though if anything it ends up sounding more like James Horner's Battle Beyond the Stars than the Williams pieces.

That aside, the Indiana Jones sound dominates, with a hint of Bernard Herrmann thrown in for good measure, and makes for a thoroughly entertaining album.  The main theme is given several strong, dynamic performances by the London Metropolitan Orchestra, and there is (inevitably) a sweeping, swooning love theme to run alongside it, first heard in "Back at the Base", though - while it's mightily lovely - it does not perhaps reach the soaring heights one may have expected.

Of course, there's plenty of action music to go alongside all this, with the lengthy "The Flying Wings Attack" an early highlight.  As well as everything I've already mentioned, there is a definite hint of Bernard Herrmann to proceedings with the growling, snarling brass sound.  Fortunately, Shearmur never falls into the trap of thinking that pastiche is sufficient by itself, but obviously put a lot of effort into the music's creation, with particularly detailed orchestrations and a fine recording by Steve McLaughlin helping no end.  Throughout, the album is a delight and unquestionably one of the year's best.  Shearmur continues to impress and seems a natural at this sort of thing - hopefully there will be plenty more to come in future.  Highly recommended.

Buy this CD from amazon.com by clicking here!

Tracks

1. The World of Tomorrow (1:07)
2. The Zeppelin Arrives (1:53)
3. The Robot Army (3:02)
4. Calling Sky Captain (3:25)
5. Back at the Base (2:49)
6. The Flying Wings Attack (6:32)
7. An Aquatic Escape (2:30)
8. Flight to Nepal (4:37)
9. Treacherous Journey (2:22)
10. Dynamite (3:27)
11. Three in a Bed (:57)
12. Finding Frankie (5:02)
13. Manta Squadron (6:33)
14. h-770-d (1:14)
15. Flying Lizard (1:06)
16. Totenkopf's Ark (5:02)
17. Back to Earth (3:14)
18. Over the Rainbow Jane Monheit (3:55)