About the Soundtrack: Lakeshore Records presents the score to Danny Eflman's "Wanted," a soundtrack to one of the sleeker films of the summer Hollywood season. Elfman's work is well represented on the album, offering 14 score tracks and 1 rock song (which he was also involved in creating). The latter begins the album, allowing the score to run uninterrupted for the following 14 tracks. While each cue is listed on the CD, there are no running times associated with the tracks and there are no liner notes present. While I am pleased a score album was released, a few notations from the composer or director would have been nice. Once again, shows you the limited attention paid to score releases...
What You Need to Know: In a summer brimming with sequels and familiar sounding scores, Elfman's "Wanted" comes out of left field and offers an original voice. Elfman, who has long been known as one of the more playful and inventive composers in Hollywood, brings something a little unique to the action medium with his score for "Wanted." For sure, this soundtrack stands out from the crowded mix, especially when compared to similar genre features of the same ilk.
First and foremost, what makes "Wanted" so effective is the completely original thematic content that Elfman wrote. The main theme, which seems to hail from eastern european influences, begins with the montage track (cue 2) and never looks back. This opening score track (remember, the song is cue 1) is one of the best cues in all of 2008; it's Elfman at his best. Heck, there's even a touch of Glass thrown in there...Philip Glass that is. Indeed, a few moments in the montage track reminded me of Glass' work, so you can imagine just how broadly entertaining this first score cue is!
After the main theme is introduced, Elfman steps away from it for a while to develop the underscore. While there are, of course, modern elements associated with the underscore, there are also some interesting choral elements that are written in as well. It's with the use of these vocals (some of which were a bit Gregorian in style) that adds further distinction to this soundtrack. In short, "Wanted" was cruising along in great fashion with such creativity at work.
The only major hiccup that I encountered along the way was with track 9, "Exterminator Beat". My problem was more with the electronic programming than the orchestral blend of the music. You see, there is a 'popping' sound that is heard during this track that simulated the skipping of a CD. At first, that's what I thought it was until I realized that the 'popping' had timing to it, thus realizing it was the result of the electronic instruments at work. I only bring this up because I found this misstep to be a distraction to what was otherwise a great flow of music. A couple other items that kept this from an even higher grade is the running time (43 minutes of score) and the manner in which the last track ended the album -- track 15 simply fades off without any firm resolution. This score is so terrific that it really deserved an end credit sequence to send us home with smiles on our faces.
Minor flaws aside, "Wanted" made me realize just what I've been missing over the past few years -- quality music with original melodies. There have been so many retreads in recent memory that a score likes this puts a little love back in the game for me. I'm ready for some more now.
Final Score: In a surprising bolt of originality, "Wanted" brings an end to the familiar scores of the summer movie season with music that is thoroughly entertaining. The eastern European inspirations work quite well within the framework of the score and there are other crafty surprises along the way to keep one engaged throughout the entire soundtrack. Plus, the song on the album is really well made, too, thus making this nearly a complete and total success. Be sure not to miss this one.
