Rat Race

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

2001 has become after all this time a clear representation of John Powell's skills, more then likely the most respected and most beloved composer of the Media Ventures school apart from of course the master Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson - Williams. None other than 5 scores have proven in each category that they can support each picture in the genre from comedy to fantasy to drama. Rat Race, the score for Jerry Zucker's insane but hilarious movie obviously falls into the category of comedy, crazy comedy to be exact. The film is one insane nut job on high speed and the score represents this in a very crazy way, in all honesty John Powell gives the thrills of what we witness on screen. It is obviously one of the most loud and fast paced productions I have ever laid ears upon and since the score is divided into 26 tracks for just a 36 minute score, it indeed can drive you nuts. But it is the sole stylistic talent of Powell by not letting it get that far, simply by adding a load of fun and a choral power that gives it surprising originality. Rat Race more then likely is one of the few scores which feels crazy, fresh but just fun in all the directions it guides you through.

This score frankly is one giant mess of pace, rhythm and power. All so combined it might look crazy but it sure becomes fun after the first second. Mostly, it are the long tracks that are the most pleasurable because then Powell has time to keep the pace going. 'The Chase Begins' is that all the way with the flutes that give it the quick rhythm. Also here you discover the meaning of the choir, to give it a rather unusual impressive feel of comedy and craziness. Powell's score is mostly surrounded by tiny influences of classical music. It really hints this on occasion, together with Pollini's theme its the soft flute theme in 'Pollini Wakes and Owen Gets some Clothes' or the building classical / Jaws influence in 'Helicopter Dance' that is too fun not to like. Here especially influences of Chicken Run are heard. The choir is also very effective and shows the most comical style in 'Flights Cancelled' and 'Bike Dyke Attack' which is extremely wild and powerful. John Powell also delivers several styles of music, like a Hawaiian touch in tracks 18 and 24 or a Mexican / mambo style in 'Chase to the Balloons' which is too fun to describe. Basically, even a 40 second track can blow you away and here Powell doesn't wait in bringing the goods to the fore. However, the tracks at the end which reach a running time of minimally 3 minutes are the ones which keep you gasping for air.

'Arrival at Silver City' covers the same orchestral rush and has divvying last seconds of choral awe while 'All the Little Children' is pure Powell, a terrible fun melody kicks in after a minute and never actually lets you go until the end of the score. Rat Race could have failed in many composer's hands but trust me, Powell knows a thing about energy, a thing about comedy and he has got that skill called adding just the right flavor of both. People could dislike the unbelievable short length of the tracks, keeping you especially on edge because of the one rush job after the other. But its also the pure fun of these moments that keep this soundtrack afloat and by doing so it is pure comedic bliss. Rat Race also has an extremely loud mixing quality which again you either love or hate, depending on the style of the comedy. It is a testament that John Powell (master of the fun soundtrack) solely succeeded to write a piece of music which is original, fun and wild, a pure scherzo of noise that keeps coming to haunt you. Especially those wanting comedic listens once and a while will discover that pace and laughs, in orchestral and choral representation totally mix well in the world of John Powell. More, Rat Race is a score that keeps going and going and going, just like the energizer bunny on TV that keeps appearing from nowhere.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Let's Meet Our Contestants (1.46)

2. A Very Special Reception (0.47)

3. I'll Take The Stairs (0.23)

4. The Chase Begins (3.29) Excellent Track

5. Flights Cancelled (1.16)

6. Roswell, New Mexico? (0.47)

7. The Cabbie Dumps Owen (0.52)

8. The Squirrel Lady (0.33)

9. Helicopter Dance (2.18) Excellent Track

10. Switch Keys And Should Have Bought A Squirrel (0.56)

11. Pollini Wakes And Owen Gets Some Clothes (0.50)

12. Wanna See A Heart? (1.12)

13. Stealing Some Gas (0.32)

14. Chase To The Balloons (0.59) Excellent Track

15. I Lost My Heart To A Dog (0.41)

16. Bike Dyke Attack (0.41)

17. All Alone In The World (0.46)

18. From A Rocket Car To A Nut Bus (1.51)

19. A Family On Drugs! (0.45)

20. The Lucys Chase Owen And Third Reich In The Parking Lot (1.36)

21. Arrival At Silver City (3.47) Excellent Track

22. Grisham Runs Off With The Hooker (1.05)

23. Tour Bus Crash (0.29)

24. All The Little Children (3.20) Excellent Track

25. La Habańera Loca (1.57)

26. Before We Were Russian (1.46)

Total Length: 36.14

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Powell ===