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For starters, a pirate picture is a composer's dream to score. With their well-defined boundaries of good, evil, and sweeping romance, CUTTHROAT ISLAND gives the listener what they love to hear. "Main Title: Morgan's Ride" throws us right in the middle of a swashbuckling march. Debney's main theme -introduced here- aggressively makes itself known. A rich vocal chorus only adds to the depth and epic proportions. This theme is quickly committed to memory which is a big foreshadowing of its use in the second track. "Carriage Chase" goes down, in my book, as one of the single greatest action cues ever. Full of raw energy and cohesiveness, this one will always get the blood flowing. Don't get me wrong, this release is more than just a brilliant action score. Sprinkled throughout are some moments of engaging romance and spiraling choral beauty. A prime example of its softer side is "The Language of Romance."
Mr. Debney, as the music here showcases, explores nearly every emotion in this score. "The Funeral" emits a genuine melancholy sadness without ever becoming maudlin. Now that I mention it, this score can best be described as "a symphony of emotions." One can truly feel the suspense, joy, action, sadness, and love that the orchestra conveys. The reason for this might just lie in the fact that the London Symphony Orchestra is responsible for the grand, resonant reading of the music. CUTTHROAT ISLAND puts each musician to the test with overall brilliant results. The magic and quality of the orchestra can be appreciated with "Discovery of the Treasure." Swelling strings and climbing voices create a colorful tapestry of sound.
The majority of the middle section is taken up with either driving action or foreboding moments of uncertainty. The more one listens, the more one realizes just how much Debney loved writing this score. This is no more evident than in the final tracks. "The Battle" charges forward at a perpetual speed. About five minutes in is a solo fiddle that interrupts the breakneck speed of the track. Its appearance is unexpected but quite enjoyable. Listen for it; it'll make you grin. Many parts of this track sound a bit like James Horner's score to THE ROCKETEER. All the better because it is one of my top favorites as well.
Bringing the score to a close are two exemplary tracks. The one entitled "Dawg's Demise/The Triumph" contains one of the best false endings I've experienced. It's build-up has you completely believing the end is right around the corner. No sooner does its finale come to a close, a superb closing track appears. Here, the romantic side of the score is allowed to shine a final time before giving way to a rousing review of the action-packed themes utilized throughout. An epic close to an epic score. If you feel compelled to look for this score, I urge you to greatly. However, it's not the easiest one to find. Two releases are currently out, but the one I reviewed is the European Silva release. Its sound and packaging are far superior to the nu.millenia release. Availability is also greater with the Silva release. CUTTHROAT ISLAND is on the level of greatness that is achieved by only a few scores. This one is a score-lover's dream!
