Soundtrack Review: Contraband (2012)

Contraband Soundtrack Review: This is a review of the film score Contraband by Clinton Shorter.

"2012 couldn't have gotten off to a worse start."

Contraband starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale is about a man trying to stay out of world full of criminal activity. His brother botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss and they are both dragged into a world of crime. Director Baltasar Kormakur has previously worked with James Newton Howard and Mugison but he now turns to Clinton Shorter for the score.

Track List

Let me just get it out there. I really liked Clinton Shorter's 2009 score to District 9. It was full of action, had some good themes and very fun to listen to. Contraband on the other hand has almost none of those qualities.From the first score track 'Contraband' until the last track 'Sea Full Of Money' I never once got emotionally involved. It was not a very good listening experience.

If you like the idea of sitting down listening to 43 minutes percussion and repetitive baselines, then this is the score for you. That basically says it all really, and it certainly wasn't the right score for me.

Conclusion

2012 couldn't have gotten off to a worse start (well if you are picky I guess it could). This score is exactly what I hate about modern scoring sometimes. It's merely a lurky shadow in the background, far from what I think film music should be and sound like. The good news? This is only the first score of around 500+ that will be released this year.

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Listen to the Contraband soundtrack by Clinton Shorter below: