Review Summary: Despite being occasionally repetitive, Steve Jablsonky goes all out on this epic score.
As far as orchestral composers of the 20th and 21st century are concerned, they know that their work in film is a serious and important matter. Music sets the mood for the moment. If the moment is happy, and upbeat, then James Horner's "Southampton" from the 1997 hit film "Titanic" comes to mind. If the mood is somber and depressing, Clint Mansell's "Summer Overture" from the hard-hitting 2000 film "Requiem for a Dream" comes up. And if the mood is ominous, John Murphy's "In The House - In A Heartbeat" from the 2004 cult classic "28 Days Later" sets the ambiance perfectly.
You may have heard of these men, along with other great composers in John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and James Newton Howard. Recently, though, a man named Steve Jablonsky has come on the scene. Before "Transformers" he composed scores for several movies, the most notable being "The Island." It was not until "Transformers" that Jablonsky became recognized for his compositions. His potential finally had came to a head in a great way.
From the start of the album, the mood is set right away. Something epic is coming, and huge events are going to take place. The strings and choruses are enough to send a chill down ones spine. The heroic tones on the opening track, "Autobots", switch off between the evil undertones of the track "Decepticons" in an excellent manner. A steady, booming chorus is present throughout the album, helping to further it's epic tones.
The magnum opus of the score is the 9th track, named "Scorponok." It's hasty and chase-scene feel is supported by perilous strings and horns. The mood then switches to epically heroic, and it is in this section of the song that Jablosnky really leaves his mark. He makes you feel as if you're on the battlefield with the soldiers in the movie, and it really makes your heart rush. It makes you feel like you could lift up Optimus Prime himself with ease! It's that good.
While most of the album centers around alternating heroic and villainous tones, Jablonsky also tries his hand at music that can easily fit into anyone's daily life, with the track "Sam on the Lake". It's one of those tracks that you could play during your morning routine, or daily conversations, and it would fit perfectly. Its smooth and relaxed tone gives the feeling of a lazy day.
All in all, the album, albeit occasionally repetitive, was an excellent, all around display of what Steve Jablonsky can do. His strengths are still the same, with the epic orchestral pieces can fill ones heart with fire, but he has also added and polished another area of his skill, with the laid-back orchestral pieces that can dumb down those same fires into a warm, comforting ember.
