American Outlaws
Trevor Rabin
" Now shoot me silly, its Rabin doing a wild west willy! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
We all know that Trevor Rabin isn't the most amazing composer out there, but he was surely making some fans during the late 90's and during the first years after the millennium. In 2001 we had several that received a soundtrack release to prove it. I consider American Outlaws to be the best of those 4 he composed. Why? Because at least in the begin it is classic Rabin you're hearing, creating in the opening minutes a fun overall listening experience.
We open with "Brief Reunion", stating surprisingly 2 themes. One the main theme and secondly an adventure theme. The good thing is both are good tunes onto themselves. It is the main theme that explodes firstly, making way for a brief adventure theme moment.
"Farewell and Hello, Key West" unleashes exploding versions of guitar music, creating a Remember the Titans feel while "First Kiss" introduces us to the love theme of the movie (a mix between Armageddon and Days of Thunder's theme). The nice listening experience continues in "Perfect Outlaws", bringing forward a groovy version of the adventure theme. Yet where Rabin's voice truly shines in is in "The Hyperion Job, I was Famous". The Enemy of the State like action music might not sound encouraging enough but the fast paced rhythm surely is.
Sadly, the album can not maintain the pace nor the spirit of the opening tracks. The other parts shine only briefly in their moments, leaving an aftertaste that desires more than just this. Some moments suffice, including "Long Spring, Better Posters" with the love theme, "War is Over" covering the adventure theme and "Train Escape", recapturing those feisty minutes of the 5th track. And don't forget a nice summarization in "Jesse's Ride", which closes the score nicely off.
That's it, but in the end I still have to applaud Rabin's doing here. It is neither sensational inspiring stuff, nor is it renovating. But it is fun and ultimately it keeps you glued to the pace of the soundtrack. Rabin admirers will find much to enjoy here while casual listeners will only be drawn to specific moments of the score. But ultimately it deserves a chance in your CD player, because it is accessible and groovy when the good moments kick the score into second gear.
Tracklisting
1. Brief Reunion (4.26)
2. Farewell and Hello, Key West (2.19)
3. First Kiss (1.21)
4. Perfect Outlaws (1.35)
5. The Hyperion Job, I Was Famous (5.48)
6. Acoustic Outlaws (1.56)
7. Long Spring, Better Posters (2.31)
8. This is War (1.39)
9. Life's a Beach (2.02)
10. Thaddius Raines (0.32)
11. War is Over (0.57)
12. No Ma, No Mere (1.01)
13. Pnkerton's Idea (2.19)
14. You're All Dead Men (1.11)
15. Train Escape (1.28)
16. Do You Miss the War? (0.49)
17. Jesse's Ride (4.13)
18. Surprise Attack (0.58)
Total Length: 37.49
We open with "Brief Reunion", stating surprisingly 2 themes. One the main theme and secondly an adventure theme. The good thing is both are good tunes onto themselves. It is the main theme that explodes firstly, making way for a brief adventure theme moment.
"Farewell and Hello, Key West" unleashes exploding versions of guitar music, creating a Remember the Titans feel while "First Kiss" introduces us to the love theme of the movie (a mix between Armageddon and Days of Thunder's theme). The nice listening experience continues in "Perfect Outlaws", bringing forward a groovy version of the adventure theme. Yet where Rabin's voice truly shines in is in "The Hyperion Job, I was Famous". The Enemy of the State like action music might not sound encouraging enough but the fast paced rhythm surely is.
Sadly, the album can not maintain the pace nor the spirit of the opening tracks. The other parts shine only briefly in their moments, leaving an aftertaste that desires more than just this. Some moments suffice, including "Long Spring, Better Posters" with the love theme, "War is Over" covering the adventure theme and "Train Escape", recapturing those feisty minutes of the 5th track. And don't forget a nice summarization in "Jesse's Ride", which closes the score nicely off.
That's it, but in the end I still have to applaud Rabin's doing here. It is neither sensational inspiring stuff, nor is it renovating. But it is fun and ultimately it keeps you glued to the pace of the soundtrack. Rabin admirers will find much to enjoy here while casual listeners will only be drawn to specific moments of the score. But ultimately it deserves a chance in your CD player, because it is accessible and groovy when the good moments kick the score into second gear.
Tracklisting
1. Brief Reunion (4.26)
2. Farewell and Hello, Key West (2.19)
3. First Kiss (1.21)
4. Perfect Outlaws (1.35)
5. The Hyperion Job, I Was Famous (5.48)
6. Acoustic Outlaws (1.56)
7. Long Spring, Better Posters (2.31)
8. This is War (1.39)
9. Life's a Beach (2.02)
10. Thaddius Raines (0.32)
11. War is Over (0.57)
12. No Ma, No Mere (1.01)
13. Pnkerton's Idea (2.19)
14. You're All Dead Men (1.11)
15. Train Escape (1.28)
16. Do You Miss the War? (0.49)
17. Jesse's Ride (4.13)
18. Surprise Attack (0.58)
Total Length: 37.49