CD REVIEW - SWING VOTE


Swing Vote
Music by John Debney
Costa Communications Promo
29 Tracks 53:02 mins

Unfortuntely, having searched in vain, there doesn't appear to be a commercial release of John Debney's score for the new Joshua Michael Stern directed comedy Swing Vote, which stars Kevin Coster as "an apathetic, lovable loser, who becomes the deciding vote for the presidential election."
Costa Communications did however kindly send me a promotional disc, so I can at least let you know what to expect from the score, should you choose to go see the film.
Debney's "Main Titles," are in the tried and trusted Americana style, with piano leading into sunny string playing, giving way to solo cello, the latter being something of a feature in the score. Quite a few of the subsequent tracks are quite brief, as often is the case in comedy films. In fact there are only a couple of cues over 3 minutes and one at just over 4.
Guitars and fiddle give the score a down-home feel, but there are more full-blown orchestral moments, like the eager "Going Live, "All Across The Country," "Ride Home With Molly," "The Strategy of Winning,"and the martial-styled "The Debate Begins;" whereas the toe-tapping"The Count Continues" and "You're Richard Petty" are more rhythm section driven and country rock flavoured cues.
The noble "I Do This For You" and "This Is America" slow the tempo down considerably, as does the cello-lead Americana of "He Didn't Vote!" and the subdued clarinet and emotional strings of "Real Issues, Real People;" whilst a note of sentiment is injected in the likes of "Molly's My Daughter" and the sunny and optimistic "Learning Montage."
Straight comedy moments come with drunken waltz of "A Little Too Drunk," featuring cello and accordion, and the slide guitars of "Bud Sees Reporters." After another quirky opening, "Bud's First Interview" picks up the tempo, before a subdued ending, and more quirky fiddle playing accompanies "Party For Bud," and the roguish "Illegal Alien Commercial," with its slight Mexican feel.
The 4-minute penultimate track "Bud's Speech" features much nobility, with soaring strings and brass to close the score in fine style, with the final track providing an "Alternate Ending," which is no less inspirational, but with a gentle piano solo to close.
It really would be a pity if some enterprising label weren't to release this score but, if you reside in the States, for the moment at least, if you want to hear it, you'll have to visit your local cinema. No news of a UK release for the film as yet, I'm afraid.