CD REVIEW - CHLOE


Chloe
Music by Mychael Danna
Silva Screen Records SILCD1305
19 Tracks 44:20 mins

Atom Egoyan's latest collaboration with composer Mychael Dann, a relationship which has of course spanned many years, is for Chloe, starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore and rising star Amanda Seyfried, that has been likened to Fatal Attraction, though Film 2010's Jonathan Ross apparently thought it more intelligent.
Danna's score will be released by Silva Screen on the 22nd of this month, and here's what to expect: the album starts with "In My Line of Business," featuring a theme that speaks to me of loneliness, principally voiced by electric guitar. "Chardonnay" moves along mysteriously, before taking a more contemporary turn; the main theme returning on electric guitar again at the close. "When Did We Stop?" is a bittersweet affair, initially quite morose, but blossoming passionately on strings. "I Felt Him" continues intimately, before "Shower" expands upon the "Chardonnay" music and leads to a quite passionate-stringed close. The somewhat exotic "You Just Look Like Her" offers mysterious flute against tinkling piano; with "Windsor Arms" ticking along and hinting at dangers to come. The main theme cuts through a dissonant start in "The First Time," with the increasingly dramatic "Conservatory" following. The erotic "Touch You" features flute again, along with strings, in an almost Barryish arrangement which provides for the most affecting piece thus far. "Have This" continues the mood, before an intense conclusion. "Waiting Room" flirts with the main theme, before becoming increasingly unhinged. A couple of brief, somewhat spaced-out, cues follow, leading to the threatening electronic dissonance of "Told You Not to Call." The main theme dominates both "She Was Nobody,"and the penultimate track, "This Person," with the score closing on the lengthy "Your Parent's Room," which proceeds tensely towards a shock moment, before Danna's mysterious, erotic flute theme returns, with just a brief piano reprise of the main theme to close.
This atmospheric score is cut from the same cloth as any number of psychological thrillers. It's pretty low-key for the most part and you may find your attention wandering when listening to the disc. Perhaps Danna's music serves the film well, but it sadly fails to incite any real passion or provide any inspiration as a separate listening experience.
Go to www.silvascreenmusic.com for samples and to order the album on CD or as a digital download.