CD REVIEW - MARMADUKE


Marmaduke
Music by Christopher Lennertz
Varese Sarabande 302 067 033 2 (US)
30 Tracks 52:10 mins

I haven't heard of the popular cartoon strip this new family comedy mix of live action and CGI is based on, but it stars the voice of Owen Wilson as Great Dane Marmaduke, with William H. Macy amongst the human cast, and a host of familiar names providing more voices of supporting CGI characters, including Kiefer Sutherland and Fergie (the singer, not the Duchess, nor the Manchester United manager!).
Providing the music for the film is one of my favourite contemporary composers, Christopher Lennertz, who has come up with another highly likable and entertaining score that pushes all the right buttons. There's homespun sentiment, often featuring acoustic guitar, in the likes of "Back Yard vs The Couch," "Barkanova," "Beach Talk," "Bosco's Right," "It's Over," and "Jealous Mazy;" and more light-hearted, often propulsive, fare, sometimes with a pop/rock sensibility, in cues like "Bathtime," "Bee," and "I Smell a Cat;" a little dark menace thrown in, as in "Bosco" and "Chupadogra;" and uplifting, feelgood moments for such as "Dogfrontation" and "Junkyard Date;" whilst tracks like "Hang 20" and "Saving Marmaduke" offer a little of everything.
Lennertz has also scored the sequel to Cats and Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore, and I'll be reviewing this score for you in the very near future.