CD REVIEW - THE EXPENDABLES


The Expendables
Music by Brian Tyler
Lionsgate Records (US)
Silva Screen Records SILCD1339 (UK)
20 Tracks 71:50 mins

For fans of the action genre of the past three or four decades, The Expendables is surely a must see. Directed by Sylvester Stallone, the incredible cast includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Eric Roberts, and of course Stallone himself.
After a successful collaboration with Stallone on his return to the Rambo character, the actor/director again turned to Brian Tyler to provide the score, which is to be released in the States both digitally and as a disc-on-demand by Lionsgate Records; and here in the UK on CD and as a digital download by Silva Screen Records from 23rd August.
Reflecting the Middle-Eastern and South American locations of the story, Tyler incorporates suitable colours to his orchestral/choral/electronic forces; as is often the case, playing the various ethnic instruments himself, as well as Flamenco guitar.
Normally Tyler conducts but, due to the grounding of flights in Europe because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland, he was unable to attend the orchestral sessions in Prague, having to guide proceedings via video link.
No stranger to the genre, the composer has provided many a fine action score in recent years but, unlike some of his contemporaries, he usually comes up with thematically based music - his love of strong themes being reflected in his recent work on updating Morton Stevens' classic Hawaii Five-O theme for the forthcoming TV revival. And his "Expendables Theme" gets this generous album off to a good start - a full blown, propulsive and vaguely heroic piece, which builds to a nice crescendo.
Of course, Tyler's action scoring dominates and there is plenty to get excited about in the likes of "Aerial," "Ravens and Skulls," "Massive," "Royal Rumble," "Warriors," "Waterboard," "Time to Leave," with the ethnic elements first making their presence felt in the alternately mysterious and percussion-heavy "The Gulf of Aden," and the Flamenco guitar, albeit briefly, in "Lifeline."
In amongst the action, there is of course some tension and suspense, but this seldom lasts too long before the fireworks get going.
But it's not action all the way, with "Lee and Lacy" providing some electric guitar-lead romance; "Confession" some poignancy; and "The Contact," a pleasant Flamenco interlude."
It all comes to a head in the five-minute-plus "Mayhem and Finale," where, after the decisive action, the main theme returns predominantly in rather solemn fashion, presumably remembering the fallen.
All-in-all, another entertaining score from Tyler, who is "Mr. Reliable" when it comes to this kind of action fare.