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THOMAS NEWMAN

Revolutionary Road Nonesuch ****

2008 was a remarkably successful year for American composer Thomas Newman, kicking off with two superb but very different scores for Alan Ball's interracial love story (of sorts) Towelheadand Andrew Stanton's path-finding Pixar animation Wall-E, and closing with his masterful new score for Revolutionary Road, Sam Mendes's critically acclaimed suburban marriage drama. Although the first two scores are perhaps more dynamic and innovative, the third finds Newman infusing his signature sound of simple melodies, eclectic instrumentation and supple polyrhythms with an assured and restrained elegance – tender piano with spare orchestration and bright percussion (notably dulcimer and bowls). Revolutionary Road, his third collaboration with Mendes after American Beautyand Road To Perdition, is quintessential Newman – smart, moving and cool. www.nonesuch.com

Download Tracks: Revolutionary Road, April

JOCELYN CLARKE