CD Review: Ocean's Thirteen - Music from the Motion Picture

This summer has brought with it the first Ocean's movie (of the Soderbergh series) to open in the warm months of summer, as the first two preferred the colder temperatures of December. It has also brought with it the first Ocean's score that I have listened to as a separate album. I enjoyed the music when I saw the mediocre film on the big screen, but I cannot recall anything really hitting me as being terribly memorable. I guess I didn't listen closely enough, as this is a score that out-cools the terminal cool of the Ocean's films.

The movies have all had a certain coolness to them, even if that cool factor was a bit forced at times. It seemed like they were trying to be cool, while never actually being cool. Still, the feeling was there, in the way Clooney cocked his head, or the Brad Pitt ate (and he ate a lot during these movies). Now, the music for the third edition of the caper series is cool. There is no question about it. As soon as you slip it into your CD player and hit play, you will find it nearly inpossible not to bob your head as you lean back in an easy chair and groove to the jazzy, funky sounds emanating from your speakers.

The score was composed by David Holmes, the Irish DJ turned film scorer. He has had a long running relationship with director Steven Soderbergh, having collaborated previously on Out of Sight and the first two Ocean's movies. There partnership has paid off, the fruits are some marvelous music. This album is also the first time that Holmes' music has been the central focus, as the other releases have featured bits of his work mixed in with the work of other artists. Here, he is the central focus, and it really is a joy to listen to.

The music for Ocean's Thirteen is not your typical orchestral score. Actually, it isn't an orchestral score at all, it is one filled with drums, bass, guitar, bongos, organs, and other related instruments. David Holmes has delivered a score that captures the feel of the seventies combined with modern sensibilities in music that has a timeless feeling to it.

There are some great grooves such as the opening track "Not Their Fight," as well as "Benedict Returns." Then check out the bass grooves on "Kensington Chump" and the all too brief "Zippo's." Once you finish with the bass grooves, move over to the bongos with "Diamond Location." Keep things going on down with the organ/guitar play on "Fender Roads." Then go on and wrap things up with the upbeat "All Sewn Up" and Sinatra's "This Town."

Bottomline. This is a great disk, whether or not you liked the film, there is no denying how much fun this score is. Holmes has crafted a memorable collectin of music that has that Ocean's caper feel, but survives perfectly fine on its own as a stand alone album. Put it in, press play, groove.

Highly Recommended.