Michael Giacchino is the rare composer who’s graduated from video games (including the Medal of Honor series) to high-profile big-screen fare (The Incredibles). But the most important aspect of Giacchino’s career may well be his collaboration with writer-director-producer J.J. Abrams, for whom he’s scored Mission: Impossible III and the television hits Alias and Lost. The latter is a hybrid show–part mystery, part psychological drama, part science fiction–and thus requires a nimble composer who can switch moods quickly. Culled mostly in chronological order from the popular series’ first season, this CD shows how the score contributes mightily to Lost’s artistic success (Abrams himself composed the 16-second “Main Title.”) Giacchino’s signature move is an abrupt surge of low-throated trombones, which creates a deep-seated anxiety and raises the viewer’s heart rate without fail (more…)
