Show of hands - motion picture soundtrack
First and foremost I have not seen the movie Show Of Hands. The movie itself looks great, but I've only seen the trailer, so I'm just reviewing the music on this album based entirely on how it sounds, not in context to whichever scene it accompanied in the movie. Hopefully this doesn't ruin it for any die-hard fans of the film out there.
'Show Of Hands - motion picture soundtrack' is an evocative and dramatic listen. The songs featured on the album were composed by Kiwi great Don McGlashon, and feature performances by Anika Moa, Reb Fountain, Voom, James Ioelu, Sean Donnelly and McGlashon's own band The Seven Sisters.
The album isn't really what I'd call road trip material. For one there are less than a handful of tracks that include any vocals at all and to be honest most of those that do delve deep into a sombre and melancholic mood that you wouldn't really equate with driving.
On a whole the album features theatrical scores with poignant undertones. 'For Your Touch Instrumental', 'Mall Washroom' and 'Sleep Deprivation' all fall into this solemn category. There are also a couple of dramatic Mozart tracks thrown into the mix.
'Show Of Hands' isn't all about being dark and atmospheric though. 'Falling Or Flying Instrumental' is reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon, while 'Opening' has a tinge of Ireland and the Orient woven through its melody with the overall song finishing as a luminous accumulation of sound.
My personal favourite on the album has to the 'New Start'. Granted, it's only 0.47 seconds long, but the upbeat bluesy track is hard not to like. That's followed closely followed by the final track on the album, 'B Your Boy' which has a slightly quirky sound to it and is the perfect upbeat tune to end the album.
Reviewed by Sonia Robinson
