Milan Records releases Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (original soundtrack) with music by Mark Mothersbaugh and Wataru Hokoyama. The album features music for the latest installment in the PlayStation video game franchise. The 20-track (1 hr, 09 min, 32 sec) collection combines synth-heavy electronic production with cinematic orchestrations to create the perfect soundscape for Ratchet and Clank’s intergalactic adventures...

If like me, you remember the good old days when you could leave a cinema screening and, as you walked home, hum the theme to the movie you'd just seen... then the score for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be one you'll warmly embrace.

Mark Mothersbaugh and Wataru Hokoyama deliver more than a couple of iconic and memorable themes for you to sink your teeth into. The main theme occasionally pops up (subtly) in a few tracks, but unless you're looking out for it you'll probably not even notice.

There's suspense similar to John Williams work on Return of the Jedi in tracks like 'A Late Arrival'. But just when you think you've gotten a hang of where the composers are going they left foot you with a burst of electronic music which comes in and replaces the orchestra.

Meanwhile 'Meet Me at Zurkies' opens on a similar note to Danny Elfman's score for 1989's Batman movie. While, 'Yardolis' brings to mind many a classic John Barry Bond moment. As you move from track to track there's so many nods and winks to other composer's works and this is what raised it up a level for me.

A rich, epic and constantly rewarding score.

8

Darren Rea