Pushing Tin Soundtrack Review: This is a review of the film score Pushing Tin by Anne Dudley.
At a glance:
Geek Score: 81.6
Total Minutes Of Excellence:11.5
Album Excellence:39.6%
How are the scores calculated and what does it mean?
Pushing Tin is a 1999 comedy/drama film directed by Mike Newell. John Cusack plays an Air Traffic Controller, Nick Falzone who’s on top of his game, or so he thinks. He likes to think he is the best at what he does and constantly remind his colleagues about that. Being an air traffic controller induces a lot of stress naturally. There’s a new guy played by Billy Bob Thornton (Russell Bell) who is a air controller veteran. His ability to work under stress even exceeds what Falzone can do. This creates an air of jealousy. Nick feels challenged by this guy who he calls a loose cannon. I love the rivalry between these two characters and it’s a great movie to watch. Haven’t seen it in a long time though and I can’t remember much of the music. The score is composed by Anne Dudley.
‘He Pushes Tin’ starts with a lovely warm retro Synth motif, very 80s. The percussion comes in with some lovely synth effects. The melody is simple, but effective. I am really enjoying the sound of this. There’s a harmonica coming in from absolutely nowhere. I had not expected that. Terrific fun! The harmonica seems to be an instrument used throughout the scores. At least it returns for ‘A Restless Heart’ which is a rather slow moody cue, kind of romantic. I love the harmonica in conjunction with the sweet bass on this cue. It eventually changes into a more sinister cue with some interesting synth effect and percussion. I think I hear the pan flute in there as well. Now we’re almost into Eric Serra James Bond-ish material. ‘Absent Lovers’ is almost a bit jazzy. I am definitely enjoying this a bit more than the wild synth percussion, although it can be fun in some situations and I have a feeling I will hear it a lot. And yes, it returns in ‘Man Of Mystery’ with a didgeridoo! Well you can’t put this score down as samey and boring, that’s for sure. I wonder what we will hear in the next cue. Harpsichord?
‘Surfing The Scopes’ is overdoing it though. A mostly percussion-based cue with a scratchy growling sound. Alright, if that’s what it is. Still, it’s strange. The part from 1:31 is brilliant though, reminds me the sound of Amiga games. That bass is killer. ‘You Never Know (Until It Happens)’ is an odd cue. Weird and ghostly music using the harmonica and strange percussion and sound effects. Well you lost me. ‘A Bitter Chill’ is much better with some lovely swirling and reverberating synths. The theme is very secret agent-like. I love it. Cues like ‘Turbulence’ and ‘Hero Worship’ though.. not so much. ‘Thinking Too Much’ is a thriller/drama cue, quite sad, but it’s all orchestral and is standing out a bit compared the rest of the score. ‘No Fly Zone’ brings back the beautiful 80s synth pad. It sounds so great. The ending cue is a sweet one. ‘Five Miles High’ starts like a serenade with strings and everything, then goes into this Amiga-inspired retro synth and piano sequence. One of the best cues on the score.
Pushing Tin had awesome moments and it had what the hell moments, but overall, I’m pleased with the score. The sound is quite unique in terms of film scoring and I definitely found quite a few cues I will happily play again in the future.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. He Pushes Tin
3. Absent Lovers
4. Man Of Mystery
7. A Bitter Pill
11. No Fly Zone
12. Five Miles High
