Rating : - It Grows on you
"Of Mice & Men" may not be one of Mark Isham's most original nor popular movie theme CD's yet after each listen it grows on you. Mark Isham doe's have a certain style, calming yet questioning which suits the movie adaptation of Steinbeck's book perfectly. The story is about George, a quiet intelligent man roaming the California country looking for a job with his friend Lennie, who is George's antithesis; all physical power with little brains. They get a job where the boss's son Curley is cruel to Lennie, but Curley's wife takes pity on him. Later Curley's wife is accidentally killed & the social economic forces take over. At times the music sounds close to another Mark Isham movie theme "At First Sight" yet holds onto its own pathos. Some songs use a solo Folk music instrumentation that reflects Lennie's simplicity. Other songs use a minor key that reveals the battle between the outer world & the character's repressed inner lives. Try the "Listen to Samples" a few times & see if the music will grow on you.