Big Fish / O.S.T. BIG FISH / O.S.T.

Original score composed by Danny Elfman.
Tim Burton's charming 2003 film relates a series of fantastical tales, as narrated by a bed-ridden father to his estranged son. As with most Burton projects, the string-laden score for BIG FISH is provided by Danny Elfman. Here the renowned composer mixes energetic, upbeat passages with quiet, elegant moments to complement the alternately whimsical and moving events on the screen. The title track juxtaposes gentle orchestral waves with a spry, down-home fiddle melody, while "Leaving Spectre" conjures up an ominous mood. In addition to Elfman's score, the soundtrack presents "Man of the Hour," a reflective tune by Pearl Jam that touches directly on the movie's themes. BIG FISH also features tracks by a refreshingly wide range of artists, from Bing Crosby (a classic Dixieland take on "Dinah") to the Allman Brothers Band (the easy-going "Ramblin' Man"), all of which contribute to the movie's pleasantly episodic vibe.

• Genre: Soundtracks & Film Scores
• Format: Vinyl