From the composer of About Schmidt, Sideways, Legally Blonde, Election and Mean Girls comes the soundtrack for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, a romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is not just a romantic comedy score but also offers drama, as part of Rolfe’s approach was to get the characters down in music, to give them musical motifs. This led the way to large textural pieces ('Conjuring the Ghost of Future') and dark moments ('Graveside Epiphany') as well as mischief and jazzy swing ('Uncle Wayne's theme')...

Rolfe Kent's score to Ghosts of Girlfriends Past has that unmistakable Kent style running through its veins. Part jazz based, part conventional orchestrated score, the music here won't be to everyone's taste. Although, I have to admit that I particularly enjoyed it.

I actually received this review copy before I saw the movie at the cinema, and so when the movie opened, the 'Opening Title' sent a shiver down my spine - so impressive was it to hear it on the big screen.

Yet again, as he did with his score to Sideways, Kent seems to draw inspiration (or is that copy) Carter Burwell's score for Being John Malkovich. This is most evident in the track 'Conjuring the Ghost of Future' - which also borrows heavily from David Arnold's music for Die Another Day.

There are other heavy influences throughout this album. For example, at 1 min, 39 sec into 'Pauly's Theme' it turns into John Williams score for Saving Private Ryan.

This album includes quite a few impressive, and rather moving tracks, as well as a few intentionally cheesy tracks. If you're looking for a soundtrack album that's just that little bit different, then you could do much worse than pick this CD up.

7

Darren Rea