On 04 November 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies...

Alexandre Desplat is a composer who, for me, either knocks it out of the park, or fails miserably. Personally I found his work on the Harry Potter movies to be lack lustre and totally missed what a Potter score should be about. But when he nails it, he nails it.

Argo is a score where he injects not just atmospheric suspense music, and an ethnic feel to the proceedings, but also at times he delivers heartbreakingly beautiful themes - This album represents some of his best work, but again, only in a few instances.

Tracks like 'The Mission'; 'Missing Home'; and 'Cleared Iranian Airspace' showcase Desplat at his most powerful. I had to smile at 'Breaking Through the Gates' - where the vocalist sounds like he's singing "Tough Titty" over and over. In addition the final track, 'Hace Tuto Guagua' is interesting as it starts of with a lone ethnic voice, which transforms into a group, before slowly fading back to a lone voice.

'Clearing Iranian Airspace' (6 min, 02 sec) is not only this album's most beautiful track, but it also has an incredibly moving ending. It brought to mind the work of James Horner.

The album contains 17 tracks and lasts for 58 min, 37 sec.

7

Darren Rea