Silva Screen Records release the original television soundtrack to the BBC One prison drama Time. Sarah Warne’s soundtrack is written for a small ensemble featuring Laetitia Stott (Horns), Ed Ashby (Tuba), Eleanor Bartlett (Violin), Laurie Anderson (Viola), Peter Gregson (Cello) and Sarah Warne (Bowed harp and vocals)...

Sarah Warne's score for Time is more a musical palette of sounds and atmospheric backdrops than it is a thematically led soundtrack. This is the sort of score that the editor can grab bits of and place them anywhere in the scene to add ambiance. It's basically a collection of music cues.

Talking about the work, Warne says: "The music for Time explores the slow and painful road to redemption, the harrowing isolation of incarceration, and Mark and Eric’s united torment as they both strive to do what is right. Visceral yet sensitive performances from the score’s core ensemble, combined with off-kilter prepared piano and detuned ethereal textures, are designed to dig deep into the powerful questions at the centre of the drama."

In truth the entire score just melds into one giant atmospheric piece that never offers anything to get excited about. As a background soundscape to the show it works well to cause unease and disorientation. But is that the sort of music you enjoy listening to for pleasure?

If the answer is "yes", then fill your boots. I can only really see this being of interest to students who want to learn how to create unease through music. Great for the show, just a little dull when listened to in isolation.

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Darren Rea