Unlike the opening titles, Giacchino's underscore has a lot more going for it, although those hoping for a continuation of his big orchestral style from his video game scores or The Incredibles might be mildly disappointed. This is distinctly modern, somewhat dominated by synth percussion (at least it's fairly omnipresent to propel the action along), but with enough flourishes to give it some personality. Being a globe trotting series (even if it's probably all filmed on the same few square miles of LA back lot) there are some nods to these locations, notably early on in Spanish Heist which injects a bit of flamenco flair into what otherwise might have been a rather mundane action cue. Although the percussion feels virtually omnipresent, Giacchino breaks out some Bondian brass riffs from time to time, giving the whole thing a bit more style. It's this kind of touch which puts Alias way ahead of similar scores; Steve Jablonsky's risible effort for The Island.
The series only leaves a fairly sparse moments for reflection, but these are similarly tackled with some distinction. A descending four note motif (sounding perilously close to the opening of Alexander Courage's original Star Trek theme) appears from time to time and is put through some impressive permutations, most effectively in the unpromisingly titled Page 47 where eerie chorus (seemingly live) build it into something chilling. There are perhaps a few too many action tracks built around the percussion for the album to be as fully satisfying as his video game scores or even his more recent Lost music. However, there is still plenty of interest throughout and it is the quieter passages where Giacchino's skill really shines. A fine example of modern television scoring.
Rating ~ Total Time ~ 64:53
Even if it wasn't due to his working relationship with producer/director JJ Abrams, listening to Michael Giacchino's music for the TV show Alias, it is apparent that he is ideally suited to a Mission: Impossible film, not to mention Bond. I suspect David Arnold will get the Bond gig for as long as he wants it, but if it were up to me, I'd be torn between Giacchino, John Powell and Edward Shearmur. Enough idle speculation. Alias is a kind of Bondian spy thriller, albeit with a female lead and with certain emphasis on double agents and double identities. As is his wont, JJ Abrams provides the theme tune, although one can't help but feel that Giacchino could have written something considerably better than his non-descript synthetic doodle.
