This short, but perfectly formed score is a proto-typical Randy Newman score. Starting with the gentle piano introduction which then segues into I Love to See You Smile, the score is a delight from start to finish. The song is heard in two versions, the latter being slightly extended. Either way it's lovely and worth the purchase price on its own. The rest of the underscore is either based on the song and it's harmonies or functions as a small idea unto itself. Kevin's Party goes through virtually every Cowboy Western pastiche there is with the possible exception of Ennio Morricone styled music. Drag Race provides for some quite dramatic and exciting music which threatens to grate with the generally happy nature of the remainder. Kevin Comes Through also contains slightly quieter, but equally dramatic music as well as a brief reprise of one of the cowboy themes. Karen and Gil starts almost exactly in the same manner as the Introduction and develops into one of the most romantic and lovely cues on the album. Before you know it, Newman starts singing again and it's all over.
The presentation of the score is rather too short, I could quite happily have had some more of Newman's homely Americana. I don't know if sacrificing one of the renditions of the songs would have been advisable as it's such an enjoyable song that using it to bookend the score seems like quite a canny move, especially in slightly different versions. Whatever, Parenthood acquits itself perfectly in the sub-genre of Randy Newman family drama scores and is well worth picking up.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 28:11