As noted, this is not epic sci-fi and so Newman treats it as a sweet, but witty love story. OK, there is no sweeping love theme and First Date is positively retro in its use of of 60s "ba ba ba" (no, not like sheep) pop chorus. It counts as one of several great ideas that are only heard once - one could imagine it being extended into some brilliant Michel Legrand style pastiche. Alas. Of course, much of the score is considerably more "typical" Thomas Newman (if there is such a thing), many plinking, percussive passages with shimmering strings - 72 Degrees and Sunny is a prime example. The watery textures of Finding Nemo are actually in evidence throughout, but they seem just as appropriate for outer space as they did for the deep blue. Also much in evidence is Newman's comedic side, not perhaps his most renowned, but it shines through here; Typing Bot, the hilarious advert BNL and M-O are all delightful and occasionally really quite silly (but not annoying, Newman is too classy for that), however, alas again, rather brief. While largely intimate, there are a couple of more exciting moments, notably Thrust, Eve Retrieve, Mutiny and particularly the surprisingly dark Rogue Robots. These hint at what a more typical sci-fi film might get from Newman.
The album closes (save for a brief score coda) with Down to Earth performed and co-written by Peter Gabriel. Even after a few listens, I'm not entirely sure what to make of it; I suppose Newman does folksy rock is the best I can come up with. There's definitely plenty of Newman's style there and the lyrics aren't too toe curling, although I suspect plenty will find it rather mawkish. Wall-E certainly takes a good number of listens to appreciate all of it, but then that goes for most Newman scores. He's not a composer who writes in long structures and all the nuances won't be picked up on the first listen or two, but as ever, perseverance pays plentiful dividends. A word must also go to the superbly retro packaging. OK, it's basically like the Lost World cardboard diorama, but without pop-up dinosaurs, but the no frills cardboard and pleasingly original approach to the graphic design works rather well. One almost longs for an LP version to turn it into a piece of artwork worth hanging on the wall (as a number of soundtrack album covers deserve).
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 61:50