The soundtrack score is one of the most underrated pieces of aural enjoyment in the world of music. Most people will scoff at music that doesn’t have direct lyrics in it, but if one truly listens, it’s the instrumentation on these scores that is most lyrical. If you see me walking on the street, I will most likely be listening to a film score. This is the kind of music that challenges me more than any other out there, aside from jazz music. Here you will find the scores that mean the most to me, and the ones that you will find me listening to most often.

4. The Book of Eli by Atticus Ross

What I liked most about this score was it’s combination of modern sounds with classical instrumentation. Most will remember Atticus Ross for his work with Trent Reznor on the soundtrack’s to the films The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but it’s always this one I associate with him. It was his first film score; the originality and innovation within led him to those two films. Listeners will find a unique set of instrumentation, not common to the film score, like guitar, synths, distorted brass instruments, and drum samples. Truly a wonder to take in, and experience how well both sides work together.

3. The Shawshank Redemption by Thomas Newman

This may be the most duplicated soundtrack on the planet; it’s influence can be heard and felt in many of the soundtracks since the release of this movie. Thomas Newman could capture the mood of a person taking a shit better than anyone can, including John Williams. I like Williams, but he’s not very innovative, at least anymore, but Newman comes up with something stark every time he composes a new score. The sweeping emotional landscapes he creates with tracks like “So Was Red,” “Compass and Guns” and “And the Right Soon” are marvels, not just songs to consider.

2. The Diary of Anne Frank by Alfred Newman

If any have seen the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank than the score of Alfred Newman may have found it’s way in. Alfred is the father of Thomas Newman and it’s not hard to see that greatness was cut from great cloth. With this film, Newman chose to focus on the hopefulness and positive nature of it’s characters than the tone of the time. In that way, it made for heartwarming experiences, but even in those moments where darkness will creep in, there is always some instrumentation of hopefulness that finds it’s way into your heart. The combination of acting and this score make this three hour movie, a real pleasure to take in.

2. Band of Brothers by Michael Kamen

What all these soundtracks have in common is the emotional impact that they have on me; this one the greatest. The story of these “Citizen Soldiers” is one of WWII’s most touching, and Kamen exposes that. Sure, you’ll find those larger, patriotic songs that you would associate with an epic like this, but Kamen’s focus on the tender, gut wrenching, heartbreaking moments is what puts this score in a league of it’s own. It’s one I’ve listened to countless times, and fallen in love with every time!