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WICKED SPRING is a traditional civil war drama directed by regular Russell collaborator Kevin Hershberger. As such, it follows musically suit in the footsteps of scores like THE PATRIOT (John Williams) and LEGENDS OF THE FALL (James Horner) - broad, laidback americana and prominent solo fiddle. The 10-minute opening track, "Two Stories", starts off with a piano rendition of the subdued and expansive main theme before a solo fiddle repeats it. Next in line is a secondary theme for solo flute before the piano/solo fiddle rendition of the main theme takes over again. As the title indicates, it is obvious that there is some sort of parallell action going on here, that the music binds together and communicates some sort of inter-relatedness. It is quite the beautiful theme, gliding softly along on a couch of tonal harmonies. "Leg it like the Devil" is the only action track per se - a low string bass rhythm accompanied by uneasy percussion and sudden atonal cello outbursts, similar to Elfman's bandwagon cue from SLEEPY HOLLOW. There's also sinister, downbeat "horror"-like cues, such as "This Ain't Christian" or "Caught" - complete with the long sustained string chord and crashing cymbals. Overall, it's a nice score that - although it perhaps lacks the striking theme a la Williams or Horner - manages to sustain interest through mood shifts and consistent variation. Russell's talent as orchestrator becomes particularly evident through the occasional pop-up of an off-kilter harmonic structure. The CD also contains the score to another Hershberger film, the World War II short THE NEST. This is a different beast altogether - far more challenging and dissonant. The "Main Titles" starts off with morose flute outbursts, eerie synth chords and distant, PREDATOR-like percussion. Most of the music stays within the moody Howard Shore-type intensity until a bit into the final track, where a solo trumpet and military percussion (a la SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) states a kathartic and poignant theme, followed by a sampled string crescendo of same. Overall, THE NEST leaves a little to be desired as a pure listening experience. The subdued intensity becomes....well, a bit too intense eventually, without really going somewhere. But once again, it displays some interesting orchestrational choices. Unfortunately, these scores are only available as a promo release as of yet, but Russell displays so much talent that perhaps a commercial release will see the light of day eventually.
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