After supplying something known as "additional music" to many films since the late 1990s, Steve Jablonsky seems to have become the go-to composer for director-producer Michael Bay. Jablonsky's score for Bay's sci-fi thriller The Island shows the influence of its producer, Hans Zimmer. "The Island Awaits You" sets up the mood, which is oddly muted for a movie directed by explosion-master Bay. Even a track titled "Mass Vehicular Carnage" is merely ominously low-key, oddly sounding like something by dank trip-hopper Tricky. Elsewhere, the electronic number "Starkweather" successfully creates a feeling of oppressive tension before integrating elements of the main theme. Unfortunately, in his effort to avoid big ka-booms, Jablonsky can be overly subdued; while nothing is jarring, nothing makes much of an impression either. Actually, there is one jarring thing on this CD, and it's the Prom Kings' nu metal/funk hybrid "Blow," tacked on at the end like an afterthought. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
