Everything or Nothing

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Track Listing

01 - James Bond Theme (2:43)
02 - Russian Liar (2:14)
03 - Bond Jumps Through Glass (0:38)
04 - Collecting Stuff In New Orleans (2:34)
05 - Bond Escapes Fortress (2:26)
06 - Crash Into Lobby (0:31)
07 - Entering The Train (0:19)
08 - Save Katya (0:48)
09 - Graveyard At Night (3:00)

10 - Jaws (3:02)

11 - Mine Facility Fight (3:19)
12 - Plantation Hand To Hand Combat (2:49)
13 - Rooftop Bike Chase (2:29)
14 - Quick Action (0:13)
15 - Russian Tank (3:07)
16 - Sneaking Around The Train Cars (2:19)
17 - Train Chase (2:16)
18 - The Crematorium (2:47)
19 - Tank Battle 2 (2:50)
20 - Bond In Sneak Mode (0:35)
21 - Winning The Trophy (0:18)

Total Running Time: 41:26

Electronic Arts has made a smart move in releasing a large catalog of its video game scores (albeit via the legit MP3 store route only). With such titles as Command & Conquer Red Alert, the Medal of Honor series, The Sims, and even selections from the EA Sports line, this is a win-win scenario for both EA and those looking to re-live their favorite gaming moments through these scores. So far, a lot of good titles have been released to online music retailers (iTunes, Yahoo and AOL Music), with more on the list to come.

Everything or Nothing marks the beginning of a turning point in the James Bond gaming franchise. For the most part, previous Bond titles had stuck with a first person view that had typified the N64 Goldeneye title (largely considered the best of the Bonds, though I have to wonder if some of that is not just nostalgia creeping in for a game that was novel for its time, but not so impressive nowadays). EoN takes Bond out of the first person and into the third, though in a manner that was more successful and entertaining than the first Bond game which tried this mechanic, Tomorrow Never Dies. Add to the reinvigorated control scheme a flashy, cinematic-like presentation, and the characters finally being portrayed by their big-screen counterparts, and you've got a title that received great critical acclaim, and one that is worth checking out if you haven't already.

For this Bond venture, the developers handed the scoring duties to Sean Callery, who has enjoyed some great success scoring the television series 24. If you've had any experience with his work on the show, then you'll know exactly what to expect here. EoN's score plays out just like a Bond version of 24, and with the only occasional use of the Bond theme, there's not that much difference in the end. Though the score is obviously performed on synthesizer, some of Callery's orchestral-sounding cues sound really good and occasionally belie their electronic origin.

The score alternates between more conventional, orchestral-like cues and techno/electronica styled excursions ("Rooftop Bike Chase"). Though I can enjoy the latter if it's interesting enough, those moments on here fall flat for the most part. Thankfully, Callery's more conventional cues work much better in conveying an exciting, if average, action score. In the end, Callery is pretty much done in by his reluctance to reference the Bond theme, though the chorus moments that he keenly uses at appropriate moments does knock up the rating a few notches.

Fans of the game, and those looking for more Callery 24-ish styled music would do well with this album. Bond fans looking for a fix between now and Arnold's forthcoming Casino Royale would do better to wait for the eventual release of Christopher Lennertz's From Russia With Love.