After the success of the Oscar nominated
How To Train Your Dragon, which in my opinion deserved to win, Powell is back in the animated genre once again, and delivers magnificently.
This genre of film can be great for composers because they can be a little more relaxed and flamboyant regarding the tone of the score, and Mars Needs Moms is no exception. This is where Powell stands out from the crowd in this genre, because the energy and enthusiasm that he delivers is boundless. The score is mostly orchestral, with a few electronic elements and some choral cues (which are used fairly sparingly).
For those of you who have heard
Chicken Run and HTTYD, you will notice a few nods to cues these on albums, but only in a minor capacity if you are listening out for it. The only negative point to make is that the final track "Martian Mambo" is absolutely hideous and is totally out of kilter with the rest of the album. I swiftly deleted it but I guess kids might find it fun!
John Powell is a composer who never fails to deliver. Whilst not as good as HTTYD, this album is a fun orchestral romp from start to finish. Whilst never taking itself too seriously, the quality of the music across the entirety of Mars Needs Moms was consistently high and I liked it more and more as the album went on. With a running total of 50 minutes, it doesn't feel too short or long and I can see it becoming one of my favourites of the year. For track "Mars Needs Moms Credits Suite" covers all the main themes in a neat and compact manor, but I would recommend getting the whole album (minus Martian Mambo) to truly appreciate this fantastic score.