"Tokyo Drift" is high octane, super-charged soundtrack. Tyler brings an intense brand of music to the production and uses an assortment of instruments to do so.  From guitars to electronics, from background beats to orchestra, it all comes together to form a score that delivers a modern, urban brand of music.  None of that matters if the musical tapestry falls short and thankfully that doesn't happen here. It's an enjoyable listening experience if you have the right mind set to approach it with.

 

Going into this, you should be aware (and can probably conclude) that this is not a stand-alone orchestral effort.  The film called upon a composer who needed to own a versatile range to bring the music to life and that is what Tyler did.  The tracks on the disc erupt in a fast paced tempo that keeps up throughout the life of the score.  You'll zip through a world where car racing is the name of the game and this is the perfect type of music to accompany it with.  That said, there are also moments in which it becomes quite clear why it's so important to have a professional composer at the helm.  Moments in which the underscore emerge makes all the difference, especially when viewing the film.  Although the content did not call for a vast amount of dramatic subtlety, there are moments in which Tyler blends in softer, melodic cues that add a nice enhancement to the score.

 

With over an hour of music, the running time of the disc is generous.  How much you get out of it really depends on the style of music you enjoy.  What makes this score different from the generic soundtracks of the genre is that there are real themes at work.  Granted, they come at you in a fast and furious manner (couldn't resist), but they are completely identifiable and make the album cohesive.

Final Score: If you're an orchestral purist, than this is not the soundtrack for you.  However, if you're a fan of diverse scores, than hop in and take this one for a spin -- you'll enjoy the brisk pacing and high intensity!