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The instrumental palette for My Spy is highlighted by twanging or slide guitar, electric bass, and low brass blasts for humor, violin figures faintly mixed with almost saxophone-like noir intent for suspense moments ("Room Service," "Private Eyes," and "Victor"), and hard rock outbursts in "Boys Next Door," "Airport," "Fireworks," and "My Spy" for outright contemporary coolness, albeit overplayed for effect. In between are pretty interludes of French-oriented flavor for piano and woodwinds and thankfully not accordions. Lewis remains loyal to his constructs throughout even though the score doesn't harbor a musical narrative of any substance. His two main themes are frequently applied but never really obvious, a problem which by itself contributes to the unfortunate anonymity of the whole. The primary theme has two variants, the more common one debuting in "French Connection," opening "Framed Memories" on piano, shifting to bold brass action at 4:12 into "Airport," and occupying child-like innocence at 1:00 into "Sophie's Choice." Tortured hints in "Spies in Disguise" before major statement at 1:44 into that cue lead to several reprises in "Fireworks." A French-infused alternate take on that same theme is the domain of woodwinds and recurs in "French Connection," "I Spy with My Little Eye," and "Parent Trap" before informing the character of "Sophie's Choice" if not in the theme's actual structure. Meanwhile, the spy concept and villains of the tale receive Lewis' other major theme, a descending phrase of only marginal malice that opens "Private Eyes," throws some shade in the first half of "Airport," opens "Bad Accent" on gnarly electric guitar, and contributes late in "The Hug." It presents slight mystery at 0:32 into "Victor" and some humor at 0:05 into "Bathroom Break." Again, none of these melodic passages will stick in your memory as much as the simply brazen attitude of the outright rock explosions, but they're certainly appreciated. In all reality, My Spy could have succeeded just as well with a score that features less personality and execution than this, so Lewis' approach can be labelled a success. The score-only album presentation clocks in at a short 37 minutes and its tracks are completely out of chronological order. Few collectors will be clamoring for it, but there's enough meat outside of the rather annoying rock sequences to provide a smooth and agreeable listening experience. The affable personality of the music owes much to the dynamic recording, the brass in "Private Eyes" a particular delight, but you'll still forget this conservative caper music in no time.  ***   @Amazon.com: CD or Download

Total Time: 37:09