Crimson Tide (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

For better or for worse, Hans Zimmer's Crimson Tide remains one of the defining film scores of the 1990s — the first and most popular of the electronic action scores that dominated the genre throughout the latter half of the decade, its propulsive, bombastic approach perfectly captures the artifice and soullessness of a Hollywood era dominated by computer-generated effects and genetically engineered stars. Zimmer's frantic, testosterone-fueled melodies embrace function at the expense of form — there's nothing remotely noteworthy except their sheer relentlessness and visceral intensity. There's no doubting how perfectly this kind of music complements the modern action blockbuster — whether the previous statement constitutes a ringing endorsement or a scathing indictment depends entirely on the perspective of the reader.