Ratatouille (Score from the Motion Picture)

Michael Giacchino did a bang-up job on his first major film gig, The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird. In 2007, Giacchino and Bird reunited for another Pixar project, Ratatouille, which tells the story of Remy, a rat with dreams of becoming a great chef. Ratatouille is set in Paris and Giacchino looks to French music for inspiration. The soundtrack opens with its only vocal piece, “Le Festin,” which is sung by Camille Dalmais. The next track, “Welcome to Gusteau’s,” starts off by quoting the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” before moving on to an accordion-led waltz. “Remy Drives a Linguini,” a delightful cut that features whistling and harmonica, sports an inventive arrangement that includes sliding guitar tones and nice horn charts. French music has often incorporated the sounds of Spain and Latin America, and here tracks such as “Colette Show Him Le Ropes,” “Special Order,” and “End Creditouilles” display a Latin tinge. “Ratatouille Main Theme” wraps up the album on a gentle and touching note.