Con Air: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This is the film that thumbed its nose at Willis and Schwarzenegger, proving that respectable actors like John Cusack, John Malkovich, and Nicolas Cage could star in a big, dumb action McMovie, too--or was that The Rock? Whatever, this Jerry Bruckheimer (Hey, didn't he do The Rock, too?) produced thrill ride features a muscular score by former rock producer Mark Mancina and ex-Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin. Big, bad, and--dare we say it--ballsy, Mancina utilizes unusual percussive samples beneath the synth bombast while Rabin's soaring guitar lines frequently ape Jeff Beck. At least he's got good taste. --Jerry McCulley