'A Walk Among The Tombstones' was a movie that came out of nowhere for me. I hadn't heard of it coming out, didn't see any ads for it on TV, and yet here it is! And aside from what I see of it ie: we'll be getting more of Liam Neesen in his hunt-em-down role, the soundtrack that accompanies the movie is pure dynamite!

Composed by Carlos Rafael Rivera, it is a perfect musical accompaniment to the film. Complete with the use of a certain instrument used to evoke eeriness, you might be forgiven for thinking that you had heard it before. Well, you would be right as The Waterphone was famously used when Neo takes the red pill in 'The Matrix'!

A quite unique instrument, The Waterphone adds an element of surprise to the listening ear, as you never can tell where the waves of tone will next lead you. Indeed, if you would like me to take you back even further with regard the use of a Waterphone in composed music, how about the opening scene in 'Dirty Harry' where there is a girl in the pool with a siren-like voice!

A protege of Randy Newman, Rivera graduated with a DMA (Doctor of Music Arts) composition from the USC Thornton School and has studied with both Don Crockett and Stephen Hartke. So here on 'A Walk Among The Tombstones,' Rivera helps along the story of ex-NYPD cop and now unlicensed private investigator, Matt Scudder (Neesen) who when he reluctantly agrees to help a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens) hunt down the men who kidnapped and the brutally murdered his wife, quickly discovers that this isn't the first time these men have committed his sort of twisted crime ... and nor will it be the last!

Reviewed by: Russell A. Trunk