Actually, just so we can keep things straight here, 'Z for Zachariah' is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction novel by Robert C. O'Brien that was published posthumously in 1974. Now a Hollywood movie, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine, and Margot Robbie, it tells the tale that in the wake of a disaster that wipes out most of civilization, two men and a young woman find themselves in an emotionally charged love triangle as the last known survivors.

This heart pounding, and at times fragile, sensitive soundtrack score for the Sci-Fi thriller is composed by Heather McIntosh, the celloist from the Elephant 6 Collective. The long lists of artists she has performed with include; Animal Collective, Cat Power, Superchunk, M Ward, Of Montreal, The Clientele, St. Vincent, Azure Ray, Bright Eyes, Washed Out, Dr. Dog, Gnarls Barkley and Lil Wayne.

One of four women (out of a list of 104) who made the Academy Awards shortlist of composers for Best Original Score for the 2013 Academy Awards, McIntosh's work here on 'Z For Zachariah' is second to none. Not one of the 26 tracks are fillers, each one patterned together to tell a story that unfolds on the screen.

One of my favorite films that she scored was 'Compliance,' a little-seen indie that didn't stray too far from a tight script, but whose score was as integral to the plot as the script itself. McIntosh, cellist and bassist, composed the riveting and haunting musical themes to 'Z For Zachariah' in much the same vein as those for 'Compliance,' and for that, well, I salute her.

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