Impressively cohesive in some places and understandably disjointed in others, The Proposition soundtrack has a rolling, underlying sense of sorrow and the unforgiving Australian outback. The film, directed by John Hillcoat and starring former Neighbours stalwart Guy Pearce, is only Nick Cave's second screenplay. Set in 19th century colonial Australia, it tells the story of Charlie Burns, a hard-assed outlaw who is given a tough choice: capture and kill his older brother Arthur in order to save his younger sibling Mike from a hanging. The soundtrack is comprised of short pieces ranging from 50 seconds (Sad Violin Thing) to more epic compositions which stretch to 3 and 4 minutes (Gun Thing, Clean Hands, Dirty Hands), all of which are characterised by weeping strings and edged with an allusion of madness to jolt the senses. The melding of Warren Ellis's violins with piano and guitar, combined with Cave's ragged voice, evokes emotive scenes of restless souls in barren landscapes. The pairing between Dirty Three string-plucker and sometime Bad Seed Ellis with the forceful Cave is a harmonious one. From the opening of the wistful Happy Land to the closing Clean Hands, Dirty Hands, the impression of Australia's immensity and harsh history is one of beauty (The Rider Song in particular) but also one far from heavenly. Both as an album and as a concept this soundtrack works superbly and Cave, to his utmost credit, continues to be totally original. All remarkable achievements.

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