OK, let's get this straight ... and for the record, by NO means is this a piece of classical music which will become iconic! But it certainly is one which displays Paul McCartney's many talents. 'Ocean's Kingdom' can best be described as oceans beauty and tranquility.

The music is subtle yet powerful. The best parallel I can make to it is John William's 'Saving Private Ryan' score where it did not want to become too powerful so it would not take away from its purpose. The same is true for Paul's work here. Paul is making sure that this commissioned work for the New York City Ballet reflects the dance but does not take away from the dance or what the dancers are trying to represent.

Indeed, McCartney uses his tricks of the trade well. It starts out with a sufficiently watery-sounding opening that vaguely recalls the atmosphere of the underwater opening of Wagner's "Rheingold". Dramatic sequences use the percussion section well - tympanis and xylophones beat out rhythmically driving, somehow corporate-sounding themes representing the bad guys in the storyline of the ballet.

But, that all said, I (think I) would need to see this work on stage with the dancers in order to give it two thumbs up as this piece obviously is one which works in an almost ensemble-like way. And, of course, on CD you just cannot experience this. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this work, but it did not take my breath away. However, this is a wonderful piece which anyone would be proud to have in its collection.