Recorded in Dublin complete with local musicians,
War of the Buttons captures Irish culture with an authenticity and sensitivity absent from most portrayals; it's also the most muscular and intense score of
Rachel Portman's career, emphasizing brass and percussion to a degree unmatched in her other work.
Portman's military-themed melodies burst with energy, complete with heroic brass flourishes and growling percussion. Even more impressive are the score's more intimate moments, distinguished by the lively flute which lends
War of the Buttons so much of its ethnic flavor. ~ Jason Ankeny