This isn’t the kind of score that’ll conquer you at a first listening, but give it a chance and it might grow on you. The cast sounds is first-class and there are good songs here, but I couldn’t help wonder what someone like Kander & Ebb would have done with this material. You can read my review at the blog The Musical Chronicles.
The cast was what initially interested me. I love Heidi Blickenstaff, Robert Cuccioli and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, but after one listen I can't say that I really "get it." I haven't seen the movie so maybe that's part of it and the synopsis is a bit confusing, but there are some good songs on the CD. I agree that it will probably grow on listeners after repeated listenings. I'm curious to see the movie now.
For me it's one of Frank Capra best movies. As for the score, at the first listening I found it kind of uninteresting, but the second time it began to catch my hears. Give it another try.
I liked it very much on first listen. I agree everyone sounds great, but I also thought the music was very engaging. I also thought the period orchestrations were praiseworthy.