Comprising 18 tracks, Big Mess is almost as long as some of the Hollywood films Elfman has spent his years scoring. A self-described “crazy cacophony”, the album lives up to its title. The opening “Sorry” marries metal riffs with prog theatrics as Elfman’s Mark Lanegan-esque grizzled voice roars. Lush string work is just about the only consistent to be found here, as it ricochets between riff-heavy rock, metal, industrial and the flat-out bizarre, with Elfman occasionally trying to steer it towards more popleaning moments. But this approach mistakes adding chaos and drama for exploratory experimentation. It’s a long, convoluted, tiresome listen.