John Carpenter
Lost Themes
Reviewed by: Dan Williams
John Carpenter? Yes, THAT John Carpenter. The movie director who brought us the films Halloween, Escape from New York and Starman. In many cases, he personally composed the eerie theme music for those and other films.
If someone is in need of a TV or movie theme to play under the credits, look no further. This is an odd collection of electronic theme songs in search of visual treatments. This could, and maybe should be dismissed as a vanity project. It could also be an effort to get his computer-generated themes released so he can protect their publishing rights. Many are doing that. Even the Beatles are releasing old bootleg and outtakes officially to retain rights.
Whatever his motive, Carpenter gives us a collection of personally created electronic instrumentals, all with single word names like “Vortex,” “Mystery,” “Wrath,” and “Purgatory”. They are instantly recognizable in both sound and dark mood. Each theme is improvisation and has the familiarity of mystery / horror movie themes of the 70s and 80s.
Regardless of the reason for this album, it may appeal to movie buffs, John Carpenter completists or other movie / TV directors in search of a ready-made theme for their next project.
Rating: Semi-obnoxious
