Fright Night
Brad Fiedel
" Oh, you're so COOL, Fiedel! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Fright Night is one of the many 80's movies that show us they haven't lost their magic until today. There's a reason why a remake was made of it, but there's a reason too why people still return to the 80's version. Because it is simply so entertaining. Having vampires for neighbors isn't just Charley's problem, it is his duty to show his friends that he's not crazy. And with the help of Peter Vincent, he is determined to rid his neighborhood of the threat before they do any more harm. The movie was a hit amongst audiences, and with it they ensured that Brad Fiedel became a household name in the 80's and early 90's.
Fright Night always was one of Fiedel's more beloved ones, but besides a CD release in Japan people didn't find Fiedel's music on the market. That is until now, when Intrada released it just months after the remake. And listening to Fiedel's 80's sound is surely enjoyable at times, if solely for the delicious nostalgic electric guitar moments ("Window Watching", "Jerry Takes Off"), the seductive use of the main theme in "Charlie Begs for Help and Come to Me" or the moody sfx effects in "Vampire Killers and Your Dinner's in the Oven". "Jerry's Time is Up" sadly unleashes a bit too much of those sfx, despite a constant piano tone in the background. Making it the weakest track of the score. "The Basement" does it more appropriately with a electrifying guitar ruckus near the end.
Luckily there's a better sounding 15 minute suite available too, unleashing just about the most important tracks of the score (if also the most moody ones).
While Fright Night turns into a moody SFX laden score after a while, somehow Fiedel keeps it all fairly listenable and functional, never degrading the score to an atrocious level. But to call it a good score is something else. It is however understandable that Fright Night remains the most entertaining when he brings us that unbelievable cool main theme in the opening minutes, or during that delicious seduction scene. So I'm sure some fans will have the time of their life returning to the music, but for me I find it more amusing to actually see the film again, and hearing the better Fiedel tracks in context.
Tracklisting
1. Fright Night (15.25)
Medley [From the 1/4" 15 i.p.s. Stereo Mixes]
2. Window Watching (1.57)
3. Jerry Takes Off (1.45)
4. Drive to Evil and Bat Attack (2.07)
5. Charlie's Cathedral, Charmed and Alley Bat (5.29)
6. Evil Visitor (1.44)
7. Charlie Begs for Help and Come to Me (Seduction Scene) (4.38)
8. Vampire Killers and Your Dinner's in the Oven (9.44)
9. Jerry's Time is Up (7.28)
10. The Basement (5.21)
11. You're So Cool Brewster and Come to Me (5.44)
The Score [From the 1/4" 7 1/2 i.p.s. Stereo mixes]
Total Length: 61.22
Fright Night always was one of Fiedel's more beloved ones, but besides a CD release in Japan people didn't find Fiedel's music on the market. That is until now, when Intrada released it just months after the remake. And listening to Fiedel's 80's sound is surely enjoyable at times, if solely for the delicious nostalgic electric guitar moments ("Window Watching", "Jerry Takes Off"), the seductive use of the main theme in "Charlie Begs for Help and Come to Me" or the moody sfx effects in "Vampire Killers and Your Dinner's in the Oven". "Jerry's Time is Up" sadly unleashes a bit too much of those sfx, despite a constant piano tone in the background. Making it the weakest track of the score. "The Basement" does it more appropriately with a electrifying guitar ruckus near the end.
Luckily there's a better sounding 15 minute suite available too, unleashing just about the most important tracks of the score (if also the most moody ones).
While Fright Night turns into a moody SFX laden score after a while, somehow Fiedel keeps it all fairly listenable and functional, never degrading the score to an atrocious level. But to call it a good score is something else. It is however understandable that Fright Night remains the most entertaining when he brings us that unbelievable cool main theme in the opening minutes, or during that delicious seduction scene. So I'm sure some fans will have the time of their life returning to the music, but for me I find it more amusing to actually see the film again, and hearing the better Fiedel tracks in context.
Tracklisting
1. Fright Night (15.25)
Medley [From the 1/4" 15 i.p.s. Stereo Mixes]
2. Window Watching (1.57)
3. Jerry Takes Off (1.45)
4. Drive to Evil and Bat Attack (2.07)
5. Charlie's Cathedral, Charmed and Alley Bat (5.29)
6. Evil Visitor (1.44)
7. Charlie Begs for Help and Come to Me (Seduction Scene) (4.38)
8. Vampire Killers and Your Dinner's in the Oven (9.44)
9. Jerry's Time is Up (7.28)
10. The Basement (5.21)
11. You're So Cool Brewster and Come to Me (5.44)
The Score [From the 1/4" 7 1/2 i.p.s. Stereo mixes]
Total Length: 61.22