Holy Smoke
Angelo Badalamenti
" Entertaining album "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Angelo Badalamenti may not be one of the most favourite composers, but he surely is one of the most known composers. The only problem is, many wouldn't know it. I'm of course talking about Twin Peaks. But besides that, we have Arlington Road, the classical The City of Lost Children and his earlier Blue Velvet. You would think that Holy Smoke continues on this moody dark route, but it is nonetheless very entertaining and above all light. It goes to show surprises are a way of life.
Holy Smoke is enjoyable due to various reasons. First of all, the songs don't sound bad at all. Neil Diamond's entertaining "Holly Holy" has a lovely choir, the classic "I Put a Spell" says enough, and Annie Lennox always works no matter what. Secondly, what's left of dark, moody music doesn't bore whatsoever. And thirdly because I absolutely adore the choral song "Maya, Mayi, Ma" which gets the short and song based version. Together, Holy Smoke isn't perfect, but just pleasant. And that for a score that we expected to equal the same bleak boringness of many of Badalamenti's scores is a nice surprise. I guess you don't have to expect much to enjoy it.
As said, there's room for darkness in the score, but that doesn't mean it will depress the entire listening experience. "Betrayal of Ruth" has the main theme on guitar and flute (covered in Twin Peaks's mood), while returning in emotional Schindler's List fashion in "Hallucination" and "Montage Finale". There's some resemblance to David Michael Frank's The Mole in "Waiting, Reaching, Seeking" while the string theme in "Kiss all Around It" and the funky "Snappy Lipstick" is a breath of fresh air. The choral song "Maya, Mayi, Ma" appears in "Celebration" without the vocals, but it is the amazing catchy tune that puts a smile on your face.
Angelo Badalamenti hasn't written an amazing score, he has written a surprising score, resulting in a very good listen on CD. It is especially surprising how well this score functions outside the movie, and that's always lovely to find out. Holy Smoke is a lovely surprise, and I like to listen to it from time to time. Just don't expect anything and you'll be surprised how easily it will make you say Holy Smoke.
Tracklisting
1. Holly Holy: Neil Diamond (4.30)
2. Betrayal of Ruth (2.27)
3. Love Journey (3.23)
4. Moonrise (2.16)
5. Kiss All Around It (1.56)
6. Waiting, Reaching, Seeking (3.52)
7. Waltz in the Desert (2.12)
8. Snappy Lipstick (2.08)
9. Hallucination (2.10)
10. I Put a Spell: The Angels (4.01)
11. Celebration (2.47)
12. Montage Finale (4.54)
13. Primitive: Annie Lennox (4.17)
14. Maya, Mayi, Ma (6.50)
Total Length: 47.52
Holy Smoke is enjoyable due to various reasons. First of all, the songs don't sound bad at all. Neil Diamond's entertaining "Holly Holy" has a lovely choir, the classic "I Put a Spell" says enough, and Annie Lennox always works no matter what. Secondly, what's left of dark, moody music doesn't bore whatsoever. And thirdly because I absolutely adore the choral song "Maya, Mayi, Ma" which gets the short and song based version. Together, Holy Smoke isn't perfect, but just pleasant. And that for a score that we expected to equal the same bleak boringness of many of Badalamenti's scores is a nice surprise. I guess you don't have to expect much to enjoy it.
As said, there's room for darkness in the score, but that doesn't mean it will depress the entire listening experience. "Betrayal of Ruth" has the main theme on guitar and flute (covered in Twin Peaks's mood), while returning in emotional Schindler's List fashion in "Hallucination" and "Montage Finale". There's some resemblance to David Michael Frank's The Mole in "Waiting, Reaching, Seeking" while the string theme in "Kiss all Around It" and the funky "Snappy Lipstick" is a breath of fresh air. The choral song "Maya, Mayi, Ma" appears in "Celebration" without the vocals, but it is the amazing catchy tune that puts a smile on your face.
Angelo Badalamenti hasn't written an amazing score, he has written a surprising score, resulting in a very good listen on CD. It is especially surprising how well this score functions outside the movie, and that's always lovely to find out. Holy Smoke is a lovely surprise, and I like to listen to it from time to time. Just don't expect anything and you'll be surprised how easily it will make you say Holy Smoke.
Tracklisting
1. Holly Holy: Neil Diamond (4.30)
2. Betrayal of Ruth (2.27)
3. Love Journey (3.23)
4. Moonrise (2.16)
5. Kiss All Around It (1.56)
6. Waiting, Reaching, Seeking (3.52)
7. Waltz in the Desert (2.12)
8. Snappy Lipstick (2.08)
9. Hallucination (2.10)
10. I Put a Spell: The Angels (4.01)
11. Celebration (2.47)
12. Montage Finale (4.54)
13. Primitive: Annie Lennox (4.17)
14. Maya, Mayi, Ma (6.50)
Total Length: 47.52