The Fog
John Carpenter
" There's something in The Fog! Yes … John Carpenter's music "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
John Carpenter has done horror before, but The Fog held something extra. At least special in the supernatural sense. The remake is one sorry excuse for mocking up what is basically a very entertaining movie. Once again Carpenter's knowledge of using the right actors in the right movie (here it is Adrienne Barbeau and not Jamie Lee Curtis that steals the fog) gives the movie an extra dimension. And if shadows in misty circumstances doesn't do it for you, Carpenter's music might do it instead.
The somewhat emotional piano in "Matthew Ghost Story" is a perfect moody opener for the score. And "Main Title Theme" opens with excellent organ to signal there's something lurking in the mist. The mysterious tone after that just continues for minutes (Das Boot effect too from time to time).
The somewhat distant "Walk to the Lighthouse" and the reprise of the Ghost Story tune and main theme in "Rocks at Dray's Bay" are effective. But it is the mood that consumes everything in "The Fog" and "Antonio Bay". It is mood but effective, it repeats but hypnotizes. It is John Carpenter's minimalist voice. The ghost story tune in "Tommy Tells of Ghost Ships" and the long tense "Reel 9" aren't exactly the most inspirational tracks, but they work so good.
Pay special attention as to which release you pick. The original Varèse release is the one presented here. But there's also an expanded release (Silva Screen) that presents some 15 minutes more of music, plus an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis. Apparently by Silva Screen she did the music.
The Fog is one of Carpenter's more moody soundtracks. But considering the movie is all about mood, this makes sense. You can say it is a minimalist approach of Carpenter, using mere beats and piano to state a mood. But it works. You can say there is nothing special about The Fog, but it is the mood and feel of the score that makes it special in the first place. And if Carpenter knows one thing, it is making mood, uh fog.
Tracklisting
1. Matthew Ghost Story (2.48)
2. Main Title Theme (5.09)
3. Walk to the Lighthouse (2.40)
4. Rocks at Dray's Bay (2.27)
5. The Fog (3.15)
6. Antonio Bay (4.26)
7. Tommy Tells of Ghost Ships (2.15)
8. Reel 9 (10.59)
Total Length: 33.58
The somewhat emotional piano in "Matthew Ghost Story" is a perfect moody opener for the score. And "Main Title Theme" opens with excellent organ to signal there's something lurking in the mist. The mysterious tone after that just continues for minutes (Das Boot effect too from time to time).
The somewhat distant "Walk to the Lighthouse" and the reprise of the Ghost Story tune and main theme in "Rocks at Dray's Bay" are effective. But it is the mood that consumes everything in "The Fog" and "Antonio Bay". It is mood but effective, it repeats but hypnotizes. It is John Carpenter's minimalist voice. The ghost story tune in "Tommy Tells of Ghost Ships" and the long tense "Reel 9" aren't exactly the most inspirational tracks, but they work so good.
Pay special attention as to which release you pick. The original Varèse release is the one presented here. But there's also an expanded release (Silva Screen) that presents some 15 minutes more of music, plus an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis. Apparently by Silva Screen she did the music.
The Fog is one of Carpenter's more moody soundtracks. But considering the movie is all about mood, this makes sense. You can say it is a minimalist approach of Carpenter, using mere beats and piano to state a mood. But it works. You can say there is nothing special about The Fog, but it is the mood and feel of the score that makes it special in the first place. And if Carpenter knows one thing, it is making mood, uh fog.
Tracklisting
1. Matthew Ghost Story (2.48)
2. Main Title Theme (5.09)
3. Walk to the Lighthouse (2.40)
4. Rocks at Dray's Bay (2.27)
5. The Fog (3.15)
6. Antonio Bay (4.26)
7. Tommy Tells of Ghost Ships (2.15)
8. Reel 9 (10.59)
Total Length: 33.58