They Live
John Carpenter and Alan Howarth
" John, put the glasses on! Put 'em on! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
How can you possibly begin to describe the charm of a John Carpenter movie? Most of his movies move forward slowly, almost pathetic slow if one would compare it with movies of today. And most of his movies carry such an insane explanation one isn't surprised anymore that it actually works. That was and still is the strength of a John Carpenter movie, insane illogical stories but they work.
As movie composition, his music was always worthy of attention. After all his tunes are legendary and alongside a more experienced composer (Alan Howarth or Shirley Walker) his music received in small ways the detail he couldn't add to it. Like so many examples, They Live is perfect Carpenter music. Nothing that shatters the ground, but everything we hold dear of John Carpenter.
You can't open better with "Coming to LA", at least not for a John Carpenter score. A beat, a harmonica and a mysterious sound design, that's it. But it works and once again with a simple mere sound Carpenter lays down the atmosphere and tone for the movie.
That sound design shows true Big Trouble in Little China colour in "A Message", while "The Siege of Justiceville" throws in a wonderful drum rhythm that works in signifying the brutal force of the police. The main tune returns in "Return to Church" albeit more restrained while returning sharply (with special added sounds) in "All Out of Bubble Gum" and "Back to the Streets".
The track "Underground" may open with sound effects but unleashes soon a suspenseful mysterious note with a fetching beep. And "Wake Up" returns with that beep, only now aided by an electric guitar that gives the Carpenter sound back its meaning.
There's not a lot that makes They Live work and it doesn't have a lot of diversity. But why on earth does it still work? Well because it is Carpenter and because it is to the point and brief. It doesn't make it difficult, it makes it effective. So welcome to clever scoring, where a simple tune and a simple sound makes all the fuzz. And welcome to a director who knows what his movies need. They Live is just one of the many many that proves Carpenter always knew best.
Tracklisting
1. Coming to L.A. (4.02)
2. A Message (2.39)
3. The Siege of Justiceville (5.38)
4. Return to Church (1.25)
5. All Out of Bubble Gum (2.40)
6. Back to the Streets (2.24)
7. Kidnapped (3.29)
8. Transient Hotel (2.16)
9. Underground (3.22)
10. Wake Up (3.26)
Total Length: 31.12
As movie composition, his music was always worthy of attention. After all his tunes are legendary and alongside a more experienced composer (Alan Howarth or Shirley Walker) his music received in small ways the detail he couldn't add to it. Like so many examples, They Live is perfect Carpenter music. Nothing that shatters the ground, but everything we hold dear of John Carpenter.
You can't open better with "Coming to LA", at least not for a John Carpenter score. A beat, a harmonica and a mysterious sound design, that's it. But it works and once again with a simple mere sound Carpenter lays down the atmosphere and tone for the movie.
That sound design shows true Big Trouble in Little China colour in "A Message", while "The Siege of Justiceville" throws in a wonderful drum rhythm that works in signifying the brutal force of the police. The main tune returns in "Return to Church" albeit more restrained while returning sharply (with special added sounds) in "All Out of Bubble Gum" and "Back to the Streets".
The track "Underground" may open with sound effects but unleashes soon a suspenseful mysterious note with a fetching beep. And "Wake Up" returns with that beep, only now aided by an electric guitar that gives the Carpenter sound back its meaning.
There's not a lot that makes They Live work and it doesn't have a lot of diversity. But why on earth does it still work? Well because it is Carpenter and because it is to the point and brief. It doesn't make it difficult, it makes it effective. So welcome to clever scoring, where a simple tune and a simple sound makes all the fuzz. And welcome to a director who knows what his movies need. They Live is just one of the many many that proves Carpenter always knew best.
Tracklisting
1. Coming to L.A. (4.02)
2. A Message (2.39)
3. The Siege of Justiceville (5.38)
4. Return to Church (1.25)
5. All Out of Bubble Gum (2.40)
6. Back to the Streets (2.24)
7. Kidnapped (3.29)
8. Transient Hotel (2.16)
9. Underground (3.22)
10. Wake Up (3.26)
Total Length: 31.12