In 2015 John Carpenter – best known for a number of outstanding (mostly horror and science fiction) films, such as The Thing, Halloween, The Fog, They Live, Escape From New York, Prince of Darkness, In the Mouth of Madness, and many others – released his first album of unrelated film music. Of course, Carpenter had also previously contributed the excellent full movie scores for the vast majority of his work. Lost Themes was original music not related to any existing project, but still in the vein of his synth-based electronica, hence the title. Released by Sacred Bones Records, it is said to be the first collaboration between John Carpenter, his son Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies (son of Dave Davies of The Kinks and godson of John Carpenter) on a recording – before the ‘final’ Halloween trilogy of films. However, Daniel Davies played guitar on Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness soundtrack, and the first of two John Carpenter Anthologies, featuring reimagined versions of some of his themes by the trio, emerged in 2017.

Since the original Lost Themes release, this solid trio of contributors has gone on to write and records three follow-up albums, each with their own subtle slant: Lost Themes II, Lost Themes III – Alive After Death, and Lost Themes IV – Noir. Now, as a special commemorative 10th Anniversary Release, we have an Expanded Edition with new striking cover artwork by Greg Ruth, and two additional tracks recorded at the original sessions.

The tracklist is: ‘Vortex’; ‘Obsidian’; ‘Fallen’; ‘Domain’; ‘Mystery’; ‘Abyss’; ‘Wraith’; ‘Purgatory’; and ‘Night’. The two additional pieces are ‘Cruisin’ with Mr Scratch’; and ‘Dominator’.

The most interesting thing about this release, aside from the extra additions of music – and particularly for John Carpenter completists – is the multitude of release formats. Of course, it is available for download or streaming, but the vinyl format is of particular attraction. The album is offered in a deep pink vinyl, and the two extra tracks are included as a separate single-format 7” in their own original art slipcase. Some advertise the inherent 7” as pink vinyl, whereas others show it as normal black vinyl. There are also additional designs available.

As for the music itself, it seems to emote every mood possible to express, with an emphasis on a dark edginess. Anybody new to the Lost Themes albums should be made aware that unlike many soundtrack releases they may have heard, which can often be stop-start isolated constructs, these are full-length instrumental tracks averaging around five minutes apiece. Perhaps check some material out on YouTube before investing. All I can say is, if you like his film music or electronica in general, you’ll be far from sorry. This is John Carpenter: The Next Chapter, you might say! A definite collector’s piece: and let’s face it, vinyl still sounds better, doesn’t it?

I have dropped a rating point on this one for two reasons: firstly, I know most of the songs already from the original release ten years ago; and secondly, I was not sent the vinyl release for review but as mp3s. Oh, yes, there is also knowledge of hindsight that if Lost Themes is fabulous, Lost Themes III & IV are even better.

9

Ty Power