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| REVIEWS |
Barry
Gray
Thunderbird 6 [Soundtrack]
(MGM)
The Thunderbirds return within the music of Barry Gray. No,
not the new amped-up movie with Ben Kingsley (Why, Ben, why?);
this is the classic stuff from the original show with the little
Ken-Doll-esque puppets. Thunderbird 6, to be exact,
is an instrumental soundtrack set to Gerry Anderson’s
poseable action series. The 70-piece orchestra set illustrates
what it is to be a plastic fantastic action hero back in the
days of disco.
The quality of Barry Gray’s music for Thunderbirds is
so undeniably 60’s/70’s. The sassy mix of oboes
and violins with animated xylophones creates a light and exciting
atmosphere for the series. Each measure is so expressive of
the events and action occurring, it’s almost cartoony.
Many tracks are what I like to call “landscape music;”
much like elevator music, it’s something that you would
picture playing as a camera explores aerial shots of rolling
landscapes, whether it be seaside or countryside.
Also, international aspects are incorporated from places like
India, France, Switzerland and Russia. Lounge-type tracks are
interspersed within the longer pieces. I guess there must’ve
been some downtime while saving the world. For a show about
brave individuals jet-setting around to save the day, such music
as this seems much more to be underlining their more laidback,
passive moments. But somehow I think that has made it sound
more enjoyable and not intrusive or too assaulting to the ears.
Clearly, Mr. Gray felt that music should be something like a
step parent- a bit gratuitous but an undeniable and valuable
support.
This is certainly very different from how instrumental soundtracks
are today. Thunderbird 6 takes you back to the sophisticated
(albeit politically tense) days of the 70’s to a universe
different from the times and an escape from them as well. While
modern scores are brilliant, there’s something to be said
for truly orchestral sets that are virtually technology-free.
There’s a pureness to it. Also, such style as this cannot
be recreated in the same way it once originally was. For collectors
of TV memorabilia or instrumental music fanatics, this score
is a vintage gem.
Reviewed by
Sable Yong
August 18th, 2004 |
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