by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth
2. Pork Chop Express (3:59)
This track is based around an electric guitar theme for the Pork Chop
Express, the truck used in the movie. It's repeated ad infinitum
in order to bring up images of, as the liner notes say, a "Road Movie."
It definitely does that!
3. The Alley (2:02)
Carpenter bases the music in this track on a motif for synthesized
drums, as well as a weirdly Chinese electric guitar riff. The tension
builds throughout, perfectly capturing a gang fight in a darkened urban
alley.
4. Here Come The Storms (2:14)
The first part of this is actually listenable, conjuring a nice atmosphere
with ethnic percussion as well as strings. A repeating synthesized
organ ostinato appears, and the pace quickens, bringing in electric guitars,
and the track finally climaxes in a fading string note.
5. Lo Pan's Domain (6:04)
Most of this track is, again, actually listenable. The ambience
present in here is nicely foreboding, even going so far as having a synth
chorus. I think that some of the only parts that would appeal to
the casual listener are these ambient tracks, which are somewhat reminiscent
of some of the synth work on the X-Files. Like all the other tracks,
Carpenter keeps up a fully Chinese flavor with many kinds of ethnic instruments.
6. Escape from Wing Kong (10:10)
Carpenter starts off even better than the previous track with some
nice ambience, complete with a new theme for Wing Kong on various Chinese
instruments. He introduces a synth drum rhythm, and the (I use this
term very vaguely) music escalates into another electric guitar action
track. Throughout the rest of the track, he goes back to his evocative
Chinese ambience for a while, and there's a few more rock action moments,
one part bringing back the synth organ ostinato.
7. Into the Spirit Path (7:04)
Some more trademark Carpenter Chinese ambience begins this track, resurrecting
the choral theme from "Lo Pan's Domain," as well as some of the usual ethnic
instruments, etc. The mood created is really inspired - mysterious
ancient Chinese mysticism, making this one of the best tracks on the album.
What's more, Carpenter fights the urge to degrade this into a electric
guitar action track.
8. The Great Arcade/Final Escape Pt. 1 (7:53)
A few minutes of Carpenter ambience, complete with some thematic occurences
begin this track. However, with the return of some of the ghostly synths
from "Spirit Path," it degrades into a typical guitar track.
9. The Final Escape-Pt. 2 (6:58)
Finally! It's almost over! This is another combination ambience/action
track, with the ambience slightly more rock flavored. The opening
has a return of the Pork Chop Express theme, and the last half is a final
guitar action cue, more wacky than the others.
10. Big Trouble in Little China-Reprise (3:08)
Don't get me started...
Backstabbed:
11. Opening (3:35)
12. Alexandra (5:57)
13. Blue Planet Interlude/Final Stab (5:41)
Escape from New York:
14. Atlanta Bank Robbery (3:31)
After "Little China," we get a few extra tracks from various Carpenter/Howarth
scores. They're not very spectacular, just more of the styles begun
in the first score, minus the ethnic Chinese elements.
Actually, if you discount some of the electric guitar stuff, this score ends up not being that bad. The ambience created is quite evocative, and might even make some consider buying this score. However, the main audience for this is either people who grew up in the '80s or big fans of the movie. Collectors of strictly orchestral film scores should definitely avoid this, but if you can stomach something a little more mainstream, you may want to look into this. I'll try not to let my personal prejudice against '80s rock affect the music rating.
Remember, to order this, as well as a lot of other great titles, including Krull, go to Super Collector .
| Music Rating | 4/10 |
| Packaging/Liner Notes | 10/10 |
| Orchestral Performance | N/A |
| Sound Quality | 7/10 |
| Length | 5/10 (it's too long!) |