CD REVIEW - CLIVE BARKER'S BOOK OF BLOOD


Clive Barker's Book of Blood
Music by Guy Farley
La-La Land Records LLLCD 1105 (US)
17 Tracks 36:15 mins

I've been quite impressed by Guy Farley's recent work, but here, he seems very much constricted by the genre. Unlike some recent Hollywood offerings, Farley does use predominantly live instruments, but unusually no violins, just violas, cellos and basses. The much cliched Duduk is present, together with the old genre favourite, Cimbalon, and the Monochord. The orchestra is, as is more often the case these days, enhanced by electronics.
So what of the score, well, it's the usual mix of the eerie and mysterious, occasionally erupting in bursts of dissonance; with an overall melancholy feel, as demonstrated by the strings of "Lovers" and "All The Stories," as well as the delicate, tinkling piano of "The Story." There is however something of a feeling of redemption in "The Book." The closing track presents the "Book of Blood Suite," which might possibly be the "End Titles" and which brings together all the major thematic material of the score.
If you're a fan of this kind of stuff, you will no doubt want to add it to your collection, but Farley's music really brings nothing new to the genre.
Accompanying the disc is the usual high quality booklet, with colour stills,info on the film and notes from both the film's director, John Harrison, once a genre composer himself of course, and Farley.
If you want to add this limited edition of 1500 units to your collection, you'd best hurry along to www.lalalandrecords.com/BookOfBlood.html, where you can order your copy and hear samples beforehand.