 Mark Snow Imagine Dark Side of the Moon without the songs and you get something like this collection of music and soundbites from "The X-Files." I'm not sure what percentage of "X-Philes" are serious pot smokers, but I'd imagine those that are enjoy this CD immensely, at least until the paranoia factor starts to make them "freak out," or get "bummed out" or whatever those dope-smokers do. "Get the munchies" perhaps? Actually, now that I think about it, this would probably be a terrible album to smoke pot to, it is very paranoid to begin with and the music only makes me nervous as it is. In the context of the show, I love Mark Snow's music and I think it is perfect for the many edgy things that occur on the show. But I guess when it boils down to it, I don't generally put on a CD to be scared. That's not my goal in listening to music, I'm sorry. My favorite track on the White Album isn't "Revolution 9." I can't get into The Residents. I don't mind challenging music, don't get me wrong. But this CD is what I'd picture the serial killer in "Silence of the Lambs" playing in that dark basement just to "creep out" his victims. I haven't heard so many minor-key pianos, menacing synths, and jarring percussion "surprises" since my grandfather's funeral (he insisted the congregation be "as scared as possible" at his funeral, that bastard; we miss him so). Just when you start settling into a mood you think might be welcoming, all of a sudden you hear "Deny Everything!" and then some terrifying chase music. Then it settles down again, into some soothing angelic faux-choral synth voicings, and as quick as you can say "Slay Kitaro!" it's off into another dark alley or shadowy parking garage, and you're being chased around by aliens with their eyes sewn shut. Relaxing! To its credit, it is damn good music for TV music, and sounds great, and of course fans of the show will enjoy all the quotes from various episodes. Mark Snow is a unique composer with an instantly identifiable sound, I'm just saying this is hardly good "sit down and listen" music. A great headphone album, but there again, it's scary! There's plenty of other great headphone albums that aren't SCARY. The only use I was able to find for it was making mix tape punchlines, like including a cut from this CD where Gillian Anderson speaks, and then segueing immediately into "Extremis" by Hal. But objectively speaking, all this is basically just very good horror movie soundtrack music mixed with a healthy dose of Enigma in the form of faux Native American flutes. It's a soundscape, alright, and maybe I'm a big pussy, but I enjoy this sort of thing when it's accompanied by exciting visual images. As a soundtrack to my thoughts, it only serves to illuminate my deepest personal fears. Oh god! There's another robot Jerry Orbach who hates me! Points deducted for track listing entirely in Latin.
Review by Orlo Ogumenn |