2016 release from the filmmaker and musician. The musical world of Lost Themes II is also a wider one than that of it's predecessor. More electric and acoustic guitar help flesh out the songs, still driven by Carpenter's trademark minimal synth. This manifests itself brilliantly in songs like lead single "Distant Dream," which hitches a familiar Carpenterian beat to an expressive drum performance and rides it to a thrilling conclusion. The eerie "Angel's Asylum" let's an ethereal synth line command the first three-quarters of the song, before turning over the melody to an acoustic guitar, and "Virtual Survivor" delivers a blast of the sci-fi menace that characterized his great scores for films like Assault on Precinct 13 and They Live. Lost Themes II delivers eleven compelling new tracks for which fans can continue to score the movies in their minds.
D**F
this is a great album, in fact better than most of John ...
First off, this is a great album, in fact better than most of John Carpenter's actual film scores. That said, this review is of the black vinyl pressing being sold here. There's a good amount of background noise throughout the album. In particular, harsh white noise on Side A and noise plus some pops on Side B. These are very noticeable in quieter periods of the tracks. I know it's not intentional noise, because I have the mp3 downloads. I also know it's not unique to my copy, because I already tried trading in for another copy, and I've seen others complaining on Discogs. So, buyer beware if you're going after the vinyl - the album is great, the vinyl pressing pretty crappy. i only give this three stars instead of two because the LP came with a card for free mp3 downloads, so at least there's that...
J**S
fans certainly won't be disappointed, and newcomers will find refuge in a delightful ...
If Carpenter's first Lost Themes caught your attention, this one will keep it. It is a very worthy and aptly named sequel. This one seems to highlight Carpenter's son, Cody, more and this one has more guitar and musical depth. The music (like its predecessor) is nostalgic and carries the feel of some of Carpenter's 80's film scores. At times ambient, at times heavy, and all the while weaving melodic feel, fans certainly won't be disappointed, and newcomers will find refuge in a delightful delivery of sound. Enjoy!
C**R
... reason I make music today is because of the awesome soundtrack work John Carpenter did
The reason I make music today is because of the awesome soundtrack work John Carpenter did. But, imagine if there were John carpenter movies that you'd never heard of, somehow escaping your viewing pleasure. Well, more than likely, he would've composed his own original soundtracks to those films. Now, imagine that you never were able to see those films but you were able to get your hands on the soundtracks. That's what Lost Themes is. Soundtracks to films that never were. But, the music itself is the movie you were always looking for. Dark, brooding, impending,...and amazing.
B**9
The Master Returns!
Great followup. Not quite as cohesive as 1st album, but great nonetheless! I'm enjoying it immensely. Vinyl is not gatefold, but diecut with glossy innersleeve that makes up part of the cover. Looks cool, but vinyl was not in innerbag. Oh well. Its noiser than my dropdead quiet Lost Themes vinyl. 180g. Comes with a dropcard for download version. Worthwhile, most noise heard between tracks.
J**Y
Escape From Crappy Pop Music
One of the best composers of all time and definitely in a league all by himself. Lost Themes II sounds like one time traveled back to the 1980s through some magic VHS portal and takes up right where all of the magician's masterpieces left off.
K**O
Horrible pressing
Possibly the filthiest and noisiest new record I’ve ever bought. Couldn’t make it through the first side. Yanked it off the turntable.
D**S
Great music, defective vinyl.
Love J.C.'s music. He's been having great fun and turning out some killer dark synth tunes. So, if this were a review of only the music, it'd be 5 stars. However, this pressing has LOUD background noise at regular intervals throughout. I considered exchanging, but I see many others have reported the same defect. Oh well. Music - 5 stars, Vinyl - 1 star
D**B
Essential John Carpenter
If you love his music, this will be another notch, love it everyone I listen.
N**Y
Very good follow up to his 2015 original album
John Carpenter is as well known for his music scores as he is for horror films (most of which were composed by himself). The CD which is a follow up to his Lost Themes album of 2015 features 12 tracks newly composed by Carpenter as a soundtrack which has yet to find a film. Tracks are original compositions yet have a feel of Escape from New York and Big Trouble in Little China. Would be good for aspiring film-makers to use as temp tracks while editing similar themed films.With the success of his Lost Theme's albums Carpenter is untaking his first music tour to showcase tracks from these albums plus his more known compositions such as The Fog, Halloween and Escape From NYAlso featuring on the CD is Carpenters son Cody who is becoming a bit of a composer in his own right on two episodes of Showtime’s Masters of Horror.
R**R
Found brilliance
Another fantastic collection of moody, imaginative, music.The man is a true artist and the only thing you may wonder after listening to his latest work is why didn’t he start releasing these unique compositions earlier.Buy this if you want to be transported to a more dangerous, more interesting, more intense place in your imagination.
D**Y
The Master!
This is some of the lushest ambient instrumental music I've heard since... well, Lost Themes! If you like your synth wave done by an original and with a bit of an evolutionary feel (Carpenter is going more modern in this one), get this. I love it!
T**R
Excellent music by an excellent film director.
This album is great analogue generated electronica. Although not used in any of his films, it could well have been as each track creates the atmosphere associated with all of Carpenter's films.
D**L
Class
First album was brilliant. This is even better. He may no longer be making movies, but thank God he's still making remarkable music. Take note David Lynch.
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