Customer Reviews

Masters of Slapstick

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I'm a film collector of silent vintage comedy films. So, when you're looking for music to accompany them, it's nice to find tracks that were specially written for specific films. Alloy Orchestra has an uncanny knack for finding the amusing twists and turns of old comedy films, such as Laurel & Hardy's Big Business. I have found it a perfect match for the action on the screen.

It simply boggles my mind why the Alloy Orchestra INSISTS on putting bad musical scores on great comedy films. Their music is both jarring AND abrasive, as if it were a pathetic attempt to draw attention to themselves rather than the films they are supposedly supporting.

This does not suggest that the Alloy lacks talent. Perhaps they do. But to foist this "talent" on a medium where they have absolutely no concept of what they are doing in relation to the films they play with is UTTERLY offensive to the lovers of silent comedy. The lovers of Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd and other great comics watch their films to see them, not some idiots trying to wreck the work by over-scoring the films. As a result, instead of helping the comedies, the Alloy are competing with them.

Worst of all, those few who do like of the Alloy defend this practice of creative sabotage is a way to draw new fans to the medium. It is not unlike when Salavdor Dali drew some attention to the Mona Lisa by drawing a mustache on it -- but not nearly as much attention as he brought upon himself for doing it.

Some people were amused by that. Others were not -- least of all lovers of Renaissance art.

As far as silent comedy is concerned, the Alloy leave a nasty, metallic taste in one's mouth.