Customer Reviews

Phenomena

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally, there is the re-issue of this soundtrack - as usual (for a cinevox record) with bonus tracks, this time 11 in a row, all of them alternate/film versions of previously released material, some of them grouped as suites. Unfortunately, it is not a complete recording. Both the Simon Boswell tracks and all of the Heavy Metal Songs are missing - but this was to be expected for the latter at least, due to copyright problems.

It is a very eerie, very atmospheric soundtrack - but it works best with the pictures of the film to go along. As a record, it tends to repeat itself after a while, so it's not a CD "just to listen to". This is not supposed to imply the music was not good - quite the contrary. But it loses a lot of its potency without the pictures.

For soundtrack collectors, this is an indespensible record - there are far too many classic cues on it to miss it.

This soundtrack to one of Dario Argento's films has always been one of my favorite scores from Goblin (at this point, Claudio Simonetti and Fabio Pignatelli). The title track builds off of the darkly new wave-ish feel in Tenebre utilizing an uncredited female vocal to great effect and also shows a unexpectedly tender side (with "Jennifer" and "Jennifer's Friend") you wouldn't think possible coming from them. And although there are only five original tracks collectively (not counting the alternate takes), not a moment is wasted, not even "The Wind", basically an effects track which reeks of atmosphere. All in all, a fantastic score.

There also is the 1987 Cinevox/Ciak CD of Phenomena, with the additional tracks by Iron Maiden, Simon Boswell, Andi Sex Gang, Bill Wyman/Terry Taylor, and Motorhead which have most (but not all) of the movie's selections. Personally I prefer this "complete Goblin original instrumental sound track album" edition CD over the older one, but if you want to eliminate the alternate takes and have the additional artists' compositions, then I recommend getting the Ciak CD if you can find it. The sound quality is very good, comparable to this release.

Hope I've kept it "real" enough for ya!!!;)

Keep the peace.

This is a great score by Goblin but, with only five different tracks this CD does run the risk of wearing on one's nerves. It would have been nice to have a complete score with the tracks by Bill Wyman/Terry Taylor, Simon Boswell, Iron Maiden, etc. included(sort of how Cinevox did with their re-release of Profondo Rosso which featured both the Goblin and Giorgio Gaslini tracks). That said, this CD is definitely worth purchasing for fans of both Goblin and Euro Horror in general. But, then again, what do I know? You may be better off listening to those who just keep it "real."

What can I say. When I was 10 years old I saw the sleeve of the Phenomena VHS and for some reason it never let me go. A good decade later I finally came around to see the movie... and fell in love with its soundtrack. So here I am in my thirties, a fan of Dario Argento and Goblin... and I think within the whole work of art from those italian artists, the phenomena soundtrack stands out as my favourite. It's opera, it's haunting, it's eerie! I love it

I think I issued an order for this and cancelled it at least twice because I didnt want to wait for it to finally come in. Now that I have it, I am glad I bit the bullet and got it. If you liked the movie at all , and liked the ambient sounds from it, get the cd. Who knows how long they will still produce it. The bonus tracks are an added plus to see some of the sounds re-worked.