These days, it's not unusual to hear 'pop' musicians add their sound to
silent movies. Some are subjected to worldwide exposure, such as the Pet Shop
Boys' performance of Battleship Potemkin in London's Trafalgar Square, but most
(Mum, KTL, Ninerain) are something more personal to the individual artists.
Cult With No Name retain one of the best reputations as classic
songwriters. Those seeking evidence need only to check out their two albums on
the Trakwerx label, 'Paper Wraps Rock' (2007) and 'Careful What You Wish For'
(2008). It's just a shame that more people aren't aware of them. There's more
than enough space in alternative music for a band that whose roots lie in
Tuxedomoon, but whose fruits hint at a modern version of The Associates. Still,
they have a small but respectable group of noisy admirers, including Mick
Mercer (renowned post-punk journalist), Kramer (Bongwater, Shimmydisc), and
Blaine L. Reininger (Tuxedomoon). Perhaps Mercer provided them with the biggest
accolade when he dubbed CWNN "the anti-Coldplay".
The Trakwerx label, under the guidance of Jackson Del Rey (ex Savage
Republic), have slowly built a tradition of releasing new soundtracks to old
silent movies. It's no surprise, then, that CWNN have taken hold of the German
expressionist classic 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari', directed in 1919 by Robert
Weine. The movie is a persistent influence on the aesthetics of a range of
popular musicians, including Pere Ubu, Bauhaus and In The Nursery. A mention
must also go to the great Bill Nelson, who released his soundtrack in 1981, as
well as the musical score released by electro-jazz duo Cipher and Steve Severin
(ex Siouxsie and the Banshees) in 2009, to coincide with the film's 90th
anniversary.
The experience of watching the film is unique each time you watch it.
Perhaps this is why CWNN's soundtrack is more diverse than their previous two
albums. From the opening moments to the closing bars, the music of Erik Stein
and Jon Boux (with assistance from Jeff Brenneman) seamlessly follows the plot,
adding to the satisfaction of watching the movie. Dr. Caligari doesn't see CWNN
recycle their previous work, but invoke new influences. One moment the music
recalls Brian Eno/ Harold Budd ambience, whilst the next we find ourselves
caught in gothic trip hop pop and semi-industrial sounds. Of course, they
haven't neglected their trademark, with plenty of piano for us loners.
Everything is perfectly placed, perfectly timed, without any hint of
pretension.
Of course there are people who are hostile to such modern soundtrack takes
on movie classics. And CWNN have said that they cannot imagine the music
separate to the movie. However, it is we as consumers that have the option.
Either buy the DVD or simply download the music alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGEzxnasO4w
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