You know the score. In your mind’s eye there’s a perfect film or TV show written and waiting to be released and whatever the script, cast or location you want it to be oh so cool.
And within such a dream your soundtrack has to gel: esoteric enough that nobody’s already used it but comfortable enough on the ear, so that the viewer can easily slip into the genre of intrigue, tension and suspense that you want to deliver.
Good news, Boe Weaver have written your soundtrack. It’s the debut album that cult TV shows should be made from. It echoes the skills of TV composers like Alan Parker, Alan Hawkshaw and Keith Mansfield and then mixes a sprinkling of exotica that inspired Les Baxter and a darkness reflected by Roy Budd. Just don’t expect to hear too much of the above represented in these nine tracks because music like this is all about imagination.
Even on the first listen you are bound to sit back and pick the type of show or film that songs like ‘Manhunter, Pt 2′, ‘Ghouls’ and ‘Let It Die’ should feature in.
In fact if Quentin Tarantino’s production team have set up a ‘Goolge Alert’ for his name I hope this article prompts them to get a copy of this album immediately, as any track from Boe Weaver would grace any film he is going to produce.
As we live in an age of digital manipulation you could easily conclude that these tracks have been computer generated to obtain such an authentic sound. The truth is that every beat and note is played by a duo working with classic instruments, amps and microphones, and who revel in making sounds that come directly from the cult garages of their hearts and mind.
Apart from background chants and wails there are no vocals. This album is all about instruments setting the scene and telling the story. It’s about grabbing the listener from behind and telling them the fun is about to start.
If I was allowed a piece of music to announce my arrival into a room ‘Mysterious Island’ would be the choice. It starts with a pair of well soaked hand-claps that introduce an epic twang of lead guitar reeking of 60’s intrigue. After the bass and drums have added the urgency of plot and action Boe Weaver give you keyboards of past futuristic hope. Heads would turn and ears would drool yet you would probably ignore me and just ask: “What’s the track?” But that’s Boe Weaver for you: one listen and you’re inspired.
If you still have an open mind about music then this album is for you.
Boe Weaver by Boe Weaver is released online and on vinyl January 11th 2010. Visit Boe Weaver’s website for more.
