Rashomon — The Finishing Line(Film Music Vol. 2)
:70’s library soundtrack music, lite prog rock, droning analogue moodscapes, sinister & slighty discordant jazz work-outs and all manner of 70’s focused soundtracking.
The albums meant to be an alternative soundtrack to the notorious 1977 British rail public information film, The Finishing Line- which was a gruesome & bizarre twenty two minute film that tried to discourage children from playing on or near railway lines. The films plot revolves around an imaginary sports day designed around various dangerous games that children could play on the train tracks, with each of one the games ending in a Childs death. Each of the four tracks here follows & attempts to soundtrack each one of the four games played out in the film- it’s an interesting & disturbing idea for an album which is effective in it’s sonic authenticity & vibe as Thompson users all manner of Moogs, keyboards, vibes, analogue recorded guitar, bass ect to create the tracks textures.
Where I feel the album as a whole falls down is with the lack of sorrowful & emotional hurt spirit with-in the music; because at the end of the day each game ends with a death of a child which is deeply disturbing, harrowing & troubling yet Thompson never really captures this emotional side of things. Sure the album becomes more tripped-out, sonically unhinged, often noise lined, less melodic & non-pastoral as we go from track to track which brings to mind disturbed 70’s psycho drama & horror film soundtracks for the 70's likes of Axe, I Drink your Blood, Virgin among the Living Dead. Mixed with going off the rails 70’s kid show soundtracking; but it all lacks the important emotional & dramatic hurt depth thats needed.
Certainly ‘The Finishing Line’ has an disturbing & intriguing concept behind it, with Thompson nicely mimicking the 70’s soundtrack vibe & feel through out. And I will look forward to seeing what Thompson will tattle next with this project; I just wish this had more heart & emotional resonance about it which is vital when your dealing with death & in particular child death.