Mike Patton - A Perfect Place
Mike Patton - A Perfect Place (Ipecac Recordings)
Mike Patton refuses to leave a single creative stone unturned in his exploration of music and sound. Not only can you hear him screaming throughout the recent movie I Am Legend as the monster voices, but he also composed the score for a short film called A Perfect Place.
Several of Patton’s other projects draw inspiration from movie music, including Fantomas. The music of A Perfect Place sounds similar to the more melodic moments of that band. Imagine horror movie music crossed with a spy thriller score, then mix in the rhythms and bright brass sound of the Brazilian influenced jazz that was popular in the 1960s. This is particularly evident in the “Main Title” track and much of the instrumental pieces. Also, a very catchy melodic theme, first introduced in the second track through whistling, is woven throughout the score–a guaranteed earworm which you will find yourself whistling long after the CD stops spinning.
The three songs on which Patton’s voice appears stand out from the rest. “A Perfect Twist” is a playful pop song in which he gleefully sings about torture. “A Dream Of Roses” is another pop song in an old swing style. The recording is even distorted to make it sound like it’s being played on an ancient scratchy record, an effect that is also used on “Il Cupo Dolore,” a dramatic almost operatic composition sung in Italian.
Another curious bonus is the inclusion of two “Car Radio” tracks, which are used in the film while the actors are flipping through the radio trying to find something to listen to while driving. Patton composed every little bit of each track, which includes snippets of music, some even less than a second long, in between the fuzz of radio static.
The film itself, by Derrick Scocchera, is so short that anything I say about it may spoil it (In fact Patton’s soundtrack is longer than the movie), but it’s not too much to say it is a humorous neo-noir story and well worth watching. The DVD is packaged along with the music CD without any additional cost.
Without a doubt, this is essential music for current Mike Patton fans. I would also heartily recommend this to anyone who enjoys movie soundtracks. If you’re a listener with eclectic tastes, you cannot go wrong with this movie and music combo.
