A long overdue listen again to Adamson’s 1989 piece, a film score to an imaginary crime story.
Dark and atmospheric are the first impressions. Under Wraps is the early chase scene, and Gary Barnacle’s sax brings Sounds From The Big House to life, but the first half feels big on atmosphere, low on memorable tunes. Into the final act, and that impression lingers. The overall feeling is one of disappointment. I love most of Adamson’s work - solo, and with Magazine and the Bad Seeds - and know there’s at least one genuine 5* contender to come. But this isn’t it. The three CD bonus tracks add little. Perhaps context is everything and listening to a film score (even one for a non-existent film) in isolation is going to be a flawed experience.
3* - Listenable, but the atmosphere overwhelms the music.
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