ORIGINAL FILM SOUNDTRACK
Moog (Hollywood Records)
Reviewed by Sherman Wick

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The soundtrack celebrates Robert Moog's impact on modern music. Beginning in the '60s Moog invented the first easy to play and relatively inexpensive synthesizers; soon after this development, both experimental and emerging popular rock musicians utilized the Moog synthesizer for their ethereal sounds. The second disc captures a few classics performed on the Moog, such as Gary Numan's "Cars," Devo's "Mongoloid," and the more obscure Jean-Jacques Perrey's "E.V.A." Moog classic rarities are more fully explored on The Best of Moog from Loud Records (1999); on this recording, the focus is on contemporary uses of the Moog synthesizer.

The soundtrack features several of the most interesting performers and groups in contemporary electronic and rock music. Included are diverse contributions which highlight the versatility of the Moog synthesizer. Stereolab 's "Variation One" aptly demonstrates the retro-futuristic sounds of the synthesizer played against a driving beat. The soundtrack also showcases the instrument's flexibility within numerous musical genres, e.g. Meat Beat Manifesto (industrial), Bernie Worrell & Bootsy Collins (funk), and the Album Leaf (electronic). The late '60's and early '70's Moog synthesizer experiments are less effectively updated, and compare unfavorably to the kitschy classic originals. For example, Jean-Jaacques Perrey's work is re-interpreted by Luke Vibert with pointless hip-hop rhythm and a looped vocal sample; and the Moog Cookbook performance on the instrument fails because of their lack of subtlety. Overall, the soundtrack is an excellent introduction to the Moog synthesizer in contemporary music.

© 2005 - Sherman Wick