A bouquet of dark wonders
William Timothy Lukeman | 04/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether you're coming to this because of the new folk artists involved, or because of a love for the original soundtrack to "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders," I think you'll like what you hear. While creating an alternative soundtrack to a mysteriously beautiful cult film might seem like little more than a gimmick, it's actually a lovely work that honors & equals (in its own way) the original soundtrack.
How to label this music? Ambient folk? Electronica chamber pop? Perhaps a label is really beside the point. The music is what matters: evocative, dreamlike, combining both haunting & childlike qualities -- not unlike, say, the overall tone of John Lennon's "Cry Baby Cry." It's redolent of darkened corridors, ghostly children, woozy nightmares & unearthly bells. Yet there's a definite rock sensibility running through it as well, subtle but strong.
A viewing of the film isn't necessary to enjoy this soundtrack, which stands very well on its own. But if you do like what you hear, then by all means seek out the film!"