John Carpenter & Alan Howarth - They Live OST So far I've resisted covering the Death Waltz catalog, but this one will have to act as a gateway to their lavish series of horror soundtrack reissues. The label has lovingly repackaged soundtracks
from a bevy of cult films in sleeves that convey their 70's glory. The label was founded by Spencer Hickman, manager of Rough Trade East and fittingly one of the major forces behind record store day in the UK. For this entry the label tackles Carpenter and Alan Howarth's score to the ridiculously classic and classically ridiculous They Live. Howarth and Carpenter teamed up several times, many of which appear in the Death Waltz catalog, and this is one of their best. Its still a piece of classic electronic wonder but done in a sort of Morricone grit-Western blues that seems to fit the pace and plot of the film nicely. The reissue really ups the ante on artwork, with a reimagined cover by Gary Pullin (seriously the art on this thing is incredible), a pull out poster and a remastering job and liner notes by Alan Howarth himself. Its probably not the kind of record that's going to nab play weekly, but when the rain is just right and there's a humid sense of dread in the air, nothing hits like a Howarth / Carpenter soundtrack. Plus, its just good reason to go back and re-watch Roddy Piper fight endlessly over sunglasses. Listen: [MP3] John Carpenter & Alan Howarth - All Out of Bubblegum Support the artist, buy it HERE