SOLARIS - THE MIRROR - STALKER (OST)

I should have paid more attention to the description of this CD before buying. I was expecting the ethereal and creepy sounds from the Andrei Tarkovskiy films of the early 70's. Imagine my disappointment then, on hearing this 1999 re-working of his most well known films.

This is a crushingly dull and cheesy album full of the worst 'New Agey' keyboards, artificial flutes, inane and emotionless electronics you're likely to hear this side of sub-standard 'Tangerine Dream' from the early nineties.

I think it's bang out of order that there's nothing on the sleeve that makes the buyer aware that they're purchasing a re-hash of what were once beautiful sounds. All the Electro-acoustics have vanished - replaced with a sickly, smooth and instantly forgettable vibe that belongs in a TV documentary about sperm whales and dolphins.

The fourth track 'Station' is quite good with a definite 'Blade Runner - Vangelis' feel running throughout. Unfortunately, throughout this recording, the schmalzy parts stand out far more than the interesting sections and they detract enormously. It's like having your head crushed in a vice whilst being force fed bucket loads of chocolate and cake.

What was once haunting now just sounds saccharine.