BIRDY (OST)

At the foot of the tracklist of Peter Gabriel's "Music From The Film 'Birdy'" sits a very telling footnote: "Warning: This CD Contains Recycled Material And No Lyrics." Really, on a factual level, that just about says it all. This all-instrumental, largely synth-based CD contains some new material, but significant parts of it are segments from past Gabriel tunes, recast in a new context.

But that dry description misses the point. The "Birdy" album shines significant new light on some of Gabriel's most brilliant compositions. It is a stark, emotional revisitation of themes from songs like "Family Snapshot," "Rhythm Of The Heat," "Wallflower," and "San Jacinto." More than that, it is a logical next step in Gabriel's progression: His prior album, "Security," was so dramatic and theatric that it was nearly a film score in itself. This new context only serves to emphasize the power inherent in that music.

The "Birdy" album is a stark, dark, emotional exploration well-suited to the themes of the film. For rock fans, it lacks many traditional pop/rock elements, and it may not be a satisfying, self-contained release. For more prog-oriented fans, however, fans who can appreciate ambient instrumental music, it is a gorgeous and compelling collection from a gifted prog artist. It is not quite the equal of the "Passion" (music from the film "The Last Temptation Of Christ") that Gabriel would later create, but it is a work of exceptional depth that should not be overlooked as merely "that instrumental thing that Peter Gabriel did around the same time he released 'Sledgehammer.'" It is not for everyone, but for some, it will touch you deeply.