Reviews (page 2 of 7)
I blagged this once and doubt I listened to it twice. What are we doing here, people?
Some interesting bits. But as it's designed to be a soundtrack,and therefore background,album it was never going to grab me in the feelies.
I get what this is going for at the very least. The whole nior story thing is neat in concept. I just cant follow it with just vibes. I was sorta following for a few songs but I lost it completely after that. The music itself is OK. Nothing bad at all. Just cooler in concept rather than cool sonicly. Just not very satisfying for me. Give me a bunch of story songs that all tell the story of whatever this is. I need it spelled out for me. I cant subsist solely on emotions
This was an OK listen, but is it an album I NEED to listen to before I die? Not even remotely close. If they want to put a film score on the list, then choose a score from an actual film. I mean, the idea making of a score to a nonexistent film is cool, but it ultimately falls a little flat without actual context. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
well done songs but movie soundtracks aren't particularly interesting to listen to, especially when you haven't seen the movie or in this case the movie doesn't actually exist.
I guess it's successfully a movie soundtrack, but without a movie it loses it's impact. Some of the tracks suggest emotion or intrigue, but, it at most it makes me wish I was watching the movie? I can't tell whether it's brilliant or a long job application to make soundtracks for ACTUAL movies.
... yet another mysterious addition to the list, which I really think was created by 51% thought, 39% random dart throws, and 10% just to mess with us. This is from the 39%.
Can’t figure out why this is on the list.
This one will be short. Really don't know why a soundtrack for a non-existent movie is even necessary. It was decent background music but what the heck.
Interesting...but nothing more than atmosphere/background music. 2/5
I kind of get why this is on the list, as Adamson manages to create atmospheres and scenes in my head. But as I'm not an A&R person, nor somebody who's looking for somebody to write the soundtrack for my next movie, it's a fairly pointless album to me.
I mean, sure, it's an interesting little bit of musical history, and parts of it I liked, but a must-listen album rather than odd curio?
Barry's lucky I got past track 1 which made feel like I was in a modern art museum looking at an art installation of a traffic cone. It got better, if you like cop themes, but, sorry Barry, my dinner was ready so I turned you off for Gogglebox.
So he wrote a sound track to a movie that was a figment of his imagination. imo, that means he should go on a vacation to a place where all the people he talks with will be wearing lab coats.
Variety: 2 Adequacy: 2 Listenability: 1 Uniqueness: 2 Emotionality: 0 = 1.4 rounded down to 1 "Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?" Well. This is going to be an interesting one. The idea of a fake soundtrack for a movie that never existed is actually the sort of thing that's right up my alley. I enjoyed some of the Mike Pattinson stuff where he pulled a similar gimmick quite a bit. I'm curious what sources this guys is going to be drawing form though as "English gangster film" ( Get Carter maybe?) doesn't conjure much of a series of tropes that could be easily mined for some winking, referential instrumentation. Before even hitting play, the listener is being asked to do a lot of the heavy lifting here. While this feels a little like having the rug pulled out from under me as I understood this list to be mostly rock, R&B, and soul music, I'll try and keep an open mind. However, I think I'm going to have to switch up my format a little to accommodate this. Even the best film scores can't help but sound samey and fade into the background. A breakdown by acts might be in order, seeing that the composer chose to demarcate things that way. THE ACTS ACT ONE - 'The Ring's the Thing' Right away I'm getting WAY heavier horror vibes than crime drama with the whispering female voices and the heeled steps that seem to be trying to escape someone or some thing. The screeching and twangy sting do nothing to dispel this. The dialogue clips are putting this less in mind of a film score and more into a sample-heavy version of stuff that JG Thirlwell ( aka Steroid Maximus, aka Foetus, aka Manorexia aka... a bunch of other names of The Venture Bros and Archer fame) does a lot of. This one has a very late 60s/ early 70s. Thirlwell does it much better though. We barely touch upon the crime theme here with some more faux movie dialogue and staticy chatter mixed with some jazzy inflections, but it really does not seem to be going anywhere. ACT TWO - 'Real Deep Cool' We seem to be in the sci-fi realm in parts now. The energy I'm digging much more right away, and could maybe imagine this in some so awful it's good Italian mockbuster from the early 80s. The jazzy saxophone meets industrial beat comes across as a parody of something David Lynch might have included on the Lost Highway soundtrack. At one point we seem to enter into a jazz club in our imaginary movie, but then it peters out and is over in a few blinks before going right into some schmaltzy piano balladry that ends in some Eraserhead buzz. Along the way there are brief stops into takes on Anton Karas's zither-heavy Third Man score, as well as some swingin' 60s spy guitar. I can't say any of it was effective enough for me to call it anything other than ill-conceived pastiche. ACT THREE - 'The Final Irony' This one seems to want to dive into 80s action thriller territory before quickly settling into more clanky horror. "Intensive Care" is the only track I'll call out here as it worked for me as a nice bit of creepy ambience. Then things wind down into a weird 80s thriller meets Danny Elfman section before quickly turning back to the horror realm to wrap up Act Three. ACT FOUR -'For Your Ears Only' A drunken, doppler effected clavichord ( ?) cover of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents tv show theme opens this last act and feels more akin to something you might hear in a pirate movie than ( what I think) the intended crime/ mystery/ suspense vibes. "Chocolate Milkshake" gives us a dip into what sounds like a depressed, minor chord version of a 3rd tier Mario character spin-off game theme ( does Birdo have a game yet?). And we end with an industrialized cover of Elmer Bernstein's "The Man With the Golden Arm", a track which I can't imagine anyone describing as iconic enough to warrant the treatment. HIGHLIGHTS - *crickets* MIDLIGHTS - "Intensive Care" LOWLIGHTS - Everything else FINAL THOUGHTS I remain baffled by the inclusion of this based on what's come before, but maybe we'll see more stuff like it later? I have to say this is very much a case of false advertising as this in no way resembles an film score. Experimental, industrial sound collage heavily inspired by genre films? Sure. As the imagined score for a vintage English crime movie I have to say it's a complete failure. I'm not against this sort of thing in principle. Thirlwell and Pattinson have both played around in the same sandbox, but have been much more successful in my opinion. Clearer goals, a cohesive throughline, and some more memorable material are severely lacking here. Track by track there was stuff to find interesting, but I'm wondering if this is another album that may have been chosen for its long term influence rather than its immediate impact. Barry Adamson seems very much like an experimental avant-garde industrial musician's avant-garde industrial musician. It's a shame as I genuinely find a lot of stuff in this realm to be interesting. I wouldn't call much of this a pleasurable listening experience, nor one I would recommend to most anyone else I know, lest my taste become suspect. This pales even i comparison with the more accomplished stuff by similar artists that I've heard. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - All bound for the recycle bin
What even is this shit? I don't care that he may have been a Bad Seed, this is an utterly ridiculous album.
i don’t usually like music without lyrics, and i found this album a bit creepy
This isn’t bad but I don’t think a resume should be on the list
When was the last time you heard somebody say “Hey, put that Moss Side Story record on! Boy, I sure do love me some Barry Adamson!” You’ve never heard anyone say that in your life. Mostly because this sucks. 1/5
What is this? Why does it exist? It’s a curiosity, and not in a good way. The person who thought “a soundtrack, no, the score, to a movie I’m not clever enough to write, but without the movie,” should be jailed. Next to that person, whomever participated in placing this garbage on this list. It degrades the entire thing by its presence. It’s the first record I couldn’t finish. You couldn’t pay me. A just world would delete all copies this and pretend it never existed.
The sound track was awful. The film was better.
Avant-garden high concept art music that comes up short Sounds like an movie playing in the background but not one I care about. Albums by John Zorn, David Holmes, Cinematic Orchestra have done less conceptual albums with the same idea but are worth repeated listening
I liked the imaginary end credits best.
Solid album. Listened to this in the Charles de Gaulle airport with my last cup of coffee in Paris. I'm sure it affected my opinion.
lovely sbam
I wish the movie for that soundtrack would exist.
This album fucks so hard. What an idea, let me make an instrumental, smooth, jazz, soundscape for a noir movie that doesn’t exist. The fact that no ones used this as a soundtrack is criminal. It’s rich, the tenor comes out so strongly, amazing crime vibes. Just a wonderful idea executed perfectly.
Does this belong on the list? Probably not. However, what a fantastic journey!
I love that this project has introduced me to Barry Adamson. He's an artist I likely never would have discovered otherwise since he's not hugely popular in the online music spaces I generally involve myself with. But this kind of thing is exactly what I love, well, sort of. I don't listen to much dark ambient or acid jazz, but Goddamn do I want to after hearing this. It's so far removed from what I usually listen to, and I love hearing something like this that I find very challenging and still love it. So much amazing experimentation, and a really creepy and moody atmosphere that goes along with it perfectly. I can't help but think that I've discovered my new genre obsession that will take over all the music I listen to for the next few weeks, so thank you 1001 albums. I've had to listen to so much crap because of you, but sometimes you really come through and today you certainly outdid yourself.
Amazing. Loved that, didn't know it existed. Thanks!!!
*Moss Side Story* de Barry Adamson me encantó. Es súper experimental y se siente más como una experiencia sensorial que un álbum tradicional. Desde que supe que está conceptualizado como una especie de soundtrack para una película de crimen, todo hizo sentido. Escucharlo fue como estar dentro de esa historia: tensión constante, una atmósfera oscura y la sensación de estar siendo perseguida en cualquier momento. Me fascinó cómo usa los sonidos para crear miedo y suspenso sin necesidad de letras. Es de esos discos que no solo escuchas, sino que vives. 5/5
Rating: 4.2/5 Short Review: Dark, cinematic, and quietly stylish. Feels like you’re walking through a city at night with a story you’re not fully telling. More mood than melody, but it pulls you in if you let it. Favorite Track: “On the Wrong Side of Relaxation.” Sets the tone perfectly. Smooth but uneasy, like something is slightly off the whole time.
Outstanding album. Imagine: late 1950s, having an affair with Pink Panther, while bar-hopping the seedy back street dive bars and casinos of the old Las Vegas strip. It’s got the creep, energy and build of being caught by the sexy women of O-town. Edgy, passionate, mysterious, 10/10. I loved it.
I love that the random generating machine gave us Barry Adamson and DJ Shadow back to back. To me they're doing the same thing, layering worlds of sound together, just different sensibilities to the same kind of project. Oedipus Schmoedipus seemed to be more like he's made the soundtrack album of the complete songs that you'd only hear snippets dropped in to punch up the scenes in his movie. Moss Side Story just goes for the whole soundtrack, moment to moment tracking every scene. There's a film called The Clock, very few people manage to see the whole thing since it's 24 hours long. Consists entirely of scenes with clocks in them, covering every minute of the day. A shot from a western cuts to a reaction from a character in a space opera, to a machine gun from a film noire, all with clocks in them that show the exact same time the audience is watching it. (Check the Wikipedia entry - it's insane) I saw an hour of it while killing time in Toronto, another 2 or 3 hours when it was in Winnipeg, didn't want to leave, its like being unable to stop scrolling but more fun. Long winded way of saying that's what listening to Moss Side Story feels like to me.
"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Adamson! I promise - I won't breathe a word - to anyone" I bought this CD when it first came out because "The Man With the Golden Arm" was getting a lot of airplay, and Barry Adamson had played with Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I listened to it ALL the time then, but I haven't heard it in quite a while because you know how it is, there's always something new to listen to; I have a short attention span. But at the time this was one of my favorite records. On listening again today? Ha, I forgot how much I love this record. Starts off creepy and orchestral, then into the great bouncing "Under Wraps," then into what sounds like it could be a mid-60s soundtrack except... not. Thank you 1001 Albums for reminding me of this marvelously unhinged album. (I'm laughing at the 1-star review that says "Who is this for? Who is sitting around listening to this? People who listen to this need to be on a registry." I guess that's me?)
страхітливо чудово! не всі пісні сподобались. Проте альбом чудовий, переносить тебе в якийсь детектив... робиться лячно, але затишно бо ми там не насправді. ще трішки згадується сімейка адамсів (схожа атмосфера).
Biggest takeaway here is that Nick Cave music is pretty cool without Nick Cave. Love the concept and execution. Perfect balance of silly and serious/interesting. Bit of a Krautrock/CAN vibe at times. Sounds from the Big House and Golden Arm stand out. May never come back to this, but eff it, that was fun.
Loved this. Straight 5. Constantly interesting and vibrant, but I was not familiar with Barry Adamson until this. Nice reference to Mingus’ Freedom in Suck On The Honey Of Love too. Needs more listens obviously, but off the bat I know I will return to it. Welcome after patchy week (as always), I was only wondering this morning how long it had been since my last 5. Brilliant album.
This takes me back to the old black and white movies I watched as a kid only somehow very cool. It's really beautiful.
This is awesome. A soundtrack to a noir film that doesn't exist in the physical world, only in the world of your mind. Love it. "The Swinging Detective" and "Intensive Care" really stood out to me
This is what this albums generator list should be all about!!! A concept record soundtrack to a neo-noir film that doesn’t exist? Sign me up. This record is next to instrumental aside from some vocal screams and choirs. This was such a cool listen. Apparently this fella ended up working with David Lynch. So cool! There has been a lot of records on here that are just absolute trash. A lot of records that I have listened to that have made me contemplate even entertaining this list. 1001 albums to listen to before I die? Heck no. A lot of these records, so far, are forgettable. A lot are memorable only because of how bad they are. I truly think whoever is in charge of this list doesn’t know what they are doing. Whoever made this list, be it many people, did not listen to all of these records. I’m not convinced. If I were to entertain the idea that they listened to half of these albums, they definitely put the remainder of albums on here simply from a Pitchfork review. If you’ve read any Pitchfork albums review list you will know that they have no idea of what a good record is. I honestly wouldn’t recommend this generator list to anyone who finds the idea of this to be fun. It’s more of a chore than fun. I’m almost a year in of daily records, and I can honestly say that this record is, so far, the only interesting record. Sure, hearing some 5 star David Bowie records, or Beatles records that I’ve neglected to listen to have been awesome. And I am happy this list “made” me finally listen to them. But those artist are well known and attainable. Those artist are obviously on this list. There is no surprise. This record on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. We need more hidden gems like this.
Truly outstanding. This album politicised me. Remarkable.
Really good sound & love the concept
Concepto súper original, no había escuchado nada igual y me ha encantado tantísimo que va a ser el soundtrack de mi vida durante las próximas seis semanas.
Really good
Sehr geil! Eine wahnsinnige Vielfalt, völlig verrückt und trotzdem unglaublich gut zu hören. Ich liebe es!
Love it! Eine gute Giene, wie Autocorrect sagen würde - es passt einfach alles, wie es hier fiebertraumhaft zusammenkommt. Tolle darke Experimente, Texturen und Soundscapes plus witzige quirky Momente - super originell! Hat David Lynch sicher auch gefallen; könnte als alternativer Twin Peaks OST durchgehen. Zum Glück bekommen wir hier nicht jeden Tag ein solches Album gezeigt. Das Ziel ist gerade nämlich eigentlich eher weniger als mehr Platten zu kaufen … aber bei Barry Adamson beschleicht mich die Idee, mir stünde seine Diskografie sicher gut zu Gesichte … würde mich auf jeden Fall zu einem glücklicheren Menschen machen. Ich schätze, mein Schicksal ist besiegelt 🐻
This was not what I expected on this list. But im glad it was.
Una sorpresa, me ha gustado la propuesta y el ambiente
Great blend of W, African rhythm and harmonies with American blues tradition.
I'm giving this a 5. On a dark night driving to this it's very unsettling.
Love this shit. It's all over the place in sound but absolutely plays out like a movie score. Easy to dismiss as background music as it's mostly instrumental, but there is so much going on that it can steal your focus very quickly. This is the experimental music I've been missing.
The concept of making a fake soundtrack is very intriguing.
For me this album really took off at Everything Happens To Me, which had me mentally floating among billowy…never mind, I like it. The explosive Swinging Detective has these crazed Wagnerian screeches, fantastic. After you catch your breath comes Auto Destruction, screeching metal, doom drums, and schoolyard chants result in an excellent industrial freakout. Intensive Care gives you two minutes to calm yourself when boom! comes the swirling, pulsating, cartoonish The Most Beautiful Girl. Oh, don’t miss the Sounds From the Big House which creates impending doom by pounding big things while a jazzy organ dances in the background. Buy it, play it, love it.
Damn, what's with all the low ratings? This stuff is catnip to me! If you can listen to something this out-there and consider it to be a waste of your time, then I'd question why you're even doing this project? 🤷 Is it just that some people have a really narrow use case for music? They want upbeat songs they can dance to, and maybe songs for one or two other specific moods, and then anything outside that is just noise to them? Or, an idea I've been idly mulling over the last year or two - is it an aphantasia thing? I'm a 4 or 5 on the aphantasia red apple test, so this album absolutely lights up my internal cinema screen. Every track suggests new scenes and images, it's a pretty wild ride! I guess if you're mostly aphantasic you don't get that. Sad. 😔 Fave tracks - doesn't make too much sense to talk about tracks in isolation on this one, but "Suck on the Honey of Love" was the point I thought "damn, this is a five" on my first play through. On my second play through, "The Swinging Detective" stood out as being particularly badass. I'm definitely going through the rest of Adamson's back catalog after this! 😎
Elokuvissa on se ongelma että niissä selitellään ja tehdään virheitä. Musiikissa ei taas välttämättä ole virheitä, kaikelle löytyy syy ja artistin visio. Elokuvissa visio peittyy yleensä tuotantoon liittyvien ongelmien takia. Suuri paha on myös kuluttajille suunnatun sisällön tuotto, jota on ollut elokuvissa aina. Elokuvista harvoin tulee kauniita kun kuvataan leikataan ja käsikirjoitetaan palkan takia. Musiikkialbumiin artisti voi taas itse vaikuttaa enemmän jos haluaa ja kykenee. Joskus ei tarvitse ajatella nykyhetkeä, ja voi itsekkäästi tuottaa musiikkia josta itse pitää, ja tehdä se niin hyvin kuin vain osaa. Nykyhetki voi kuitenkin piirtyä teknologian takia ja joskus eivät ajalliset tyylisuunnatkaan pääse karkuun itse artistia. Joskus artisti syö sisäänsä näitä suuntia ja paskoo niitä musiikkiinsa. Kuitenkin kun artisti itse ne paskoo pönttöön on se parempi kuin toisten pökäleiden keruu ja niillä herkuttelu. Omat pökäleet ovat kallisarvoisia. Tämä albumi on magnifisentti pyyttoni, oikea kuningaskobra. Tästä tehty elokuva olisi varmaan sekasiittoinen mätä paska. Mutta tämä.. hyvä paska..
Both Moss Side and West Side are very important to me.
very cool
5/5 dope ass soundscapes!!! amazing in surround sound. Very eerie
Brilliant. Gets a bit saxy about halfway through.
En algún momento me topé con la música de Barry Adamson hace muchos mucho años y desde el inicio quedé enganchado. Creo que cualquier persona que tenga alguna apreciación por la música ambiental/instrumental/soundtracks puede encontrar cosas interesantes aquí, incluso si no se le hace brillante. En mi caso siempre me ha fascinado la manera en que trabaja y el tino que tiene en crear historias y narrativas enteras aun cuando los guiones e historias no existan. Este tipo de trabajo de hacer una banda sonora de una película inexistente, aunque no es lo único que hace, lo ha realizado un par de ocasiones y siempre con efectos en mi opinión espectaculares. Todo un arco, desarrollos, elipsis, un climax y una resolución totalmente imaginarios y en perfecta sintonía con la temática.
Really enjoyed the weirdness.
Absolutely amazing
Pretty excellent background/soundtrack music, Jazz devil is great!
Great instrumental concept album
...Interesting. Instrumentals?
This is interesting. I don't fully understand it. But that is how it goes with offspin genres of jazz. I think I might love it, yet equally I am not sure where to place it. It is kind of wholly unique, even not always "music" per se, but it also has emotional depth somehow that matches the song titles in interesting ways. I am feeling good today so I think I am going to go with I kind of loved this. I can't say with certainty what it IS precisely, but is it worth listening to? Well, it would be r e a l l y interesting to put this on in a car on a road trip and say nothing as it plays. I think people would more likely to be "what is this?" but want to keep listening as opposed to shut it off.
Probably not everybody's cup of tea, but I think this is incredible. Really great noir-esque jazz combined with modern recording and production techniques to make a unique listening experience.
Okay I’m frightened the start of this album: the wrong side of relaxation I’m unsettled, it’s giving horror flim. OOOOO UNDER WRAPS GOES HARD HOLD ON Really got some good transitions into other songs. Ooooo the harmony of violins on suck on the honey of love sound like angels playing them in my ears I’m blessed.
#154/1001 🇬🇧 Former Bad Seed Barry Adamson's first record isn't an easy listen. I bought a copy many years ago purely because of the Nick Cave connection with no idea that this was the soundtrack to an imaginary film. As a result it stayed sat on the shelf barely listened to. The problem is that its difficult to define when you should listen to it. It's not one to listen to in the car, doing chores, sitting down for dinner or having a leisurely sunday morning - the times when i consume most music. In fact, listening this morning with my headphones on is the first time that i have really appreciated this record. Best tracks: Under Wraps, Sounds from the Big House, Suck on the Honey of Love.
Better than Coldplay
haunting, jarring, unnerving, and weird. a great soundtrack album for a movie that doesn’t exist
Blind album and artist. I thought this album as a whole was super intriguing and interesting how it felt like a soundtrack but not. 4.
Cool concept and I think he pulled it off quite well. Hadn't heard of this so I read the wikipedia after listening to the first couple songs. First song took me a bit to get into it but the second one really hit. Might have to get this one, I don't have enough of this kind of thing in my library.
Concept albums are usually bad and I was primed to think this was lame, but it's actually pretty good and I'd watch the movie that was made to utilize it.
Very creative album. I really liked the sense of atmosphere, really felt like I was listening to a crime movie soundtrack. The little pops of sound effects here and there were nice and there was a lot of cool instrumentation. Sounds From The Big House and The Swinging Detective were my standouts. 7.1/10
People in the reviews on here cannot visualize the apple in their head.
That was a fun listen. Very interesting, loved the vibe.
interesting concept, certainly better than the 500 Britpop bullshit albums on this list
Unique
Quite unusual, very much a concept soundscape experience.
I don't know how often I'll come back to it, but this album was awesome. So different to everything else on this list, and Adamson did such a good job creating a story with his music that I could clearly picture the events taking place throughout the album. Watching a movie entirely with music is a pretty unique experience and I love that this is on the list. Favorite Songs: Sounds From the Big House, Suck on the Honey of Love, The Man with the Golden Arm
fun premise with dynamic sound and some cool moments.
Insanely unique. Makes you feel like you're in a movie
Real soundtrack for an imaginary movie: great stuff. I’m guessing Moss Side evokes different images for non-Mancs.
Loved this. Sets such a moody scene, with classic soundtrack styles often overlaid with sharp and glassy synths to create a feeling of tension.
Albums like this is the reason I'm doing this thing.
Soundtrack to a silent movie!
Big fan of Barry’s follow up to this and looking forward to this. Still got the chaotic multilayered style which is hard to describe. It’s theatrical and feels you’re in a movie or multiple movies. Liked the all over the shop approach very different and would revisit. 3.9/5
A soundtrack made for a movie that was never made? Exactly the type of pretentious crap I live to hate, but alas this puppy slaps. 4 slaps outta 5
What a crazy "soundtrack". If any of these tracks were to play in an actual film I think I'd fall in love with it immediatly. There's never a dull moment on here, my ears are always picking out what the different instruments are doing. I especially loved the delayed guitar in 'Under Wraps', gave that track some nice texture near the end. Same goes for 'The Swinging Detective' with the trumpet being delayed that time. A genius idea. My other favourites include 'Auto Destruction' for its crazy structure and sound as well as 'Sounds from the Big House', 'Chocolate Milkshake', and 'The Man With The Golden Arm' All in all, great faux-soundtrack. This is why rock musicians always make the best soundtrack artists. Just look at Trent Reznor. Also just read this but big props to Adamson for actually writing a movie soundtrack after this too. And with the great David Lynch, no less. What an achievement. 4/5
This is the kind of thing I'm here for. Given my interest in concept albums as a teenager, I'm surprised I never heard of this. This is probably the first album I've received that I have wanted to play again immediately after finishing it the first time. Really great vibes for sitting at my desk working. Combines a lot of things I really like -- concept album, film noir, film scoring, ambient/jazz vibes. I definitely see myself coming back to this!
A favourite late night album, great excuse to listen again
This is a nice quirky aside. It sounds like a PSone soundtrack for a 3D platformer.
Ex-Bad Seed Barry Adamson crafted another cool album combined of noir film music, dark jazz and odd classic. It's great and has more of consistency than other albums.
Very cool concept. Industrial jazz. Bonus points for scoring a non-existent movie.
Very cinematic. I love the idea of a soundtrack album for a movie that doesn't exist. It must be amazing to make the kind of music that sounds like it would appear on a crime movie (because cinematic music is a particular style that's barely touched if it's not for a real movie), and still have full creative freedom because there's not really a movie. Some highlights on this first listen were: "Under Wraps" (I love how the end makes you almost dizzy if you're listening with headphones), "Sounds from the Big House" (with some amazing saxophone parts), "The Swinging Detective" and "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Overall, 4/5.
Insane
wow this was weird as hell "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was really Looney Tunes Animaniac type stuff but the rest was interesting
Conceptually very interesting, but not as gripping as i would have liked. 3.7/5
We all know by now that I love a concept album and my oh my has Adamson executed on his idea here. An excellent listen for my moody morning commute.
I am thankful that I read the wikipedia description, but also I feel like I would have loved this anyway. What a fun little ride, love that he just decided to make this, very evocative, loved that his name kept getting mentioned as a victim/detective/something else. Feels quite funny that this is on the list but easily one of my faves so far. I'll be listening to parts of this again I think
I really really enjoyed this. I love the concept for this album so maybe that carried it a long way, but I feel the execution let that concept shine. It really does sound like something you’d hear in a film noir, and the structure helps this idea. Even no there is no story told, it feels like you’re making you way through one, which I absolutely loved. It feels like it has the rises and falls that a movie would almost structured in acts. There are tracks that are definitely better than others, but on the whole this was great
𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 feels like the soundtrack to a crime film that never existed. Mixing jazz, funk, and cinematic arrangements, Barry Adamson creates a dark and atmospheric record that constantly suggests scenes, characters, and urban landscapes. The concept works remarkably well: the music has a strong film-noir mood, as if it were accompanying a stylish late-night thriller. Even without the imaginary movie, the album stands on its own as a compelling and distinctive listen.
Hvor er det et vildt koncept at lave et soundtrack til en film der ikke eksisterer. Og så lykkes det faktisk ret godt. Det er stemningsfuldt og holder mig nysgerrig. Jeg fået lyst til at se noir-krimier og spille Max Payne.
Soundtrack to a film that never was. The ex Magazine bass player creates some interesting themes, you believe you were watch a movie. I’d probably score it as 3.5 but don’t have the option so it gets marked up
No way a cool concept album? The whole premise of being a fake soundtrack for a fake film sounded interesting enough but it actually delivered. It’s super easy to imagine these hypothetical scenes in this movie, where there’s a chase going on, a murder, betrayal, or any other action that would take place in a noir film. The music can be a little slow at times, but as someone who listens to soundtracks quite a bit that’s not the end of the world. I don’t think the actual instrumentation or execution is particularly special, but it gets the job done. Most importantly it actually sounds good and isn’t ear grating like some other more adventurous albums we’ve had. This is definitely not an album I would put on for my morning commute, but it’s a cool listen when you’re working or focusing on something else.
i am one of those fucked up people who listen to soundtracks for fun love love love the string break in The Most Beautiful Girl in the World to break up the disjointed staccato and horns there's something about how music can evoke feelings and images. even if the 'film' this soundtrack is for doesn't exist, I can see it.
Revised review... Made a snarky review and then got into the meat of the album. Really solid. Debut album, supposedly written as a soundtrack to a non-existent crime film. I can appreciate it on that level. On the other hand, his earlier work also involved a stint with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. These 2 things must offset. But this was good, really good actually. It mixed various jazz styles with a soundtrack flair with noir and even a little Alfred Hitchcock. And as I listened, it kept surprising me. Originally gave it 3 but realized I'm going to test drive it again and that I really liked it.
I was told this album was going to be weird and I was not disappointed. This album is definitely unique, the lack of words except for the occasional screaming was honestly a vibe to listen to. Some of the songs lowkey reminded me of Kingdom Hearts and there were a few songs that stood out to me. I honestly enjoy music without words and so I might be a little biased for this, but I don't care.
Good fun, unpredictable, an enjoyable listen.
This album is weird and cool.
I listened to this album as I was driving across Glendale to track down some Valentine's Day flowers for my partner. This is easily one of my most unexpected albums on the lost so far on the best way possible; what do you mean this late 80's experimental narrative industrial jazz concept album made it onto this list!? The soundscape of this album is so unique that in attempting to contextualize it within music I was more familiar with, I started pulling on albums and artists I rarely ever think about: the abstract narrative experimentation of Karma Fields' New Age | Dark Age, the seamless piano movements of Analogue Dear's small gestures, the disgustingly heavy and metallic bass of Against All Logic's 2012-2017, and the haunting dissonance of Perfume Genius' Ugly Season. The cover, title, tagline, and song names all gave me the impression of a noir film, and that assumption was reinforced by the music; this albums sounds like the soundtrack to the coolest movie I've never seen. With only a small handful of spoken word sections, the entire story here is told through experimental heavy noise, and I find that incredibly compelling and impressive. Highlights: On The Wrong Side Of Relaxation, Under Wraps, Sounds From The Big House, Suck On The Honey Of Love, Everything Happens To Me, The Swinging Detective, Auto Destruction, The Man With The Golden Arm
No idea what this is. Experimental - into track is just ambient. Rest is experimental multi-genre fusion. Jazz, blues, classical, electro, big strings and stabs. Sounds like a post-modern noir film soundtrack. Very cool effect, is like watching a film with no visuals! Best track - Under Wraps, Sounds From The Big House, The Man with the Golden Arm 4 stars, overall it's a great effect, brilliantly written and performed
I became a big fan through David Lynch but this isn't my favorite album
enter the mysterious world of moss side story, which advertises itself as the soundtrack to a noir film that doesn't exist. it's a very interesting concept, and honestly a really interesting album to dive into. can't really say i can imagine a "plot" of any kind throughout its runtime, but hey, i'll take what i can get here. there's a few moments, samples and stuff that'll make you a little confused, but i found this album a neat little spectacle. a cigar in my mouth and a fedora on my head... those bastards will pay for what they've done.
Albums like this are one of the biggest reasons the OAD project continues to be so rewarding for me. I loved it, but I can't quite wrap my head around it. Moss Side Story, a soundtrack to a non-existent film noir, is completely different from anything I've heard, yet it still sounds familiar. Aside from obvious comparisons to soundtracks, the closest connections I can make are a few cinematic trip-hop albums from the '90s (Endtroducing by DJ Shadow and Krush by DJ Krush come to mind) and some of what I've heard by John Zorn. I am utterly unfamiliar with this artist, but I can't wait to learn more. Four stars.
Barry Adamson's career has taken him to a ton of different places, from punk rock bassist to film composer and remixer. Moss Side Story, his debut solo album, sort of encapsulates all of those interests into a single project; it's a soundtrack for a nonexistent film noir, complete with smoky saxophones, eerie strings, MIDI sequences, sampling, live instruments, what have you. you could call it acousmatic, given how difficult it can be to place just what's making all of these freaky sounds. for as interesting as this record can get timbrally, it's definitely a little bit kneecapped by the concept. it almost fits the nonexistent film it's trying to score too well, to such an extent that it actually feels incomplete without a visual component! I guess I should watch that David Lynch movie he worked on. decent 7/10.
This was an interesting listen. I wasn't sure at first whether it was going to just be another ambient noise album, but then it surprised me and was quite good. I really enjoyed the inventive musicality of some of the tracks and it was pleasant and I enjoyed myself the entire time. I listened to it twice -- four stars.
this album is really interesting. I really like the concept, and I found imagining the scenes the songs matched up with very enjoyable.
Honestly, a nice change to instrumental. Makes it a lot easier to listen to while at work. Absolutely obsessed with the idea of making a soundtrack for a nonexistent movie.
Atmospheric, often disorientating and pretty cool album this. A cinematic blend of jazz, orchestral, and soundscapes that would suit a tense psychological thriller. The song titles evoke vintage film noir, but distinctive 80s keyboard sounds that slip in occasionally ground it in its time and make me think of lower-budget British films from that era. A lot of users seem put off by the 'fake film' aspect, and I'm not sure why. It's really not much different from other narrative concepts in music. It just needs a bit more imagination from the listener, something that seems to be in short supply these days.
the atmosphere of this album is amazing. what a nice discovery!
Good
Completely new to me, the soundtrack to an imaginary film. Barry has excellent heritage with Magazine, Nick Cave, etc, but this is a different beast altogether. Complex and intriguing, I loved it.
Very cinematic. Great fictional soundtrack and good use of dynamics throughout the album.
That was a really interesting album. Almost like a soundtrack?
Ok
79/100.Intriguing, stylish and ambitious. Adamson crafts atmosphere like it’s second nature. An amazing listen, feels exactly like a soundtrack to a gritty noir film that doesn’t exist.
Excellent
Enjoyable and atmospheric, I love these kind of soundscapes
not really anything else like it.
It was pretty good, not my favorite album but it had interesting sounds. I didn’t dislike it but maybe I’ll warm up to it.
Intressante Mjsik, die ih nicht kannte. Eine Musik wie ich auf dem Cover sehe eienm "story" beinhaltet. Der Film oder Buch dazu wäre sicherlich Spannend.
++: On the Wrong Side of Relaxation, Under Wraps, Sounds from the Big House, Suck on the Honey of Love, The Swinging Detective, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Free at Last, The Man with the Golden Arm +: Central Control, Autodestruction, Alfred Hitchcock Presents +-: Round Up the Usual Suspects, Intensive Care, Chocolate Milkshake -: Everything Happens to Me 8,2/10
Sehr interessant, werde ich mir wieder anhören
Nach einem Podcast über Mute Records hab ich zufällig Freitag erst "Ödipus Schmoedipus" von ihm gehört und fand das gut. Das hier war auch super. Sehr abwechslungsreich! Werde mich mehr damit beschäftigen.
I found this album quite enjoyable. Very engaging instrumental music. "The Swinging Detective" makes you feel like you’re in a spy movie, "Auto Destruction" has a really cool industrial feel, and "The Man With The Golden Arm" is just a fun jazz song. Interesting all the way through.
I don't know how any person could listen to a single track without the context of the entire album. Even if it makes no sense together, it should totally be considered a film soundtrack where you have no choice but to watch the movie.
Quite enjoyed this one!
Interesting. Music has atmosphere.
This album was essentially a resume and job application ... He's hired.
I have never really listened to many soundtrack albums before, imagined or otherwise, so this was a learning experience. I particularly enjoyed the slightly nightmarish Bond theme at the end. The whole thing feels like it could soundtrack something written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith.
Whenever I encounter something I haven’t heard before I always mention it to Neil. The response is either that he will reel of a list of their seminal albums or that he has seen them live before. This was no different, he saw Barry Adamson perform with Nick Cave as a member of the Bad Seeds. I love the fact that this was included in this list. I don’t know what it is (seemingly a soundtrack album to a film that never existed) but it was a really interesting listen - full of variety, with a sense of underlying malevolence. Probably like a visit to Moss Side.
Very cool. Very atmospheric, will revisit and probably check out more.
I'm kinda here for this! Bit of a surprise but it's so different! Great background music
For the second consecutive day, I've generated an album that gives Halloween season vibes. Anyway, this is the best soundtrack for a non-existent film of all time. Favorite Track: "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".
Halloweenish
cool to imagine the movie it could've gone with
Not totally my kind of music, but absolutely love the concept
Damn, I want to see the movie this was made for that doesn't exist.
Soundtrack to a film that doesn't exist. Nice background, but didn't really grab me. Enjoyable though. 4 stars because I enjoyed it, but doubt I'd listen again
It has been rare on this list to get an album that I did not know anything about and had never heard of the artist. I enjoyed this a lot. It is definitely reminiscent of a soundtrack to a noir film, dark and atmospheric. A great find and definitely an album I will be returning to.
Cool album
I’ll admit, I’d never heard of Barry Adamson and certainly never heard his Moss Side Story album. After doing a little research, I was already in. Adamson, who played in the post-punk band Magazine and worked with other artists in the 70s and 80s, was getting interested in film music. He decided to record a soundtrack for a non-existent film noir movie and use that as his way of auditioning for work in film and TV. Turns out, it worked well as his first solo album. film As I said, once I heard the premise, I was in. The songs are all instrumentals, except for sampled dialogue, screams and a choir. There are three acts in the story and then there are three bonus songs, one of which is Adamson’s verion of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents theme and the theme from the movie, The Man with the Golden Arm. If you’re a fan of Sergio Leone and Quentin Tarantino, you know how important music can be to a movie. In this case, the music is more important than the movie because the movie doesn’t exist. As you're listening to it, you’re imagining the movie playing out in your head. It makes me want to listen to more flim music. Is this something I’m going to listen to over and over or put on at a party? Probably not, but it’s just so cool, I think everyone should at least experience it.
4.4 - weirdly but good, grotų per Opus
A soundtrack to a crime film available at no movie theater near you, Moss Side Story is an unexpected and frustrating classic. As a concept, it's pure indulgence and posture. I'm not interested in trying to visualize the script for which this record is the sonic backdrop. But it triumphs musically, and b/c it's a collection of instrumental jazz with strings attached, it succeeds conceptually as well: scenes of lawlessness are cinematically displayed whether you like it or not. It's not the greatest crime-film soundtrack ever made - that'd be Miles Davis's Ascenseur pour l'échafaud - but it is one of the more entertaining records I've heard. Advice to the skeptic, w/ whom I can sympathize: it's not that serious. Crime films aren't high art anyway.
this was a very confusing listen because i don’t know how to feel about it? but i think i liked it
undeniably good--each track corresponds to a scene u might see in a movie, and feel super familiar great sound design, idk abt great music?
Fun album, and one I'm excited to give another listen or two. Despite being the soundtrack for a film that doesn't exist, Moss Side Story manages to have some dynamic and interesting storytelling through music.
It’s like living in a macabre James Bond low-budget movie. Fantastic and hallucinating.
thought this would be bad it's actually great
Music for a movie that doesn’t exist is such a sick concept for an album. No clue how this is getting 1s at all except from the close minded. It’s clearly so well produced and performed, and creates an absolutely unique, spooky, fascinating vibe. Perfect background/ambient music to a game of Delta Green or Call of Cthulhu. The shifts of style and emotion come subtly or sometimes abruptly as the unnamed protagonist of the movie finds the dead body, uncovers the clue, or gets knocked out by the mystery assailant. Great stuff. Reminds me partially of some of Tom Waits stuff.
An atmospheric soundtrack to a non-existent crime film that's more than a little Lynchian might not be for everyone, but it's most definitely for me.
First dark jazz, I liked it
Seemingly everyone who reviews this album notes, correctly, how evocative it is of film noir and other soundtracks of decades past - which makes sense as that was what Adamson was clearly going for. What I don't see very often in the reviews is much discussion of how evidently influential this collection has been on soundtracks in a different medium - namely, gaming. I specifically hear so much of Uematsu's FFVII soundtrack in the industrial, synth-based palette being used here - if there's such a thing as steampunk jazz then this is it. I've only been through the album once but I think I'm falling in love a little bit.
this is crazyyyyy 4/5
Very intriguing.
interessant
Pleasant
The other Barry Adamson album on this list was one of my favorite discoveries so far, it is such a smooth but also creepy album. However, in that review I think I ended up talking more about David Lynch than the actual album. Sadly since that time David Lynch has passed away. He is my all time favorite Director and is really a shame that he is gone. I have rewatched most of his movie and am currently in between seasons 2 and 3 of Twin Peaks (need to order the blu-ray). If you haven't, I highly recommend you check out his work, Twin Peaks is some of the best television out there (until, well you know... but it isn't that bad), Blue Velvet is probably one of his most accessible films, or if you want something a little more abstract I would recommend Eraser Head, it was the first film I watch by him. I know none of this really matters but it felt wrong not to mention it. Anyways... back to the actual album. I don't think it is as good as Oedipus Schmoedipus, but it is still a very weird and unique album. Mid 4.
Really cool really interesting i feel like this album could be sampled really tastefully by DJs i really enjoyed it.
4.1
Very good concept, enjoyed the listen, probably wouldn't listen to frequently but as a one off very good experience
The concept is weird, but the album is good! Really enjoyed this one.
Really good
Vibrant moods push this soundtrack without a movie To deeper feelings
This was quite enjoyable.
Atmostpheric sound track, from sensual to uncomfortable to thrilling, a great work.
The soundtrack to a non-existent film noir. You can almost see the scenes as the music plays.
Very Special. Coule be a Soundtrack to a Noir Movie or a deafmovie
Spooky, moody, theatrical. It's like a soundtrack to a futuristic noir film maybe? IDK what this is (haven't read the wiki yet and have never heard of this artist) but I'm thoroughly enjoying the album.
Klart att Nick Cave-relaterat är bra.
Very interesting jazz album: Fantastic! The Man with the Golden Arm jams! 1001 album worthy: yes - 82/149
It's really amazing how well the concept comes through on this album despite being essentially wordless. There's a story preserved within these songs. Favorite track: "Sounds from the Big House"
I actually really liked this. way different than what I usually listen to
Quite fun. My grandparents lived a couple miles from Moss Side. I like the 60s-tv-theme-song sound with horns and bass.
Brilliant
I’m not really paying attention to the story this album is telling, which is likely important because it’s a concept album, however, the instrumentation is so unique. Gorgeous at times, disturbing at others, it does a phenomenal job of making you feel a certain way and guiding your emotions along the journey of the story they are trying to tell (even though I haven’t really paid attention to that story lol. I’m just letting myself listen and feel). So far probably a solid 9-9.5/10
Insane vibes. Feels like inspiration for a lot of scene setting music now. I was getting the white lotus energy from this.
if Lynch effed with you, I eff with you.
Re divertido, literal me imaginé secuencias en donde podrías usar estas canciones. Nice
Very awesome. It felt like all the good parts of a gritty crime drama film OST. I know that is a specific itch to scratch, but this album scratched every bit of craving perfectly. It has the perfect run time and flows like butter with impressive confidence. It also sounded like this album was a blast to make, thus it sounded fun to hear. Overall, great example of a weird music idea executed with more talent and care than I expected.
Bueno
1001 ALBUMS- # 24 Moss Side Story by BOSS MAN BARRY! Former bassist of Magazine and Bad Seeds performer Barry Adamson creates quite an intriguing gritty conceptual dark crime drama soundtrack to a film that doesn't even exist...what a brilliantly inventive approach to craft this impressive work of art. I really had no idea what to expect going into this album blindly, having never heard of it or knowing much about the talented musician behind its songwriting and what I heard was beyond refreshing! Going completely against the grain without any core subject matter to compose from, Adamson delivers the perfect imaginary soundtrack that is just screaming to be adapted. How has this work of such rich cinematic texture gone so overlooked? Well not entirely without recognition of course, otherwise it would not have been included on a list of must hear albums. This is by far the best surprise listen I have enjoyed so far and what I truly love about experiencing new or unknown music, a reminder of just how original true art can be. Foreboding, cunningly melodic, ambient, jazzy, industrial and tense in its story, all without any lyrical element as being distinctly instrumental. 100% deserving to be on this 1001 list (regardless of all the naysayers), do yourself a favor and listen to this phenomenal gem from start to finish, which you will likely enjoy more than most actual movies these days. Click the Thumbs Up icon below if you enjoyed my take on the album :)
Delightfully creepy, otherwordly and evocative
Cool concept and unexpected vibes
Really interesting album. Deserves a bunch of listens to get what's going on
An odd one. An album made to be essentially a soundtrack. I think it does a good job at creating a feel and mood.
Well I do enjoy a good soundtrack and this fits the bill. I'll have to have another listen to Lost Highway with my newfound knowledge.
Way better than I expected. Super atmospheric.
flott bakgrunns. ekki kaffihús. best eru samt tökulögin. bannsett næturkulið.
4-
Barry Adamson's *Moss Side Story* (1989) is a groundbreaking debut album that merges cinematic storytelling with experimental music. Positioned as a "soundtrack to a non-existent crime film," the album is a conceptually rich and sonically innovative work that explores themes of crime, noir, and urban decay. Below is an in-depth review of its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. ## **Lyrics and Narrative** While *Moss Side Story* is predominantly instrumental, the few vocal elements—such as spoken word snippets, screams, and choirs—play a significant role in shaping its narrative. These elements are not traditional lyrics but serve as fragments of dialogue or emotional cues that deepen the sense of mystery and suspense. For instance, tracks like "Under Wraps" use voice samples to evoke a detective recounting tales from the underworld. The absence of conventional lyrics allows listeners to construct their own interpretations of the story, making it an interactive experience. The album's narrative is further reinforced by its descriptive track titles, such as "On the Wrong Side of Relaxation" and "Round Up the Usual Suspects," which suggest scenes from a noir film. The inner sleeve even includes a short story by Dave Graney, adding another layer to the storytelling[1][2]. ## **Music** Adamson's background as a bassist for Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is evident in his ability to craft atmospheric soundscapes. The music on *Moss Side Story* blends jazz, industrial, ambient, and orchestral elements to create a dark and immersive experience. Key tracks include: - **"On the Wrong Side of Relaxation"**: Opens the album with eerie strings and foreboding rhythms, setting a suspenseful tone. - **"The Swinging Detective"**: A standout track that combines sultry saxophones with soft percussion, evoking smoky bars and fedora-clad detectives. - **"Free at Last"**: Offers a brief moment of levity with an upbeat tempo and twangy guitars while retaining the album's melancholic undertones. - **"Cool Green World"**: A haunting mix of jazz and ambient sounds that conjures images of rainy streets illuminated by neon lights. Adamson's use of instrumentation is masterful. Strings, horns, bass lines, and percussions are layered intricately to evoke specific moods and settings. The influence of film composers like John Barry (of *James Bond* fame) is palpable throughout the album[2][4]. ## **Production** The production on *Moss Side Story* is meticulous. Adamson recorded the album with the intention of showcasing his skills as a composer for film scores[1]. The sound design captures both the grit of Manchester's Moss Side district and the stylized drama of classic noir films. The use of stereo effects, reverb, and dynamic shifts enhances the cinematic quality of the music. However, some tracks exhibit an unmistakable '80s aesthetic—such as saxophone parts by Gary Barnacle—which might feel dated to modern listeners[4]. Despite this, the production remains cohesive and serves the album's overarching concept effectively. ## **Themes** Thematically, *Moss Side Story* delves into crime, suspense, urban decay, and existential dread. Inspired by Adamson's upbringing in Manchester's Moss Side neighborhood—a place known for its socio-economic challenges—the album captures both personal and universal struggles. The title itself is a play on Leonard Bernstein's *West Side Story*, but instead of romance in New York City, it presents murder and intrigue in Manchester[1]. The noir aesthetic permeates every aspect of the album. From its shadowy atmospheres to its fragmented narrative structure, *Moss Side Story* feels like an auditory equivalent of films like *Casablanca* or *The Third Man*. It also touches on themes of identity and self-investigation, as suggested by critics who see it as part of an "inadvertent trilogy" exploring personal crises[4]. ## **Influence** *Moss Side Story* has had a lasting impact on both music and film culture. Its avant-garde approach to blending genres paved the way for artists like Portishead and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), who similarly explore cinematic soundscapes in their work[5]. Adamson would later contribute music to David Lynch's *Lost Highway*, further cementing his reputation as a masterful composer for dark narratives[1]. The album also influenced how concept albums are perceived. By creating a soundtrack for an imaginary film, Adamson expanded the boundaries of what an album could achieve artistically. ## **Pros** 1. **Innovative Concept**: A soundtrack for a non-existent film is both unique and engaging. 2. **Cohesive Atmosphere**: The music successfully evokes noir themes through its instrumentation and production. 3. **Narrative Depth**: Even without lyrics, the album tells a compelling story through its titles, samples, and arrangements. 4. **Musical Diversity**: Blends jazz, ambient, industrial, and orchestral styles seamlessly. 5. **Influence**: Pioneered approaches that would inspire future artists in both music and cinema. ## **Cons** 1. **Accessibility**: Its experimental nature may not appeal to all listeners; some might find it too abstract or unsettling. 2. **Dated Elements**: Certain production choices (e.g., saxophone parts) feel rooted in the 1980s. 3. **Lack of Lyrics**: While this adds to its uniqueness, some listeners may miss traditional lyrical storytelling. 4. **Pacing Issues**: The dense atmosphere can feel overwhelming if listened to in one sitting without breaks. ## **Conclusion** *Moss Side Story* is a remarkable debut that showcases Barry Adamson's talents as both a musician and storyteller. Its innovative concept—creating a soundtrack for an imaginary noir film—is executed with precision and creativity. While its experimental nature may not suit everyone’s taste, it remains an essential listen for fans of cinematic music or those seeking something outside traditional genres. The album’s strengths lie in its cohesive atmosphere, diverse musical palette, and narrative depth. However, its abstract nature and occasional dated elements might alienate some listeners. Overall, *Moss Side Story* stands as a testament to Adamson’s vision and continues to influence artists across multiple disciplines decades after its release.
Starts a little haphazardly, but boy when it gets going make sure you have ticket and passport. An often propulsive journey that pauses for reflection and side trips into eerieland. A great landscape. Love this.
I came in cold. Didn't read the short blurb or even look up the year. Took me a minute or so but by the end of this I was so into it. Psychic shuffle went on to play more Barry Adamson and this is one I'll continue to explore.
Great idea of a soundtrack for a fictive noir film, and an equally great execution!
Yesterday I had the score to The Virgin Suicides by Air, and it was awesome. I don’t know what this album is, but it sounds more like a soundtrack than that album - which is an actual soundtrack. It’s not unpleasant. It’s catchy in parts for sure, but there are a lot of moments of ambiance and background sounds that make sense if it’s a soundtrack, I guess, but kinda weird if not. Turns out tabs concept album intended to *sound* like a soundtrack, because the artist wanted to get hired to make soundtracks. Gotta say, that’s pretty cool. It definitely earns 3 stars musically because it’s a bit of a bop, but I’m gonna grant it the fourth because making a soundtrack to a movie that doesn’t exist - and still being able to make it sound cohesive - is pretty bad ass.
Generally, I'm not a fan of most soundtracks or concept albums with the occasional exceptions. Often the project is too unfocused and doesn't compliment the content or the concept is so out there no one besides the creator understands the meaning or reason or why we should care about their idea. On paper, Moss Side Story sounds like a weird concept, a soundtrack album to a non-existent crime film. My thought was, what the hell? Imagine my surprise when the music is actually pretty good! In fact, it's better than most real soundtracks. Through the music, it helps to visualize the atmosphere and concept of the "film" and really a good soundtrack doesn't need the film to stand on it's own creatively. I actually enjoyed the listen and though it's gets a bit over the top sometimes, it was a good backtrack to my usually chilling, thrilling day sitting at home alone.
Really enjoyed the more jazzy aspects of this album. A few new-wavey feeling parts that were a bit a nice spice mixed into the overall sound.
Tells a very clear story, and I was surprisingly able to follow along. Cool concept, enjoyed it!
Sort of interesting thing I wish there was more of in this crap waste of time project
The first album in the project that I bought when it came out, as an LP! Came to it via Nick Cave and blind bought this and Crime and the City Solution. Pleased to report that I still like it! Soundtrack for a film noir that was never made is spot on.
Increíble el paso del tiempo durante éste año. Por momentos, lentísimo. Por otros, con el cambio en quinta. Estamos en el penúltimo miércoles de noviembre y toca artista desconocido, que veo ha trabajado con mucha gente muy grosa. Me recuerda a los proyectos de Mike Patton, en especial Fantômas, pero sin tanto estruendo y bizarreada. También, algunas vibes a Morphine y a NIN: todas cosas que me gustan, básicamente. Disco de buenas atmósferas oscuras, me trae también a la Argentina con algunos sonidos similares a Los Redondos (los saxos en The Swinging Detective, muy Willy Crook). Como siempre, agradecido por las sorpresas. Hasta mañana.
Pues me está dando bastante miedo el disco. La primera canción la tuve que pasar. El resto las pude escuchar. Tiene la canción de la intro de Alfred Hitchcock presenta.
Imaginative, moody, yet energetic. I loved the Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Who doesn't love a fictitious crime film concept album???
Not an easy listen but the talent is undeniable. Both of a moment and completely outside of it. A soundtrack in search of a movie that is doesn't actually need. Not all atmospheric music is beautiful. Some is more like the city that birthed Adamson - to reprise another native - Manchester, so much to answer for.
If you're a fan of this album, check out the Secret Agent station by SomaFM. You can listen online at their website.
I would not recommend This album to anyone of an anxious disposition. Having said that, I’m loving it. The first track starts as an Autobahn ripoff, but then goes darker. Just had a thought - if you’ve ever played the board game Mind Management, this is the audio version. Or that might just be me.
It's great background music, and you've got to give credit to the conceit of "I really want to write film scores, so here's a film score for a totally made up film to show how good I am at writing film scores, so may be you'll employ me writing film scores"
I was not at all sure what I was about to listen to (went in blind) and had to figure out the whole "soundtrack for an imaginary movie" angle after the fact. Probably because I didn't have that information beforehand (which, I admit, makes it sounds very pretentious), I was perfectly happy listening to this soundtrack for a movie I had never seen. I did actually enjoy this album quite a bit considering it's low rating on here. I guess I'll be an outlier on this one.
Evil Cartoon Circus Music
Hard to say why I enjoy this. A touch of Pink Floyd in track one, maybe?
Alright I'm not coming into this one knowing any more than jack shit on this release. I read he scored an actual David Lynch film after this imaginary film soundtrack though and I can certainly hear why. This is weird, ethereal, jazzy, dark, even downright spooky at many points. Just in time for Halloween. I read he has worked with the band Magazine & Nick Cave.. which checks out. There's loads of talent heard here and it's all a bit left of center and a bit dark. Judging on its own merits, this is a pretty successful endeavor, although I'm not sure who the demographic is for it. Kind of makes you wish this guy put this effort into making the movie happen as well because.... at every turn you feel there's more to the story. He clearly had a storyline in his head and beautifully illustrated it with sound, but my man I need more information!
I knew Barry from his time with Magazine, Buzzcocks, and The Bad Seeds, but this album escaped me. A concept soundtrack album based on a non-existent crime film. Quite unique.
Actually I liked this. Weird. Wasn't sure what it was at first. It's not really anything. Just a collection of sounds arranged musically. But still. I felt like I was able to get a lot of work done with this on in the background.
Moss Side Story is one of the most interesting albums i have ever heard. It was apparently a concept album for a crime movie that never existed and i do kinda wish this film existed because i would have liked to see the context for all of these songs. This album is still really good on its own though, it was dark, morbid and creepy in all the right spots. This is also an album that had songs that were different sounding enough to keep me on my toes but still felt like they all were connected mostly due to having that crime movie style sound. I really like this album for what it is but i feel like i would have liked it more if this film had actually existed. Best Song: Auto Destruction Worst Song: Central Control
3.6 1x didn't think i would like it as much but the second half is interesting
The first couple of tracks are very good. Act 3 and 4 are not that good, but still not bad.
Nice. Noy dissimilar to the Tortoise album I had 2 days ago, I like movie soundtracks, and it's clear thatthe movie needn't even be real. Excellent.
Me gusta mucho, efectivamente suena mucho a BSO de Badalamenti. Tiene un montón de guiños evocadores.
A young dame, mid 20s, from The Wrong Side Of The Tracks gets caught up with a local crime ring. During a heist gone bad, a wealthy couple is killed, but who’s to blame? Dame is brought in (Round Up The Usual Suspects) by a handsome cop who is just doing his job but believes she is innocent. She is convicted and sent away to The Big House where she falls in love with a fellow (Suck On The Honey Of Love) inmate. One night, while feeling sorry for herself (Everything Happens To Me) the handsome cop (Swinging Detective) breaks her out of jail. During their narrow escape they are discovered. A car chase ensues, ending with (Auto Destruction) a horrific crash where she is ejected from the vehicle shortly before it explodes; we can’t be sure what happens to the handsome cop but it doesn’t look good. She is rushed to Intensive Care where they barely save her life but she lapses into a coma. While in the coma, she has spiritual dreams and visions of a higher power. After she wakes up two years later, she’s a different person; much wiser. She looks in the mirror to see she has a scar from above the corner of her right eye, down her cheek, across the center of her mouth to the lower side of her left jaw. She feels lucky to be alive and that this prominent scar somehow makes her even more beautiful than before (The Most Beautiful Girl In The World) She feels Free At Last, but the suspense continues (Alfred Hitchcock Presents) when her prison lover returns! They go out to the local malt shop to split a Chocolate Milkshake and discuss the future. The handsome cop (Man With The Golden Gun) arrives on the scene with the intent to whisk Dame away. The listener is left hanging and has to decide if she goes with her prison lover OR the handsome cop… Rated R (remarkable 3.9*s)
Honestly, I know why people don’t like this, but I actually found it pretty unique and enjoyable. This is an album that you need to listen to when doing something, though, because it’s just kind of weird to sit down to listen to something like this.
Initially crafted as a soundtrack to a crime thriller that does not exist, but could pass for a horror movie at times.
I always like weird concepts like this. A soundtrack to an intense crime movie that doesn't exist is such a fun idea to me.
Very trippy, did not know what to expect, felt like being in a horror movie.
At first listen I thought “how did I miss this movie? The soundtrack is great!” Checks notes, ah ok that explains it. Seriously though I would see this movie just for the soundtrack, really fun and inventive calling card for this composer.
A wonderful film noir without the film. Highly listenable.
Kind of an epic instrumental album
Everyone once in a while this list throws me something completely unexpected. Usually it's a resounding disappointment. In this case it was a resounding success. The sheer audacity of making a soundtrack to a film that doesn't exist, and then creating something that feels like it could have inspired Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Not in sheer industrial weight, but that ambient weirdness that this one takes us through. The fact that Reznor went on to make film soundtracks only confirms it for me. This doesn't feel very important, or groundbreaking, or even particularly brilliant. But something here tickled me, and there are moments I appreciate. I can see myself recommending this for the curiousity value alone.
This album took me by surprise in the best way. I was expecting a straightforward jazz album, but instead, I got a jazz-driven avant-garde experience, which I'm a total sucker for. I love experimental and avant-garde music, though it often demands a specific mood and setting to fully appreciate it. However, "Moss Side Story" stands out because it's accessible and can be enjoyed in a variety of contexts. I also love that it's a soundtrack for an imaginary film that doesn't even exist in real life. It's definitely not for everyone, but I'll be revisiting this one for sure.
Dehä va dope
Spooky af
This one grabbed my attention right away and held it. Dark, jazzy and industrial. Pretty delicious.
Very interesting, I like it. If you love this concept check out the group “Two Steps From Hell”. I listen to them while I read and write.
Damn good listen. Industrial jazz isn't something I ever considered, but I'm hearing it and I'm loving it.
What an odd album. It's very atmospheric and got my imagination going....Really enjoyed it.
interesting...
I usually don't like jazz but was good. I may return to this.
I found this fascinating, evocative and haunting. I loved how, knowing the premise, it made me imagine (and choreograph) a film I’d never see. A welcome instrumental break in proceedings.
they let barry cook
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Under wraps, Sounds from the big house, The most beautiful girl in the world, Alfred Hitchcock presents
ritmos harmonicos mezclados con otros perturbantes, buen clima.
This is a terrific album that I've had in my collection since release. It's a soundtrack to an imaginary film, and was the first of Adamson's solo album, many of which have a cinematic feel. Adamson of was the bass player in Magazine and the Bad Seeds. The whole album is great, but I particularly liked "On the Wrong Side of Relaxation" with Diamanda Galas' vocals and two of the CD bonus tracks - "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Man With The Golden Arm". But really, the whole thing makes for an enjoyable listen.
intersting listen and very good ambient noise. I felt like I had a movie on in the background. and to be honest it was good enough that I found my brain wanting to go look for the movie to actually watch the visuals that go with the sound. very fun experience and I feel my life is slightly better for listening to it.
This really added an air of suspense and intrigue to the spreadsheets I stated at for work yesterday.
Pues me está dando bastante miedo el disco. La primera canción la tuve que pasar. El resto las pude escuchar. Tiene la canción de la intro de Alfred Hitchcock presenta.
This was a modern high-end soundscape 30 years ahead of it's time. Incredible quality!
Very interesting.. I liked it
hulluntavaa ambienttia..pitää varvailla varvaiden päällä seisokellen. uskalla kantapäitä maahan laittaa kun tälläsiä kuuntelee.. abumissa konspepti, en kerro mikä se on. miksi minun pitäisi se selittää katso album description, vitun tyhmä PASKA.. ei saa mitään palkkiota tästä..mitä saa palkkioksi, paitsi kipua silmäin takana...raivat.. investigeessöns,, sounds from the big house
Love the mood this album gives rise to
This is absolutely insane, but this is also why I’m here.
I was uncomfortable with the first track, although I was intrigued by the concept. The rest was very interesting and kept my attention. I struggled with a lot, but it was very good.
I love the concept and I liked it best when there was a familiar melody for my brain to latch onto (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Man with the Golden Arm). This probably would have been better on headphones in a darkened room but I had holiday baking to do... I'd like to say I intend to revisit it when I "have time" but I don't actually think that will happen.
Prima
This was a pretty cool instrumental album. Ill round up to a 4⭐️.
Very interesting sound effects, almost psychedelic in response
I love this film!
Very interesting concept and Adamson executes it brilliantly. Even without any visual aid, it’s easy to see what the story would look like.
4/5
Interesting concept album
Spooky film noir music for a film that was never released.
I know not what to expect. Opens with effectively radio fuzz for the first minute and a half before some ominous strings start to creep in and take focus. Oh its spooky season, we have a sample of a frightened woman and some ghostly vocals. This is deeply unsettling out of the gate. Under Wraps ditches the atmospheric mindfuckery of the opener for an almost dance-inspired song with bright keys and a circular brass rhythm. Working for the last number of songs, but overall this has a very cinematic feel to it. Largely unsettling and dark in tone, I came back to focus for The Swinging Detective, which features a saxophone soloing endlessly over an ominous backdrop. This isn't something I would go out of my way to listen to, but it is an interesting and deep listen that evokes emotion. Lots of interesting textures employed and mostly clean production work throughout. I come away a little confused as to how to treat this. In some ways it feels like something like Mr. Bungle; but in most others it feels less eclectic and more purposefully built. All said, I'm a low 4 here. Unique concept piece.
This one seems pretty weird to be in here but here we go. Very strange that this is a soundtrack to a non-existent film. I really do like Under Wraps. Can't put my finger on it but it sounds like something I've heard before. Sounds From The Big House has some bomb and ominous keyboards. The Swinging Detective has an anxiety inducing sax in the best way. Also a solid guitar. This is my fav song so far. This album was a whirlwind. Fuckin weird. Want to go 3.5 here but bumping up for the uniqueness of it. Also the man with the golden arm rules.
I have a weird niche for weird music like this. While monotonous and not that interesting at times, I found most of it good and having a nice atmosphere.
pretty great, but maybe you need to be watching the movie for this to really shine
Po-mo music
Listened Before? N I have never encountered him or his music before. This is a super interesting concept album. At times creepy, sometimes retro sounding, sometimes like an electronic album. It was pretty nice background music. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Man With the Golden Arm
very interesting chaotic sound, would like to listen some more.
oh wow! I did not expect such a great album! I get why people don't like it. All the songs are instrumentals and sound to me like something Bowie and Brian Eno would have made... But I love the dark sounding instrumentals... 8/10 (4/5)
Ingenious. The Swinging Detective is fantastic.
When I read "scored a David Lynch film" in Barry Adamson's bio, everything made sense. Delightfully creepy and weird.
Que sea un álbum conceptual en el que entiendo el punto y la idea sin haber previamente leído ni buscado nada sobre este es lo que me hace puntuarlo relativamente bien, pero no es un álbum que escucharía por gusto
i liked this one a lot
Ciekawy koncept, czegoś mi brakowało, ale powiedzmy plusik za inność
Good career inspiration! Want to join a punk band? Stay up all night learning to play the bass, audition, and get it! Want to start making movie soundtracks? Make a soundtrack to a non-existent movie and then turn that into a new career. Both things that Barry Adamson did. The music is also pretty good and totally different than most of this list. It's fun to read the title tracks and imagine what is happening in each of the 4 tracks. Nice find 1001.
What a cool concept witch excellent execution.
Nice and moody
4.0
Years after Magazine's heyday, their bassist Barry Adamson decided to try something new... composing a soundtrack for a non-existent film. Hoping to seat himself into the film composer's chair, Barry scores varying storylines into chilling, at times boisterous degrees and mainly succeeds in the interim. Not a bad first start in the business of show. Favorites: Under Wraps, Central Control, Sounds From the Big House, Suck on the Honey of Love, The Swinging Detective, Auto Destruction, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Chocolate Milkshake, The Man With the Golden Arm.
I love a good movie score
Ah, some more Barry Adamson. This is an absolutely wild album to have come out in '89! Dark jazz/Sound collage type stuff. I think I prefer Oedipus Schmoedipus, but this guy really nails a weird and (mostly) dark atmosphere. I dig it well enough, but I'm not exactly gonna throw it on for a pleasurable listening experience, it's weird as hell. 3.5 rounded up because too many of y'all obviously don't appreciate Angelo Badalamenti either. 🙄😆
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
I liked it a lot
I'd definitely go see this movie!
Sleazy listening.
Great soundtrack music with a heavy dark feel - love it but not sure what situation would prompt me to play this music as a backdrop....
If this was a team competing at the controversial FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, it'd be Netherlands. Cody Gakpo is the GOAT.
More enjoyable than I expected
This was a really fun listen. Not sure if I’ll ever give it another go, but unique.