Oedipus Schmoedipus

Landing successful within the Pelvis

It was all over the place with some songs I liked and some songs I didn’t

This was kind of cool! I like the fake movie soundtrack as a concept.

Art rock.

What a dark and mysterious album, and still so enchantingly wonderful. This album is a very eclectic one, with a great cohesion too. The acid jazz all over this record, mainly in the instrumental songs, gives this album the texture of a film-like recording, while also having a very interesting electronic component. And, actually, it really is a cinematic album. A very cinematic one, in fact. It almost traps you inside of an imaginary story, and throughout the different sounds and textures, it drives you through it. It is also a very Nick Cave-ish album, and that is why he fits extraordinarily well in "The Sweetest Embrace". Two great points of this album, for sure. It feels like it dives between the songs and the dialogues, deconstructing the audiovisual language into music, building so fantastically the settings or feelings just through the music. This album truly is a gem, not just because of the storytelling (with so little storytelling, to be honest), but because of how it is capable of creating a dark, "film noir" atmosphere, and, yet, being so deeply interesting and musically rich and very enjoyable. Few albums are as captivating as this one, it gets you from its beginning, and you cannot stop listening to it until the end. There are no moments in which you feel it goes down. Even the less musically interesting songs have the power to get you more and more into the story, which is almost sensorial, depending exclusively on your imagination and what is narrated and sung throughout the album. This is excellent, this is different, unique, and, still, very classy at the same time. Such a wonderful album, for sure.

A strange mess of an album. Big name features, jazzy nonsense, and an overall sense of confusion. +1 star for Jarvis Cocker.

Sometimes a cool vibey record but none of the songs ever seem to quite get there for me. cool soundscapes/pallettes of jazzy spacey and even rocky stuff. But then it kind of just goes nowhere most of the time. A well produced effort just not really for me.

In what world is this essential? First time hearing Barry Adamson. Jazzier, but also more trip-hoppy, and more little skits like Kate Bush than I was expecting. It's honestly not bad, but there are at least 10,000 other albums I would suggest before we arrived at Oedipus Schoediupus.

Sehr komisch

..

It was fine but nothing I think I’d need to hear again

An extra star for trying to be experimental. Still rubbish though other than the Nick Cave song

- Interesting mix of chill jazz and unnerving soundscapes. I am not surprised that Adamson worked with David Lynch. - Not unpleasant, but most of it just floats by. Adamson apparently treats some of his albums like movie soundtracks and that rings true here...if there was dialogue over the melodies (and there often was), I would not be distracted.

Certainly an interesting listen, one I'd never heard of before. I find the idea of a fictional movie soundtrack with a electronic, jazz styling quite novel and cool. Plus it featured the pleasant surprise of Nick Cave appearing on one of the songs. I can see why David Lynch used one of these songs in his film, it's got that vibe. Fav Songs The Sweetest Embrace Something Wicked This Way Comes Miles Is it Top 1001 Worthy (is it essential)? Maybe, if you don't mind a more instrumentally-oriented album you may like this album. Not a pressing album to listen to but it's neat if you do.

A bit too weird for me

First listen

Some good parts like the Sega music of Miles, some ok background music and some horror film sound collages which aren't very pleasant to listen to Highlights: Miles

3.5

3/10 Funky. Not for me tho

Didn't think I know who this was, then realized he did a bunch of songs for the lost highway soundtrack. Good portion of album reminded me of that work. Music that was thrilling or intense jazz / electro. Cool to hear more of the guy. Not sure I'll remember name though, might stick to lost highway dude

I appreciate this album’s eclecticism, and the premise of a soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist is both brilliant and goofy (in a good way). I was thrilled to hear my boy, Jarvis Cocker, on the first track, and Nick Cave’s contribution to his fellow Bad Seed’s solo album is everything you’d expect (in a good way). There’s a tongue-in-cheek in quality to much of the album that I enjoy. If I have one criticism, it’s that I walked away without much of a sense of who Barry Adamson really IS as an artist, though the art is good. Definitely a record I intend to revisit.

Had hopes I would like this one.

Hats off to Barry. Released a few albums, met his hero's, snagged his dream job. Barry is doing better than you, probably.

*Very cool jazz tracks but some of the dark stuff really takes a turn

Weird. Very fucking weird. But also kind of great at times. This is a truly bizarre example of a record that I can't quite work out. One minute you're listening to some excellent jazz, and the next you're in a demonic soundscape that sounds like the entrance of a cult ceremony. And then without any warning you're listening to a sensual cinematic monologue followed by an instrumental sounding like it belongs in a cheesy James Bond remake. The most confusing part is that this made the 1001 albums to listen to before you die list. It's interesting, intricate and original to say the least, plus there are a few great tracks. But I can't score it higher than a 6/10 simply because of how weird it is.

Not for me

This is not for me.

563/1089 - This guy again, and the same concept as Moss Side Story with slightly less interesting music? I think there are other 90s albums that could've been cool instead. I did like the Blue Lines sample but moreso because I like Massive Attack than it working in the song. It sorta works but stands out a bit.

I didn't know Barry Adamson and I was positively surprised with this one! Lots of interesting ideas mixing jazz and a light electronic touch. Maybe a tad long?

First song is alright, it's a fun little throwaway bit, nice to hear from Jarvis Cocker. The rest of the album is kind of boring. I am baffled that he has one album on here, let alone two. Another soundtrack for a movie that doesn't exist, as if anyone asked for it. Another album that got on here for it's concept rather than its execution. It seems like it would be enjoyed by fans of Tom Waits and Nick Cave (derogatory).

Хуета какая-то

A real mix of riffs that I've heard before, a bit of elevator music coupled with soundscapes. Not for me

Half of this was nondescript. Half was annoying.

What the hell.

I liked the Nick Cave tune, but the rest felt like a stunt. Not sure why we need two of these.

Interesante. No lo reescucharía pero no me parece malo. Me gusta que David Lynch haya usado una canción, porque algunas sí son buenas, pero dentro de todo es muy meh.

What the hell am I listening to? ...and why do I like it? I just finished listening to Vermillion Kisses, and WTF?

It definitely has experimental vibes. Not sure what the experiment is though. It has moments but it’s outweighed by the rest that just feels like a soundtrack to a movie no one asked for

When reviewing the prior Barry Adamson album in this book, I wondered if we needed two Barry Adamson albums in this book. Now, I feel confident we did not. This isn't a slight towards Barry Adamson, but more of an acknowledgement that his sound hasn't differed too much from one album to the next, no matter how many fictional soundtracks he writes. I like the title of the Pink Floyd-inspired (I presume) Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis and it's not a bad song either. There is a lot of muttering and spoken word tracks on here. By "a lot" I mean, "there is at least one," because even having one spoken word track tends to annoy me. It's Business as Usual is a spoken word track and it's pretty creepy. The whole track feels ominous and I am not certain how an individual could listen to it repeatedly. The Big Bamboozle sounds like a Bond film soundtrack. I really liked it. My favorite tracks: Something Wicked This Way Comes Miles Achieved in the Valley in the Dolls The Big Bamboozle The Sweetest Embrace

Didn't finish and not sorry about it.

At times it almost felt close to ambiant, but it's too messy for that. Initially oi didn't think it was that bad, but already about halfway through I was looking longingly forwards to the end Standouts Vermillion Kisses 2/5

Bad

Listened before?: nope Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis - 3/5 Something Wicked This Way Comes - 4/5 The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes - 3/5 It's Business as Usual - 2/5 Miles - 3/5 Dirty Barry - 1/5 In a Moment of Clarity - 2/5 Achieved in the Valley of Dolls - 4/5 Vermillion Kisses - 1/5 The Big Bamboozle - 3/5 State of Contraction - 2/5 The Sweetest Embrace - 3/5 Set the Controls Again - 3/5 Average score: 2.6/5 ⭐️⭐️ started with some really horny energy, ended pretty flat. not a terrible album, i just don't think i'm the target audience

Leave foe the jazz, stay for nick cave

Did not like this. Felt fake - all surface and no depth. Reminded me a lot of the David Holmes album on this list which is of similar vintage and similarly the songs sound dated and shallow. The slower jazzier piano numbers felt faux and lacking the warmth of some of the jazz classics on this list and felt jarring against the upbeat tracks. Not for me.

That was bizarre. Not entirely sure what is was and needed a few listens. Had never heard of Barry Adamson and then looked up who he was involved with, and the album becomes more understandable. One track I genuinely thought it was an ad interrupting the album. Is this musical pulp fiction?

For an artist I hadn't heard before, I was not expecting such an enjoyable record. It had it's fair share of eerie sounding tracks, but the rest blend some sort of jazz and upbeat rock songs with distinct vocals. Great listening experience!

2.5

não me pegou, mas achei a bagunça muito bem vinda

esquisito, caótico, daquele jeitão começou bacana, mas, conforme foi passando, não me pegou mto não. tem umas meio jazzinho que são massa, de resto, sei não... mas eh bem bizarro, bom pra quem gosta.

It felt like it was trying to be kooky but maybe there was something in there I missed. They know what they're doing and can arrange a decent album.

I'm not convinced that we need two Barry Adamson albums on the list. The first track had me ready to go insane. Are there dolphin noises on the track? I enjoyed this album more than Moss Side Story.

Not sure how to rate this one. Some parts sounded fairly neat, and others were a little off to me.

This was the kind of album I'm here for. The Nick Cave appearance was an extra delightful surprise.

delightfully weird, but doubt i'll ever listen to it again

Never heard of this before and wondering why - it’s exactly the kind of album I’d have loved when it came out. Weird and eclectic

lol another Barry Adamson? cmon y'all. In his defence this one has a bit more going for it with collaborators and a certain "hip" vibe but the conceit of the project is still just a demo reel for filmmakers - who did in fact use some of this material lol

No one should have to listen to this

Why did we have to listen to two Barry Adamson albums? They are the same

I mean... It's certainly an album. Has its moments of pure groove followed by reactions like "what the fuck am I listening to?"

much like his previous album, its an interesting concept album, creating a soundtrack to something that doesnt exist. You really needed to do it again? This is also just way weirder and the charm of the idea wore off.

On one hand it’s an interesting album sonically. On the other hand it feels like a pervert inflicting his fetish onto the listener and that made for an overall shitty listening experience.

Too erratic to be considered as any particular genre, and while some tracks are traditional jazz music, the rest of the album is highly experimental. It seems that it was intended to be the soundtrack to an unreleased film. The songs alternate between mainstream and atmospheric and that threw me off. Maybe that’s the intent, but it was actually jarring. The experimental tracks would have worked on a Tom Waits album, and the jazzy songs would be better on their own. The experience was not as good as I hoped it would be, so I decided to rate it low. 2 stars

Soundtrack for the worst eurospy movie ever made

An interesting journey through an imaginary movie. I'm a sucker for this kind of cinematic concept album, and the stunning diversity of moods and genres featured here really got my imagination working overtime to fill the gaps. No two tracks are alike, the songs are constantly (and effortlessly) jumping from style to style – sexy funk, 70s noir movie orchestra, smooth jazz, trip hop, oppressive experimental bits bordering on industrial music... I really enjoyed the trip. The only thing I regret – but it's almost always unavoidable with this kind of endeavour – is the relative lack of depth and substance. Without a “real” movie to give it cohesiveness, it sometimes seem to wander aimlessly from one landscape to another without ever forming a true musical identity. You have to be in the right mood to appreciate it, otherwise it will most certainly sound a bit vain. Not necessarily something I'll come back to, but I salute the effort, and it certainly doesn't deserve so many harsh reviews. 6/10

Judging on the cover, I wasn’t expecting this vibe at all. It never really blew me away, but the retro jazzy trip-hop feel is undeniably enjoyable. It’s almost too smooth and polished, hovering on the edge of blandness without ever quite crossing the line. It is actually darker than the few first track let it expected. I’d happily give it another listen.

Day920 - album title hall of fame. the music,as good as it is doesn’t match the ridiculous lyrics.

Fucking cool, being what you could also say about Moss Side Story (debut imaginary soundtrack), but yeah, this is a fucking cool record, & I think e'en fucking cooler than Adamson's first. Layer upon layer, vibe upon vibe, the guy sets the scene, a scene that is more than a mood but also shot thru w/ a wickedly hip ambiance. It ain't easy to make 'cool' the functional - really the foundational - aesthetic of an artistic statement, but it's not impossible, as Miles confirms, & Adamson succeeds in this regard. I do wonder if it's necessary to have the talking parts - the villainously licentious talking parts - but they're not exactly ornamental. Just disposable. Say what you want about the Magazine bassist (prob an obnoxious chap), he can do his thing.

Het album begint met een bijna of helemaal klaarkomende vent en dat vind ik toch altijd minder. Het is een soundtrack voor een niet bestaande film, wat geinig klinkt maar ook dat hebben we hier al eerder meegemaakt. Ik weet niet wie de eerste was, het maakt me ook niet veel uit. Van die Twin Peaks achtige jazz afgewisseld met muziek die meer geschikt is voor actiescènes. Barry die als een Nick Cave of Tom Waits af en toe wat looprt te lullen. Na een tijdje wordt het film-gedoe wat vermoeiend. Ik wil gewoon muziek. Gelukkig krijg je dan wat triphop, maar alsnog is mijn aandachtsboog foetsie. Ik ga dit een 2 geven. Ik ben niet geïnteresseerd hierin.

Funky sounds, good use of sampling

What IS this? I was prepared for a Captain Beefhart style weirdo album, but this is more like trip hop in places? I dig it!

Oh yeah, this guy again. Moss Side Story was fine to include. Why is this guy getting two albums? Parts of this are straight up cringe.

i dont know if this is really my jam. it's interesting and a bit out there - very appropriate to have a connection to david lynch

Given that this album is supposedly the soundtrack for an imaginary movie, I’m not sure it’s successful on the grounds that I find it difficult to imagine exactly what he’d be soundtracking here. Though that David Lynch used his music gives a pretty good indication here. Still, my doubts about the concept of the album aside, it’s an interesting listen. Very noir-ish. I’d never heard of Adamson before, which is on me, because I like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and I recall liking some Magazine that I heard on a post-punk compilation many years ago. He’s clearly a very talented fellow, and while I’m not sure I totally follow him here, it’s a compelling listen. Much happier to be introduced to this than many of the things I’ve come across on here. Wouldn’t mind delving deeper into Adamson’s discography.

Id never listened to this before and it REALLY hooked me. I will definitely be listening again

No.

Never heard of him before but will be listening to more.

It’s not too bad. Definitely special. Jazzy electric. Good music. There are a lot of things moving around in the album. On the surface it seems it doesn’t go anywhere. But when we look at it was from another perspective, it’s moving along a z-axis. It has a core musical storyline. I liked State of Contraction. A nice album. Almost wanna give it a five but would expect a bit more from them. A song like paper plane to make a ceiling of the big house.

any man that uses the word 'voluptuous' is a tool bag

Not at all what I was thinking with a title like this, I really enjoyed the jazzy vibes throughout, but I could do without the little short story in the middle of the album.

This album is fucking insane. The random jumps from light jazz to ethereal sounds and disturbing lyrics only make sense with the knowledge that this was intended as a movie score. It's a really unique album that I want to give both a 1-star and 5-star review. I guess I'll settle in the middle, but this is anything but average.

ovaj lik je basist magazinea, zanimljivo... sasvim ugodno slušanje, nisam baš nešto slično prije imao prilike čuti... nije da mi se sasvim dopalo, ali svakako mi je drago što sam preslušao ovo, a ne neko generično rok sranje kakvim vrvi ovaj popis... tako da u konačnici lijepa trojčica

This jazz will get you laid.

Initially my thoughts were.... Not my jam, too experimental although I appreciate the creativity. The second half though, I'm really digging from "Achieved in the Valley in the Dolls onwards.

Started out as pretentious cringe, but it grew on me! Quite diverse and perfect for a sunday!

If you name your album a joke, it is a joke.

rätt coolt

Creepy AF

Creepy

Never heard of this album or artist. A quick read was helpful - "soundtrack to an imaginary film" was a very useful key for listening or I would have been thoroughly bemused as to intent. The music is accessible but quite engaging - not riveting. There are elements I really liked, specifically the vibraphone lines - I wondered who played those (was it someone who played for vibraphone for Bad Seeds?) but Wikipedia doesn't credit any vibraphone player, maybe it was just programmed?? There were elements I didn't like - recurring tendency to a "strings" sound that seemed like poor synth playing (weak arrangement, weak patch selected). I could be positive about how interesting the spoken word elements are, heard in conjunction with the music - but my comparators for praise are set at a very high level (now there is Boards of Canada, specifically Inferno). So, listening didn't feel like a waste of time, but I'm not motivated to listen to the whole album again, or recommend it to anyone. I'll say it's Okay, 6/10.

Nope.

One good song called Miles. Otherwise electric music not my thing

Not quite sure how I would characterise this, but I found it quite boring.

6/10 - It just didn't really stick with me. Loved some parts of it, but not something I'll find myself coming back to Fav Tracks: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Miles, The Big Bamboozle, The Sweetest Embrace Heard before? ---–- ❌ Saved a Song? ----- ✅ Saved Album? --–-- ❌ Will Listen Again? -- ❌ Album Cover -------??? I can't tell what she's holding. Not a fan

Sounds like Leonard Cohen's British second cousin who got in to dance music. A few of these tracks were super unique and intriguing, a few felt a little dated and like they were trying to hard. Worth a listen but not my favorite album.

Well this was a weird experience and I'm always game for some more weird avant-garde music. I don't even really know what to say about this album. A lot of film noir vibes that were very cool one minute and slightly terrifying the next and maybe a bit too horny at times. I'd watch the imaginary movie he based this soundtrack on.

I liked the few jazzy lounge songs between whatever those skits were...

The vibes ain’t nothing but the vibes. Of course Lynch worked with this guy. Freaky but then catchy but then…vibes. Ain’t nothing but the vibes.

If I ever want to freak myself out, I’m going to put this album on as I try to fall asleep. I see why Lynch was a fan

Holy shit, the absolute first thing I have to bring attention to is the song “it’s buisness as usual”. Wow that is a really powerful song, I was listening to it at work and it was giving me a panic attack. I don’t know the origin of the “phone calls” during the song, I really hope it’s just a wildly talented voice actor, because the woman who is pleading with her son to spend time with her is just so wildly depressing. Like I had a really hard time not getting emotional during that. Then to follow up that “song” with “Miles” (which might be my favorite song on the album) is so wild and is a real testament to why I like this album so much. It has a ton of variety. Every song sounds truly different than the last. The song “the vibes ain’t nothing but a vibe” is really a great way to describe the whole album. It’s just got great atmosphere and vibes to it, and it just feels so fresh and new even though it’s almost as old as I am. I liked so much of this album it’s actually easier to name the songs/interludes that I didn’t care for, which are “state of attraction” “vermillion kisses” and “it’s buisness as usual”. Those tracks were bad though they just didn’t really interest me or grab my attention creatively. They were fine, in fact I loved how chaotic and messy “it’s business as usual” but as far as a song that I wanted to save and listen to regularly it just didn’t make the list. Seriously this album is hard to recommend because I wouldn’t even know what to compare it to, but totally worth your time! I bought it the next day!

This album is possessed and cursed. I put it on and my car died. The music itself sounds the part too. The soundtrack to a horror movie that doesn't even exist is a novel concept. A lot of good soundtrack albums overshadow the movie they feature in, so having an album in the same lieu but completely decoupled from a real movie isn't even all that weird of an idea to me. The music is a bit boring though. It sets an atmosphere but doesn't do much for me besides that. Just random spooky excerpts that may or may not bring bad voodoo energy.

Unlike Barry's original entry here, this "score" has a decidedly more present and resonant theme - a man haunted by his relationships with women and his own libido. This one features a host of Adamson's cohorts, including the ringleader of the Bad Seeds himself, Nick Cave. But the sound and textures he's making tells a clear story front to back, one that is damn compelling if a little disjointed. A really good album all told, though probably not one I need to hear again.

Not even nick cave can save this one for me. All felt deliberately edgy in a cringy way.

Well…uh…it’s certainly unique I guess. I wouldn’t say good though.

What is this? Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I plat it again? Maybe not. Eclectic at the least.

13 songs, yet somehow I feel like there's 20 genres on this thing. This is one of the oldest fake soundtracks I've heard of, and it really helps the spectators set up for a movie-like experience. There's some dialogue to make it seem like a story, but it's still vague. It's more about the variety of energy a story can interpret. I really like how well executed everything is, I'm just not planning on putting something on very frequently with SUCH an eclectic mix. It's a weird playlist that really only works well with, or completely separated from itself. I'm happy to have given this a couple of listens. Widens my horizons a bit on other projects, like Donald Glovers' filmless scores, or projects that embarked a musical variety without tying to such a specific concept. 3.4/5

This is definitely an album that feels out of this world, but conventional, schmoventional, right? There is a charm for Barry Adamson. I mean, the guy makes soundtracks for your favorite movies that don't exist. This album starts out with one of the catchiest opening tracks I've ever heard, and then each track is a different chocolate, and as Forrest Gump told us, you absolutely do not know what you're gonna get. Favorite Track: "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis".

Sorry, Barry, I don’t think these “hypothetical movie soundtrack” albums are for me. Just not what I am looking for when I am listening to music. Respectfully, I will not be revisiting. I was gobsmacked that “It’s Business As Usual” is only four and a half minutes long. Felt like eight.

geeezus fuck you brits stop giving me this shit

Wow. This is art!

What a whicked ride! Made my roommate come out and ask "What the fuck is this noise your making?!" Really only works as an album, one Trip from start to finish. The songs on their own don't convey much, but are mearily part of a bigger landscape.

It started out sounding good but quickly went off the rails.

Stepping back for a moment, it is difficult to imagine what the film would be that could present a coherent narrative given the massive mood changes throughout this imagined soundtrack, moving from a kind of swinging sixties sound parodied to noirish music and occasional forays into electronic music and orchestral pop, intermixed with more contemporary syncopated hip hop beats. Fortunately, this is a review of the music, rather than the non-existent film and largely this is a lot of fun. At its worst, its entertaining pastiche and more often than not it moves beyond that. I particularly like the Nick Cave track, but this is a lot of fun and I will definitely listen to it again.

It reminded me a bit of The Contino Sessions by Death in Vegas - they are both albums that strike me as self-consciously “cool” in a very 1990s way. They are also both very patchy, but I think the high points on Oedipus Schmoedipus are higher.

635/1001 2026.06.12 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

Funky, jazzy, and intoxicatingly dark in atmosphere! A solid 7/10 if I've ever heard one, as it does go on a little too long. Two emblematically 90s genres with two nearly hour-long albums and two 7/10s in two days... can't complain about that.

What an interesting album. Some really cool instrumentals throughout. Could definitely see it as a soundtrack for a movie that doesn’t exist. That said, I have to at least comment on two WILD choices. Business As Usual was extremely off-putting. Then Vermillion Kisses, while I didn’t hate it, it caught me off guard! In an album full of essentially background music, those were two very strange choices.

It's a bit hit or miss, pretty disjointed as an album experience, but damn if it doesn't have some of the sickest acid jazz instrumentals you've ever heard. Oh, it was conceived as a faux movie soundtrack? Yeah that totally tracks. This album is cool as hell. Shoutout to Miles From Acid Jazz Standouts: Something Wicked This Way Comes • The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes • Miles • Vermillion Kisses • The Big Bamboozle • The Sweetest Embrace

Argh, I wanted to like this more than I did, truly. I loved the weird jazz stuff that was going on but as an album I felt like this was a trainwreck. I didn't think it knew what it wanted to be or where it wanted to go and it was really a slog.

A lot of haunting sounds that I appreciate. Then there’s Vermilion Kisses, which kind of confused me. How does this track fit into this imaginary movie? I understand the point of it, but not the storybook weirdness that unfolded. I love the jazz and rock elements of this album the most. It’s a 4 for me because I don’t think I’ll listen to it in full again, but it has quite a few songs that I would listen to on their own.

It's all just quite un-interesting. The concept of a soundtrack for a non-existent movie is an odd concept but most of it felt like filler.

this was nice and smooth but blends into background for me and doesn't stick out. Will revisit on workdays

This started out fabulous and then got waaay to offbeat for my taste

:\\\\\\\ Miles is SO good, and has to be a reference to Miles Davis, but the rest of this was soooooo creepy and I had to skip a bunch part way through.

Parts of this were really cool

This album was scary and weird

Sometimes lounge music, sometimes serial killer music. Not bad most of the time.

Acid jazz, electronica. Use by Lynch for Lost Highway. Deeply weird but also very cool.

Something Wicked is SUCH a good song - even ignoring the Lost Highway connection. I had this as a saved/liked song for a while, and had no idea, but listening to the whole album - loved it. Love the Nick Cave cameo, love the samples and weird segues, and the groove is insane. Great album, never experienced before and very grateful i've found this.

I recognize the skill that goes into making something like this, but there was a lot I didn't like. This had a lot of the electronic, heard-in-the-matrix type sounds that I don't like. The voice overs/skits were not my thing. There were points where this was alright to have on in the background, put there were a lot of times I found myself looking to see how much was left until the album was done - not a good sign.

kinda wild honestly. i have no idea what this even is. some of it sounds like jazz, some of it sounds like silent hill, huge fan of the variety here. i read that he made this album with the concept of "the soundtrack for a movie that doesn't exist" and it came out really great, all kinds of moods. didn't know they had this kind of innovation in 1996

So I was kinda intrigued for the first two songs, then I forgot multiple times I was listening to it until some weird vocals or instrumentals creeped in. I read some reviews that described this as a Lynch soundtrack and that would be pretty cool, but I won’t be listening to this again for my enjoyment.

One of the albums of all time.

At first I thought this was 1966. But 96 makes a lot of sense. Cool trippy and jazzy influence makes this right in line with the post 60's psychedelic resurgence. Great great great production. No lost sound at least to my ears. Some songs straight up suck or are meant to gimmicky. Ding it a star for dat but mostly enjoyable.

I liked this one but didn’t get a chance for a full listen! It was disturbing and compelling, I was quite afraid listening to it on my own in a house.

Overall: 3 Consistency: 3 Originality: 3.5 Enjoyment: 2.5 Virtuosity: 3 1. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis - 2 2. Something Wicked This Way Comes - 3 3. The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes - 3 4. It's Business As Usual - 2 5. Miles - 3 6. Dirty Barry - 3 7. In a Moment of Clarity - 3 8. Achieved in the Valley of the Dolls - 3 9. Vermillion Kisses - 2 10. The Big Bamboozle - 3 11. State of Contraction - 3 12. The Sweetest Embrace - 3 13. Set the Controls Again - 3

Prolly great but I'm not into instrumental music. Also iTunes has this listed as "Alternative". I disagree... "Instrumental".

319/1089 this was quite a different and interesting jazz record and pulled influences and sounds from a fun range of places i think it’s one that could go up in my rankings on a relisten down the line faves: something wicked this way comes, set the controls again 56/100

Føles mer ut som en mixtape enn et album. Mye som er kult, mye som er forglemmelig.

Dette høres veldig ut som filmmusikk fra 90-tallet, til tider Playstation-musikk (ikke Crash Bandicoot). Syns ofte filmmusikken på 90-tallet trekker filmene ned, så 50 minutter med 90-tallsfilmmusikk uten noe som helst Al Pacino eller Kevin Costner blir litt for meget. "The Sweetest Embrace" kan godt migreres over til et Bad Seeds-album, feks som bonusspor på B-sides and Rarities.

3.0 - Ok

A weird, horny, and inconsistent motherfuckin album. Like: Something Wicked This Way Comes; Miles

Weird

Not nearly as captivating as Moss Side Story and I do not feel this should be included on the list. Some great moments though such as A Moment of Clarity. You could tell me Achieved in The Valley in The Dolls was a Halo 1 track with some added drums and I'd believe you.

I applaud it for being different.

I was about to shit on their version of Milestones but it’s kind of cool. There’s a few cool tunes on here but otherwise wouldn’t listen to again.

I look sideways at pretty much everything here except for the music (album title, song titles, album cover...). The opener allays those concerns pretty quickly, essentially a surprise Pulp song but with Primal Scream energy, and a great string hook. The atmospheric jazzy stuff (Miles, In a Moment of Clarity) is great too, with a real Lynch throughline, even if I have not actually seen Lost Highway. The back end of the album loses me, though, particularly the psychotic Vermillion Kisses, from which the record never recovers. Still glad to have heard this.

Well this was a real up and down of hate it/actually alright. That being said I’ll probably never listen to it again.

I like soundtrack albums, not sure the not being on the list unless the film doesn't exist? Does that make it a concept album? It's cool, it's weird, it's borderline file under easy listening., lits at times in your face at times background. Yeah it's alright 3 Star, cause not sure.

i liked

Barry Adamson writes soundtracks imaginary movies. If his earlier album Moss Side Story was a British spy thriller this one is one of those strange and nightmarish movies set in a sleazy demimonde of sex and corruption. If the word that immediately springs to mind is “Lynchian” then you’re not alone. Apparently the great David Lynch himself listened to this album for 8 hours straight before ringing Adamson and asking if he could use the track Something Wicked This Way Comes for a pivotal scene in his film Lost Highway. High praise indeed. As well as the samples, electronica and jazzy breakbeats this album also features appropriately sleazy vocals from Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave on two of the tracks. Given that this is effectively a soundtrack album without a film, the final question is does it work as a coherent whole, and I think that it pretty much does, conjuring some strong mental images. Cinema-tastic!

No. 200 Very atmospheric album, some great compositions, and also lots of crazy weird stuff. I enjoy the variety while still maintaining a sort of mysterious vibe throughout.

What the actual eff was that? At times 1 star, at times 5 stars, I guess it averages to a 3? It was exciting, whatever it was!

I love the concept but is a little hard to listen

Didn't enjoy this as much as his other one on this list. And two albums from this guy is pushing it somewhat 😐

Never listened. Expectations: None - Verdict: Good - There are some great grooves here. Something Wicked This Way Comes is great. The Vibes almost reminds me of a sleeker, more modern version of Tom Waits. The album gets more and more filmic, with Dirty Barry being incredibly atmospheric. After losing some focus, The Big Bamboozle explodes into life and grabs your attention back. Nick Cave is of course fantastic on The Sweetest Embrace.

Maybe I'm crazy...I liked this. So interesting!

It’s hard to describe how quickly my heart sank after I realized this was acid jazz. Because it looks more like some sort of weird, goth-rock post-punk joint, right? Not that that would be much better. This is pretty tight, other than the really annoying spoken word sections. I didn't really care for it but whatever. 6.3/10

Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? Completely unfamiliar, I’ve never seen this How do I feel about this artist? I do not know who this is Pre-Listen Thoughts: Apparently David Lynch really liked it, which means it’s gonna be kind of weird. But we’ll see if it’s my kind of weird. Favorite track(s): Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis, The Big Bamboozle Post-Listen Thoughts: I can see why David Lynch liked it. Parts of it were good, parts of it were kind of annoying, parts of it was just a lady talking. Not bad though.

Segasummasuvila veidratest kõladest ja harmooniatest. I guess see on lahe tükk tööd mõtete osas ja täitsa sobib tööle taustamuusikaks, aga midagi konkreetset head mulle kõrva ei jäänud. Omal ajal oli see vast revolutsiooniline, aga praegu mitte nii väga. 2.8/5

Fine but too long. Drags a bit

Bonkers

The Vibes Ain’t Nothin’ But The Vibes… rarely does a song title encapsulate the spirit of an album.

Underligt nok så var jeg underholdt. Det var ikke godt, og ikke radsomt, men jeg kan ikke huske noget anden end fornemmelsen en dag efter.

Et lidt blandet og ret langt album. Det kommer til at fremstå lidt rodet. Når det fungerer så er det faktisk ret spændende. Det veksler mellem jaz med moderne indflydelser og mere alternative skæringer. Det er tydeligt at det er et tidligere medlem af The Bad Seeds, særligt på det track hvor Nick Cave har lagt vokalen. Det lyder decideret som et Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds nummer.

I was about to complain that they sound like Pulp. Of course, it’s cause it’s the singer from Pulp.

So strange. 1st song really set the mood.

Fun, scattered. I'm not sure I'd go back to it without allocating time to hear it in full, so 100% a film is achieved!

I love it when artists treat music like a lab to experiment with new ideas and emotions which is exactly what Barry Adamson seems to be doing here. Every track brings something new and surprising, almost like walking through one of those interactive museums your parents took you to as a child

Interesante mezcla de jazz con ambient e industrial. Me lo guardo para ambientar partidas, la verdad.

A complete unknown, and looking at the name and cover, I would have guessed some kind of 90's indie/alt rock smorgasbord. This has an ambient jazz vibe that, save for a couple random tracks that veer significantly from that, I'm all for. Nice discovery.

No thanks.

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis - 3.5/5 Something Wicked This Way Comes - 4/5 The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes - 3.5/5 It's Business as Usual - 2.5/5 Miles - 3.5/5 Dirt Barry - 2.5/5 In a Moment of Clarity - 3/5 Achieved in the Valley of Dolls - 3.5/5 Vermillion Kisses - 2.5/5 The Big Bamboozle - 3.5/5 State of Contraction - 3/5 The Sweetest Embrace - 3.5/5 Set the Controls Again - 3.5/5 A very Lynchian-styled album, which makes sense as my favorite off of this album was from one of his movies. It definitely sounds like a soundtrack album, as it was a rollercoaster ride of different genres from jazzy to a Miles Davis impersonation to whatever experimental stuff that was on here. The latter of that list can really turn people off of the album, and their length really doesn't make me like them as much as the rest of the album. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Something Wicked Comes This Way

2.7 2x interesting but not repeatable

Having the sex with mom, kill dad, eyeballs it’s got it all, motherfucker.

The name of this album makes me glad he never actually made the movie. I’m curious what the imagined storyline is, but not enough to dig around and see if he ever explained it. After listening, I guess I understand the vision… but I don’t/can’t care. It’s weird background music that would be fun to talk about if I ever happened upon someone who had ever listened to it before. I bet I won’t!

Clever name

Getting my second Barry Adamson album after only 45 rankings was an unwelcome surprise. I feared my morning was ruined, but was pleasantly surprised. This is actually music! At least most of it. I found myself nodding along to a few of the jams, so all in all this is miles better than Moss Side Story. It's not my jam, but it's not a crime against humanity either.

Some very dated bits (must have been fun at the time) wrapped around some cool cinematic explorations.

Highlights: Something Wicked This Way, Miles 2.5

Notable Textzeile: I don't like it I don't fucking like it Got me? Das netteste was mir einfällt wäre zu sagen, dass das langweilig ist.

Bad Seeds Typ macht triphoppiges Soundtrackalbum zu einem imaginären David Lynch SexCrimeHorrorfilm. Klingt auch exakt so. Meh.

Verkopfter Mucker-Trip. Dazu dark af stellenweise. Ist nichts für eine Fahrt mit dem verspäteten RE2 am frühen Morgen. Nervt nur. Aber auch so brauchts das für mich nicht. Viel Konzept, viel Klang- und Melodieteppiche die da gewebt werden. Ey und komplett Spoken Word Stücke, geht's noch? Mag wirklich an der Höruhrzeit liegen, aber das strengt mich eher an als dass ich es genießen kann.

Well this one caught me by surprise, such an amazing mix of dark and moody textures, but still having a lot of moments showing a much lighter side too. A lot of other reviews are talking about David Lynch, and yeah I definitely see it too. This really is like one of his films in album form, showing a really dark and almost disturbing side in some moments, but it's all balanced out with a lot of genuine beauty too. It's no wonder he chose a song from this album to be on the soundtrack for Lost Highway, which by the way is his best film, fight me.

This is awful.

Fantastic! One of those albums I never knew existed, which made me happy to have taken on the 1001 Albums. I recall a Barry Adamson record came up in the past which barely moved me in the slightest, but this one most certainly did. Not only was it mystifying, interesting & engaging from a musical perspective, but the ridiculous storytelling of Vermillion Kisses hooked me and made me laugh out loud. You can really hear the Bad Seeds influence too. One of the surprises of this project is how much I enjoy Cave and his band, so this fit in nicely given that he was a Bad Seed himself once upon a time.

This is an interesting album created as a soundtrack to an imaginary movie. Not every song is great, but it's not boring and is enjoyable. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a

I had never heard of Barry Adamson before, so didn't know what to expect. This was a great record - very diverse, and, at times, quite challenging. You can of course tell that it's a product of the 90s; the drum loops and synths give it away. But that's cool. The final track is arguably not needed, as it's just a short version of the opener, but I guess it gives the record a nice round trip. Favourite tracks: Something Wicked This Way Comes (which I swear is the basis of Bloodhound Gang's Why's Everybody Always Pickin' on Me? released the same year, but I couldn't find definitive proof), It's Business as Usual (which feels like it must have inspired some of the tracks on Paper Chase's Now You Are One of Us album from 2006), Vermillion Kisses (funny poetry), The Big Bamboozle (totally slams), State of Confusion.

294/1001 Barry Adamson - Oedipus Schmoedipus Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ This is an interesting one to review. There's the decision to make an imaginary soundtrack to a fake film, which makes it intriguing from the start, but ultimately without context for some of the music falls a little flat. There's some music that absolutely works, but in equal measure doesn't fir me. The Sweetest Embrace with Nick Cave is my favourite of the tracks.

What a title! Already intrigued! Set the Controls For the Heart of the Pelvis - was expecting something sensual and got it... after hearing about how the rocket took off...but god that man's voice, damn The Vibes ain't nothing but the vibes- admittedly jazzy but also sort of alien like haunting and casual all in one... It's Business as usual- what a switch up, feels like a new album. DAMN WAIT LITERAL Chills, why does it feel so tense, I'm looking behind my back it's that creepy. It feels like Molasses to Rum with the sudden whip-like sounds. Miles- WHY IS IT HAPPY NOW??? HUHH Dirty Barry - this is literally haunting and like occultish, I'm in a jazz cult get me out Vermillion Kisses- this album is like one big fever dream where I must re-convince myself of my sobriety. Not the mental disorders. The Big Bamboozle - perfect, love how this follows the previous songs Set the Controls Again- nice blast to the past, like 20 minutes ago!!! AWESOME ALBUM

I really don’t know what to make of this jumbled mess. Supposedly it was written as a score to a movie that didn’t exist but there is no movie that would be able to follow these musical themes and still make a lick of sense. The first two tracks are repetitive samples to the point of insanity. Then it is all over the place from there. I used to wonder why a good band didn’t put out an album with each song in a different musical style to broaden their appeal. Well now I know why. The two tracks I actually liked were In a Moment of Clarity and The Big Bamboozle, both of which were heavily jazz influenced. The rest is just a mess.

Cool album.

Crappus schrappius.

Cool songs to work too. Couldn't get a handle on the lyrics but the jazz and musical diversity was nice

solid!

I’m running out of things to say about these albums. This one has potential but not something I want to listen to for very long.

DNF. Boring

Thought Atticus finch being on it would make it interesting, I hated it

The sort of odd album I would think I would enjoy from the description but if you enjoy this than Tom Waits is going to blow you away. 2.5*

Ugh, after reading another of your reviews for this, I gave it another chance. Glad I did. It grew in me. Does all of it work? Nope but that doesn't take anything away from the work. Vermillion Kisses would never go on a fave list for me but hell if it's not intriguing. 4/5

Sometimes cool.

some ambient sounds, some muzak, and a couple with a laid back but still inetresting beat

Weird.

This album probably would not have entered my world if not for this project (or the books from which this list is constructed). But I must say that I'm glad that this album has entered my life. I tend to like downtempo/jazz-mixed soundscapes. So I liked this album. Quite a bit. 4 "Business As Usual with a touch of Miles" stars.

Pretty - I was in the wrong headspace while listening

"поди туда — не знаю куда, принеси то — не знаю что" альбом "эдипус шмоэдипус" (фа ватафа) с достоинством можно поместить напротив определения слова "нишевый" в толковом словаре ожегова)) улыбнул комментарий: "создам-ка я ещё один саундтрек к вымышленному фильму, раз уж к реальному не разрешили". короче да. что же всё-таки хотел сказать читателю автор неизвестно. какую эмоцию от меня хотят тож непонятно. ну и жанр "вымышленного фильма" под вопросом. местами — звуковая дорожка "квартирного вопроса", местами — советское кино, местами — джазик-эвтаназик, а иногда тупо "спс, кончил". в целом мне нравится. пс. ну очевидно не хватает хора сретенского монастыря. минус балл. 😓😓😓

The commentary and the direction of the album takes you different direction. Def unique

Quite a long album. Really abstract, not for me. I’m not a fan of instrumental stuff. Fav song is ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’.

This isn't the Barry Adamson 'soundtrack album' I'd have recommended for this list: I'd have gone for Moss Side Story. There's always a danger that Adamson's albums of this type that they feel like they are about veer into easy listening. Usually I think Adamson avoids that. Nevertheless, this is a great album.

2/5 Interessant aber nicht mein Fall

I would almost consider a 5 if the weird dialogue rants were shorter or removed

Fine. Nick Cave track is good.

Obviously a lot I don’t know out there that someone thinks I should hear before I die. Wow. This has to be one of the weirdest albums I’ve ever heard. I have few words… I want to give it a 4 but, it’s so schizophrenic… still, I’d listen to this any day over Norah Jones, for real. It gets 4 for clearing the musical air of her sanitized “product.” Boolean rating: yes, glad I had the opportunity to hear Barry Adamson before I die.

I enjoyed the novelty of this but didn’t connect with it on a much deeper level than that.

Art Rock conceived as a soundtrack to an imaginary film. A bit pretentious, and a bit boring in places, but not too bad,

Pero para mi gusto es medio raro y muy instrumental. Además muy largas las canciones. Hay muchas canciones que literal es puro ruido y sonidos raros.

No es para escuchar por ocio, es puro soundtrack demasiado específico.

This site introduced me to Barry Adamson previously with "Moss Side Story." I remembered finding that album interesting, and let's see if the same happens for this album. Once again, I don't hate this, and I suspect I might enjoy this more on further listens. I'll add this to my list of albums to listen to again.

I actually jammed to this. Until the other half of the album came on.

Surprisingly awesome collection of soundscapes

Really didn't know what to expect with this album. Definitely a grower. Very strange and different. Not my usual taste, but can't knock it down on marks for my preferences, when it shows such skill and individuality.

This was pretty uninteresting. Didn’t keep my ear.

Any film that this is the soundtrack to would be wild. It isn’t exactly a cohesive set of tracks, however it is fascinating in a bonkers kind of way. And interesting collaborators too. I recognised more of these than I thought. I admire his hubris

Very eclectic album. Some very fun jazzy ambient tracks mixed in with more artsy pieces that didn't connect with me as much. Uneven, but had enough moments to keep me entertained. Top tracks: Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes, The Big Bamboozle

This was a strange, eclectic ride of an album that constantly kept me on my toes. With guest stars like Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave, it felt more like a bunch of movie soundtracks than a single record. They jumped all over the place, from trip hop to spoken word, which had some amazing moments like "Vermillion Kisses" which is like a weird Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but also some seriously cheesy ones. I get that they were going for something big and cinematic, but it was a bit of a mixed bag. It's cool and unique in parts, but a bit lost in others. It's not something I'd listen to every day, but it's definitely an interesting, experimental record from the 90s British art rock scene, for sure not boring.

Mega archi flashera, totalmente entendible que este enfermo haya hecho el soundtrack de una peli de Lynch. Algunos temas espectaculares, otros no los escucharía ni q me apunten con una pistola (complementario).

Me ha gustado mucho, definitivamente lo voy a volver a escuchar

Wow what a trip. Quite a ride of an album. Highs and lows for sure.

First thought: I have no idea what is going on. Maybe you had to be there? The music is fine...love the groove, love the tone set in songs like 'The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes'. And then the 'singing' sets in, and the sound effects, and it's just...this doesn't work. Sounds like an album specifically made because we had this new technology called 'CDs' and specifically made for pretentious bastards who just got new 'sound systems' for their 'entertainment centers'. It's a 1.

Weird jazz!! Lovely stuff. Each song has its own atmosphere, I see where he’s coming from with film soundtrack - some of it feels Lynch inspired fr

Absolute trip across the African musical diaspora. Jazz soul funk blues afrobeat and Caribbean influences across the album. Really enjoyed

Spoopy but interesting through its concept

Started off strong with a pulp feature but went downhill quick after that

Music really shouldn't be hard work to listen to should it now?

I would give this a 4.5. but I feel it's most appropriate to round it down to 4, as I do think it has some faults, and I wouldn't characterize it as a perfect album or one that changes the world, but it has a great depth of music, styles, and it did have an impact on at least quite a few British musicians. It is an interesting project that fits with some other stuff that came out within a few years of this album, but it may have been a tiny bit ahead of the curve.

Not great, kinda get what he's trying to do but it's more a piss take to an imaginary film soundtrack then a homage. You wouldn't ordinarily listen to this. Felt the same about the penguin cafe album.

Oedipus Schmoedipus, I don't want to fuck my mom -A guy suspiciously bringing up that he doesn't want to fuck his mom

Nick cave the highlight with sweetest embrace but even he couldn’t save this

Eclectic never heard before but elements of trippy hop sultry experimental will listen again

Think they are putting the music I like least at the start of the challange. First 6 albums 3 jazz with little or no lyrics. This is like elevator music. It tinkles about in the back ground without grabbing you.

Nah

I’m just gonna say it: this guy does NOT take Oedipus as seriously as I do

really strange album... acid jazz is funny... kinda cool if you ask me

Cool jazzy album Smooth ambient and lofi beats Narrational singing

В наушниках не зашло, а вот в колонках послушал с удовольствием.

Bonkers, not sure it's one of the 1001 albums I needed to listen to but I didn't hate it.

Emm ok

And how many John Williams soundtracks were included? 2.

Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

7/10 - some cool eccentric stuff but still very much listenable

Long and weird and forgettable

Unsettling, like an upside-down James Bond.

Singular!

Great discovery!

Highlights: Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Sweetest Embrace, Set The Controls For The Heart of the Pelvis, The Big Bamboozle. In a nutshell: the film soundtrack that never was. Cinematic. Noir. Random. Sinister. Kitsch. Seedy. Whiplash tracking that somehow works. Think of it as a loose concept album, one where Barry continues his trend of making albums that sound like unofficial movie soundtracks. Barry was a founding member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and has worked with David Lynch, so if you go in knowing all of this, it will help you understand where Barry is coming from. It won't be for everyone. But it tickled the dormant cinephile within me. Overall: 6/10

Album is a trainwreck. Not an entertaining one either. It's the kind of wreck where you are stuck on the train for hours wishing to get off, but you can't because you are now a witness and must explain what you have seen. Never again.

This was a rollercoaster truly. I was really vibing, then It's Business as Usual came on and tanked the vibe. But then it went back up. It sounds a lot like a movie soundtrack to me with the variety throughout. It's got such a cool blend of new and old. Vermillion Kisses was funny but so silly goofy to have in the middle. Overall, it was a good time. I feel like I went on a little adventure.

por una parte tiene sus cositas raras y es como muy tranquilo pero a mí me precio hasta entretenido, bacano, me pareció un álbum apenas

The seed of the Bad Seeds.

It was weird and unexpected. Some songs I didn't hate

Sara - 2.5 Marko - 2.5

Strange album with a kind of lounge, noir aesthetic with some weird and haunting sounds. The Big Bamboozle and The Sweetest Embrace were the highlights for me, with the latter being essentially a Bad Seeds song. Probably not something I'll return to though.

Unexpected jazzy cool tunes

This was a wild ride. Without the context of what the concept of this album is, I would have probably hated this. But knowing it was intended to be the soundtrack to an imaginary film, it made for a fun experience. This is the kind of album that I would expect on this list. The music itself I’d rate a 3 - it has hits and misses, but giving it a (4) for the overall experience and concept.

Nah.. High 2 maybe idk

Meh!!

The album is too erratic, disparate and unorderly as well as being unredeemngly dark for my taste. I appreciate Barry Adamson for trying to consistently break the mold with his music, which he did to an at least decently enjoyable degree in his album Moss Side Story, but there's little content that's even appreciable in this album as it's pretty much entirely either shock value or aimless drone noises.

Weird as fuck and parts of it I loved. Parts not so much? It's all over the place so some of the work really hit home. Kind of a jazzy Mr. bungle

This was okay. I like the concept better than the execution.

Wierd album that had nice grooves and sounds but also made me feel really uncomfortable at the same time on some songs. Hard to choose a best track here but it was probably Miles. Shout out to It's Business As Usual for genuinly creeping me out which was wierd feeling when listening to music.

very random, much like the name. The big bamboozle was great, especially after vermillion kisses, taking me by surprise. Unfortunatley i found the other tracks, bar 2, quite boring and flavourless.

Different, funny, rich, dirty, unique

2.4 I would be more impressed if someone made a movie about the album

prob 4

Kind of interested in the vibe more than the music. Didn't find much in my first listen to tempt me back

Actually a pleasant surprise. This has a ton of groovy funky soulful sections, paired with some weird and wild spoken word dubbes makes for a fine listen, maybe background music but quality non the less

Interesting. And worth being exposed to. As everyone seems to note, almost every song screams “soundtrack”.

I really enjoyed this. My cup of tea. I'll definitely listen to this again and dive into the back catalogue.

Bit better than his other album on this list at least they sound like proper tracks! Hope this is the last one of his though to be fair.

It was alright

fucking amazing

Very 90’s in the UK - couple jams gave me Robbie Williams vibes.

Boring AF. I guess they're technically competent and able to play their instruments but that ain't saying much.

Just because you can make a record doesn't mean you should. Didn't feel very interesting or made with intent. Maybe I am not the intended audience!

A real curio from the 90s - not a significant commercial success back in the day - with notable appearances from Jarvis Cocker and nick Cave but rooted in the world of independent film soundtracks which were all the rage in that decade. A range of styles and sonic approaches but more of an interesting listen than a musical feast.

Fine but weird

fell off a little at the end.

I couldn’t make it all the way through the first track. It was like a major creep trying to be Jemaine Clement. There were some okay points in this album but mostly it gave stalker vibes.

Weird. I liked it. Enjoyed not knowing where it was going to go.

Pretty wank

Was alright to have on in the background. Wasnt what I expected from someone called Barry. Think its maybe a bit tryhard to be cool and cultured. Borderline irritating? 2.5

Was just an album of background music but I didn’t mind it It was strange because I didn’t know what was coming next one minute it sounded like elevator music then it was jazz trumpets then dj deck scratching Stick to a lane and make your mind up will you

Started out alright but tailed off during the middle. Apparently written as a soundtrack to a fictional film, I think he changed his mind on what the film was 2 or 3 times during recording this. Probably a 2.5.

I hope like hell this is better than the similarly idiotically named Nilsson Schmilsson. It is better. I don't know if that's to say it's any good, but it's certainly interesting. I peeked at the Wikipedia page and it says that this was conceived as the soundtrack to an imaginary movie, and that triggered a memory that I thought I had listened to ANOTHER album with the same conceit. So I scrolled back through my history and yes, almost two years ago I got an album that was a soundtrack to an imaginary soundtrack...by the same guy. One time is cool and unique, two times is just a thing the guy does. The album is perfectly good background music, but two albums by the same guy that do the same thing is ridiculous when so many other stellar albums are left out.

Background music, scary at times

Well, it was certainly interesting. And I haven't heard about the guy earlier.

This was a bit of a weird one, but I enjoyed the David Lynch vibes and jazzier songs. Not quite as much as I enjoyed Moss Side Story, as I found this one a bit disjointed in comparison. The change in tone from "It's Business As Usual", to "Miles" and then back to "Dirty Barry" was a bit jarring, for ex.

This record is cool but I think I don’t like it quite as much as Moss Side Story. The Nick Cave song is great, though!

I don't know what the hell this is but I dig it.

"Oedipus Schmoedipus" is an album by English musician and ex-Magazine and ex-Bad Seed bassist Barry Adamson. Art rock is the sole Wiki-listed genre. The album was conceived as a imaginary soundtrack and it is the last album of his "unconscious trilogy" of psycho-thriller soundscapes which also included "Moss Side Story" (1989) and "Soul Murder" (1992). Adamson was lead vocalist and produced the albums. Other musicians included Mark De Lane Lea (guitar), Ken Low (guitar), Richard Hand (classical guitar), Seamus Beaghan (organ, piano), Pete Wyman (saxophone, clarinet) and Ileana Ruheman (alto flute). The album had critical acclaim and reached #51 on the UK Album Charts. The album opens with "Set the Controls for the Pelvis." Harmony vocals. Funky beats and guitar. Strings. A countdown to a rocket ship launch. Jarvis Cocker goes spoken word with lyrics with sexual overtones. A wah-wah guitar and vibraphone end the song. "Something Wicked This Way" has a laid back groove with dance beats and a soulful guitar. Strings, horns and an organ melody. Very much a 1970's music vibe. David Lynch used this song in his movie "Lost Highway." "Vermillion Kisses" begins with a woman telling a fantasy-like story. Strings and acoustic guitar. The song turns creepy as she seduces a man only to kill him. Nick Cave takes over lead vocals in "The Sweetest Embrace." A soft drum beat. A swirling organ and piano. The song builds with strings. Cave in his deep voice sings a story of the inevitable end of a relationship. All thirteen songs creates its own atmosphere. The music can be dark, film noir-esque, James Bond-squeeze, Blaxploitation-esque with random noises, creepy phones messages and foreboding beats. There are elements of jazz, soul and experimental. I found this album very compelling as well his earlier "Moss Side Story" which I also had in this challenge. This was a good change of pace ending the week and I recommend this album to any fan of movie scores or creepy film noir movies.