Oedipus Schmoedipus

strange but not bad. just different. 3*

This album lives in its own world. There’s no way to predict what’s coming next. There’s dance rock, jazz, ambient, and what sometimes feels like film score. Most of the vocals are snippets of spoken word. They feel like overheard conversations, or maybe samples from field recordings captured out in society. (Also, there’s a twisted fairy tale near the end too. That’s a surprise.) Fascinating album. It’s all over the place but somehow feels like a cohesive experience.

"Oedipus Schmoedipus" is one of the funnier album names I've ever heard hahahah. I really didn't expect this record to go in the direction that it did. I was expecting some chill music after hearing the first few tracks but as I got to "Miles" i was really starting to think that there's more depth to this album. I enjoyed it as I listened, but I don't know if more depth really made it "better" in my opinion. The music was pretty good but didn't really stick with me a day after hearing it. I think it's probably a byproduct of the overall sound being a little bit all over the place. I'll have to give another listen but for now it's a middle 3/5.

Very weird record, very Lynch-like (he actually used a track from this). It's a bit overlong, and it's point of interest is how off-putting and disturbing it can be (in like a non-traditional horror kinda way). They can also be pretty groovy, too, not bad at all in terms of instrumental and groove. Don't know if I'll listen to it again but it's definitely an experience.

Very interesting

Rock, div. Stilrichtungen, 1996 -> 2-3

Es como un soundtrack experimental para una película que no existe, pero asumo que es algo a lo James Bond. Incluye hasta el track instrumental genérico para los créditos al final. Lo escuché en 3 tandas, lo que puede haber arruinado la experiencia. Bakan tu volaa, creo que escucho una inspiración para muchas otras bandas que me gustan (Portishead, tal vez Stereolab); pero no lo escucharía de nuevo.

Well this was an album to listen to. I liked the ambience it gave off but most tracks were just rambling and disported beats. It definitely is unique that I can say for sure. No idea what the album was supposed to be about but I didn't hate it as the other reviewers on this website. Art is supposed to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comforted so I guess by going with that mantra, this album is pretty ok. I will give it a 3.

This album is really hit or miss for me. On the one hand i love how surreal and straight up weird it is, but on the other hand some of these songs are just whatever

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis 3 Something Wicked This Way Comes 2.8 The Vibes Ain't Nothin' but the Vibes 3 It's Business as Usual 2.3 Miles 3 Dirty Barry 2 In a Moment of Clarity 2.7 Achieved in the Valley of Dolls 2.5 Vermillion Kisses 3.4 The Big Bamboozle 3 State of Contraction 3 The Sweetest Embrace 3.2 Set the Controls Again 3 Score: 2.838461538

It's okay. The album kicks off strong, with a cinematic flair that grabs your attention early on. The opening couple of tracks set a moody, noir-ish tone that’s intriguing and well-produced. Jarvis Cocker’s cameo on Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis adds a playful, sleazy charm, while Nick Cave’s unmistakable voice on The Sweetest Embrace brings a brooding intensity that’s hard to ignore. Beyond those highlights, though, the rest of the album feels more like a mixed bag. There’s atmosphere, sure, but not always enough substance to keep you hooked. It’s the kind of record that’s interesting in parts, but not essential as a whole.

This was an odd album. If i would have listened to the album without reading about it, i would have guessed it to be a Jazz album and not an art-rock one. Didn’t hate it especially but didn’t love it either so it’s a 3.

An interesting mix of chill and chilling. A couple of the tracks could be in horror movies or something, much of the rest is basically downtempo music, a little jazz thrown in. An interesting listen, but a bit all over the place.

Call me Neeman and throw a chair at my head because this album gave me whiplash. How do I rate an album that has some great chilled out beats while also having songs specifically made to trigger a panic attack?

Some interesting tracks. Enjoyed the overall mood. Very of its time.

Interesting music but I can’t say that I would want to watch this movie if this was an actual soundtrack

Good sound, but too long as it got boring quick.

Enjoyed it…even though I have no way of defining what type or genre of music this is

At first, I was disappointed in its kind of lackluster sound. I do think it won me over a bit by the end. That one spoken word about the maiden was pretty funny and I thought a few tracks here were actually really great. Its main issue is its genre-leaping. It's hard to feel invested in the sound when at any moment it breaks its own cohesion song to song.

Although his two albums on the list are similar in tone and feel, I felt that there was significant development form the previous album, "Moss Side Story". But if that's the case, why have that first one on here? You wasted a space for something more interesting by having this and the other one on it. I gave the previous one a 2, but I liked this one better. There was more of a soundtrack feel, which was what he was going for. So I am giving it a 3. Top tracks: "The Big Bamboozle", "The Sweetest Embrace," "The Vibes Ain't Nothing But The Vibes"

This was an interesting listen and reminded me of artists like Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim, and Moby . I liked it.

Really interesting collection, kind of random songs, put together for musics sake and thought, kind of like abstract art. Worth at least listen. Engaging partly but not groovy

Weird, scary/noir experiment here. Half of it is cool. Half of it is boring.

Not gonna lie, I liked this one. This is surprising given my last experience with ol' Barry was his autistic little movie soundtrack that unimpressed me, but I think the noir sound works a lot better in this instalment - and having your music in a Lynch movie certainly helps.

An interesting listen, some songs I couldn't for to be over, but it wasn't all that bad. Some good ones in the mix.

An art rock album that I actually kind of liked?! This album improved as it progressed, and the tracks without vocals were the highlights.

interesting...

The second - and second-best - album on this list so far to have this kind of title schmitle. The crazy thing about this Barry Adamson guy is he knows his way around a tune, there are some great things happening here, some really nicely done atmospherics and interesting instrumentation. But he decides he wants to keep throwing us off with bizarre lyrical choices, outright weird ideas and once again pretending he's making the soundtrack to a film, which he's not. It's particularly odd that he features multiple times and this is very similar to the other of his albums in the list. If we really needed to hear a Barry Adamson album before we all die, I can assure you that we did not need to hear yet another one too, that leans on many of the same ideas.

Sounds like drugs.

Started off good but got a little too weird. Would consider giving it another run though when I can focus better

This album had some ups and downs. I liked a lot of the beginning and then it got kind of weird. Mixed reviews

Today I learned that the bassist in Magazine went on to have a solo career where he released soundtracks to non-existent films. His third album, Oedipus Schmoedipus, had some My Life in the Bush of Ghosts vibes and could go in a Music to Listen to While Working or Studying playlist.

A bizarre listening experience, and one I probably would have never found without this project. I want to like it a bit more, but some of the tracks just didn’t do it for me. Conversely, some of the songs were great, and when the vibes were right, it was an absolutely fantastic experience. I would considering going back to try and bookmark some of my favorites, but I don’t know that this whole album needs another listen.

Bounced around from being not great to awkward to cool and around and around it goes. Probably the most uncomfortable ive been listening to an slbum before

I'm not entirely sure what this was, but I did enjoy it. That's partly because it was different from the slew of pop, rock, and pop-rock albums I've been getting, and also because it was fun to listen to. The album took you on a strange yet interesting journey from start to finish. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts, as I'm not sure how it would work if just listening to certain tracks on their own. It seems to embody the point of this list in that it's something I probably never would've heard otherwise and showed me something new as a result. That doesn't necessarily mean it's an all-time great album, but that's OK. I'm still glad I listened to it. Overall: 3.5/5

weird and kind of scary but I like that Jarvis cocker was there

Was interesting listening. A bit much on the talking behind the music.

Od

This is certainly a unique album! I had no clue what I was in for with this and it sent me on a journey. I love this kind of weird experimental stuff. Is it great music? Not always. But this straddles that line. It's pretty wild "It's Business As Usual" was almost viscerally horrifying. The creepy recording going right into the jazzy lounge-piano track "Miles" and beyond was hilarious. Lots of cool ambient tracks. Jazzier in general than I thought it would be at the beginning. Standouts were "The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes" "It's Business As Usual" and "The Big Bamboozle" Overall, cool album. Would I listen to it again? Probably not really. But it was an interesting different listen. 3/5

This was not bad. I was even playing it with the family in the car and they didn’t complain. Cool stuff I’d call it alternative jazz. Very 90s sampling stuff. Glad I listened.

Ok, not bad

This album is super varied. It is often good stuff and sometimes not. I really like the feel of it with the narration and the loud raucous numbers.

Interesting enough album. It had themes of horror at times that I really was intrigued by. It got a tad theatrical for my liking at times. I’m ok with dry vocal delivery but sometimes Barry’s just talking and I don’t think that makes for good music. I can definitely see how him and Nick Cave got along creatively. I found this release super interesting but I’m never gonna listen again bc I kinda hated it too. 3 stars

kaffihúsa, kvikmyndatónlist. frekar gott en ekki viss með framhaldið. gef samt 3,5 af því ég er póser.

Another 90s album that felt like it was pushing into the future at the time but now sounds utterly 90s. The beats are the main culprit. I don't mind that really but it isn't quite as good as I remember it. Also I retrospectively find Nick Cave a bit annoying sometimes. I think he gets aways with nonsense lyrics sometimes to the point of people proclaiming him a great poet because of how he delivers them in such sonorous way. How's getting brutally chucked The Sweetest Embrace, Nick? Explain it, c'mon.

Bro what the hell?? I think this is awful cause it’s kinda scary but this is also what is so fascinating about it in my opinion. I’ve never heard something like this it’s like a completely different way to approach music compared to anything I’ve heard before. You’re being forced to feel so many emotions throughout this album whether you like it or not. Which to me is art. However I wasn’t sure how to rate this album because it’s so interesting but also nothing that I will go back to very soon (maybe never) because of how unsettling it was. I think it very much deserves to be on this list because this wasn’t just “hey I’m listening to this album hehe haha” it was a whole experience that was made here. But in the end I didn’t actually enjoy this.

This guy has a history with Nick Cave so listening to the album came with a bit of trepidation as to what I might get. Turns out my fears were unfounded as it's an interesting opus that I might actually listen to again sometime.

Quite enjoyed this record. Really horny lyrics and intonations I must say 😅. Amazing sax solos and I'm always a fan of that. Almost has the feel of a good spy/robbery movie soundtrack (James Bond meets Oceans 11) 6,5/10 fav songs : The Big Bamboozle & Set the Controls for the Heart to the Pelvis

Wow, I was surprised. I was expecting something like Harry Nilsson. This is like jazzy Eno or good Devoto, which I love. But too many low points for me.

The imaginary film seems like it would have been interesting. I liked the variety of instruments, especially the xylophone sounding keyboards. I probably won't listen again, but I didn't mind the experience.

7/10

I’ll have to give this another spin in the morning. It sounds like the kind of record I’d actually like to sit down and listen to free of distractions

My first thought when I opened this up was are you kidding me with that album title? And then I refused to listen to it for its assigned day. But when I ended up listening, I was pleasantly surprised. Except for the creepy songs, didn’t like those.

Good stuff

Very odd. I loved bits of it, like "Vermillion Kisses" and "Sweetest Embrace". Almost all of it was decent, but the very jazzy tracks just aren't for me.

Odd but has its moments. You got me with Nick Cave in the second half...

This feels like outtakes and demos that Beck would use as background to actual songs with lyrics. Adamson's talent is undeniable. He is creative and innovative, but this feels more like a sample of musical ideas than songs. The ideas are good and worth exploring, but I don't know how often I'd sit down to listen to them.

A soundtrack to a non existent movie is novel. Lounge room / noir vibes. Set The Controls For The Heart of the Pelvis is potentially one of my favourite songs titles ever. And then this album got sinister on Its Business As Usual, is super unsettling. Vermilion Kisses felt self important. Unsure where I stand on this one

Solid background music

Blind album and artist. Definitely some freaky weird and interesting parts and instrumentals. Soundtrack to an unmade film? Sounds like it.

Ah, this dude was on the Lost Highway soundtrack. That was a great album. I like the trip hop vibe on Something Wicked This Way Comes. This is a sufficiently weird album, and I like it. Miles and Dirty Barry were my favorites. 3.

Interesting but I'm not too into it

Some of these songs were quite nice, but some were just way too weird.

3/5

Some very interesting, cool moments. Also, some extremely tacky and cheesy moments. All around not bad and I enjoyed the jazz and electronic elements. 3/5

I remember a previous album on this list that was a soundtrack for an imaginary film and thought I wouldn't hear anything like that again. Incredibly, Barry Adamson has another entry on this list, so the soundtracks continue. It's got a weird, creepy vibe that is quite effective and does let your imagination run wild with images to fit the music. Maybe someone will make a movie built around the soundtrack (if it hasn't been done already), would be really interesting. As a stand-alone music piece, it's kinda cool and would definitely be a mood-maker for a party or funeral. I'll have to check out other projects from Adamson, I'm intrigued.

1. heart - 1.5 2. uuicked - 2.5 3. vibez - 2.5 4. buzinezz -1 5. milez - 1.5 6. dirty - 1.5 7. moment - 2.5 8. dollz - 1.5 9. kizzez - 1.5 10. big - 1 11. ztate - 1.5 12. embrace - 2 13. controlz - 1

Cool, evocative, but not super fun or anything

This was unusual, then unsettling, then disturbing, and then kinda fun. I'm not sure I needed to listen to it in this lifetime, but I'm not that upset about it either. Actually, yeah, I'm glad I listened. It's no Tortoise, but it was good to have heard.

Pretty cool album. “Set..” is pretty funky and interesting. “Business” is made me tense, it’s kinda creepy, which is also cool. “The Big Bamboozle” is a jammin song, love those horns. Overall other than “Vermillion Kisses” and “Dirty Barry”, this is a really good album. 1002 album worthy: Yes - 89/162

Hmmmm vanskelig. Litt irriterande, men også kult at Billy Mackenzie e med

Conceived as a soundtrack to an imaginary film indeed! I admire the diversity of genres and sounds, but it all ends up a little ambient, except for Something Wicked. The Vibes is a great ambient jazz... uh... vibe, but again, not so special. I could have died without hearing this and been OK.

This is an odd one! Some songs are pleasant, some are abrasive. I think I'm rating this more for the ideas (which I really like) rather than the music (which I find just okay). It's likely a 2/2.5 for me... but I just remembered Jarvis Cocker makes sex noises on the first track so I'll bump it up to a three. 👀

It’s like one song is interesting, then suddenly super weird, then another good one plays, followed by one that’s an absolute skip

I didn't enjoy this as much and "Moss Side Story". I liked the more traditional jazz tracks more than the ambient noir this time around. The ambient tracks are still great, I think I liked the blend of Moss Side better

Interesting concept. may get round to giving this another whirl. Didn't hate it.

6/10 - Some of these songs were pretty nice and relaxing and some of the songs are really creepy especially it’s business as usual. Vermillion kisses was strange but it used the word ejaculated to describe someone talking and it was not something I’ve heard in a while. I think if there was less singing I would like it more but not because the singing was bad.

Overall not great, had some weird and unpleasant shit, but there were parts that I liked. Mostly just faded into the background though

An interesting and atmospheric album that's hit and miss. The instrumental tracks are much more effective than the spoken word oddities. This record might really benefit from having an actual film synced to it.

Strange that I got Oedipus Schmoedious the day after Nilsson Schmillson!! I'd never heard of Barry Adamson but the album is not bad

3 - kind of fun

Good grooves but a little bit boring overall, kinda like shop music that just plays in background

Otra banda sonora imaginaria para el mago de Moos Side (ejemplar carrera con Magazine, Visage o los Bad Seeds). Aparece también en esta colección su debut Moss Side Story, más influyente y de mejor calidad. Este tercer disco, inspirado en la muerte de su padre (como los dos primeros lo fueron por las de su hermano y su madre) apunta a los mismos lugares (Barry, Schifrin...) con algo más de ritmo en temas como la inicial Set the controls... que sin embargo es de las que menos me gusta (si la referencia del título es a Pink Floyd el resultado se ha quedado lejos). Contribuyen Massive Attack en la animada Something Wicked This Way Comes, Nick Cave en el estupendo cierre conThe Sweetest Embrace y Jarvis Cocker en la apertura con la mencionada Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis. En mi opinión, no es un disco para estar en el listado de 1001. Pasamos de la alegría cool de Set the controls, al lounge-easy listening de The vibes y al sonido noire experimental de It´s a business en los 3 primeros temas. Le falta unidad si es que debería tenerla. Como colección de canciones tampoco aporta demasiado. La mejor canción con diferencia es The vibes, donde se nota la buena mano de Barry y su influencia en todo el Trip-Hop (Portishead sin ir más lejos). Sin embargo lo sustituiría por su recopilatorio The Murky world, colección de canciones estupendas y carentes de unidad como este disco pero de mejor calidad.

Weird, but exciting. I just listened to a movie.

An odd album, almost structured like jazz, but with some really good music interwoven. Ultimately all the other stuff in there was too weird.

3.25 surprising. The jazzy songs were a treat.

Film music without a movie.

Elevator music if the elevator was cursed and Jarvis Cocker was on it until the first floor.

Wtffff is the name of the first song ??? And wtfff are those lyrics ??? "Something Wicked This Way Comes" that was such a great song really catchy and groovy for sure, what a crazy synth !! "The Vibes Ain't Nothing But the Vibes" daaaamn the name of the song is so accurate that jazzy atmosphere is really great. "Vermillion Kisses" that song at first was sooo weird but the idea of making a song like that is sooo clever but the lyrics are crazy once again. I'm kinda lost to give a rate to that album, wtfff was it, clearly for the originality that's a big 5 but the lyrics were crazy and sometimes the vibes were weird as well so I would give a 3 but it's a 3.5.

Soundtrack keksittyyn elokuvaan ja sitähän tää on, taustamusiikkia. Tavallaan ihan mielenkiintoista, mutta kuitenkin sit hiukan tylsää pelkiltään. Kappaleet kuitenkin ihan vaihtelevia. Parhaat: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Achieved in the Valley in the Dolls,

Well that was definitely an experience.

Wanted to like it more than I did. Some songs are just not good.

I have zero clue what genre this is, or what the point of the album is, but it I give it credit for being incredibly unique with some impressive instrumentals.

Tonally this is all over the shop, but it’s a marginal improvement on ‘Moss Side Story’, with welcome cameos from Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave.

Älskar Cocker å hans låt gillar jag mest och ger mig hela personligheten på resten av skivan, även om att jag vet han inte var någon annan del. Det funkar riktigt smart tycker jag men fortfarande blir skivan lite tråkig förutom visa delar t.ex. då någon övergiven pundbarnmamma ringer. Men musiken i min åsikt är inget märkvärdigt, så skivan blir nästan helt driven av intressant text och personlighet och varför detta då inte fortfarande blir en fantastisk skiva är för hur få inklipp man får av det.

I frankly do not know what to do with this one. There was some stuff here I liked (everything before Business As Usual mostly), but other parts dissolved into sounds that will become the soundtrack of my nightmares. The last few songs on here were pretty good too. I'm just giving this 3 stars and probably won't come back to it.

Really have loved everything 3 songs in except for Jarvis Cockers weird/sexual noises again on the first song. Ok It's Business As Usual is fuckin weird in a bad way. I REALLY DON'T LIKE IT. Back to a jazzy number with Miles. Dirty Barry is very uneasy but I don't hate it. Then I don't really like Verimillion Kisses. This album is weird. Big Band number next of course. Was gonna say this sounds like Nick Cave and of course it is. What a weird album. I'm not even entirely sure how I felt about it so I'm going 3.

What a wildly inconsistent and thoroughly weird, yet sometimes charming album. Rounding up from 2.5 for the balls of it all.

Some of this really creeped me out

What a strange project. This made for fantastic background...sounds, and I actually managed to lock in and get a bunch of work done for the duration of the album. While strange, and not necessarily something I would go back to on another day, I think this is exactly the type of album that needs to be on this list. + points for not being yet another brit pop debut. 3/5

An interesting album for sure. It seemed to have a cool mix of talent on it - Atticus Ross and Nick Cave. And going from It's Business as Usual to Miles is a hilarious contrast. I did like the former song, and a few of the others too. The variety and range on this album was really cool even if I didn't love every song on it. 3.5/5 stars.

Bueno

Nice atmosphere.

Enjoyed the first few tracks, then it got weird, then it made me listen to Nick Cave.

Quite enjoyed this despite its quirkiness. Some good background tracks and moody jazz pieces, 'miles'. Must admit that some of the voice overs were annoying and think that Jarvis Cockers talent could've been better used. 4 stars

I was very surprised to see a Barry Adamson album make the list after listening to some of his other work, but I couldn’t wait to give this one a go. I’ve always loved his contributions to The Bad Seeds. Overall, this album has some great tracks but also a fair amount of filler. It felt about four or five tracks longer than it needed to be. You could easily cut out Dirty Barry and In a Moment of Clarity and focus on the stronger, more complete songs like Something Wicked This Way Comes and The Sweetest Embrace. Favourite song: Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis—what a track! A fantastic way to open an album and set the tone. There are some great songs here, and The Sweetest Embrace is brilliant. That said, I might be a little biased, as I love Nick Cave. Least favourite: The Big Bamboozle—one of several instrumental-led tracks that I just didn’t connect with. Album artwork: A really cool cover.

As much as I liked the concept behind this album, and even vibe with a lot of tracks on it, I just can't get on the level of the disturbing portions.

Not very memorable

Not to sure what to think of this. The Nick Cave vocals were nice though

This starts promising, but then kinda fell off, in my opinion. I won't come back to itm

Really really weird and the auditory equivalent of Dada art. It was interesting enough to keep me from calling it bad.

A chaotic though reasonably enjoyable collection of what essentially feels like background music.

Some of it's fun instrumental. Some of it's unlistenable (It's Business as Usual). The Big Bamboozle sounded like it would fit perfectly in a Bond or Oceans movie.

Okay... I'm conflicted on this one. My conflictedness on this Barry Adamson album largely comes from the contents of the album itself. Who would've thought? See, some of this album's "songs" are uncomfortable nonsense that, had the album been entirely comprised of them, totally would be 1/5 material for me. I'm referring to tracks like "It's Business As Usual" and "Dirty Barry" for this one. However, the other tracks on here are actually fairly solid musical compositions, many of which are instrumental. This, I feel, is a good thing, as the vocals on this album really don't sit right with me with a few exceptions. The exceptions are the times Barry Adamson gets a different person to sing, with the clear highlight in that regard being Nick Cave appearing on "The Sweetest Embrace," even if it does remind me of the fact that Nick Cave is overrepresented as fuck on this album list. But honestly, the instrumentals like "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ended up being the album's strongest moments for me. These compositions aren't bad. The lyricism is weird. I'm not a huge fan. The album's also pretty long, but I don't know if it dragged or not. If it did, it wasn't too excruciating. Overall, Oedipus Schmoedipus is an album with some things that I actually like quite a bit, as well as things that I don't exactly like. I can see why David Lynch put one of these songs in a movie of his, but it's not really my thing personally. But hey, it's at least more interesting than most of the other somewhat obscure British picks on the list! Low 3/5.

I usually end up giving these experimental albums fairly high ratings, but this just isn't very interesting.

Cool music ruined any time a human voice shows up.

Nice album by Barry again. Sometimes a bit out there

Half this album was nice vibey music, the other half had creepy talking. Stand-out: In a Moment of Clarity

Pretty cool idea and execution but there is a reason I don't listen to single artist soundtracks, I will just watch the movie and listen to it then. Also, the cover makes me uncomfortable.

title is crazy. other barry adamson album i heard was kinda ass but still cool conceptually. hope this isn't the same. slightly less bad but still kind of chore to listen to

Sleazy, whimsical, and deranged all in one package.. certainly a fucking wild ride all around. The level of whiplash I received going from "It's Business As Usual" into "Miles" was comically high.

Eines der 1001 besten Alben? Ganz sicher nicht für mich. Plätschert so dahin, ohne wehzutun! Fordert aber auch keine Aufmerksamkeit! Muss man nicht abschalten!

This was an interesting album and not at all what I was expecting. I got Moss Side Story quite a while ago and couldn’t really remember what it sounded like. With this, I never knew what to expect when each track started. I appreciated that there was very little singing as that’s often where these albums go wrong for me. I preferred the upbeat songs as slow ones were a bit too dark for my likings. Vermillion Kisses was so painfully awful that I almost skipped it. Holy shit, it had to be one of the worst things I’ve endured in 900+ albums.

High variance. Really enjoyed some tracks but the more esoteric ones such as “Dirty Barry” really rubbed me the wrong way.

I liked it more than I thought I would. The lyrics were originally wacky, and some of the songs had a really cool/rainy tone, though there were some definite departures from that at various places. I like the concept. Worth a listen.

I was about to complain that they sound like Pulp. Of course, it’s cause it’s the singer from Pulp. This is better than Pulp. I like the instrumental bits. Miles is a particularly lovely tribute. This is a nice concept project. The music certainly fits a soundtrack. But it’s not pleasant listening all the way through.

I was going to joke "I'm going to start telling Nick Cave fans my favorite song of his is The Sweetest Embrace" but that's actually his vocals, which is exactly the same problem I had when I watched Lost Highway later this day and thought I'd crack a joke about it being "the extended music video for The Perfect Drug" which was written for that movie and not just a visual coincidence with the highway lines. Taking a lot of L's today. This was pretty weird. I do love a weird little guy.

Pretty good, background/movie score jazz, some cool moments

Another album I went into not knowing anything about. The concept of creating a soundtrack for a nonexistent film is kinda neat and I think Adamson pulls it off here because I can kinda see this being a real soundtrack. Jarvis Crocker of Pulp on the opening track was a pleasant surprise. There are a couple other decent songs but overall its not terribly interesting. Also the album generator classifying this as a rock album is kinda silly. Favorite track: The Sweetest Embrace 2.5/5

This is like being at a family gathering and then your grandfather says something egregiously racist and everyone pretends like nothing ever happened.

This one caught me by surprise - very nice.

An interesting concept for an album being made for a fake movie. There are some crunchy beats, cerebral voice recordings and sex noises? Extremely experimental at times so much that it moved a bit out of music and became a art passion project. Great one and done album in that I have heard it and will never listen to it again. 6/10

Kind of wacky. In the Tom Waits school of stuff. Need to seek more.

It must be a 6 music favourite because curiously I knew a few of the tracks and wasn't expecting to. Pretty enjoyable though Miles was a bit pastiche.

I think there are some different songs in here, not all are that bad. But it's certainly a strange album and not something I could casually listen to.

This really did sound like a film soundtrack, thought that before reading the wiki blurb. So goal achieved I supposed. I'm not sure this is a good way to make an album with listening to, particularly more than once. Found it vaguely interesting this time but there's too much spoken word and background stuff to warrant every going back. Some tracks were okay though and it was just about worth the one listen. 2.5.

Never heard of Barry Adamson. A movie soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist hey..... Weird. It does sound like a movie soundtrack though I think so he achieved that I suppose. I'm not a fan of real movie soundtracks generally though, so not sure how I feel about this. The opening track with Jarvis Cocker was weird. I didn't particularly dislike it, but doubt I'll be back 2.5

DNL

Very interesting album overall. Got some good beats. Can really see how he was inspired by cinematic music to make it. I enjoyed the first couple tracks the most...they have a good groove

They say a sign of good music is that it provokes an emotional response, so this must be good music because it certainly does - even if the emotions it illicits are often stress, paranoia, or panic. It's certainly a unique album, and I found the more instrumental tracks decently enjoyable. Not everything lands, but I'll give points for trying. Favorite track: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (I like Ray Bradbury)

Some excellent sections but more fell flat than soared

okay so, had this been purely an instrumental album i would’ve given it a 4, i actually really loved all the sounds. but lyrically this isn’t for me, i skipped two tracks. jarvis cocker made me feel so uncomfortable 😆 achieved in the valley of dolls sounded so trip hop! loved the way the vocals sounded. faves; something wicked this way comes the big bamboozle the sweetest embrace (feat. nick cave)

i only know this album because naomi got it the other day and she told me, “the opening track is an incredibly INCREDIBLY horny song featuring jarvis cocker,” and i said, “all jarvis songs are incredibly horny, that’s kinda his whole thing” and she said, “it’s even hornier than he usually is” and i thought, “there’s no way.” but then i listened to it and was like WHOA this is incredibly horny even for jarvis. so the moral of the story is that i should never have doubted naomi’s ability to assess jarvis cocker’s horny levels. but anyway this was kind of whatever to me. the best track was composed by this guy along with tricky and massive attack, so it’s hard for me to be impressed by him as an artist i guess. as far as imaginary film soundtracks go, this would work very well in a cinematic setting so he succeeded there…on its own, though, i don’t think it’s anything special. fav tracks: something wicked this way comes; the big bamboozle

This was certainly a variety pack. Didn't much enjoy Barry's previous entry to this list ("Moss Side Story") but this one - even though it *also* is supposed to play out like a soundtrack to a nonexistent film - works a little better. Sometimes. Most of it was great to have as background work music, so much that I immediately played it again - except "It's Business As Usual" is kinda like .... dafuq?? Some very cool trippy tunes, some upbeat fun, and no shortage of some batshit "wtf?!" non-songs... I mean why not, it's better than yet another tuneless/thoughtless/untalented wet shit Sonic Youth mess - he was giving something new a go. On a less-important note...one of the worst album covers on the list. 6/10 3 stars

This was my second barry adams album and i didnt like the first. I though this was better, it had more variety and sounded like an actual album. The addition of some vocals was welcome and the guest stars are people i love. Still not going back to ist bit nice to find a Jarvis in the wild.

I'd never heard of Barry Adamson before, but I knew of some of the groups he is associated with. This was a very strange collection of funky jazzy motifs plus one quasi erotic spoken word fairytale. Some good jams in here but overall it was hit or miss.

Some pretty upbeat jazz.

first listen this sounds like 4 different soundtracks to the same pulpy movie but it is NOT cohesive

I needed to listen to this before I died. While it is and interesting listen, I just can’t see why it needs to be listened to over many album that are not on this list. I didn’t hate it. It would be a great soundtrack for a movie about spies or….it is similar to to the Until the End of the World Soundtrack….but that one is so much better than this. I can’t lie though…I enjoyed the listen, just don’t get why its so important.

very interesting as always mr adamson thank you can you unlock the door now

Some decent background music with no continuity in style from track to track

I was on board with the concept and the overall vibe of this album. It started losing me in the early middle but it came back for the most part. It was artsy, different and an interesting listen. I didn't have high expectations but I enjoyed it.

In my 20s, a mysterious lady led me to a cramped kebab shop in central London, where a secret revolving door opened into a dim, underground lounge. Inside, satin sofas, chandeliers, and plush interiors set a surreal stage. My memories of that night are hazy, but if I had to soundtrack the experience, Barry Adamson’s Oedipus Schmoedipus would be a perfect fit. Released in 1996, Oedipus Schmoedipus blends jazz, trip-hop, noir, funk, and orchestral elements into a cinematic, genre-defying masterpiece. Often regarded as Adamson’s quintessential work, it showcases his ability to craft vivid, boundary-pushing soundscapes. The album’s strongest tracks evoke moods ranging from seductive to sinister. “Something Wicked This Way Comes” builds dramatic tension with sweeping orchestral arrangements, while “Achieved in the Valley of the Dolls” leans into Lynchian surrealism, its unsettling layers drawing you in. “It’s Business as Usual” combines sharp storytelling with jazzy undertones, creating a sardonic, ominous vibe, and “The Vibes Ain’t Nothin’ but the Vibes” offers a lively, off-kilter jazzy swagger. Guest artists add significant depth. Jarvis Cocker’s sultry vocals on “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis” bring an infectious playfulness, perfectly complementing the track’s lounge-noir atmosphere. Nick Cave, with his brooding intensity on “The Sweetest Embrace,” imbues the track with gothic melancholy, adding emotional weight and complexity. The production deserves special mention for its meticulous crafting of sonic textures. Adamson masterfully blends lush strings and jazzy brass to build intricate, atmospheric landscapes. The orchestral elements enhance rather than overwhelm, and the album’s cinematic feel comes from the richness of these layered soundscapes. Jazz influences are woven into the fabric, serving the narrative rather than dominating it, shifting effortlessly between suspense, seduction, and surrealism. Released at the height of the ‘90s genre-blending craze, Oedipus Schmoedipus stands as an ambitious yet imperfect experiment. While its eclecticism showcases Adamson’s versatility, the constant genre-hopping can make it feel uneven at times. Some of the straight jazz tracks feel more like stylistic exercises than natural extensions of the album’s mood. In a decade defined by trip-hop acts like Portishead and Massive Attack, Oedipus Schmoedipus stands apart, more experimental and less cohesive. While Portishead built haunting atmospheres and Massive Attack perfected brooding, downtempo grooves, Adamson opted for cinematic grandeur. This distinctiveness helped the album gain a cult following, even if it never achieved the commercial impact of its contemporaries. It’s a dark, cinematic journey, with standout tracks that more than make up for its occasional missteps. It’s the work of an artist unafraid to push boundaries, even if not every experiment lands. If you were wondering; I returned to the kebab shop the following week, only to find the building demolished—fitting for an album that feels like a fleeting, hazy memory of shadowy allure. ⚬ Did/Do I own this release? No ⚬ Does this release belong on the list? It’s an oddball album, but it may fill some missing genre boxes on the list. ⚬Would this release make my personal list? Unlikely; I enjoyed it, but its unevenness holds it back. ⚬Will I be listening to it again? There are some tracks I’d like to revisit.

Didn't make it all the way through but was enjoying it for the most part 3.5

Barry’s soundtrack to an imaginary film. Love the bloke but come on pal, if you’re going to do it. Really do it. I remember on one of Houmous & Chutneys legendary jam sessions we managed to somehow evoke the feelings of a sort of against all odds, coming of age drama. We actually made it into a film. It was about two male tennis players. Direct competitors from a young age. Both turning pro. It followed their desire and journey for a grand slam trophy. We called it 2 Men 1 Cup. It was doing well until someone stole the idea, pumped a load of cash into it and changed the protagonists to women. We never watched it out of principle. I think it was about the Steffi Graff and Navratilova! 2.5

das album fühlt sich ah wie en start zumene all night bender amene samstig abed, alles isch super, mer trifft sich, chauft sich no material und ab gaht de spass party hopping, sich mit es paar lustige gstalte unterhalte aber bald wirds wider hell und mer merkt wie duregfrohre dasmer isch mer chrücht is bett und versuecht sich chli schlaf geh hett leider nume so halbe klappet mitem schlaf, drum stahtmer ezt mal uf wellmer ja no sache ztue hett ah dem vernäblete sunntig mer gspührt chli dsunne dur de nebel dure während mer sinnere atemwolke zueluegt wie sie devotribe und sich mitem rest vo dem versuppte tag vermischt langsam wirds au scho wider abed und swuchenend isch halt au schowider verbi mit letschter chraft phaltetmer sich wach zum doch no chli was vom wuchenend zha wellmer isch eifach nanig parat für eh neui wuche aber de schlaf übermannt ein doch am schluss klari 3 sterne experience

The music itself is pretty good but the vocals and lyrics are odd and awful. The one song with dialogue was creepy as hell, sounded like a stalker.

It was like dating a weird gal. The beginnings were nice ("Something Wicked Comes This Way"), you realize she's not special ("It's Business As Usual"), and the further you go, the more boring and odd it becomes ("Vermilion Kisses"). Like it was all "The Big Bamboozle". Then you get the last "... Sweetest Embrace" from her, and you "Set the Controls Again" to search for another...

Favorite Track: The Sweetest Embrace

Je moet waarschijnlijk gewoon de film gezien hebben...O, nee! Wat lees ik nu voor ongeloofwaardig verhaal? Muziek zoekt film? Net de docu 'Music by John Williams' gezien. Vanuit dat perspectief, kan ik met deze uitleg helemaal niets. De zogenaamde filmstukken zijn dan ook verschrikkelijk. Maar af en toe komt er een 4 of zelfs 5 sterrennummer doorheen. De muziek gaat van jazz naar triphop. Ik zou de algemene term 'relaxed' gebruiken. Had het daarbij gebleven, had ik de 5de ster wellicht wel aangeklikt. Nu middel ik het maar uit...

Triphop-achtige vibes met circusgeluidjes of meer de ouderwetse 'carnaval'. Overduidelijk 90s in ieder geval. Een breakbeatje, wat gekke klingelklangel. Soms jazzy en doet het me denken aan Tom Waits. Het moet een beetje maf zijn en toch sfeervol. Stukken beter dan de postpunk waar hij uit voortkomt en vrolijker dan de Bad Seeds, dat moet gezegd worden. Blijkbaar was dit bedoeld als soundtrack voor een film, in de hoop dat een regisseur dit uit zou pikken. Als het als soundtrack had moeten fungeren voor een 90s film, dan had ik het niet in de hoek van David Lynch gezocht. Eerder iets artsyfartsy semi-lollig. In de schoenen van een Hans Zimmer mag hij absoluut niet staan, en laten we vooral niet spreken over John Williams. Al was hij daar ongetwijfeld niet op uit. Maar ook zeg een Radiohead heeft al betere (exit) music for a film gemaakt. Ondanks dat het allemaal iets te pretentieus is, is het vaak best vermakelijk om te luisteren. Voor de triphopachtige muziek had ik op een goede dag best een 4 kunnen geven. Alleen de filmische verzamelingen reut tussendoor, zoals track 4 en 7, dat soort rommel op een album is verschrikkelijk. En haalt het album als geheel voor mij zwaar naar beneden, zeker als dat soort tracks gewoon te lang doorgaan.

Cool mash up music. Had never heard it but it explains where fatboy slim and dj shadow and moby came from

jocasta schmocasta

All over the place, bouncing between electronic beats to jazz to generic ’90s art rock. None of it bad, but none of it amazing. It’s very self-absorbed, and that gives it this vibe that it’s an oddly insular album that no one really needs to spend a lot of time on, so I won’t give it any more unwanted attention.

This music was too weird for me, though very stirring. Not bad, just not my taste.

set the controls for the heart of the pelvis- 6 something wicked this way comes- 5 the vibes aint nothing but the vibes- 6 its business as usual- 7 miles- 6 dirty barry- 5 in a moment of clarity- 5 achieved in the valley in the dolls- 5 vermillion kisses- me too girl. 5 big bamboozle- 7. sounds like the incredibles state of contraction- 5 sweetest embrace- is that fucking nick cave. hiiii. 6 or 7 set the controls again- 6 it was interesting at least

Nog best oke. Vooral Nick Cave!

Some cool tracks, some Lynchian tracks. Decide if you want to be one or the other.

Nice background music.....but why is background music on a 'must listen to' list?????

I didn't know what to expect. I can't imagine he paid for all those samples.

This sounds like a movie soundtrack. Pretty cool sounds and the tracks had a different vibe each.

Different, heterogenous, interesting. 7/10

Wild album, lots of mommy issue, cool sound though

What a wild creepy all over the place album. Should it be on this list? I don't think I can judge as it's something that may need to be heard. Not exactly enjoyed, but there were some nice jazz type moments.

Genuinely bizarre album, don't ask me what genre this is. I saved three songs, one is just a straight jazz tune that seems pulled from a video game soundtrack or something, the other two are evil noise. Dark energy emanating from this project, but I do appreciate the inclusion because it's certainly interesting. Favorite tracks: Miles, Dirty Barry, Business as Usual. Album art: A woman holding or hugging a boy? Surrounded by...I don't know what, just looks like a void. It has an effect on you, that's for sure. But I don't love it, a little bland. 3/5

Like his other album on the list, I like this fine. However, it’s really not a good idea to put two albums by the same artist that fill such a specific niche on the list, especially since it could easily be argued that neither of them deserve to be there.

A very odd album. Interesting, but odd. I really dig some of the songs. Others were strange. None were really bad, which is out of the ordinary for an album like this.

Really weird album. Not unpleasant, but doesn’t make sense to me. Really liked the song with Nick Cave.

3.5

This is tough because some of this is so damn good. Experimental and timeless. And some songs have a very 90s time capsule production to them that makes it suck.

Strange album but cool and led to some nice recs.

Eclectic mixtures of sound and rhythms. Interesting first listen.

I did not know what I was getting in to, but I went without a private session in Spotify. I had heard the mellow and groovy "Something Wicked This Way Comes" before, but can't say I knew it was Barry Adamson. I like this album, but don't know when I would put it on and listen to it. It's got some chill stuff, that you know, maybe put on when you are trying to set a romantic mood and then "It's Business as Usual" comes on and then instead of sex it turns into some murder-suicide pact.

What a crazy album. I loved "Miles" but can't say I enjoyed much else.

Interesting concept. Really enjoyed the first half of the album but the second half fell flat.

++: Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis, Something Wicked This Way Comes, It's Business as Usual +: The Vibes aint' Nothin' but the Vibes, Miles, Dirty Barry, The Big Bamboozle, The Sweetest Embrace, Set the Controls Again +-: In a Moment of Clarity, Achieved in the Valley of Dolls, State of Contraction -: Vermillion Kisses 7,6/10

Masterful usage of early 90s sampler/sequencer tech. But like most masters of that moment, without a gripping lead, you end up with a series of interesting but lifeless tracks. What's more, I find no coherence to the album. It's like a collection of background tracks from different films.

Chaos of instruments and sounds and lyrics but I loved it.

starts out slow, but I enjoyed the later songs.

this was interesting and weird, but veered a little too far off the road for me personally. a lot of the songs felt very repetitive, though the genre exploration throughout the album was neat. definitely sounded like the soundtrack to a creepy psychological thriller movie at points, and i later saw in the Wikipedia article and reviews here that that was intentional. nice guest features here but i'd kind of prefer to just watch the movie this is supposed to be in than listen to these weird, disjointed songs on their own. favorites: set the controls for the heart of the pelvis, something wicked this way comes, state of contraction

A bit odd. Fine but unremarkable.

Some big hitters here. Didn't mind it at all, especially the Nick Cave track.

I'unno. As I'm writing this, it hasn't even been that long after I finished listening to this, and already I can't remember a second of how it sounds. Is that a critique of the album, or is it just me getting distracted and forgetting? Take your pick, I guess. Either way, I feel generous to slap this thing with a 3. There were enough spots I liked that prevent me from going lower—if only I could remember them.

I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump down to a 3. I dunno, I just wasn’t super impressed, nor was I ever really disappointed. It’s supposed to be the soundtrack for a fictional movie, and I think it does a good job of showing some pretty strong diversity in its instrumentals, and providing the outline of some vague story. Really, the reason I can’t bump this up to a 4 is because I simply have no idea what the fuck that story is. This album tries to set up a general plotline on “The Vibes Ain't Nothin' but the Vibes”, before really nailing the urgency of the dialogue in “It’s Business As Usual” but I really can’t follow the plot after that. Seriously, why is there a Miles Davis tribute after that eerie-ass dialogue full of stalker stuff? It sounds excellent, but where is it in the plot? Why is “Vermillion Kisses” a medieval style storytelling moment of a sucker being born every minute to get killed by this princess? Is “State of Contraction” supposed to be about pregnancy and giving birth? After the stalker shit earlier and the literal dream of killing her husband or her lover or whatever? Are they ever actually in love by the end? Why do I care this much about a movie that will never exist and be a flimsy straight-to-DVD thriller at best? It is a good album though; I did like it, and I think it’s relatively inventive while nailing down the noir movie soundtrack it’s going for. A little long on a few tracks, and certainly not as atmospheric as an actual movie soundtrack would be, but pretty solid stuff here. Only a 3 for the utterly confusing “plot”, though.

Atmospheric music with nice vocal guest contributions. Could be great for a movie but is a bit harder to appreciate as stand-alone.

Can't wait for the movie to come out ...

Favourite part is the album name, haha. I feel like this album bounced all over different styles, it felt experimental. I liked the first 3 songs and then It's Business As Usual came around and killed all vibes. WTF was that. I liked Set The Controls... and The Big Bamboozle best. An eclectic mix of tracks, 3.5

Feels like a soundtrack to about four different movies. I liked it more than many of the other side projects of people more famous for being in bigger name bands.

Some good but also some bad. Ez 3

Never heard of this guy before. I read British and 90's and I was ready to be disappointed. But I have been pleasantly surprised. First 3 tracks are really enjoyable.There are a few tracks I would skip on future listens. But the laid back groovy stuff is good.

It is nice. Reminds me of a classy hotel lounge with fancy cocktails and a faintly citrus scent wafting in the air. Something Wicked This Way Comes is a tinkly delight and The Vibes is slightly spooky but listenable all the well. Oh but then it takes a dark turn with It's Business As Usual... yikes didn't see that coming. And then bounces back to Christmas shopping in a snowy city with Miles! I need a drink and a neck massage after this one.

Very interesting concept album with a film noir soundscape. Not sure it's anything exceptional but I love when people make concept albums for random stuff!

Engaging dark and sometimes gothic kitch soundtrack stuff. Hard to categorize tbh. It is good though.

The strength – its cinematic feel – is also a weakness, in that there’s no, you know, movie. Vibes and textures are effective enough, especially if one’s all into neo-lounge. "Business as Usual" is f-ing spooky. One’s not exactly sure how to feel about “Miles;” pleasant as it is, seems a tatty sort of knock-off. “Vermillion Kisses” is silly. Best cuts are early ones, but even they are no great shakes.

kinda all over the place.

I can see there is talent but it just drones to my ears

This was kind of a slog for the most part - not much more than background music - but there was just enough interesting variation and creative flourish to spare it from a score of 2. Wasn’t interested enough to listen through a second time, though.

надолго меня не хватило

Weird stuff. 5/10

It’s a film score from a rock artist. Not bad, but it only seems to be on the list because it’s one genre imitating another (rock to film score). 3/5

A second soundtrack to a film that doesn't exist. This must be Barry Adamson's USP. It's an interesting gimmick, but I still have no idea what the reason for this approach would be. Whilst Moss Side Story was evocative of a murder mystery, this would go better with a dark psychological thriller. It is also more enjoyable in its own right, separated from the soundtrack gimmick. It includes vocals from two iconic and cool frontmen - Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: The Sweetest Embrace Date listened: 09/06/24

3.5 pretty good not amazing

a groovy background music album Favorite track: something wicked this way comes, it's business as usual

3-

Por qué me parece que ya había salido este disco? En todo caso, conocí a Barry Adamson gracias a David Lynch y Trent Reznor en Lost Highway. Igual creo que es un buen disco si estas de ánimo para esto

Background music, but that's not such a bad thing. Some of it I didn't like, but I think I might give this a re-listen.

Pretty good. Somewhat uneven.

fun & interesting, but a little long - also, i just dont like a skit all that much :/

Quite nice

This was a surprising one. I can't say I didn't enjoy parts of it, but I don't think I fully get it.

Fun, loved the interlude

This was an interesting album. I really liked the first half of the first song, it would be a great intro or bumper song for a broadcast, then the lyrics come in and take it a totally different direction. Lyrics were a common issue with this album as I liked most of the instrumentals. They covered so many genres of movies themes, some were really spooky/horror. Also a weird coincidence that this is the second album in a row with a track called "something wicked this way comes" (TLC was the other) Favorite track "Set controls for the heart..." 3/5

Album is good. Not sure i needed to listen to it before I die....but here we are.

I enjoyed 75% of this a lot more than I thought I would. but the parts that yanked me out of my enjoyment cost it a point. I never expected this to be as old as it was.

A little too creepy at times. Overall, interesting to listen through once.

Interesting experience. This is the kind of weird shit eclectic shit I expected there to be more of on this list. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'll ever listen to it again.

Weird at times, but I ended up liking it overall. Based on the wiki description I thought it was going to be bad.

Good grooving tunes, Not really something I must listen to. 3 stars

Really interesting! So 90s in places, sometimes lapsing into a more classic style of jazz. Didn’t hear Nick Cave’s vocals at some point? I think I did

It’s fine for moody, jazz influenced soundtrack-adjacent work. Some good samples. I’d never heard of the artist and missed hearing the record back in the day, so not having the benefit of repeated listening, it’s hard to judge. It has a cool vibe. Adamson is a fan of instrumental music and is clearly inspired by his musical influences, sharing that love unabashedly all over this record.

Had a few good moments. Interesting. Please let the next thing be a 5 I’ve never heard of, I need a win!

I should hate it, I wanted to hate it, but this thing is a goddamn journey. A good party.

had no idea what to expect with this. artsy. would put on while cleaning the house or doing homework.

Artsy af

Fine i gusse? Idk i'm too adhd for this instrumental shit anyway

Neat

Interesting concept album. A little uneven, but not bad listening.

Interesting album but probably wouldn’t listen to that often

A wide variety in this album. The first few songs were kinda rock, then Business as Usual was a weird ambient, almost horror soundtrack like song. Next we moved into a smooth jazz thing. Then more experimental stuff. It felt like less of a cohesive album and more of a collection of disparate songs. Not a bad listen though

Jeg tror, at jeg foretrækker denne frem for den sidste vi havde med gode gamle Barry - måske fordi jeg vidste, hvad jeg skulle forvente denne gang

not bad for background music, but not something I'd pick to listen to every day

Curioso disco.

Interesting and varied enough for one listen, but I don’t need to return to this one. A few of the tracks got on my nerves but most were chill, a few cool bits

Never heard of the guy. My better half screamed 'Enough of the Jungle drums' in the middle of Dirty Barry. As previous the algorithm provided better songs.

Wow. Nobody can accuse this album of having all tracks that sound the same! I LOVED track 1, thought tracks 2 and 3 were meh, then had to skip track 4 because it was so creepy. Really struggling with how to rate this because I have very strong feeling in both directions about various tracks. Guess that makes this a 3?

Overall I quite liked this. Some weird stuff butmmore accessible than expected. An artist I’d never heard of. Nice sampling of the 1970’s on-hit wonder “Spooky” by the Classics IV on track 2.

Interesting album. This one was all over the place. Didn't know what the next track would bring.

don't know what to say - some of it is surprising gold (Miles, The Sweetest Embrace) other songs are crap. Overall, needs a couple of listens 0 there is room creativity here.

#17 Barry Adamson - Oedipus Schmoedipus Acid Jazz, Trip Hop Trip Hop, Dark Jazz, Spy Music, Lounge, Spoken Word Bit of an odd choice for this list. I'm not sure why this album is here over other more important and well known acid jazz albums. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it also doesn't really have a good idea of what it wants to be. Favourite Track: Achieved in the Valley of Dolls Least Favourite Track: Dirty Barry

This was kind of cool but just ok for me. Instrumental vibey tracks.

I thought this was fine. A bit jazzy a vibey in parts, a bit old school movie numbers in others with some grating voice overs and a decent Nick cave song near the end. Overall though fairly forgettable there are other albums in the 1001 I've liked less but thought they deserved their place more.

nope

Good stuff.

I liked parts of this one, sort of.

Some decent stuff, but a bit weird for my taste. 3/5

It starts strong, but by the time you get to Dirty Barry, you're wondering what's happening, and then you're inexplicably thrown into a spoken word segment, before resuming the rest of the music you were hoping for. Maybe there's a grander tale to be told here, but I'm missing it. This album is a little all over the place, too disparate and incoherent for me. Despite that there are some good tracks: Set The Controls, Vibes, The Big Bamboozle, other tracks do have some great moments but they just never seem to come together.

Interestingly weird noir soundtrack, but nothing that made me lose my suspenders.

I can't see why there's 2 Barry Adamson on this list, but a little friday spy music never killed anybody! Cool stuff!

Some of this could be a Bond movie soundtrack, mid century lounge, jazzy funky cool sound, love it.. Then "It's business as usual" and "Vermillion Kisses" We get a little musical theater.. Well it's different I give ya that. Falls somewhere in the middle for me, I don't think I'll listen to entire album but I did bookmark a song.

Dark, mysterious, occasionally unsettling compilation of music and songs/ spoken word / scary people.

Like an eclectic mix tape. Some real highs and some deep lows.

Outside my normal listening realm, but good.

This was decent. I wasn't super interested in every track, but it had a few good moments. Not something I'd be against listening to again, though I don't think I would seek it out.

I'm not super into "cinematic" music, but this was decent. I liked "It's Business as Usual" quite a bit though. When the music is darker, I'm more into it. 3/5

imaginary soundtrack haunts hurts hovers like petals falling down

Bizarre, in a good way! Very experimental jazz, but I enjoyed it. 3.4

actually BETTER THAN EXPECTED. i came in expecting some shitty indie rock album (no clue why?? average reviews are quite low) i enjoyed this. this album, for me and my tastes, was different and sort of weird. but i liked it. some songs DO feel like "background music" as reviewers comment, but others feel like "a soundtrack for a movie that doesn't exist" like others say. overall, a fun experience. 6.5/10

Надо ещё как-то вернуться. Потому что интересный конечно концептуально чувак, но мне кажется, я что-то упускаю.

rollercoaster - some I loved some I loated

Tried to hate this. Can’t say that I did. Don’t care to listen to it again but I played it through. I didn’t think any song grabbed me but it kept me interested. Also, I have Visage on my playlist. Did not realize Barry Admason was in Visage an ok New Wave band.

This album has potential but i think i need to be in a different headspace to listen to it. It's definitely on the 'out there' spectrum.

another adventurous listen. mr. adamson seems to have invented a genre all to his own, that of pseudo soundtracks. multiple genres are displayed here along with soundbites of what seems to be a movie. pretty interesting and always a good listen when he is involved.

Yeah, I kinda like these. They're fun.

I haven't heard of this artist before, but turned into a fun musical journey

Very interesting, cool concept. Unfortunately it leads to some of the tracks just sounding like background music and the tracks with talking over them are annoying. A few tracks were great though.

Interesting concept.

Didn’t actually mind it. Got too hyped up as being bad. Plus I’ll like anything Jarvis is involved in. Simpsons: No

PINK FLOyd esque, more experimental, random

I found this more diverse in sound, but as a result, much more disjointed than Moss Side Story. Enjoyable but not some evocative. Favorite track: It's Business as Usual

I don't think I liked it but this is the experience I'm here for

not sure what I'm listening to, but funny around

Confused

Encefalic Trip

Pretty good but pretty weird

Something Wicked This Way Comes State of Contraction The Sweetest Embrace

I've never heard anything like this. At times, creepy and subdued like Boards of Canada, and other times laying down an intriguing vibraphone laden track. Reading about the artist it makes sense he's influenced by movie scores.

Vibes/5

It felt like this was supposed to be the soundtrack in a James Bond movie shot from the Villains perspective and their rise to villain hood? I enjoyed the vibes, I did think they were trying something pink Floyd esque with Dirty Barry, with the discordance. It was a bit much for me. Otherwise tho, fun one time listen for me Stand out for me was “Achieved in the valley in the dolls”

This almost alternates between quite good and WTF. Altogethter , it's 3/5 in by book.

Après deux albums de lui, je peux dire que je ne suis pas sûr d'être un grand fan. Certaines pièces sont super bonnes et sonnent vraiment comme une pièce d'un film où il y aurait de quoi d'important qui se passe. D'autres sonnent comme un prétexte pour faire une pièce un peu plus weird qui s'en va nulle part. C'est un concept intéressant, mais selon moi l'atteinte du but visé n'est pas tellement concluante. 5/10

pretty cool and interesting but then got purely instrumental towards the end and kinda weird idk

Liked the gospel-y elements of "Set the controls..." "Business as usual" was weird, it made me physically uncomfortable to listen to. Enjoyed some tracks, but some were too experimental for me. Strong musical/movie soundtrack vibes. 3*.

3 stars - some interesting stuff

3/5

Sure, ok. Skimmed this. I think I get it.

I can see vestiges of entertainment here, sure. Good title for the album.

Interesting

Kind of Jazz? Rock? album. Not very familiar with this sound. Instrumental. *Set The Control For The Heart of The Pelvis : Like this one -8/10 *Something Wicked This Way Comes : Cool drums, bass, fun -9/10 *The Vibes Ain't Nothing But The Vibes : More chill, very sexy talking voice, cool vibe -8/10 *It's Business As Usual : This man left his wife?, bro kind of scary, she wants him so baddd -5/10 *Miles : Why is it cheerful now, a bit boring at first the rest not bad -6/10 *Dirty Barry : Spooky, long, not much -5/10 *In a Moment of Charity : Slow -5/10 *Achieved in the Valley in the Dolls : Cool bass, more fun -7/10 *Vermillion Kisses : Kind of interlude -Do not rate *The Big Bamboozle : Head bob -7/10 *State of Contraction : Wait??? -5/10 *The Sweetest Embrace : With singing!?, this man really leave his wife, cool voice tho -9/10 *Set the Controls Again : Not much -5/10 Overall this album is like 6/10 as for Fantano scale it would be a HIGH 6. It's started of really good for the first 3 tracks but the rest is mixed. Cool vibes but he left his wife, so sad.

Technically the 1st album for me that actually has Nick Cave on it First couple songs are a mixed bag, don’t really like Jarvis Cocker’s ‘cool sexy dude’ thing removed from Pulp’s music “The Vibes Ain’t Nothing…” is a step in the right direction, with its jazzy ambience Hm I’ll have to think on this one. Couldn’t really get a sense of the story of this fictional movie, if there was one. Barry Adamson really got Miles Davis sounding like the Undertale soundtrack Maybe round up to a 3 for its eclecticism, while withholding those other 2 stars for some bland mush in between HL: “Miles”, “Achieved in the Valley of the Dolls”, “The Big Bamboozle”, “The Sweetest Embrace”, “The Vibes Ain’t Nothing but the Vibes” Friday the (October) 13th

Whole album is a giant trip. Varying range of styles - going from random funny monologue in Vermillion Kisses, to something kind of Nick Cave style in "Sweetest Embrace", to piano solos in Miles. It's a cool album, would give it a second listen. 7/10