LONG WALK HOME - MUSIC FROM THE RABBIT-PROOF FENCE

This album of the actual movie soundtrack for the Australian movie Rabbit-proof fence is quite a journey, just like the journey of the indigenous children in the film. The movie is stunning with powerful imagery of the outback as the children are hunted by a tracker and all they want is to be reunited with their mothers. The stolen generation is the theme of the film, how Aboriginal children were ripped away from their families and their cultures only to be turned into whites; appalling historical fact and the music seems to sum up the sadness, the heartbreak and the sheer emotional turmoil of the indigene.

I did not know at the time of seeing the film that Gabriel had scored the music and it is a surprise to hear he is tackling this type of music. Re-listening to this without the stark imagery is a test of endurance however. There are fascinating sections on didgeridoo and a ton of ambient keyboards but overall this is very stark, bleak music and nothing like Gabriel in his usual musical environment; it is not accessible at all. He jumps clear out of the box to produce some very unfriendly and rather electronic music. Percussion echoes are heard to enhance the mood of the children and there are long sustained keyboard pads and haunting sounds. The ethereal nature of the music does not have a rhythm at times, not even a melody; it is absolutely dedicated to the images on screen, but of course we do not see them making it difficult to connect.

At one point there are Aboriginal chants on Nganparnanni, the highlight of the album, and then a familiar tune to those who have seen the movie, continued on Cloudless, the main theme; I remember this scene as it was uplifting when the children ran back to their mother's arms after the long journey. I recommend the movie wholeheartedly but have reservations about this soundtrack. It is chilling, disturbing and at times rather tiresome. Unless you are into hardcore ambient soundtracks steer well clear of this. 2 stars only.