PATRICK (OST)

The 1978 Australian horror film 'Patrick' is by no means a classic but it is notable for two reasons. Firstly, it began the career of director Richard Franklin, a competent hack who would go on to direct the effective-if- overwrought 'Psycho II' in 1986; secondly, it would feature a surprisingly shallow soundtrack by Italian synth- prog exponents Goblin. It would also be one of the first soundtracks produced by the group that didn't feature on a movie by either Dario Argento or George A. Romero, Goblin having made their name with the creepy music that adorned the seminal horror hits 'Profondo Rosso', 'Suspiria' and 'Dawn Of The Dead'. However, whilst all three of those managed to be good enough albums in their own right, 'Patrick' for the most seems rather aimless without the addition of Franklin's darkly-hued images, though the excellent title theme, which must surely rank as one of Goblin's finest as well as one of their most frustrating, does buck the trend. A glistening, strangely upbeat keyboard-led medley, the title-theme features a sparkling melody and suitably moody atmosphere, though sadly the requirements of the film mean that the bulk of the track is made up of a meandering ghostly ambience that leaves one yearning for the initial patter of catchy, neon-dropped keyboard tones. Whilst the title theme does return to it's impressive beginning, it's far too brief a return, and this refusal by Goblin to focus on their own instrumental strengths is exactly what stymies 'Patrick', making it for the most a strangely disheartening experience. Of course, this is a soundtrack album, and the demands of the film are obviously foremost, making it a notoriously difficult sub-genre to navigate, especially for progressive-minded groups. However, Goblin have made a career out walking this stylistic tightrope, the best of their output combining the spooky ambience of sonic horror convention with their own curiously colourful synthesized prog- funk-rock sound, creating albums that could be listened to either as part of the film they were designed to accompany or simply as stand-alone efforts with a nice line in ethereal creepiness. Disappointingly, 'Patrick' lacks the funk-dipped strut, stringy guitars and complex keyboard noodling that features on their very best work, thus what we get here is an album strong on atmosphere but weak on melody or instrumental invention. The title-track aside, this is formulaic Goblin without the progressive thrills and as uninvolving an album they have yet created.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON 2012