PLANET WAX

A sequel catalogs SF and fantasy film soundtracks on vinyl.

As a follow-up to their previous book, Blood on Black Wax (2019), which spotlighted iconic horror movie soundtracks, Lupton and Szpirglas turn their attentions to the SF and fantasy genres. Reflecting on the significance of SF film scores in his introduction, Lupton writes: “Star Trek, Back to the Future, The Twilight Zone, Terminator? These are some of the greatest music themes ever written, and for many of us, the soundtrack to our nerdy youths.” The work is divided into nine chapters: epic SF, adult fantasy, dark dystopia, action/adventure, pop, family features, comic book/superheroes, television, and unidentified objects. Each chapter features a series of color reproductions of key album covers, such as Star Wars and Blade Runner, followed by detailed commentary. Focusing predominantly on the 1970s through the ’90s to maintain an emphasis on vinyl, the period covered ends in 1999, so newer classics such as the Harry Potter films are not included. The volume also provides revealing interviews with luminaries like the composer Christopher Young, who scored Hellraiser. The design of the book is colorful and fittingly retro, and the album covers themselves are a joy to peruse collectively. The authors offer consistently insightful commentary from a musician’s perspective. Describing the score of the 1979 movie Starcrash by John Barry, they note: “The composer also plays around with some interesting rhythmic techniques, breaking down the 4/4 time signature into more unusual chunks of 3-3-2 (such as the galloping ‘Space War’ cue).” The comprehensive study also delivers thoughtful recommendations that reflect the authors’ depth of knowledge. Regarding Jerry Goldsmith’s score for Supergirl, they tell readers: “To hear the soundtrack presented as it sounds in the film, with the synths, try the 1993 expanded re-release CD…which features music such as Goldsmith’s eerie choral work for the Phantom Zone sequences.” But the descriptive scope can become limited and repetitive at times: “Sci-fi became sexy again”; “as much a sexy sci-fi flick as it is horror.” This does not largely detract from a painstakingly compiled catalog packed with meticulous details that will prove a fun nostalgia trip for fans of the genres.

An eye-catching, enjoyable, and informative celebration of iconic SF and fantasy movie scores.