Various Artists
New Wave Halloween
[Rhino]
Rating: 4.5
Here we are in the throngs of glorious August days, and yet the imminent autumn
season, if you listen closely, gently whispers to us. There are hints of it in
the crisp evenings, the wilting flowers, the rustle of people young and old
returning to school, the release of "Halloween: H20." Much like the latter,
Rhino Records has decided to capitalize on the approaching spook holiday,
regardless of the fact that pumpkin patches are generally empty and the shores
still flow with suntanned activity.
As told by the liner notes, Rhino's New Wave series has been rather
successful, yet multiple editions have nearly exhausted the thematic possibilities
necessary for its continuation. Given serious thought, however, a New Wave
Halloween compilation is a sound idea; it's not only timely, but it formally
recognizes the bizarre sounds and styles that were a customary part of the new
wave scene.
Perhaps nothing in popular culture carries Halloween's costuming spirit through
the year better than "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and it's with that spirit
in mind that the collection kicks off with "The Time Warp." Unfortunately, to
me, this song speaks more to science fiction than the macabre, which makes its
inclusion-- especially as the opening track-- a bit suspect. Eerie vibes abound
with the obvious addition, Ministry's "Everyday Is Halloween," but for the wrong
reasons; it makes my skin crawl to think that Ministry actually used to present
themselves this way. Songs by The B-52's and Oingo Boingo keep the listener from
becoming too nostalgic about new wave music, but then the Ramones offer up a fitting
slab of derangement with "Pet Sematary."
New wave recreations of classic creepy theme music from hits like "Halloween" and
"The Munsters" are novel enough, but not worthy of repeated listening. A six- song
block of tracks creatively titled "Halloween" begins with atmospheric droopings from
Siouxsie and The Banshees, the Dream Syndicate, and Sonic Youth (Kim Gordon will get
you strapping males hot and bothered with this one), then furiously explodes with
punk offerings from Dead Kennedys, The Misfits (a brilliant work that will have you
chanting in no time), and Mudhoney. "Creature With The Atom Brain" completes this
volume with a demented air appropriate for its creator, Roky Erickson, who went
clinically insane in his own life.
New Wave Halloween has an ephemeral appeal, one that is likely to be lost by
the time Saman recalls his evil spirits. Like candy corn, you might not be crazy
about it, but it's occasionally tasty and a hell of an extra for your costume party.
-Kevin Ruggeri