The Answer Is In The Beat

Graeme Miller & Steve Shill: The Moomins original soundtrack (Finders Keepers, 2016)

June 9, 2017 at 6:56 pm | Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment

This is the previously unreleased soundtrack to what looks to be a very bizarre children’s television program from the early ’80s, involving a variety of felt creatures which look like hippos. The music was made in the U.K. by post-punk musicians experimenting with synthesizers and cheap instruments, and it’s as playful and creative as the program looks, but also a bit dark and sinister. The opening theme song is a nice jaunty little ocarina-driven number which will get stuck in your head, and you’ll probably be ok with that. “Travelling Theme” is a slower, dubby groove which isn’t too far from Adrian Sherwood. “Moomins Partytime” is suitably bubbly and gleeful, with more whistling melodies and lots of excited cheering. The album gets a lot darker after that, though; “Midwinter Rites” sounds like it’s some sort of evil ritual taking place in a cave filled with flesh-eating beasts (but it still sounds festive). “Comet Shadow” is five minutes of solemn skygazing. This is the type of curious retro-futuristic release which couldn’t have a better home on any other label than Finders Keepers, and it’s simply delightful.