SOUNDTRACK: SANDRO PERRI-Plays Polmo Polpo [CST042] (2006).
This EP has Sandro Perri, mastermind behind Polmo Polpo, playing previously released songs by Polmo Polpo. Why? You may ask. To rework them entirely, of course. The original pieces were electronic and very textured, creatively designed that you almost forget there are songs underneath. And so Perri has brought back the songs underneath the songs, creating an acoustic soundtrack that brings out the subtlety of the originals.
And yet, that’s not exactly correct either. Because three of these tracks appear on the Polmo Polvo release Like Hearts Swelling, in much longer versions. In fact, “Sky Histiorie” drops from 13 to 4 minutes. Indeed, aside from lyrics, the songs are almost unrecognizable except as kernels of ideas from the original.
This is a delicate EP, acoustic and either solo or with suitable accompaniment. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it might get you hooked.
[READ: March 5, 2009] “Pumpkin Head”
As Hadley is waiting in her house, a pick-up truck pulls into her driveway. She vaguely recalls asking Anton Kruppev to stop by. And yet she is full of trepidation while the truck sits in her driveway. As the driver gets out of the car she sees that it is in fact a large pumpkin-headed man. The pumpkin head becomes more sinister as it gets nearer and nearer, unspeaking. Although surely it must be Anton, for that is his truck. Lest you think that JCO has gotten all surreal, the pumpkin head is actually a jack -o-lantern carved out by Anton and worn on his shoulders.
Despite her obvious nervousness, Anton laughs off the joke and presents her with the very large jack-o-lantern as his gift to her. Hadley ‘s thoughts wander as Anton offers to do some work around her house.
Hadley is recently widowed and while she’s not terribly attracted to Anton, his rugged good looks and physical strength let her ponder some possibilities. After inviting him in for a drink, she immediately regrets it.
Anton wanders around her house scrutinizing all of her things, her prizes, her memories of her husband. And, as he drinks more, he grows more belligerent. Belligerent about the head of his laboratory who has stolen Anton’s work (and gotten him fired in the process) and against America itself (a supposedly tolerant nation).
JCO pervades the story with tension. Every move that Anton makes, from his initial awkwardness to his eventual drunkenness is fraught with meaning. And yet the whole time, you get the feeling that Hadley’s just being foolish in her fear. You want her to lighten up. She knows this guys, he’s harmless, almost childlike. But even though she doesn’t let up her guard, her worst fear comes true.
It’s available here.
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