The Boys: Music from the Feature Film

by The Necks
ReR Megacorp, Thornton Heath, UK, 2004
CD-ROM,ReR NECKS4, £11.50
Distributor’s Website: http://www.rermegacorp.com.

Reviewed by Mike Mosher
Saginaw Valley State University

mosher@svsu.edu

The Necks, previously discussed on this website, are Tony Buck on drums, Lloyd Swanton on bass, and Chris Abrahams on piano and keyboards.  This CD is their extremely likeable movie music for Rowan Woods' 1998 Australian movie, and it includes some tracks the band had composed for the film that were not used onscreen.  "The Boys I" is Pink Floyd orientalism, sparse and effective.  It contrasts with the introspective "Boys II", and Abraham's piece for piano and synthesizer "Boys III" which evokes both serialist composers and Brian Eno.  "The Sleep of Champions" is a six-and-a-half minute travelogue, abruptly switching midstream to heartbeat pulse and B3 nightclub organ.

It is in their longer workouts that the Necks build their most interesting works.  "He Led them Into the World" is contemporary pop jazz, and this reviewer kept expecting Sade to step up to the mic to provide vocals.  In the 10-minute "Headlights", cool punkish figures build on organ, synthesizer, and piano.  "Fife and Drum" begins with a fusillade of fuzz bass in order to construct a long dinosaur stomp atop Buck's impressive polyrhythms   This is what the dismal American trio Medeski Martin and Wood would and should sound like, had they the savvy, wit and economy of the Necks.