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Various: Woodenhead

Florian Habicht’s Brothers-Grimm-in-Northland fairy tale debuted at film fests this year. Oddly the soundtrack was made before the visual film itself - which is perhaps why it stands as a beautiful album in its own right. Most of the music is by Marc Chesterman, with lyrics by Habicht himself. The tracks veer between ethereal and carnivalesque, full of gloomy textures and folky (Euro more than American) love songs. Luscious strings played by Edward Hanfling and Li Ming Hu often lead, but synth ambience is present throughout. Richard Noble’s muted trumpet adds an extra flavour, and an occasional accordian evokes Germany, home of the fairy tale. Surprises like the drum’n’bass Goerdel theme and Killer Ray’s cabaret jazz in Hi De Hi De Ho up the tempo, making the soundtrack eclectic without disjointing it too much. The vocals - mostly by Mardi Potter and Steve Abel - are sweet and dreamy, particularly on highlights Plum’s Song, Plum and Gert’s Duet, and the (Abel-penned) closer, Hospice for Destitute Lovers. Snatches of dialogue hint at the film’s story but don’t take too much time from the music. The only regret is that with 23 tracks over 52 minutes, some of the prettiest moments are just vignettes, over all too soon.

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