A big thank you to Jessica Stan for sending this in for review.
It’s pretty rare to have a US soundtrack release of a Japanese film come out the same year as the movie's release. Even more surprising is that this happened two years before CBS/Fox released Antarctica on VHS in the United States. This highlights just how influential composer Vangelis was at the time. For those unfamiliar with him, Vangelis was renowned for his exclusive use of electronic instruments. He played a key role in the evolution of instrumental music and was a major force in the development of the "new age" genre. Additionally, he was a trailblazer in film scoring in the early 1980s, winning an Oscar for Chariots of Fire in 1981 and releasing the cult classic score for Blade Runner in 1982. So by 1983 he was well known, and this CD coming out when it did is proof of that.
In fact, not only did this soundtrack get a US release, but it was also launched worldwide in multiple countries and formats, including CD, vinyl, and cassette. I even had to consult with Jessica Stan several times to clarify which specific CD she was submitting for review due to the various versions.
At any rate, if you’re familiar with Vangelis’ music, you’ll know what to expect here. The album primarily features electronic compositions that range from subtle and atmospheric, like "Antarctic Echoes," to more overt, sometimes almost dated-sounding tracks like “Theme from Antarctica” and "Song of White," which uses a recurring motif.
As for the standout track on the album, it’s definitely the slightly majestic-sounding “Life of Antarctica.” On the flip side, the least appealing track for me was “Kinematic,” which felt a bit too simplistic, almost as though it had been created for a made-for-TV film.
Now this disc is quite short, and that’s because it’s based on the vinyl release. That was a common practice at the time, having CDs that more or less replicated their vinyl counterparts with no additional music despite having the space for it.
Overall, I found this soundtrack lacking in standout moments. While it serves well as ambient music for background listening, even the best tracks didn’t quite leave a lasting impact on me. That said, I’m not the biggest fan of new age music, and after reading other glowing reviews of this album, it’s clear that I may be outside the target audience for this soundtrack. |
