Jerry Goldsmith – Gremlins (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

One could argue that the stark minimalism of Alien, the horns of Patton or Planet Of The Apes are more iconic but I say that Gremlins is easily Goldsmith's most identifiable score. Spielberg has Williams. Zemeckis has Silvestri. Dante's man was Goldsmith and this was the first score in an unbreakable partnership that would last until Goldsmith's death in 2004.

Gremlins isn't a perfect score, at least not in comparison to the superior sequel. The film is a classic but the score falls just short of a 5/5 as it is a little too synthy and thus sounds dated in some parts as a result. It works well in the movie for the most part but I feel that just a slightly stronger orchestral backing would have made all the difference. If the meowing cat sounds were removed in favor of tense strings then we'd certainly have a perfect score, and maybe Mrs. Deagle's theme too. In contrast to Spielberg's and Zemeckis' high-key style Dante and cinematographer John Hora shot the movie in a dark, grubby style which really works in its favor. Goldsmith's cold, haunting synth is completely appropriate in this regard, so don't think I am totally dissing his work here.

With over 70 minutes of score this complete album from 2011, 27 years after the movie's release, is what fans have been wanting for decades though casual movie fans will already be familiar with the lovely Gizmo theme, and, most famously, the Gremlins Rag - a demented circus fanfare of anarchy and mayhem, the sound of delightful destruction and cheerful chaos. It's an absolute blast and one of my favorite things ever. I've been humming that tune since I was a little kid and it was one of the first melodies I learned how to play on a piano.

As an Xmas score it's okay. There are quotations from Silent Night and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen but the true nature of the sound is not Yuletide but dark, nasty comedy and in that regard it delivers all it needs to and more. I can't exaggerate just how good the Gremlin Rag is. If you've ever seen an orchestra performing it live you'll notice that everyone is doing so with a huge smile on their faces.

Any Goldsmith or Gremlins fan will probably already own this, if not it is indeed a necessary purchase. A vinyl edition is available for you lucky people with the money for such luxuries.