The fact that English troubadour Epic Soundtracks (a creative man with a creative name) passed away shortly after the songs of “Good Things” were recorded is no stunner. These songs, especially “I Do Declare” and “Cry A Tear”, are very lovely, but achingly fragile sounding. “Good Things” is so rainy that Soundtracks’ sudden death (in 1997) makes his reverie all the more haunting.
Recorded by guitarist Kevin Junior’s “porta-studio” in Epic Soundtracks’ home, “Good Things” can’t help but taste homemade. Homemade records are the best. How else can one achieve that deliciously claustrophobic, yet isolated feel? Soundtracks wrote the songs while Junior sang a little and played a little.
The piano was Soundtracks’ weakness during most of the 90’s. During “Good Things” Soundtracks was still dabbling in piano, but had all but moved on to acoustic guitar.
Epic Soundtracks passed away in his sleep at the age of 37. Therefore, Soundtracks was unable to record the demos comprising “Good Things” in a proper studio. Thankfully, Soundtracks ever-loving brother, Nikki Sudden and engineer John Rivers successfully mastered “Good Things” in a proper studio late last year. And now, record label Dbk Works has made “Good Things” available for all to hear.
Soundtracks had a long and varied music life. He formed his first band, Swell Maps, with his brother Nikki Sudden when he was just a wee lad. Later on, Soundtracks spread the pain with many a band during the 1980’s, including Jacobites, These Immortal Souls, Crime And The City Solution and Red Krayola.
Soundtracks’ “Good Things” is similar, in a broad stroke, to Brendan Benson, Elliott Smith, Brian Wilson and Earlimart. “Good Things” is also near and dear to Soundtracks’ heroes’ work; heroes such as Phil Spector, Aretha Franklin and the pop music of the 60’s. Epic Soundtracks is a shining example of a musician who loved to create music for no other reason than to hear something enchanting. |