IN THE NURSERY HINDLE WAKES DOUBLE ALBUM ITN CORP RELEASE: JANUARY 12, 2001 REVIEW: DECEMBER 19, 2000

"Hindle Wakes" was a controversial silent movie when first viewed in 1927, or so they say. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this British film, being a frank look at life in the 1920:s apparently dealing with sexual liberation and set in the small English town of Hindle. In the Nursery have been touring England with this soundtrack project, playing it live during film screenings as they have done with their previous three soundtracks for other silent movies. Unable to say anything about its suitability for the movie, I will have to review the music as a separate work.
This is probably the most ambitious film score the Humberstone brothers have written so far. The recurring and subtly evolving themes mark a development towards the more traditional artistry of film scoring. While still recycling elements from their previous records here and there, "Hindle Wakes" is a less pompous, more understated work. I would guess this helps the music to blend more naturally with the visuals, instead of loudly announcing its presence.
A definite highlight is a track called "Ballroom Sweetheart", where the lush synthesizer strings suddenly give way to some foxytwenties-style Dixie jazz. I found myself thinking of the bar scene in the first Star Wars-movie! On other tracks, the In the Nursery sound is instantly recognisable; a solemn beauty conjured by fleeting waves of gentle strings and piano. What is coming froma synthesizer and what is actually the genuine instrument is nearly impossible to tell.
Please please please, somebody let In the Nursery write a full-blown score for a major motion picture now!

MATTIAS HUSS