27 is the soundtrack to a movie that doesn’t exist. Inspired by some of the classic soundtracks of the 1980s, this score is sure to conjure up nostalgic feelings in the listener, taking them back to a time when John Hughes movies informed a generation how their teenage years were unfolding...

If you're of a certain age then, like me, you'll probably have fond memories of rooting around in the remainder cassette bin in Woolworth's and finding a rare treat. One of my most vivid memories is unearthing a copy of the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink.

27: Music from the Motion Picture is a concept album that takes us back to a time when electronic, experimental music was the norm for movie scores. At the time I mostly shunned them, preferring the orchestral releases of John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner and Alan Silverstri. But in recent years I've come to look back fondly on some of those experimental soundtracks as while they have matured gracefully, they have aged and you can easily pinpoint what decade they're from - unlike orchestral scores that never seem to age.

What composer Jack Hardman manages to capture here is the overall feeling of '80s electronic scores. Even the production values sound similar. The album opens and closes with its strongest pieces. I particularly enjoyed the closing 'Forever' which will leave you wanting more.

What would have been interesting, was to learn what the story behind this concept movie was - if there was one in the composer's head while writing it. While it's interesting to make up your own story, it would have been worth discovering if Hardman was composing to an idea or just turning out '80s themes as he went along.

If I had one complaint... It's too damn short. The eight tracks only come in at 20 min, 07 sec. I could have easily listened to much, much more.

This is an intriguing project that's well worth checking out on Spotify, and if you love it you can purchase the special edition purple cassette release.

7

Darren Rea