Soundtrack Review: The Interior (2008)

Posted by Jorn Tillnes

January 28, 2009

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012209 1755 soundtrackr1 Soundtrack Review: The Interior (2008) This is a review of the original soundtrack for the web-drama The Interior by Edwin Wendler.

“There’s no doubt about it, you have a really good score here to go with the web-drama The Interior and with your darkest dreams and moods”

It’s not often there is a score released for a web only series, or webisodes as some are calling them. The Interior by Edwin Wendler is therefore quite unique in this field and I hope it continues. Why not? Even web only series needs music, so I can see this market might expand a bit. The Interior is a web-only drama series shot in the exotic rainforests of Panama. For those of you interested in this series, please go to the website here. Season 1 is done and season 2 is coming. I have to thank the wonderful people at Perseverance Records who was brave and bold enough to make The Interior their first downloadable release. More of that please! Edwin Wendler might not be a ‘big’ name to most of you, but some of his credits include composing additional music to CBS Fear Factor and he has worked on films such as Turistas. He has collaborated with Mike Ator and Maximo on The Interior.

Track List

Main Title (The Gold You Seek) (Feat. Mike Ator) (*****)
The Calling (****)
The Killing (****)
Morning Haze (****)
Voices (***)
The Best Thing (****)
Mercury (****)
Common Sense (***)
Change Of Plans (****)
Dinner Talk (***)
Jaguar (***)
In Sickness (****)
Fever (****)
Honesty (***)
Stealing Thunder (***)
Threat (**)
Remember (***)
Escapa (Feat Maximo Kubanita) (****)
The Gold You Seek (Feat. Mike Ator) (*****)

Dark and Atmospheric

The main title aptly called ‘Main Title (The Gold You Seek)’ is a powerful mix of score by Edwin Wendler and vocal efforts by Mike Ator. Their styles are very different it has to be said. Edwin Wendler’s style is a moody, minimalistic style while Mike Ator’s style is more heavy. This is however a product of Edwin Wendler and Mike Ator is the guest star on 2 of the cues. Already in the second cue ‘The Calling’ we hear Edwin Wendler’s minimalistic style at work. It’s a dark and moody piece which represents the rest of the soundtrack well. The atmospheric jungle style sounds are mixed with some ethnicity which helps balance the music so it doesn’t get boring. Wendler’s style is kept strongly throughout the soundtrack but there is also room for more chilling cues like ‘The Killing’ which sounds and feels horror. ‘Morning Haze’ is another atmospheric track, and this is what Edwin Wendler excels at.

It is only when Wendler is exaggerating his love for the simple and atmospheric that it goes slightly wrong. The cues ‘Voices’, ‘Common Sense’, ‘Dinner Talk’, ‘Dinner Talk’ and ‘Jaguar‘ are some examples of that. It’s where there is no melody or theme where I feel that there’s something missing. Right then it doesn’t matter if the music goes well with the visuals because it has to be good without pictures as well. With a little more effort, Edwin Wendler could have lifted a few of these cues to the level of for example ‘Mercury’ which has nice bits of percussion to drag the exciting story along. ‘Change of Plans’ is another one which utilizes a strong bass beat with some human voices to guide us where we feel satisfied. To add to the tension, it seems like Wendler has listened to Mike Ator and discovered that a more heavy approach is the way to go. ‘Change of Plans’ is easily the best score cue on The Interior soundtrack.

Slick Production

There are 4 more tracks which are very good additions to this already strong score. ‘In Sickness’ is a haunting cue with chilling use of voices which is very ethnic in style without using any such instruments. ‘Fever’ is another, perhaps one of the scariest cues on this soundtrack. I like the use of reverse instruments which some of the other cues have as well. It feels like breathing in reverse. It reminds me a bit of Deja Vu by Harry Gregson-Williams where it was used to great effect. Coupled with a thrilling percussion beat and the ever so charming guitar we have a great cue without breaking through the roof. Maximo Kubanita has joined Edwin Wendler on the latino rap track “Escapa”. It all sounds very rough and it has a well produced sound in which we get the proof that rap and scores can work under the right supervision. The ending is a great song called ‘The Gold You Seek’ where Edwin Wendler and Mike Ator use all their skills to produce a slick alternative rock track which should be on everyone’s mp3 player.

Conclusion

Despite a few cues which drags down the overall score, I have to say I am very impressed with Edwin Wendler’s effort and style. I don’t see why he can’t composer for bigger projects. I think he would do a better job than Atli Orvarsson on Babylon A.D. for example given what I have heard here and the deadly but delicious sound Edwin Wendler delivers. There’s no doubt about it, you have a really good score here to go with the web-drama The Interior and with your darkest dreams and moods. Highly recommended!

012209 1755 soundtrackr2 Soundtrack Review: The Interior (2008)