There’s no question that 1992 horror escapade Candyman scared the living crap out of a whole generation of kids back in the day. Full of urban myths turned nightmares hook-for-hand killers and a grotesque amount of bees it no doubt led to many sleepless childhood nights — not to mention an irrational fear of mirrors. But at the heart of it all was the score by avant-garde great Philip Glass whose work has only now made its way to vinyl.
As captured by Euro soundtrack hub One Way Static Glass’s Candyman score is utterly unnerving yet at the same time hands-down gorgeous. On one hand you have toy piano nursery rhyme-like melodies and music box playfulness and on the other you’re haunted with sinister pipe organs classic ’80s horror synths and a gothic choir on loan from a Satanic cabal. It all gives rise to some seriously mixed emotions often leaving you at a loss as to what your reaction should be. And therein lies the score’s charm.
As the liner notes explain Glass apparently had some issues with the final version of the film but as a score Candyman has most definitely stood the test of time.
That said it’s strongly recommended you don’t play this record five times in a row or else….
