Album Review: African Swim And Manny Lo Two Film Scores by John Lurie
John Lurie’s African Swim And Manny Lo Two Film Scores is an eccentric gem from 1998 that blends blues, jazz, and avant-garde flair into a cinematic tapestry. Released under the Strange & Beautiful Music label, this album captures the essence of two indie films through its evocative compositions. It’s not your typical film score—this is music with teeth, heart, and maybe even a little mischief.
The genres here are hard to pin down, oscillating between moody stage-and-screen vibes and experimental jazz. Tracks like “Teddy Bears Nik Pop” and “Hypnotize The Lizard” stand out for their quirky unpredictability. Listening to “Teddy Bears Nik Pop,” you’re greeted by a playful yet slightly off-kilter melody that feels like walking into a room where everyone’s pretending nothing weird is happening. The track sticks in your head because it balances innocence with something darker lurking beneath. You can almost picture the scene it was written for—a mix of absurdity and poignancy.
Then there’s “Hypnotize The Lizard.” This one grabs you by the collar and pulls you into its strange world. With its hypnotic rhythms and dissonant undertones, it’s as if the lizard in question might actually be you, caught in some surreal trance. These tracks showcase Lurie’s knack for creating soundscapes that are both immersive and delightfully bizarre.
What makes this album so memorable isn’t just its technical brilliance but also how raw and unpolished it feels at times. There’s a sense of authenticity here—you get the impression Lurie didn’t overthink things too much. He let the music breathe, warts and all. That’s what gives these scores their edge. Sure, some transitions feel rough around the edges, but honestly? That’s part of the charm.
Reflecting on African Swim And Manny Lo Two Film Scores, I’m struck by how timeless it feels despite being firmly rooted in the late '90s aesthetic. It’s not trying to impress anyone; instead, it invites listeners to step inside its peculiar universe. And really, who wouldn’t want to hang out there for a while? If anything, this album reminds us that sometimes the most interesting art comes from letting go of perfection and embracing the weirdness.
Oh, and fun fact: after listening to this record, I now kinda wish I had my own personal lizard to hypnotize. Guess I’ll have to settle for staring at my cat instead.
Artist:John Lurie Album: African Swim And Manny Lo Two Film Scores
Here’s a fun fact: John Lurie, the mastermind behind *African Swim And Manny Lo Two Film Scores*, is not just a musician but also an actor and painter. Released in 1998 under the label Strange & Beautiful Music, this album blends blues, jazz, and avant-garde styles to create hauntingly unique film scores. One standout track, "Sex With Al," perfectly captures Lurie’s quirky and unconventional approach to music. The album feels like a journey through strange yet beautiful cinematic worlds, even if you’ve never seen the films it was written for.
