Album Review: Broadcast 2 by Scott P Schreer
Scott P Schreer’s Broadcast 2, released in 1996 under the NJJ label, is a fascinating dive into the world of stage and screen music. With its theme-driven style, this European album feels like a time capsule of late-night television vibes, newsroom energy, and polished production that screams mid-90s professionalism. It’s not your typical “put it on repeat” kind of record, but it’s got moments that stick with you—especially if you’ve ever been glued to a TV screen during a late-night broadcast.
One track that jumps out is “Late Night Caller [Full].” This one’s got an eerie charm to it, blending suspenseful strings with a smooth undercurrent of synths. The vibe? Like waiting for a phone call you’re not sure you want to answer. There’s something cinematic about it—maybe it’s the pacing or how the tension builds without ever fully exploding. You can almost picture a noir-style scene playing out in your head while this plays in the background. It’s memorable because it doesn’t try too hard; instead, it lets the mood do the talking.
Another standout is “Techno News [Full].” If “Late Night Caller” is all shadowy intrigue, this one’s pure adrenaline. Imagine walking into a bustling newsroom where everyone’s typing furiously, deadlines are looming, and coffee cups are everywhere. That’s what this track feels like—a caffeinated rush wrapped up in pulsating beats and sharp electronic tones. For some reason, it reminds me of those old-school CNN intro jingles, but with way more swagger. It’s catchy in a weirdly functional way—you wouldn’t blast it at a party, but it keeps you hooked when you need focus.
The rest of the album follows suit, with tracks like “News Watch Theme [Full]” and “Workout [Full]” offering variations on the same thematic thread. Some cuts feel repetitive, especially with the alternating narrative versions of certain songs (like “[Narr]” vs. “[Full]”), which might leave listeners wondering why they’re there. But hey, maybe that was Schreer’s way of giving us options—choose your own adventure, sort of.
What strikes me most about Broadcast 2 is how well it captures the essence of its era. Listening to it now feels like flipping through an old magazine from the ‘90s—nostalgic yet slightly dated. Yet, somehow, it still works. Maybe it’s the authenticity or just the fact that good themes never really go out of style.
In the end, Broadcast 2 isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to be. Its quirks make it interesting, and its strongest moments linger long after the last note fades. Fun fact: I caught myself humming “Techno News” while making breakfast the other day. Not bad for an album originally meant to soundtrack someone else’s story.
