In the Shadow of the Sun (album)
| In the Shadow of the Sun | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | February 1984 | |||
| Label | Illuminated | |||
| Throbbing Gristle chronology | ||||
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| Alternate cover | ||||
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In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score by Throbbing Gristle for the 1981 Derek Jarman film of the same name.[1]
Background
[edit]In the Shadow of the Sun is an improvised musical score for the film of the same name by Derek Jarman. Throbbing Gristle founder Genesis P-Orridge called the film "ambient video", used to "enhance or complete an environment."[2]
Musical style
[edit]Simon Ford, author of the Throbbing Gristle biography Wreckers of Civilisation: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle, opined that both the movie and its accompanying soundtrack "revelled in distortion, chance and formlessness."[1] According to Dale Cornish, the recording is "possibly up there with CD1 as the classic TG-goes-a-bit-ambient moment"[3].
Live performances
[edit]Throbbing Gristle played a new improvised version of the soundtrack on January 1st 2006 at the Volksbühne in Berlin, which was "complimented with the fantastic addition of choral washes"[3]. This concert was released in 2024 by Mute Records as part of the Berlin TG box set. According to Cornish, the rehearsal "seems a touch more visceral than the live version"[3].
In 2007, Throbbing Gristle played the soundtrack "with full choir conducted by Hildur Guðnadóttir" inside the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, London, and at the Donaufestival in Austria[4][5][6]. After seeing the Tate Modern concert, critic Dale Cornish wrote "I recall [...] thinking how odd to have something this beautiful with TG"[3].
Throbbing Gristle played other live versions of the soundtrack during their April 2009 United States tour, as well as in Denmark and Scotland during June 2009.[7]
Psychic TV performed a reinterpreted version of the soundtrack live along with a screening of the film at Cafe Oto in London during their spring 2017 European tour.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Sounds |   [8] |
The Wire described the soundtrack as "dark and mournful".[9]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Throbbing Gristle (Chris Carter, Peter Christopherson, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Genesis P-Orridge)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 1" |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In the Shadow of the Sun Pt. 2" |
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Indie Chart[10] | 23 |
Bibliography
[edit]- Ford, Simon (1999). Wreckers of Civilization: The Story of COUM Transmissions & Throbbing Gristle. London: Black Dog.
- Peake, Tony (1999). Derek Jarman: A Biography. Woodstock, New York: The Overlook Press.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ford 1999, p. 281.
- ^ Peake 1999, p. 332.
- ^ a b c d Cornish, Dale (5 December 2024). "Dulce et Indecorum: Throbbing Gristle in Berlin". The Quietus. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Donaufestival prunkt mit Pop und Avantgarde". Der Standard (in German). 6 March 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Stöger, Gerhard (18 April 2007). "Donaufestival: Pop ohne Future". FALTER.at (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Schachinger, Christian (24 April 2007). "Kunst an der Schmerzgrenze". Der Standard (in German). Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Throbbing Gristle Embark on First U.S. Tour Since 1981". Remix. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ A Doctor (25 February 1984). "Throbbing Gristle: In the Shadow Of The Sun". Sounds. p. 27.
- ^ Parker, C., ed. (2007). "Throbbing Gristle". The Wire (281).
- ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1989. Cherry Red Books. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
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