Epic Soundtracks - Good Things

Genre rock Publisher Dbk Works External Links Official Website

Epic Soundtracks' final album is, as its title suggests, 40 minutes of feeling good. Recorded on a 4-track in his apartment in London, the album's 13 songs are filled with lyrical encouragement, lilting piano melodies that are occasionally complemented by upbeat guitar riffs, and Epic's bare, but soothing voice. Although a few songs certainly hit bittersweet notes, the overall feel is a positive one. It's a hard happiness to stomach though, considering this record is posthumous, and Epic Soundtracks, born Kevin Paul Godfrey, has been dead since November 22, 1997.

It was Soundtracks' brother, Nikki Sudden, who put together this record. He had already helped release one soon after his brother's death, with another gut-punching title: Everything is Temporary. Long before Soundtracks struck out to try his hand as a singer/songwriter, he and his brother teamed up in the post-punk band the Swell Maps, whose work influenced many rockers to come. But there isn't a hint of that here; Good Things has a lot in common with Nick Drake's Pink Moon, simple and satisfying.

Good Things opens with "I Do Declare," and Soundtracks' ghost of a voice sounds slightly beyond the grave, ominously declaring, "I won't fade away / There'll be a time when I'll be back one day."

As the record continues, one can't hope that to come true. The pace picks up and it's easy to believe Soundtracks when he says, "When you're all alone and you can't find your way home / there'll be better things to come." Even "Dedication," a song about being bothered by his upstairs neighbor while recording, comes off as a light-hearted ditty to a friend. The song starts out so conversationally -- "I'm trying to finish this song" -- that it's easy to picture Soundtracks sitting in his apartment, probably in his pajamas, strumming his guitar and smiling at the ceiling.

The middle of the album has a few easygoing numbers with bouncy melodies and titles that suggest a kind of middle-age zen: "Maybe You're Right," "Good Things Come to Those Who Wait." Slower tracks such as "Lot to Learn" and "House on the Hill" use the repetition Soundtracks frequently relies on. Slower rhythms that convey a mellow feeling, with just the slightest hint of broodiness. The lyrics aren't always brilliant, but Soundtracks' gritty voice and simple melodies draw the ear in. The last musical track and a highlight of the album, "You Better Run," has a driving guitar, which hums nicely along with a twangy-sounding voice on backing vocals. It sounds carefree and fun, which makes it seem almost funny, not to mention convincing, when they croon, "You better run when you hear my gun." The track closes with rhythmic clapping, possibly the most upbeat note on the album.

Good Things closes with a thirty-second phone conversation ï Soundtracks on the telephone, having woken up a friend of his. The track cuts off shortly after Soundtracks laughs, realizing that he's woken up his friend. A similar awakening hits the listener: this album is not only good, but it's over, and nothing like it will ever be made again.