A Perfect Place

's special edition and film package combines the DVD of 's 25-minute black-and-white short, with a CD of the original score by the inexhaustible . The twist that differentiates this project from his many others is that he had to adhere to someone else's vision, and with less freedom to run rampant, the standard idiosyncrasies are refined. The is challenging and sometimes messy, especially during and two tracks that incorporate a radio dial rifling through stations, but for a release, this is as focused as it gets, and it stays true to the filmmaker's vision. The seeps into nearly every scene, emanating onscreen from car speakers, an elderly woman's Victrola, a kitchen counter transistor radio, even interrupting the actors' dialogues at times. Unlike the fractured , a record that assaulted listeners with snippets and noise bursts, or the minimalist effort , which was practically non-musical with its sparse smattering of saxes, 's third non-aliased solo effort shows off his enormous talent as a sophisticated composer and musician. With the exception of some guest percussion on two tracks, he wrote, performed, and produced all of 's music himself, and considering that his notoriety comes from his talents as a vocalist, the depth of his arrangements are surprisingly mature. Here, he goes the big band/film noir route, while never forgoing the dark carnival vibe that fans have grown to expect. Trumpets blare, pianos twinkle eerily, and creamy spy basslines walk about, as a central theme winds in and out of the movements' reprises. Despite using MIDI keytones, the big band songs sound remarkably organic and at times massive, perfectly paying tribute to 's , and with a Latin tinge of thrown in for good measure. On a few tracks, lets loose some vocal work, refraining from screeching or scatting, but crooning with passionate abandon. could be an outtake from 's opus , with handclaps, '60s organs, surf guitar, and tastefully snotty caterwauling, as threatens, "I'll bend you over my knee, let's see what you can take." It's quite a departure from the sweet of and completely on the other side of the spectrum from the but despite the variety of song styles, the album remains congruent. It's a stellar , even if you're not a huge fan of 's eccentricities. If you are, this will be further proof of his genius. ~ Jason Lymangrover