"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is a standout track from Barry Adamson’s 1996 album Oedipus Schmoedipus, an album conceived as a soundtrack to an imaginary film and celebrated for its genre-blurring, cinematic style123.
Musical Style and Atmosphere
- Groove and Disquiet: The track is built on a straightforward, catchy groove, but Adamson subverts expectations by punctuating it with ghostly, off-key vocals, "flabby scratches," and a lazy funk riff. This combination keeps the song funky yet disconcerting, contributing to the album’s overall noir, slightly sleazy, and unsettling atmosphere2.
- Genre Fusion: Like much of Oedipus Schmoedipus, "Something Wicked This Way Comes" draws on lounge, jazz, funk, and 1960s-inspired organ grooves, all filtered through Adamson’s distinctive cinematic lens3. The arrangements and production are unconventional for dance or jazz, giving the track a unique place in Adamson’s catalog2.
- Soundtrack Quality: Adamson’s work is often described as "atmospheric soundtrack music—most often for movies which exist solely in his head"2. This track, in particular, is noted for conjuring a sense of moody intrigue, as if scoring a tense, stylish scene in a noir film.
Cultural Impact
- Film Placement: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" was featured in David Lynch’s film Lost Highway, underscoring its cinematic quality and Adamson’s reputation as a composer whose music blurs the line between album and film score13.
- Critical Reception: Critics have praised Adamson for his innovative blending of genres and his ability to evoke vivid moods. The track, like the album, is seen as both accessible and deeply textured, "too cool to be cringingly kitsch, too deep to be flaky"1.
Legacy
- Best-Of Inclusion: The song is included on Adamson’s compilation The Murky World of Barry Adamson, highlighting its importance in his body of work4.
- Signature Sound: "Something Wicked This Way Comes" exemplifies Adamson’s knack for combining funk, jazz, and cinematic tension, helping establish him as a singular voice in post-punk, alternative, and soundtrack music23.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Barry Adamson |
| Album | Oedipus Schmoedipus (1996) |
| Genre | Lounge, Jazz, Funk, Cinematic |
| Notable Elements | Funky groove, ghostly vocals, organ, scratches |
| Film Use | Featured in David Lynch’s Lost Highway |
| Legacy | Signature track, included on best-of compilation |
Conclusion
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is a genre-defying, atmospheric track that blends funk, jazz, and cinematic elements into a disquieting yet groovy whole. Its inclusion in Lost Highway and Adamson’s best-of collection cements its status as a highlight of his innovative, filmic approach to music2134.
