John Carpenter - Cruisin’ With Mr. Scratch (Official Audio)

From Lost Themes 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition, out now on Sacred Bones Records.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Lost Themes, Sacred Bones are thrilled to present an expanded art edition of the album with art by Greg Ruth. This special release includes an additional 7-inch featuring two previously unreleased tracks from the original recording session - “Cruisin’ With Mr. Scratch” and “Dominator.”

Upon its initial release, Lost Themes was praised for its evocative soundscapes ranging from horror to science fiction, each track conjuring a distinct atmosphere without the need for accompanying visuals. The expanded edition of Lost Themes not only celebrates a decade of John Carpenter’s standalone musical journey but also enriches the album’s legacy with new material that captures the spirit of its original sessions. Whether revisiting this masterpiece or experiencing it for the first time, listeners will find themselves immersed in Carpenter’s hauntingly beautiful worlds once again.

[namelesswalaby]

Now I have to test it in the car to make sure

[jakehubner]

I can't believe it's been ten years since this album came out. Time fuckin' flies, people. And the fact that we still have the great John Carpenter not still just alive - but still making music, still in the film business, and announcing residencies for his music in the great city of Los Angeles (one of those dates on HALLOWEEN?) is just astounding and puts a smile on this fan's face.

[jonl]

The timing and name of this song makes me think Mr Carpenter was recently playing Alan Wake 2 over the past few months

[kainkabil]

The most underrated director and composer of all times. a living gem

[jmaster]

I'm sure it's just a reference to the nickname for the Devil, but I would love to this to have been inspired by Mr. Scratch in Alan Wake. John would make some kickass tunes that could fit right into Remedy's worlds.

[Freezy]

❄Best Horror Film Director & Horror Soundtrack Composer of all Time 🗯
- This Lost Theme is very good

[BlazingOwnager]

Thanks to the title, and how awesome this track is, I want so badly for John Carpenter to do a track for Remedy Entertainment. They seem like they'd be all in on that collaboration to be honest, they love taking talented musicians and mixing them into their game universe.

[Njbear]

I get “The Duke” vibes with this when he’s driving down the street with that BEAT. You’re the duke ! You’re the duke ! You’re the duke

[guyvizard]

Ridin' With the Devil.
Great track as always, Mr. Carpenter. Perfect for driving on a wet, dark night.

[charleslambdin]

Should totally have a film maker use Lost Themes as the soundtrack to their horror movie

[Novastar.SaberCombat]

WHOA! Now *this* is a treat. I had no idea John C. had a bunch of "lost" themes at all! I naturally figured that most--if not all--had pretty much gone into all of his films and projects.

[josuearana]

Mr. Carpenter is gonna be headlining the next dark wave show!

[morphingroundz]

Kurz & Bündig, I Love this Sound!

[TheSausageVillage]

Now, a week after David has gone, I find it even more important, that John is still with us.

[Horror.CollectorLife]

John, you have proven that no one can hold a candle to you 👏👏👏

[torley]

I picked up on the following cohesive elements, all in one song:

0:00 - Begins with a steady pulsing electronic bassline with that tone, which Carpenter of course popularized, and which I’ve adopted (gosh, I even called out Lost Themes a decade ago) on multiple occasions.

0:07 - A straightforward drum beat amps up the energy, adding the snare by 0:16. The drums have no frills, no fills or syncopation, just driving action.

0:24 - Adds the electric guitars that bloomed in his film career by the mid-80s, through his collaborations with Dave Davies — and Dave’s son Daniel contributed to this track and others, too.

0:32 - Synth pads also join the fray.

0:50 - It locks in a steady groove AND cowbell-woodblock thing that was prominently found in Escape from New York’s “Shake Snake” with Alan Howarth.

1:37 - There are some pulsating eerie noises that disappear by this mark, which is a nice way to release some tension.

2:08 - A synth variation on the repeating melody, which in Carpenter’s earlier career would’ve been presented in a stark form, but here, it’s buttressed by the whole band rockin’ out. The harmonized form @ 2:40 is gorgeous.

2:21 - That turn and step up to F# is particularly sweet! Then a key change from the seeming E Dorian mode. Mmmodulations. Although he’s done it a lot, this also feels like a tip o’ the mask to Halloween’s minimal melody, keeping the same pattern but shifting keys, with an occasional “What was that?!” note that resolves.

2:56 - Drops it back down to the E bassline. The bulk of the track is a masterclass in maintaining energy with that beat, plus changing elements atop it to keep up the interest.

3:37 - The drums suddenly disappear, which means we end with an ambient outro with glassy synths and piano, which recalls the haunting atmosphere from numerous horror films, and for me, it conjures being in The Fog.

3:57 - It ends in D minor, which is my favorite. 😊

[MrSeanMDickinson]

The only director who could rival david lynch in sheer originality, musical genius and amount of cigarettes smoked. Thanks John you are a Legend !!!

[a.y.]

It’s 4:00 am in the morning and I am listening to John Carpenter…Love the rhythms, Lost Themes!!

[mullcrumthesage]

You're a Legend John...don't ever forget it.

[Bayan]

This man created the soundtrack of my childhood. I grew up in the 80's and most of my favorite films were directed by him. The Fog, Halloween, Christine, Escape from New York, Prince of Darkness, Big Trouble in Little China and They Live and my personal and all time favorite horror movie, The Thing (although Ennio Morricone did the music for that one, but it was still amazing). Each one had a different and equally awesome theme and soundtrack to it.