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"Bobby Johnston is a new voice in film. He uses all acoustic and 'found'
instruments to create his unusual sounds. The main title track might leave you a bit amazed -
it's refreshing to hear real instruments instead of a lot of synthetic percussion, even if you
can't necessarily tell what any of the instruments are! Many of the ensuing tracks are
multi-layered works with Johnston performing everything himself... there are sections of guitar
background solos, high piano melodic lines with rhythmic accompaniment, unusual bell/bottle
tones that sound like a cross between a steel drum and a marimba, and much more... if King
of the Ants is any indication, Johnston should be able to soon find a comfortable niche in
larger productions. La-La Land is commended for allowing this music to be heard."
"... an absorbing combination of exotic jazz and atmospheric horror music.
Bobby Johnston demonstrates with his music for King Of The Ants that he is not afraid to
try something different. The heavy use of varied and inventive percussion makes the score
somehow timeless and strangely unnerving, as well as at times both exciting and colourful. It
will be interesting to see how the composer follows this one!"
"Bobby Johnston's score for King of the Ants is an attractive
introduction to this innovative talent. The CD itself sounds great with all the various sounds
being easily heard, teasing the listener to try and identify the origins of all the various
instruments that Johnston has used to produce this score. Johnston has produced one of the
catchiest main titles of 2004."
"... composer Bobby Johnston had a trump card to play. While he performs
the music himself, all of it is utilizing acoustic instruments. He doesn't synthesize it. This
builds a style that is tremendously helpful in making this an 'unconventional' score, which at
the same time avoids the groan-inducing trappings of what that term usually stands for. It's
even more amazing to listen to the mix job of his music, as it has a nice full sound that seems
to belie a one-man approach ... there are loads of unique sounds that I haven't experienced
before, all lending a helping hand in making this score unique. Johnston even provides a
serviceable main theme that he actually utilizes throughout the score, a nice little touch that
seems to be sorely lacking in other scores of this type, a nice break from most of the other
'unconventional' composers out there."
"... this interesting, multi-layered and darkly compelling soundtrack
should help bring Johnston to a deservedly wider audience. All of the music on this disc conveys
a slightly disturbing mix of sensuousness and aggression, but it's never overstated. Unlike most
collections of film music, this one stands up very well to repeated listening ... I found this
CD extremely rewarding."
"Bobby Johnston's score for Stuart Gordon's KING OF THE ANTS takes an
interesting and experimental approach to the art of motion picture scoring... Johnston uses
unconventional items like bottles and pieces of materials he finds along with occasional low
moaning / breathing / growling effects to help create bizarre yet foreboding sounds. These
methods are accompanied by traditional scoring instruments like drums, percussion, guitar and
piano (occasionally a child's toy piano) while still coming together in a very interesting way...
a completely enjoyable listening experience. This is a recent edition to my collection that
seems to keep finding its way into my CD player, curiously during late night work sessions.
Fans of original and experimental scores should check this one out."
"... as I started to listen to this score, there was something about it
that really hooked into me. And then it hit me. This guy is like the American version of Goblin.
His music isn't like normal scores. It's a series of rhythms and sounds that is blended
together, giving off some great atmosphere. Johnston is also a very unusual musician, using
strange objects from bottles to old toy pianos. This gives this score a very unique, and
entertaining sound. If you are fans of Goblin, then you definitely should check out this
score!"
"It also boasts an original and very effective acoustic instrument score
by Bobby Johnston. Johnston uses a combination of instruments and even non-instruments (bottles
and other items) to further emphasize the down to earth feel."
"Johnston creates interesting colors by rooting material with low unison
ideas, layering multiple percussive textures above."
"... a badass score... Bobby Johnston's dark, kool score brought so much
juice to the images."
"... the score kicked ass"
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