Really Scary Horror Movie News: Really Scary: Horror Movie News, Video Games, Comics, Books, Music, Art and TV: Really Scary Review: Twisted Rhymes

Review by Valarie Thorpe

TWISTED RHYMES
Bob Harper Productions, Inc. 1993-2004
10 Short Tales
Audio CD Time: 52:16
www.horrorsound.com

If you've been reading our reviews for a while, you know we calls 'em as we sees 'em. It's important to us that you not only don't waste your money, but also don't waste your time. And we're prefacing with all of this because we want you to know that we realize the gravity of making a statement such as this: "Buy Twisted Rhymes." And we don't even get a cut fer chrissakes! But we mean it. We got more horror enjoyment out of the 52 minutes on this CD than we have from way too many, and who shall remain nameless until we review them, recent horror DVDs. Click the image for rest of the review.

Audio horror takes something special and Bob Harper has it whatever 'it' is. You have no visuals to build a quiet suspense with - and in audio 'quiet' doesn't work anyway. You have to find a way to build tension, create fear, and then pull the trigger on the whole thing using just sounds. Voices and sounds. Harper does this and more, creating fully realized plots in these vignettes.[Click the ## symbol below for the entire review]
Harper's got an unbelievable voice and it doesn't surprise at all that he works in broadcast and custom audio work for haunted attractions and theme parks around the country. What does surprise us is this guy isn't doing voicework in tinseltown. Who knows though? Maybe he is. On this work he manipulates his voice enough to convince us we wouldn't know it was him if he didn't want us to.

The entire track listing is below but we'll touch on one of our favorites. For obvious reasons you can't go into a lot of plot detail when describing work only minutes long but plot there is, and great twists and turns and a lot more you wouldn't expect in something four minutes long.

The CD kicks off with Royal Blood and we were immediately blown away. The conversational tone and almost hypnotic measure sucks you in and then you realize the deadly game that's being played out and blam! Harper kicks you in the sternum. But you'll like it, we promise.

Harper tells us that in college, he studied under and befriended the late Rod
Serling of Twilight Zone and Night Gallery fame. The influence is obvious.
He's also a contributing producer to Satellite XM Radio's "Sonic Theater" Channel, where his Twisted Rhymes air regularly coast to coast.

The production values are exceptional - lush depth to some pieces that sort of wrap you up and make you feel comfy until he's ready to pounce on your head. Then others are stark, leaving you feeling a bit out on your own - maybe you shouldn't be here In Laredo 1857, this might just not be a good idea...and then blam! He got you again.

1. Royal Blood: A king's deadly game. (4:50)
2. Cobwebs & Candlelight (5:46)
3. Patient Number 9 (3:57)
4. When The Full Moon Comes Rising (7:05)
5. Cap'n MacKnee (3:15)
6. VooDoo
7. Musical Murder Mystery (4:22)
8. In Laredo 1857 (4:18)
9. Cup a' Joe (4:34)
10. And Nothing More (9:32)

The CD is available to purchase at www.horrorsound.com.