You’ve Played The Game, Now Listen To The Music

Robyn Miller “Myst” original soundtrack - Cyan CD

With the enormous popularity of the CD-ROM game Myst, it’s not surprising to see a soundtrack of music from the game released on disc.

Robyn Miller, who conceived the mystical adventure game with his brother Rand two years ago, has taken all of the instrumentals he composed for Myst’s six levels and released it as an album.

Being one who doesn’t have CD-ROM on my computer, I’ve never played the game. Even so, I don’t get the impression that this album is targeted to Myst owners. The 26 dark, atmospheric compositions - a cross between “The X-Files” and “The Fugitive” - are compelling enough to stand on their own.

You might find that a few tracks lack closure and a definitive climax, but that’s often typical of soundtracks when the music’s job is to merely provide a sonic background. To the soundtrack’s credit, the music conjures up so much imagery, it makes me want to run to the nearest computer store and shell out $50 for a copy of the game.

The “Myst” soundtrack is available only through mail order by calling (800) 219-4119.

Planetary Refugees Self-titled - Self-released CD

The Planetary Refugees is one of only a few reggae bands in Spokane, not known as the reggae capital of the Northwest. Building an audience in this town has not been an easy task for the Planetary Refugees, which had to settle for week-night shows with only 20 or 30 people present early in its career.

This year the band, a victim of numerous personnel changes, finally assembled its debut album. The self-titled disc contains seven roots reggae originals and three updated renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Black Uhuru’s “Rent Man” and Denny Hedges’ “Lay Down Your Gun.” There’s even a hidden track; it’s omitted from the track listing because the spacey , psychedelic song, a cry for the hungry and the homeless, doesn’t really gel with the rest of the material. Yet its urgent message certainly warrants a place on this disc.

Musically, the Planetary Refugees demonstrate a well-researched knowledge of roots reggae. Plus, the band is successful in eluding the trappings of white-boy reggae - music more rock-based than reggae. Among the standouts are “Refugees from Babylon (with a smoking saxophone solo from Randy Mead), “Showdown in Texas” and “Streets on Fire.”

Bryan Bogue “Together For Good” - Good Vibes CD

Like the Planetary Refugees, Bryan Bogue also plays reggae; he’s a member of Moko Jumbie, although it’s a part-time endeavor. Bogue also pounds away on percussion for local percussion ensemble Happy Hammers. Plus, he’s tympanist for the Spokane Symphony. But the music Bogue has produced for his first album “Together for Good” strays a bit from his other projects.

That’s because “Together for Good” finds Bogue and a host of other musicians playing easy-listening instrumentals punctuated by a vibraphone. (Only one song has vocals.) A couple of the tunes, “Finalment Livres” and “Happy Are the Feet of Those,” with their jazzy inflections, could easily be embraced by the cocktail-nation genre.

For the most part, “Together for Good” is a feel-good album. Songs shimmer with bright melodies and jubilant spirit. “Together for Good” is also a very religious effort. Most compositions were inspired by biblical passages, and the album cover shows Bogue walking hand in hand with a little girl up a magnified xylophone toward “the light.”

, DataTimes