How Very. Heathers is a dark comedy film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, but the producers' first choice was Stanley Kubrick. (The opening cafeteria scene was written as an homage to the barracks scene in Full Metal Jacket). A satire of American high school culture, the film is wickedly funny although it initially underperformed at the box office. The film succeeded in the home rental market, cementing it as an early career highlight for both Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The film’s synthesizer-based score was composed by David Newman, who also scored films such as War Of The Roses, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and Coneheads (in addition to about 100 others). Opening track “Strip Croquet” is filtered synth pads and harmonica, “J.D. Blows Up” is echoing claps and orderly electronic drums. “Dorm” is fiercely gated percussion and shimmering synth leads, “J.D.’s Final Stand” begins with eerily held chords but serves to bring together many previously individual elements of the score into one. Released in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, this pressing is on “Very” neon green colored vinyl and includes a printed inner sleeve with liner notes.

• "very" neon green colored vinyl pressing
• printed inner sleeve
• limited edition
• music label: Varese Sarabande 2019

reviewed by RANDOLPH SMILEY 09/2019