Charles Bernstein’s score for the 1986 black comedy April Fool’s Day is a notable piece within the horror and slasher genre, particularly for its unique approach to blending humor with suspense. Available on vinyl for the first time in over thirty years, Craft Recordings with Varèse Sarabande is releasing this cult-classic soundtrack as a Deluxe Edition expansion, marking a significant appreciation of Bernstein’s work in this cult-classic film. The Deluxe Edition includes a synthesized performance of the original score, the first release of the 23-track orchestral film score, and five previously unreleased bonus tracks from Bernstein’s archives. This expansion also features new liner notes from award-winning composer Brian Satterwhite, providing deeper insight into Bernstein’s composition process and his unique challenges with this film.
Bernstein, known for his significant contributions to the horror genre in the 1980s, including scores for A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cujo, found April Fool’s Day to be an unusual challenge of creating a soundtrack that paid homage to slasher films while maintaining a playful edge. This was to reflect the film’s blend of horror with black comedy, where traditional horror tropes are used in a context that’s not entirely serious. The film features Thomas F. Wilson (who played Biff Tannen in Back to the Future) and Deborah Foreman (Valley Girl), among others, and revolves around a group of college friends who experience a series of deadly pranks while on a spring break trip. The movie received mixed reactions upon its release, with some praising its inventive take on the genre and others critiquing its unexpected conclusion. Despite this, April Fool’s Day eventually gained a cult following, particularly for its clever plot twists and the way it subverted typical genre expectations. Bernstein’s score is crucial to this effect, balancing between evoking genuine suspense and telling the audience that it’s all in good fun.
This edition not only includes the original score but also offers previously unreleased tracks from Bernstein’s archives, providing a fuller picture of his vision for the film’s music. The 2-LP edition sounds great with no hisses, which speaks to the care that went into this pressing. The first LP contains the full orchestral edition, while the second includes the synth version. The additional tracks like “CB Groove 1 & 2” are funky 80’s synth jams, while the additional five bonus tracks are more sound inspirations that Bernstein used in composing. Fans of horror soundtracks should seek this cult classic from an iconic horror composer.
