Dark at the End of the Tunnel

by Oingo Boingo

Overview

Danny Elfman, lead singer of Oingo Boingo, knows how to make great music. With his penetrating charisma he can pull many a song through in his own wacky direction and style, making it equally dark and fun. Dark at the End of the Tunnel seems misguided, as though Elfman has lost sense of the music he is "meant" to make, or maybe he had been dabbling in too many musical scores at the time to keep track (he was gaining momentum as a darn good film scorer with hits like Batman and Edward Scissorhands). There are only moments here and there that will remind you of the madman's laugh riot Oingo Boingo used to be. That would be fine, except that the remaining songs are bland and dispirited. Elfman takes a shot at pure pop on "Try to Believe," which is uniquely positive and emotional: Who knew he had it in him? He spreads those hidden wings of emotion even further on the mercifully tender and comforting "Out of Control," which is about as close to a lullaby as you are likely to hear from this group. What a wonderful idea it would have been to use one of the most artistic and clever singer/lyricists of the 90s and his inspired band to create an entire album of pop and ballads. What might be a selling of pride for Elfman could have been a huge benefit to the world of pop with his distinct voice and ability. He gives us a taste of what could have been, along with "Flesh and Blood," a tantalizing blend of vocals and rhythmic mischief that make the album glow, however briefly. ~ Peter Fawthrop

Product Details

Release Date:	05/12/2023
Label:	Rubellan Remasters
UPC:	0795847166131
Rank:	17849

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Oingo Boingo   Primary Artist
Dale Turner   Trumpet,Trombone
Julia Waters   Vocals
Ralph Grierson   Piano
Danny Elfman   Guitar,Vocals
Brian Mann   Accordion
Steve Bartek   Guitar,Vocals
John Avila   Bass,Vocals
Johnny Hernandez   Drums,Percussion
Maxine Willard Waters   Vocals
Bruce Fowler   Trombone
Yvonne S. Moriarty   Horn,French Horn
Kenneth Kotwitz   Accordion
Carl Graves   Vocals,Keyboards
Julia Tillman Waters   Vocals
Leon Schneiderman   Saxophone,Sax (Baritone)
Sam Phipps   Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)

Technical Credits

Bill Jackson   Engineer
Greg Fulginiti   Mastering
Jeff Lord-Alge   Engineer
Jim Scott   Engineer
David Cragin   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Danny Elfman   Composer,Producer
Steve Bartek   Producer
Chris Lord-Alge   Mixing,Engineer
Csaba Petocz   Engineer
Talley Sherwood   Engineer
John Avila   Producer
Vartan   Art Direction
Dennis Keeley   Photography
Brian Soucy   Assistant Engineer
Peter Zokosky   Paintings