I love both versions of the Halloween soundtrack. The original release has a powerful-sounding mix while the 20th anniversary sounds more like the film and it’s fun to hear the dialogue snippets.
I have a couple small complaints about each one though. I’m not a fan of the thumping “techno” drum beat that was added to the main theme in the original release. I want to be creeped out by the Halloween theme, not have the urge to dance to it! I’m not really sure why this was done. Was this Carpenter’s or Howarth’s idea? I think it would’ve been better to have the original version throughout most of the album and then have the remixed drum version as a bonus track at the end.
Regarding the 20th anniversary version, the rhythmic instrument that sounds similar to a cricket (not sure what it’s called) in the main title theme pans to the right and then to the center and does that a few times. It’s a bit distracting to me. I would’ve liked it to be dead center. Also the dialogue track where Loomis and the nurse are talking while driving to Smith’s Grove is panned to the left. Again, I think this should’ve been placed dead center. Other than these issues I really like this release. Has there ever been a version of the 20th anniversary edition that was mixed differently?
My dream release would be the original album but without the added drum beat. The mix sounds so good on that original release but the drums kind of take me out of it.
I’m not really sure why this was done. Was this Carpenter’s or Howarth’s idea? I think it would’ve been better to have the original version throughout most of the album and then have the remixed drum version as a bonus track at the end.