Universal's attempts to get as much mileage out of the remade RANDALL & HOPKIRK (DECEASED) franchise continues with this rather unnecessary single.

Of the three tracks here, two are David Arnold's theme to the series - the vocal version featuring Nina Persson of the Cardigans, and the instrumental version.

As big a fan of the Cardigans as I am, I'd be the first to admit that this isn't Nina's finest hour - the track just doesn't seem to work as well with the inclusion of vocals, even hers.

The major attraction here is the instrumental version of the theme, which does not appear on the soundtrack CD.  For some reason both the track and the title sequence always remind me slightly of the theme to the DR WHO AND THE DALEKS, although that's probably just me.

The final track, and a blatant filler is AIN'T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD by Vic Reeves.  It's only a couple of minutes long so it's literally here one minute and gone the next, which is not really a bad thing.

A disappointing release overall then - the major selling point is the instrumental version of the theme, which Island could and should have included on the soundtrack itself.  If you want the 'proper' version of the theme then I'd advise trying to hunt this one down in a sale some time, but as it stands, it's easily missable. BACK TO THE TOP

THEME FROM RANDALL AND HOPKIRK (DECEASED)

NINA PERSSON & DAVID ARNOLD

ISLAND RECORDS


RATING: 4/10