Countdown To Halloween - Week Two!

 

Here are the only items in our countdown that aren't "vintage." (If they are to you, then you are quite young and I don't know what to tell you.)  But don't let that stop you! This first disc sometimes gets referred to by the title of "SCARY STORIES TURN OUT THE LIGHTS!" but I think it's just a victim of poor graphic design.  It was put out in 2004 by "PI" or Publications International.  The whole cardboard package (jewel cases being too expensive) looks cheesy, and really makes you think of the cheap CD's at party supply or dollar stores of the era.  And heck, it could be one, but the good news is: it's quite well done, actually maintains its integrity, and is even fondly remembered.  

I was surprised how much fun this disc really is.  There are no credits, but when you rip the CD, each track is credited to John Sterchi, who therefore must be our narrator and performer.

On the other hand, there is this.  This is definitely one of those cheap CD's from party supply/dollar stores.  This disc represents the later generation of Halloween sound effects CD's, where everything is completely overdone and Loudness Warred to death. You can judge it by its cover, too; just look at that art...the only thing it's missing is your hand holding a DOOM weapon.  Even the infamous "Hit Crew" people knew this was lackluster (the sound effects only add up to 23 minutes!), and they added a DVD of public domain movies, which I haven't included here, but rest assured they are all on YouTube, and everywhere else...and besides that, if you're a connoisseur of vintage horror, haven't you seen them all by now ("them" being THE VAMPIRE BAT, THE SCREAMING SKULL, and THE MONSTER WALKS)? Hang tight, because next week's batch will make up for this one in spades.

LINK:  Spooky Month WEEK 2

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And don't forget last year's Spooky Month items, still un...dead:

Vintage Halloween Sound Effects LP Mega-Pack!

Scary Tales Featuring John Zacherley