Battlestar Galactica: Season 4
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Free Music Notes for Battlestar Galactica: Season 4
Free Music Review: Exceptional
Hit: 5 Stars
Now having all the soundtracks from BSG, this is a great ending to a spectacular show and an astounding listening experience.
I'm was very happy when I heard that Bear would be able to have two discs, clearly both were absolutely necessary to do his work justice and house the release of this amazing music.
Compared to the previous soundtracks many pieces are the obligitory reworkings of themes that have appear on the previous three. This won't be an issue if you're completely new to these soundtracks, yet if you were already familiar, this one can seem a bit repetitive or recycled compared to the originality and freshness that were so vibrant on the first two soundtracks. Of course both the third soundtrack, and this new entry have their complete share of new fresh ideas, but it may not seem as revolutionary and groundbreaking as Season 1 & 2.
Otherwise, it's an absolute pleasure to listen to.
I felt the greatest and freshest tracks were:
Gaeta's Lament (both versions)
Resurrection Hub
Elegy (the beauty of which was not immediately apparent in the show)
Kara Remembers
Diaspora Oratorio
One track needs special mention: 'Assault on the Colony'. Being so furiously intense it almost puts 'Prelude to War' and 'Storming New Caprica' to shame (both of which were stunning pieces). What is most stunning about it is the way it starts overtly frenetic, and militaristic creating a sense of sheer panic and desperation, yet then leads into the destiny theme, which in it's newly ramped up and forbiddingly dark way induces even more terror then you thought this show and music were already delivering. I was never more on edge watching anything than during this part of Daybreak, and so much of that feeling comes from this amazing track. Everything culminates and so many of the different themes and influences from the rest of the show meld into the most intense climatic scenes and music from the entire show.
Overall a wonderful addition to finish my collection, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it!
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PS. I'm giving 5 stars for the music. However I would like to add this note that the jewel cases for ALL of my BSG soundtracks have all *sucked*. I'm guessing LaLa is to blame. Far too much adhesive for the seals, and the cases are terribly brittle. I accidentally ended up breaking both cases for season 1 and 2. Even while being incredible careful and meticulous expect glue residue. And be careful if you try cleaning it since the crappy plastic will easily scratch and form a milky patch if scrubbed at all. And do yourself the favor of taking all the paper inserts out first. I didn't and water damaged the back with the tracklist. And this time it has special case that is the size of a single jewel case, yet has the plastic tray for 2 CD's. With the large booklet, the case is practically busting, yet it feels brittle and not very durable. Typical CD cases are better and easier to open. These are the worst I've ever seen.
PSS. I had no trouble copying the music to my computer using BonkEnc. Easy as pie!
Free Music Review: A fitting sendoff to the series
Hit: 5 Stars
Battlestar Galactica has since come and gone from the airwaves, with the occasional exception of the TV movies that they're planning - the upcoming one is entitled The Plan, due out sometime this year - but the ending season's soundtrack has just been released, ending what is a fine tradition of outstanding scoring for the series.
Battlestar Galactica has always had a soundtrack that's stood out, and each of the five soundtracks released for the Miniseries and resulting four seasons have been outstanding, different and beautiful. Composer Bear McCreary has utilized a number of different instruments and influences, from classical to Indian throughout the series, and this season is no exception, and is possibly the best score of the entire series.
Gatea's song from early on in the season is the opening track, and is a beautiful and haunting song, and helps to set the tone for the rest of the score. The sound for the entire season is one that is largely based off of the previous themes, matured and evolved from their starting points. This doesn't mean that the entire soundtrack is a rehash of what we've already heard. There's a greater urgency with some of these songs as the action in the series ramps up, especially evident with the track The Signal, and Roslin Escapes, while new themes, such as from the excellent Resurrection Hub, which is easily one of the best tracks on the score.
Season 4 was one of the seasons where the show began to end the story, wrapping up storylines and building to the conclusion. As a result, much of these two discs feel far less like a television soundtrack and far more like a movie soundtrack. The themes are greater, more sweeping and make their presence felt, which is highly appropriate for the last moments. Case in point would be Farewell Apollo early on in the list, but this really kicks in for the finale moments of the show.
This starts with Diaspora Oratorio, the track that came over when the fleet came across the First Earth for the mid-season finale, which would have worked easily as an end for the show. By far, this is my absolute favorite track for the entire series. It is epic, beautiful and sweeping, and far out of character for the show, which helps to set it apart. From there, the last eigh tracks cover the final moments of the show, and put together a somber, epic and wonderful sendoff to the show. Earth, Goodbye Sam, Heart of the Sun, Starbuck Disappears, So Much Life, An Easterly View and The Passage of Time all allow for a proper sendoff to all the characters, with hints of some of the original themes throughout, but often with a far more etherial sound to them that transends much of what we've heard before.
This soundtrack stands far apart from most other ones that I've heard. It's beautiful, simply elegant, and a proper sendoff to the series. I'll be very sad that this is the last soundtrack, and undoubtably, it will be known as McCreary's finest works. There was a lot of original, creative energy here over the course of the series, and I have no idea when we'll see something like this again.
Free Music Review: On the Level of John Williams' Star Wars Soundtracks
Hit: 5 Stars
That's right ladies and gents, you heard that right, Bear McCreary has done to television scores what John Williams did to feature film scores. This album rivals any of the Star Wars music and, I LOVE the Star Wars music. Anyone who buys this - whether you are a BSG diehard like myself or simply looking for a good CD - will NOT be disappointed. The opening selection for this album "Gaeta's Lament" was brilliant. It sets the tone for the rest of the album and, indeed, is the primary component to telling the grand final season of the greatest show of all time. I don't know what BSG would be without the music of Bear McCreary. I would probably still like it, but nowhere near as much. The thundering tribal drums, rolling percussions, beautiful violins - all of it - is just spectacular and adds to the suspense and wonder of the show. I have all of the BSG soundtracks, plus the new Caprica soundtrack (Galactica's prequel spinoff series premiering in January 2010 on SyFy Channel) and this is truly the height of Mr. McCreary's work. It incorporates all of the themes previously touched upon in the prior seasons while introducing new themes, and if you listen closely to the SECOND CD music from the series finale, "Daybreak", you can even hear cues from the aforementioned "Caprica" series.
Bear is truly a musical god and a great storyteller in his own right. Look out for "Kara Remembers" which is probably my favorite song on the first CD due to the fact that it is a piano rendition of "All Along the Watchtower" and it is simply beautiful. As stated above the second CD is all of the music from the finale with the epic fifteen minute musical romp "Assault on the Colony" which is quite possibly McCreary's best work (next to season two's "Prelude to War"). I am so sad that this show has come to an end and we will no longer have new music from BSG to enjoy (save for the final BSG soundtrack which consists exclusively of music from the two DVD movies "Razor" and "The Plan" coming out later this year). However, we have Caprica to look forward to which is similar yet...wonderfully different. As the Hybrid in "Razor" told Major Shaw: "this is not an end, but a beginning!"
Some notable tracks include:
Gaeta's Lament
Resurrection Hub
The Cult of Baltar
Among the Ruins
Cally Descends
Kara Remembers
Dreilide Thrace Sonata No. 1
Diaspora Oratorio
The Line
Assault on the Colony
So Much Life
An Easterly View
SO SAY WE ALL!
Free Music Review: A landmark for the history of Television Scores
Hit: 5 Stars
In today's world of television, there is little time for quality music composition. When you think of your favorite shows, odds are the music is one of three things: DJ'ed from another source, original but full of minimalism, or non-existent. It is for this reason that the season 4 Galactica album will completely blow you away.
We've all heard how incredible scores can be from movies. Even when they borrow from well-known classical composers, there are some that never fail to capture the essence of the story; the rush of emotion, the journey of the characters. Bear McCreary has taken these functions and augmented them in a way that is rarely seen even in movie scores. The music is part of the fabric of the story itself. Everything you hear meshes perfectly with what you are seeing. Character themes/motifs evolve and grow with the characters, and the music becomes a journey in and of itself. You can find these character themes woven into tracks all throughout the album.
This two disc set is also an example of how staggering Bear's range really is. It encompasses nearly every style imaginable. Western sounds blend with Japanese, Middle-eastern sounds blend with Rock. The result is a synthesis the likes of which you have never heard. It is never out of place or jarring. In fact, the orchestration is masterful. Thundering Taiko drums amplify your racing heart rate during action scenes, yet never seem to overpower delicate string instruments or vocals. Ethnic solo instruments such as the Irish whistle, Duduk, Erhu, and Fiddle underscore introspective character moments. Strings soar in majestic melodies. Solo piano provides soft, eerie background music for montages. Yes, the range of this soundtrack is quite impressive.
Without a doubt, the music of Battlestar Galactica (and in particular the third and fourth seasons) have re-defined the role music can (and often should) play in narrative. I not only encourage you to purchase this album, but also to watch the show and to see for yourself how this extraordinary craft evolved as part of the medium. There really is nothing else like it.
Free Music Review: Simply magnificent.
Hit: 5 Stars
I wondered after listening to the second season soundtrack and several magnificent tracks from the third season if Bear could possibly better his previous works. He did. When I saw the Fourth Season of BSG I didn't pick up on all the music. It was much like watching Star Wars in that one doesn't separate the music from the images initially. The music is as much the show as the characters are. That being said Bear McCreary has composed some of the most moving tracks I have ever heard. Most evoke emotions as well as those works from Williams, Horner and Zimmer. His music takes you on an emotional roller coaster of fear, hope, despair, pain, triumph, reflection, etc. Some personal standouts I particulary love:
Please excuse my poor descriptions for I lack a proper knowledge of musical terms.
1. Track 1 Disc 2: "Caprica City, Before The Fall". This one almost pulled tears from me at times. (There is a seven note theme that is the centerpiece of this track played on a duduk)It perfectly evokes hope and foreboding. A fitting harbinger of things to come in the "Daybreak" episodes. It is easily my favorite track of the two discs. It is serious and solemn and underscores the tone of the series final episode. Bear uses leitmotif as well as John Williams through much of his work blending two other themes including the ominous 10 note theme from " All Along The Watchtowers". This piece evoked fear and hope. Fear in that this is the end, but hope that the characters will preservere till the end. A magnificent piece that captivates me like no other!!!
2. Track 20 Disc 1: "Diaspora Oratorio". A triumph.
3. Track 11 Disc 1: "Roslin and Adama Reunited"
4. Track 9 Disc 2: "Goodbye Sam"
5. Track 10 Disc 2: "Heart Of The Sun"
6. Track 13 Disc 2: "An Easterly View"
As incomparable as the series is, it's still hard to believe some of these tracks were written for a television series. Fittingly enough though, they were written for Battlestar Galactica.
Bravo and encore!