Have you been missing Battlestar Galactica? It's been a while since any new material from the iconic science fiction drama, a re-imagined adaption (2003-2009) of a prior series with the same name was available but thanks to La-La Land Records' new release of series composer Bear McCreary's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN/RAZOR you may now feast your ears.
It's true. Humanity does live on in composer McCreary's offering of the soundtracks to SyFy Channel's "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" and "Razor" [feature-length] TV events which combined, were "literally years in the making," says McCreary.
Of the many accolades bestowed upon Bear McCreary this one I think says it best: (McCreary's music) "fits the action so perfectly, it's almost devastating: a
sci-fi score like no other," (NPR).
I have felt this many times whilst listening to Bear's music scores either alone or when they are more prominent in the Battlestar series as well as other efforts of his that I continue to enjoy, currently "Caprica." Bear forges an emotional connection which is completely, uniquely his in style and substance.
The music within this well-crafted CD includes music that Bear wrote before and after the tracks on the Season 4 Battlestar Galactica Album. Bear, as he has over the course of the Battlestar Galactica series' run, makes strong use of past character and concept themes, expanding, refining and tweaking them so a number of familiar sonic elements do bubble up (which I love) as they in effect end up as sort of bookend-companion pieces. Bear McCreary's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN/RAZOR is yet another another powerful offering from Bear McCreary .With almost 70 minutes of music spread over 19 tracks, this is more than a full-length sampling of music from both Razor and the Plan.
You'll find another instance of "bookending" done to great effect on the new CD with Apocalypse (Theme From The Plan) both beginning and finishing out the album.The final, live version which completely rocks out, barely edging out the intro Apocalypse as my favourite version (so far). I'm sure many Battlestar Galactica/Bear McCreary fans will find it completely satisfying as many folks simply could not deal with the logistics inherent in attending the Bear McCreary/Battlestar Galcatica Orchestra live gigs in Southern California held last year.
It's been noted that compared to some Battlestar Galactica CD's,The Plan/Razor has a more introspective feel overall. When I went to pick a few of my favourite tracks I realized that two of my three were from "Razor": "Attack on The Scorpion Shipyards" and the haunting "Starbuck's Destiny." Razor's music is maybe a bit more unified and seeing as though it is the story from the perspective of newbie Pegasus crewmember, Kendra Shaw, it makes sense to me that they would be slightly more interior-sounding.
The almost palpable energy and enthusiasm of the live version of "Apocolypse (Theme From The Plan)" tips the scales for me as the best of a very solid effort. (I need to see this band live!)
Check my prior reviews of some Bear McCreary's work:
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