About the Soundtrack: Bear McCreary's score for the
Battlestar Galactica prequel show,
Caprica, has been released by the good folks at La-La Land Records (a great label, in my opinion). The soundtrack, which offers 18 tracks from the
Caprica pilot, marks a definite shift in the style of music that is offered by McCreary for the
Galactica franchise. For this, McCreary employed a smaller chamber orchestra and used less of the exotic instruments that were so prominent during
Galactica's run. As per the norm with McCreary's work, the sound quality is once again excellent as even the quieter cues are heard in great clarity and detail (a facet that is not always a guarantee with even some of the theatrical scores that are released these days). The liner notes include a note from both the director and the composer for you to check out.
What You Need to Know: Some of you may know only one side of Composer Bear McCreary's work and that would be from his groundbreaking contributions on the
Battlestar Galactica series from the Sci Fi Channel. For the show's prequel, McCreary shifts the tone of the music we were familiar with by tailoring a new direction that best fits in with this earlier time frame in
Galactica history. While there are musical hints leading up to the inevitable events of the Cylon conflict,
Caprica is, by and large, a stand-alone score specific to this new installment in the series.
When I begin listening to a soundtrack, I usually have an instinct very early on as to whether or not I am in for a worthwhile listening experience or not. From the first few notes of Caprica, I was certain that an enjoyable time was ahead of me. I was first impressed by the new approach adopted for this different time frame in Galactica's television history. This score has more of a refined, mature feel to it which is in stark contrast to the primal, percussive elements heard in the regular series. Since this pilot episode depicts a more civilized, peaceful time, this approach is absolutely spot on.
The main theme for Caprica offers a bit of a lush, classical feel to it. I found it to be elegant yet ominous and even reminiscent of the works of a John Barry. Now, if ever you would have dreamt that a John Barry reference to the music of Battlestar Galactica would come to pass, Caprica is the revelation to such a statement. In fact, this polished, classically inspired score shows the agility and versatility of Bear McCreary! If ever there was a doubt that he could step out of television and deliver music for the cinematic frontiers, than I feel a score like Caprica abolishes any such conjecture. Though Caprica itself is a television product, its score has all the dramatic foundations that would make any dramatic film envious.
As much as an appreciation I have for this new material, the hints that McCreary lays down toward the bridge of music between
Caprica and
Battlestar is what I found to be most effective. For instance, in a track like
Zoe Awakens, one can sense that the musical identity of
Caprica has started to inch its way to the world of the
Battlestar scores. It's cues like this one that fans of the modern "original: series will really gain an appreciation for. Though in a perfect world I would preferred a bit more of these infusions in this
Caprica score, I am ultimately quite content to enjoy this album for what it is.
