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Various Artists

Music From Science Fiction Classics

Review by Gary Hill

There is some great soundtrack music included in this three CD set. I have to quibble with the title, though. I think their definition of "classic" is somewhat different than the definition the rest of the world has. Of the three films presented here, perhaps the third, "Destination Moon" qualifies. Of the other two, I've seen the second one, "The Puppet Masters." I don't remember much about the movie except that it was forgettable and nothing special. The reviews for that one and the first, "Moon 44" that are out there are not positive. All that said, I think this music holds up well taken away from its film origins much of the time. This is a cool collection of symphonic soundtrack music, really. I should mention that this type of music is not all that well suited for track by track reviews, but that's how we do reviews at Music Street Journal.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2024  Volume 3 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2024.

Track by Track Review
CD1:
                 
Moon 44
                  
Joel Goldsmith
                        
Main Title / Felix The Cop

Atmospheric sounds bring this in. It turns a little bombastic at times, and there are some non-lyrical voices heard at points. After this melodic movement works through, holding most of the track, bombastic, symphonic sounding things take over. That is interspersed with mellower, but still dramatic stuff.

First Training Flight

There is a sense of triumph and majesty built into this number. It feels symphonic, and it's quite powerful. There is a real militaristic vibe to this, along with a lot of drama and excitement. It gets quite bombastic before it's over.

So Long, Felix
Coming in atmospheric and symphonic at the same time, this is much mellower than the previous track. It has a sense of beauty, but also sadness to it. It grows more intense as it continues, getting louder at the same time.
Navigator's Hang Up

This is a short piece that comes in powerful and soaring. It drops to mellower modes later with some non-lyrical vocals.

Armed And Dangerous No. 1

Feeling militaristic, this definitely seems to be building excitement. There is a sense of danger involved. It works through some shifts and changes, but that sense of peril remains intact.

Drones, Drones, Drones (But Not A Drop To Drink)

To some degree this reminds me of some of the music from "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." There is a good energy and drama to the symphonic vibes. It feels like powerful combat is underway.

Sykes Gets Caught

Feeling more electronic and percussive, there definitely a spacey feeling to this. It does turn more powered up as it continues. It powers out to more of a full symphonic treatment further down the road.

Armed And Dangerous No. 2

There is a driving energy to a lot of this, but it also drops down to mellower territory at times.

So You Like It Fast (Hard And Rough)

This is driving and symphonic as it gets going, but it turns to a mellower motif later on the road.

Jake To The Rescue / Joel's Outlandish Adventure

Coming less intense, this has a lot of emotion built into it as it gets underway. There are explosions of bombastic sound as it continues. There is a general sense of unease and peril for a time. Then it turns more militaristic and triumphant.

Lee Bombs Out

There are parts of this that also make me think of "Wrath of Khan." This gets pretty crazed and powerful at times, though. It has plenty of evocative vibes, as well.

Welcome To Moon 44

This short piece definitely has a space vibe to it.

Taxi Driver ("You Talkin' To Me?")

The building approach as this gets going reminds me just a little of Holst's "Mars, the Bringer of War." That is only a minor reference point as other layers come in over the top. This is not as loud and bombastic as some of the rest. There are hints of melodies that again make me think of "Star Trek" here. Then again, I have "Star Trek" on the brain a lot of the time. This has some intriguing changes and interesting moods.

The Cookie Crumbles / Bumpy Taxi Ride / The End Of Moon 44

Energy and danger both seem to swirl around one another as this gets going. There is a very dramatic symphonic vibe at play as it grows outward. At a little over six minutes long, this is the epic of the CD. That space is used to create a lot of varied movements and feelings. There are some particularly powerful sections later in the track.

Aftermath

Unusual spacey percussiveness is on the menu here. This feels very spacey, but then symphonic melodies bring a more grounded beauty to bear. There are some chorale voices heard as this mellow piece continues.

Heading For Earth
Feeling more atmospheric and dreamy, this piece is pretty and short.
Terry On The Moon / Finale

This mellower number does feel like a concluding piece. It has a satisfying resolution vibe to it. This is another short track.

Shut Out

Here we get a big change. This is a driving punk rock stomper complete with vocals.

CD2:
           
The Puppet Masters
                           
Colin Towns
                          
Arrival

Nearly the first minute of this is silent. Then symphonic elements enter and create a spooky sense of dread.

The Visitor Revealed

This is bombastic, powerful and downright creepy and dangerous sounding. There are mellower parts mid-track, but they still have a sense of peril.

Check The Ship Dim The Lights

More understated, there seems to be a sense of mystery about this.

He's On The Car

There is a real thriller kind of vibe to this It feels like something from Hitchcock movies, and particularly "Psycho" to me.

Jarvis

There is a freakiness to this. Much of it lands on the mellower end of the spectrum, but it does get louder at points. It definitely feels menacing.

Motorcade

This is powerful stuff. It has a lot of symphonic bombastic and conveys a sense of danger. It also has plenty of energy.

Why Are You Here?

This has some seriously mellow parts, but it also turns spacey and weird with louder parts.

Quit Smoking

Another piece that has some vibes that make me think of the "Psycho" soundtrack, this is symphonic, bombastic and driving. There are mellower moments further down the road, and the track conveys plenty of menace and drama.

The Shower

Mellow piano gets us underway on this one. It builds very gradually from there.

Using The Children

This is powerful and driving. It's dramatic, too. There are some more of those things that make think of "Psycho" at times. It really gets intense at times, yet it also drops back at others.

Can't Hurt Her Can You?

Built around piano, this is on the more sedate end of the spectrum. It turns symphonic as it continues and features a good contrast between mellower and more intense parts.

Danny

This is dramatic, powerful and evolving. It's symphonic and has some seriously driving moments.

The Hive

Freaky and trippy sounds are on the menu here. This is suitably strange and menacing. It has mellower sections that are more grounded, though.

Here Kitty Kitty

There is almost a sense of wonder as this gets going. When it turns more bombastic, it also becomes more threatening. This is driving and powerful at points. It turns mellower and trippier at others.

A Million Voices
This is mellower and pretty. There is a sense of relief here. Yet, there is also something that feels vaguely menacing. The more comforting side is the dominant one, though.
CD3:
                     
Destination Moon
                                
Leith Stevens
                          
Earth

This has so much magic built into it. It's packed full of mystery and promise. There is a great balance between louder and more sedate stuff. It ends with the sound of a rocket launch.

In Outer Space

At almost 19-and-a-half minutes of music, this is an epic track. It has a mellower, and suitably spacey, vibe at play as it gets going. The piece moves through a lot of different modes and themes, getting more powered up and fast-paced further down the road. There are some seriously magical moments along this extensive ride. There are really so many different vibes at play here.

On The Surface Of The Moon

There is some real drama built into this. A sense of adventure seems tempered with a sense of danger.

Escape From The Moon

There are some playful, adventurous vibes going on with this piece. It does have some menacing drama at times, as well.

Finale

At just over 13 minutes long, this epic piece has a lot of intriguing moments built into it. There are quite a few different sections, themes and moods built into this. It's a classy piece of music that might be my favorite on this particular disc of the set.

 
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