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When a score is
released as a 3-disc set in today's market, you know something is up. And
that something is Bear McCreary's stock because he has delivered a rather
astonishing soundtrack experience with his score for the television series,
Human Target.
Believe the hype on this one...and then some.
Human Target
can be looked at as a modern take on the old fashioned serials from
yesteryear. The number of above-average, standout cues spread across this 3-disc
set seems to defy the odds but somehow they're here before us, ready to be
enjoyed on a level unique to the television format. The enthusiasm that's
behind the music is infectious and the spirited, adventurous tone is
tangible. How Bear was able to come up with this epic output is beyond me.
I'd venture to say that there were not a lot of hours dedicated to sleep and
rest during the development time on Human Target.
Those of us
who are engaged in the soundtrack medium will recognize Bear for his
ethnically diverse palette that he wove into his scores for the modern
Battlestar Galactica
series. I think many of us sensed that there was a special quality to his
work but the parameters of Galactica
never fully unleashed the composer's orchestral voice. Well, wait until you
hear him out on Human Target because
there is a bundle of rich, sophisticated, and catchy music that you'll
partake in. What you'll first notice is a prominent, adventurous main theme
from the show's opening titles, presented on this release in the extended
version (which kicks off the album) and it's far removed from the new-age
tones of the Galactica opening.
The
Target theme serves as the foundation for the
adventure that's to unfold and it's definitely a keeper. In fact, Bear calls
upon it frequently throughout the score and it never seems to wear out its
welcome. It also helps that the supporting motifs play off of this main
theme in a complimentary manner which ensures a solid thread of consistency
throughout. But this is no static, by the book deployment; the music evokes
a sense of cinematic wonder in a countless number of moments. Those of us
who had our dreams served by the music of
Goldsmith and
Williams will find
that we've arrived in similar territory here. Again, it's hard to fathom
that this great music hails from a modern television series and not some
Spielberg blockbuster. That's how good it is.
It's rare
for me to pass out a perfect grade here. A lot has to come together, a
perfect storm in a sense, for a soundtrack to receive an A+ recommendation.
I'm happy to report that Human
Target is such a score. You see, this type of
music speaks my type language and rekindled a type of youthful enthusiasm
within me. Even if Disc 1 were released on its own, I would still give it a
rave review, but here, the La-La Land team knows a good thing when its
before them and have granted us a stellar 3 discs to dive into. Further
accolades go out to the Producers behind the series itself for having the
guts to commit to the music in this fashion and for simply allowing Bear to
do his thing.
So whether
you go all in and purchase the La La Land release or opt to purchase the
digital "double disc" option, you are bound to be satisfied either way.
With the brilliance of
Doctor Who
and the liveliness of Human Target, we
fans have quite a bit to be thankful for from the small screen these days. |