Battlestar Galactica - Season 3 Reviews

• An album and a single, both worth it

  
  By A3R56AWX8PRQLP on 2007-10-31
  BSG's Season 3 soundtrack is among the best of Bear McCreary's work, and would have been worth buying even without the inclusion of "All Along The Watchtower". With it, it's worth five stars.
  
  For those who will listen to content besides Watchtower, Bear McCreary does many good and a few great things. With David Eick wisely letting his composer glue the end of that episode together, the solid five minute cue of "Precipice" might just be his single best work in scoring an episode; the stories simply wouldn't have interlocked without it. Although different than the broadcast version, his work with percussion shows off in "Storming New Caprica". Tying in several other cues, "Temple of the Five" may be his most important new theme of the entire season. And finally, "Heeding the Call"'s inclusion of his adaptation of the Watchtower cues just prior to the big event was a pleasant surprise.
  
  And then comes his adaptation of "All Along The Watchtower", which alone could have sold the entire album given the amount of interest in it. One warning: it is not quite the same version as broadcast, with some instrumentals taken out. Still, immediately following the show he could have probably sold MP3's of the song for $10 a pop - so be glad he included the rest of the season too.
  
  The value is worth 5 stars as a result, and the music is the same.
  
  
  
  

• The BEST BSG Soundtrack to date

  
  By A14K38EY6PPD0D on 2007-10-23
  This is the BEST one Bear McCreary has put out to date. The music is complex and subtle. More cultural diversity in the tracks. A greater mix of instruments. This soundtrack definitely brings about the emotion of the episodes it represents. The best one (IMHO) is Storming New Caprica with the final seconds marking the glorious sacrifice of Pegasus. You can catch Baltar's theme, the Adama/Roslin theme, the celtic music for Adama, the theme for Starbuck, and so much more, rendered in new ways.
  
  Yep, this soundtrack is awesome!!
  
  

• Go and get that Grammy, Bear ! You deserve it

  
  By AWQELSGR9LZR8 on 2007-10-27
  If TV land is even slightly fair then Bear McCreary should get at least a Grammy and/or Globe for this magnificient achievement. With each passing score for "Battlestar Galactica" it gets better and better and this is the best score from the four that have been published.
  
  I can't think of any series sci-fi, drama that publishes a soundtrack for each passing season but BSG does and for a good reason too. I don't know where to start. Maybe at the beginning.
  
  Like the scene in the episode ("Occupation Part 1") the track "A Distant Sadness" gives you goosebumps. Raya Yarbrough sings Armenian lyrics that are beautiful and deeply sad and haunting. Interestingly enough the first few tunes are the ones from "All Along the Watchtower". Maybe a hint of things to come.
  
  "Precipe" is a simple tour de force through percussions similiar to the track "The Olympic Carrier" from the season one score. "Admiral and Commander" is a beautiful rendition of the Adama father and son theme with Ulliean Pipes, a guitar and orchestra. It soars and is yet gentle. Off we are to "Storming New Caprica", which uses the percussions in the most furious and effective way ever. Heavy Teiko rythmns make it almost Japanese. It also mixes Ullian bagpipes to show that both Pegasus and Galactica under the Adamas have arrived and they won't give up without a fight, in the middle there is a moment of sadness and defeat. I remember that scene well. It seemed as if the Galactica had lost the battle and was doomed to a firey death. A very intense moment but then the percussions return with force.
  
  "Refugees Return" is not as some would expect a joyful track but a very sad one. Everyone is tired, hurt and deeply sad. So many loved ones lost their lives on New Caprica. The face of Saul alone when he looks at Bill made me cry. "Wayward Soldier" is another wonderful percussion track and then comes "Violence and Variations". Bear McCreary writes a real symphony on a variation here. Each score has a track likes that. It started with "Passacaglia" in S01, moved on to "Allegro" in S02 and now has its third movement with "Violence and Variations". I already realized that when I saw "Unfinished Business" and was giddy to hear the track alone on the CD and it is as wonderful as I hoped.
  
  "The Dance" is nothing else but a very cheerful and jaunty Irish dance song in the best fashion. =) "Adama Falls" is a short track but made my shipper heart happy because it is a short rendition of the theme for Bill and Laura!!!! She is after all there for him and holds him up when he leaves (and is probably also the one who cleans him up in his cabin). "Under the Wing" is again a short track and features the melody that we already heard in "Violence and Variations". It must be for Kara or Kara and Lee.
  
  "Battlestar Sonatica" already stuck out in the series and Ron D. Moore explained that they used the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven as Temp Music while cutting the scenes and he wanted to have something similiar since he couldn't use Beethoven (his music is unlike the music from Philip Glass simply too recognizable and "earthly"). The track that McCreary composed is a wonderful, slightly modernistic piece with touches of Glass and huges touches of Beethoven. "Fight Night" - back to the percussions plus erhus for the mix which reminded me of a cue from the season two score but I can't think which one it was. "Kat's Sacrifice" boy did I cry at the end and I didn't even like Kat! This track stands out because brass is so very seldom used. Percussive elements join and make the theme very heroic and majestic. Lovely.
  
  
  "Someone To Trust" is a slow piece in which the electrical violin dominates. the ending of the piece is rather eerie and disquieting. Like the memories Bill has of his late second wife. "The Temple of Five" begins with wind chimes tinkling and the strange sound that I also associated with the ruins from Kobol in which Baltar had the vision, which is fitting since D'Anna does have a vision of the Final Five. The music swells and percussive elements join. The whole track has as most tracks who deal with Kobol and Earth a middle eastern touch (the Duduk is to blame).
  
  "Dirty Hands" is weird. It reminded me a bit "Cowboy Bebop" and I am not quite sure why. It is a dark, western style cue with percussive elements and a bass and some strange acoustic guitar. Refreshing because different. This is what I love about BSG. The plethora of styles! "Dirty Hands" is followed by a track that should have been featured earlier chronologicalywise but was probably added this late for best listening experience. "Gentle Execution" from "Exodus Part 2". The scene was very painful to watch. Like Kat, Elen had not been my favourite character but that scene hurt. Michael Hogan did an amazing job there. The track itself is the reprisal of the wonderful track "Worthy of Survival" with only slight use of percussive elements ("Worthy of Survival" had heavy Teiko drums).
  
  "Mandala in the Sky" is nothing special. Heavy Teiko rhythms. "Deathbed and Maelstrom": That track was used for the flashback scenes in which we see the death of Kara's mother. The track is decidedly Asian flavoured due to the inclusion of the Ehru. What IS really intriguing is the short snippet of the theme we heard already in "Kobol's Last Gleaming". Why did McCreary add the theme there? Does he know something we don't? Why use a theme that was used for the foreshadowing of the Cylon future? "Heeding the Call" is just plain genius. It uses snippets of "All Along the Watchtower" and builds up more and more and leads into the song itself. I really like the version from Bear McCreary. So cool.
  
  My final verdict: Buy it, buy it, buy it. You won't regret it. The score is just plain amazing!
  
  

• Yeah, what everyone else says!

  
  By AY7XY9E1L6QRW on 2007-10-27
  Without a doubt, Bear McCreary's finest work to date, though I could sense that throughout Season 3 itself. I'm constantly amzed by the shear variety of arrangement, instrumentation and moods McCreary uses and conveys in his score, and this CD reminds us that his contribution to the show is as important as the SFX, the writing, production and acting. McCreary will be a force to be reckoned with for decades to come. I do have one minor complaint, but won't take away a star. Possibly the most important musical segment of S3 was that in the "Crossroads" finale. Although this adaptation of "All Along the Watchtower" is a remarkable piece, I too would have like to have had the mix as it was used in the show itself. As it stands here, it just doesn't have that same epic feel as it did in the finale.
  
  

• The Best BSG Sound Track yet.

  
  By A1ZS8LRP35GNTW on 2007-12-23
  With each successive release, Bear McCreary manages to produce more and more complete soundtracks that not only tell the story of the series but can literally put you "In the moment."
  
  The Season 3 disk is the best yet. There is almost NOTHING to skip here. Everything weaves together to tell the complete story of Season 3 and really places you back into the series with a vengeance. Bear has really come a long way with the soundtracks he is producing for the television series. Almost every track has a distinct feeling and ambience that calls into memory the exact moments in the series that they accompanied.
  
  The whole experience kicks off with a bang as "A Distant Sadness" begins with the faint hints of what awaits us at the end of the series and the ushers in the desperation that filled the first two episodes of the third season and builds into "Precipice."
  
  "Admiral and Commander" ushers in the first really familiar theme in this soundtrack, bringing back what has become Adama's theme from Seasons 1 and 2, and acts as a calm before the storm that is to come in "Storming New Caprica."
  
  I defy ANYONE who has seen Exodus Part 2 to listen to this track without being immediately transported back the the phenomenal Episode and the single best Sci-If battle sequence every televised. This almost 8 minute long track that accompanied the battle sequence was/is simply perfect. Listening to it on this CD really does tell the story almost as well as the visuals did on the show. The soundtrack is worth it for this track alone.
  
  Of course, season three takes a bit of a nose dive after Exodus, but the soundtrack really doesn't as it really just kind of skips things until the episodes "Hero" and "Unfinished Business." This is where things get interesting. "The Dance" is an odd track for this series as it's actually fun and upbeat.
  
  The other highlights of this soundtrack also seem to mirror the highlights of the series as well, with notable stand out tracks being the returns of the Adama/Roslyn theme in "Adama Falls," the eerie "Battlestar Sonatica," the tragic "Kat's Sacrifice," the touching "Someone to Trust" and the mystery of Kara's fate in "Mandala in the Clouds" and "Deathbed and Maelstrom."
  
  But the real jewels here are the final two tracks, "Heeding the Call" and "All Along the Watchtower," which usher in the final act of the series yet to come in season 4. "Heeding the Call" was a great touch in "Crossroads part 2" and builds slowly as four of the five final Cylons are revealed to the viewer and is a wonderful lead-in to the controversial inclusion of the Battlestar version of "All Along the Watchtower."
  
  "All Along the Watchtower" is really a very beautiful bridge between our world and that of the series as it takes something very familiar to us and transforms it seamlessly into something that we can really feel would be very familiar to the characters of the series. It's not really a cover as much as it is a re-imagining of the song in much the same way that the modern series is a re-imagining of the original. And let's face it, this track is probably the reason you're looking at this product anyway. Rest assured that this disk is so much more than just "All Along the Watchtower."
  
  I cannot recommend it enough...
  
  
• Extraordinary
  By AYQP8XMHTG2YR on 2008-04-10
  Every once in a while, a soundtrack comes along that restores my faith in the whole "soundtrack" concept. Not just a cash-in for superfans of a series, not just more product to churn out, it actually stands up on its own as an artistic work. This is one of them.
  
  I like the other soundtrack albums to Battlestar Galactica - beginning with a minimalist approach, using pounding drums, Bear McCreary was able to create a very evocative and distinctive sound. As the seasons progressed, McCreary's budget grew and he was able to broaden his scope to include more instruments and vocalists. Still, those soundtracks tend to be a little choppy: short musical segments, generally culminating in a rapid fire drum rhythm. Perfect for the show, and the albums sound pretty cool.
  
  For season three, everything came together to transcend any limitations there were previously. The songs are more fully developed, the moods more varied, and they make much more of an impression not only as individual pieces, but as a whole as well. Listening to this album, I feel like I'm reliving all of the emotions from the show - but not the specific emotions of particular characters. Independent of the series, these are some of the most powerful pieces of music I've heard in years. The pounding drums are still there, but also gorgeous piano, swelling strings, wind instruments, ethereal vocals ... and it all builds to the extraordinary closing song, a daring remake of Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower, which, quite frankly, needs to be heard to be believed. It's like Hendrix's version crossed with U2's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me," crossed with the motifs McCreary's been developing over the three seasons of BSG, crossed with I-don't-know-what.
  
  Not only is it a fantastic cd, but just consider what it took to make this. He has one of the coolest, and hardest, jobs in show business. McCreary is not given the luxury of following his muse wherever it may take him. He is writing for the program and must, in a limited period of time, create pieces that fit the assigned framework of the scene. Under such constraints, it's amazing he can come up with something adequate, let alone brilliant. But this is brilliant. Just as BSG has taken science fiction to a new level, so McCreary is doing to the "soundtrack" genre with this cd. It's that good.
  
  
• I Can Only Imagine How He Will Do Season 4!
  By A3ND27YKMUR5CD on 2007-10-23
  Bear McCreary has outdone himself yet again. His music is one of the defining points that make the new incarnation of Battlestar Galactica the best show on television. The show simply would not work without his music, it is such an amazing fit and he can craft the music to fit each episode so well that it becomes a vital part of the episode in itself. You can imagine whole episodes just by listening to the music. Even bit pieces of music that stood out in episodes have been expanded upon here to make great tracks that never get old and make you want to fast forward to the memorable parts from the show. I was finally glad to be able to hear the new rendition of "All Along The Watchtower" and it truly does stand on its own and IMO breathes new life into a very excellent, but old, song that doesn't seem like a cheap remake with a few notes changed here and there. I can't wait to hear what Bear McCreary does for Razor (hopefully make some new and exhilarating renditions of the season 2 favorite "Prelude to War") and I know he will knock it out of the park with his work on Season 4.
  
  
• Breathtaking
  By A2RLUPLILJ5054 on 2007-10-23
  This soundtrack is absolutely incredible. The depth and breadth of Bear McCreary's talent just keep expanding. I recommend this album to anyone who loves original scores, classical, or world music.
  
  It will blow your frakking mind.
  
  
• It just keeps getting better ...
  By ATBP0AF4NYIE3 on 2007-10-23
  Like the show it accompanies, Bear McCreary's score for Season 3 of Battlestar Galactica is even better than the previous one. He manages to weave old and familiar themes from Seasons 1 and 2 throughout the album, while at the same time creating fresh and original sounds that are entrancing, haunting, and exhilirating. "Battlestar Sonatica" (from the episode "Torn"), played entirely by McCreary on the piano, is truly beautiful. And of course, the highlight of the album is the cover of "All Along the Watchtower" from the season finale, featuring McCreary's brother, Bt4. But these are just two of a 21 amazing tracks, none of which fail to meet the expectations set by the preceding soundtracks. We can only wait with baited breath for what's in store for Razor and Season 4.
  
  
• Outstanding, Phenomenal -- I can't stop listening!
  By APDW069J09OEL on 2007-10-25
  I believe that McCreary's music is, sadly, overlooked and underrated, yet it is a critical element of the re-imaged Battlestar Galactica series that helps make it the most interesting and captivating thing on television - feature film quality effects, acting, drama and of course, music. Without McCreary's outstanding talent it would not be the same series.
  
  Having the complete BSG Soundtrack in my collection, I was anxious for the release of the season three album. Not only does McCreary not dissapoint, he has turned out the most interesting and complex BSG soundtrack yet! Captivating themes, heavy drum use, continued bag-pipe placement, subtle placement of previous themes and dynamic changes in music pacing keep the listener tuned-in and engrossed. I love this album and have not been able to stop listening to it!
  
  I personally think that any self-respecting Battlestar fan should have all the soundtrack albums, but if you can only have one - Season Three is the one to have! Stop reading this and buy it now.
  
  
• A great soundtrack, minor difference from show at end
  By A2YXTNA8WQVQ2V on 2007-10-25
  The soundtrack is great. The modern world music brings a great feel to all the tracks, and every fan of the show will appreciate the music. Many non-fans would probably enjoy many parts of the album not even knowing it's a soundtrack.
  
  The only criticism is that the last track of the album, the complete remake of "All Along the Watchtower", is the studio version of the whole song and NOT exactly the TV show version. There are differences. It's too bad, actually, as I really enjoyed the song as on the TV show as I watched it over and over on my DVR over several months. I think the TV version is more "epic". Why couldn't they have included both? Or make the TV version a download somewhere. This IS a soundtrack, so I kind of was hoping for the TV version.
  
  But overall, I'm very glad to have this CD and it's definately worth getting for all BSG fans, and for many non-fans, also.
  
  
• Frakkin' Awesome
  By A1T0AEGJQJ9LG2 on 2007-11-27
  When I listen to this soundtrack, I am taken back to the best scenes of the season and it reveals what an integral part this music plays in making Galactica a great show to experience. Bear McCreary pulls off a stunning feat and provides the visceral foundation for the show, from the heart-pounding rescue in "Storming New Caprica" to the heart-wrenching grief at the return of "Refugees Return" to the lonely misery in "Someone To Trust". If you are a BSG or neo-classical music fan, or if you need some good instrumental music, this is it.
  
  
• Drifts into the Mind., 21 Nov 2007
  By AF0G67MITCN65 on 2008-02-23
  Bear McCreary's Season 3 of Battlestar Galactica.
  
  My Review:
  
  Battlestar Galactica gets a reformatting this season as well as more matured taste of music, Bear McCreary starts to mix and mingle every episode to the cunning vocals and intrinsically dramatic themes to starling effect.
  
  Excellent songs include `A Distant Sadness' has some excellent vocals in Armenian. `Battlestar Sonatica' is a beautifully piano piece, carefully crosscut with outlandish images of Cylon Basestars floating in space which has but a relaxed and rhapsody effect. The hard-beating `Precipice' that really gets your blood pumping. Others include `Gentle Execution' which is but a reminder of the sadness endured by Saul Tigh and his wife, the emotional empathy we associate with him and his harsh time on New Caprica. `All Along The Watchtower' from `Crossroads: Part II' is the concluding final track that really can make you a heavy beats/ alternative rock fan if not one already. Amazing lyrics improvised by Bob Dylan's song, it really makes it stand out a lot like Hendrix's great standalone. The albums get better every season.
  
  Verdict:
  
  It leaves you breathless. 9/10.
  
  
• Frackin' awesome CD
  By A3KEZLJ59C1JVH on 2008-06-21
  One of the best things about the "Battlestar Galactica" CDs is that, unlike many other TV or film soundtracks, the majority of tracks on this album contain full-length compositions, not just little snippets of music that last less than a minute. Season Three of "BSG" was probably the most dramatic season the show's had thus far, and the music is all very intense, energetic, and emotional. Obviously, the best track on this album is the version of "All Along the Watchtower" performed by Bear McCreary, featuring Bt4. This is the song that played during the last few minutes of the dramatic season finale, and it's a fantastic cover version of a classic song. There are also a lot of other great tracks from the show's score included on this album. Highlights include "Precipice," which starts off slow and then builds and builds, becoming more intense as it goes on; "Storming New Caprica," a fast-paced battle song; "Violence and Variations," a somber theme that is used throughout the season; "The Dance," which is an Irish jig (kind of out of place in the world of "BSG," but it works); "Battlestar Sonatica," a melancholy ballad; "Fight Night," another powerful battle track; "Dirty Hands," which almost has a bit of a country twang to it; "Mandala in the Clouds," one of the most frantic songs on the entire album; and "Heeding the Call," a.k.a. the cylon revelation theme.
  
  If you're a fan of "BSG" or just a lover of good music, this album is definitely for you!
  
  
• Bear is Amazing.
  By A2GKAQ53636HZB on 2007-11-24
  It seems that everything that comes out of this show is amazing, including the sondtracks. I own all the other ones and love them, and this is no different. It has the same Celtic and Asian inspired music as the others, and is very similiar to season 2's OST. The Track "Dirty Hands" has a Old West, Cowboy feel that just grooves well. "Storming New Caprica" is a nigh 8 miniute battle theme. And of course one can not forget the track "All Along the Watchtowers". This cover of the classic song alone makes the album worth buying. In Short, if you're a fan of the show picking this up is a no brainer, and if aren't but like a good mix of non-vocal music, you can't go wrong with this!
  
  
• BSG Season 3 soundtrack
  By A3LPIBQZ5IISMW on 2007-11-24
  This CD is the bomb! Bear McCreary has still got it. This soundtrack contained new drumming sequences that evoke almost a primal feel. Unlike previous BSG soundtracks, the producer/editor has done a better job of balancing the upbeat almost Irish/Celtic sounding reels to the drumming to the tranquil and nearly sad sounding movements. It seems to bounce back & forth between musical extremes thus keeping the listener from either falling asleep or becoming too agitated from faster paced scores.I just hope he has done as good a job with BSG:Razor & there is a Razor Soundtrack. From just some of the music I have heard through the mini-sodes & preview teasers, it sounds to be yet another excellent score. Unlike other writers specializing in soundtracks, one can't really pin McCreary down by the sound of his scores as can be done with other composers such as John Williams or John Barry.
  
  
• Absolutely stunning, and some of the best scoring for T.V.
  By A3HJZJPOUM940C on 2007-11-26
  "Refugees Return" was the soaring movement that closed "Exodus II." That episode, and it's final scenes, were an achievement in both drama and sci-fi. McCreary rises to the challenge, and the music holds the emotion. You would be hard-pressed to find better string arrangements in film. "Violence and Variations" was the centerpiece for "Unfinished Business." More personal growth and drama than war or sci-fi, this episode told you exactly what separated "Battlestar Galactica" from other genre shows. Before, or since. And this track makes quite a document of the storm and fury of Life. Bear McCreary is quickly pulling away from the pack of T.V. composers. His character and situation themes are enduring and memorable. His use of percussion and varied instrument timbres gives him a unique signature. With his three "Galactica" releases, He joins Howard Shore and John Williams on my short list of favorites. Highly recommended as a gift or personal listening. I didn't like the novelty reworking of "All along The Watchtower" as much as other folks. But there is so much strong material before it that I overlook it in my rating.
  
  
• one word
  By A1CDS5FZ37NMQW on 2007-11-30
  I just have one word "WOW" Bear has such amazing talent, I play all his CD's all the time, how could you not love this addition!!
  
  
• Another masterpiece!!
  By A4RE9K602L895 on 2007-12-01
  Once again Bear Mcreary shines!! I thought nothing could come close to season 2'cd but I was wrong. Although this cd does not have standout tracks like "something dark is coming", "worthy of survival", or "prepare for battle." Tracks like "Battlestar sonatica", "Violence and variations", and "Gentle execution", stand on there own. This is a must have cd for any fan of the show. Buy it now!!
  
  
• Even better than before
  By AJ0ZBGJ0CWS9X on 2007-12-11
  Although a lot of fans were somewhat disappointed with the direction that Season 3 took, the soundtrack remains one of the best aspects of the series. McCreary took everything up a notch this time around, with more nuanced pieces and an eastern influence.
  
  
• Great Soundtrack
  By A12WQKBKOWT14G on 2007-12-11
  This soundtrack is simply great. There is so much harmony among the players and the music is really rich. It is the type of music you can listen to over and over again. Heeding the call is the perfect example of musical depth. The combination of instruments is amazing. I have been waiting for this album to come out since the end of the third season, all I really wanted from it was All along the watchtower, but as it turns out the entire album is just as great.
  
  
• Unfrakin' believable!
  By A381CKVTIVENEB on 2007-12-16
  Okay, what I would really like to do is give this CD a review that non-Galactica folks could read and appreciate. Something that would tempt them to go ahead and drop a copy into their shopping carts and place their order without hesitation.
  
  Let me start by saying that this CD is without a doubt one of the most bombastic and aggressive compilations of soundtrack music to EVER come out of a television production. The music is a force to be reckoned with and demands to be played loudly and often (end critic cliche #1).
  
  As each track plays fans of the show will instantly be taken back to all of the episodes and scenes that these cues were taken from. You won't realize it until the sounds strike your ear drums as to how intertwined the music is with the story telling. The themes are both melodic and subtle one moment and sweeping and balls-to-the-wall the next. Bear McCreary has done a superb job of creating a soundscape that can be enjoyed without any reference to the series however and I highly recommend it to fans of the show as well as casual listeners alike.
  
  For you non-Galactica folks, this is rock-n-roll with an international flavor. Taiko drums, bag pipes, acoustic/electric guitars, and Celtic pipes...
  
  'Nuff said...
  
  
• Excellent choice!
  By A68AKV21WYIKD on 2008-03-31
  Bear McCreary's musically versatile 3rd Season soundtrack is absolutely captivating. The percussive drum rhythms were much like those in the film "Master and Commander," harkening to a time when naval officers were "drummed to quarters." Similarly, the Celtic themes recall strong, personal military comraderie much like the "Black Hawk Down" soundtrack. A very strong soundtrack compilation in it own right, this selection is a must-have for BSG fans.
  
  
• bought this for one masterful track...
  By AVC0E05SE9XJD on 2008-04-05
  At the end of season 3...the final song just did it for me: BT4's version of Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower...awesome arrangement!
  
  Why a three? Well...the rest of the tracks are great especially that I'm a fan of the series...but i really just got this for that one song=). If you're a big BSG fan, and love driving while listening to their music...this is great purchase (i feel like I'm piloting one of the vipers...and no, i don't drive a Viper). Watch the speed limit folks. ;)
  
  
• Simply One of the Absolute Best
  By A867FJJF1V5I7 on 2008-06-20
  What can I say? Not only does Battlestar Galactica have the best music currently on television, it has some of the best instrumental music that I've ever heard anywhere. And the Season Three soundtrack is, on the whole, the best of all three seasons yet released (although I can't wait for Number Four). Galactica truly has a very distinctive feel with its music by forgoing a constant orchestra and going for a smaller and more concentrated sound.
  
  I'll start at the beginning. Raya Yarborough's vocals in "A Distant Sadness" are beautifully haunting, and it perfectly emulates the emotions from the episode. "Precipice" from the same episode is a great fast-paced piece that works as a prelude or preview to some of the bigger action pieces of the disc. "Admiral and Commander" is a good rendition of the Adama family theme, but it can't quite measure up to "Wander My Friends" from the first season.
  
  "Storming New Caprica" is one of the best pieces of the soundtrack. It is in the vein of "Prelude to War" from Season Two, but New Caprica is far more complex with changing rhythms and more varied instrumentation. There's an inevitable comparison between the two pieces, and I prefer Prelude for its simplicity and power. But "Storming New Caprica" is stunning. This is followed by "Refugees Return", a surprisingly melancholy piece for the occassion is celebrates. It is a beautiful piece that creates a sort of sad victory. Next up is "Wayward Soldier", which introduces a cool new strings theme. However, it's not one I listen to very often simply because I like other pieces better.
  
  We then have "Violence and Variations", the second long cue of the soundtrack. Each season has a long strings cue, and Violence is the best of any of them. Clocking in at nearly eight minutes, it encompasses many old themes from the show while also creating some new ones. It is extraordinary. Next is "The Dance", a piece I rarely listen to. It creates a nice world feel for Galactica, but it does feel a little out of place. Then we have "Adama Falls", an inferior rendition of the "Roslin and Adama" theme. Stick with Season Two on this one. After that is "Under the Wing", a short version of Starbuck's theme. It sounds fine and it's nice, but it's only 75 seconds, so not much happens with it.
  
  Next up is the masterpiece of the disc, "Battlestar Sonatica". This piano solo is absolutely stunning. Words fail to describe how good this piece is. It is one of the most relaxing and calming pieces of music that I have ever heard. Then it's time for "Fight Night", a percussion-driven piece that gets a little lost in the rest of the disc. It's a good cue, but it's not memorable. With a disc like this, it has to be memorable. "Kat's Sacrifice" is next, and this is one of my favorites. It's the second time that brass has been used in the series, which really makes it a special occassion. The music itself is very powerful and creates this sense of both the loss and gain created by Kat's sacrifice. "Someone to Trust" is after that, a string piece that creates a relaxing feel at the start, but becomes very eerie and creepy at the end.
  
  After that, we have two pieces that I've actually not listened to. I've never listened to "The Temple of Five" or "Dirty Hands". They didn't catch my attention when I started them, so I skipped them. We then have the tragic "Gentle Execution", a wonderfully crafted rendition of "Worthy of Survival" that truly evokes the sadness of Ellen Tigh's execution. Then it's "Mandala in the Clouds", an oustanding fast-paced piece that is driven by drum rhythms. It's too bad that this piece is barely audible in the episode, because it's awesome. "Deathbed and Maelstrom" is a beautiful rendition of the Starbuck theme, probably the best one yet released. It truly binds the scene together, creating a very powerful emotional response.
  
  And we come to "Heeding the Call" and "All Along the Watchtower", two nearly inseparable pieces. Heeding serves as a prelude to Watchtower, and it's awesome. It's pulled straight from the season finale, and it sounds amazing. As for "All Along the Watchtower" itself, hasn't everything already been said? Most people (myself included) would have paid the price of the album just for that song. Now what does that tell you?
  
  Battlestar Galactica: Season Three truly showcases the best of the best. There are so many great pieces that it's difficult to pick specific recommendations. But here are my specific song recommendations:
  1. Storming New Caprica
  2. Violence and Variations
  3. Battlestar Sonatica
  4. Mandala in the Clouds
  5. All Along the Watchtower
  But heck, just buy the whole disc. Trust me, it's worth it.
  
  
• Another season of beautiful music
  By A1QVR161GXY5IT on 2007-10-24
  Like the season soudtracks that came before it, the Season 3 soundtrack is filled with beautiful, emotional music. What makes Bear McCreary's music for this series so outstanding is that when you listen to it on its own (just as music), you hear the music one way, but when you listen to it in the context of Battlestar Galactica, you hear the music in a completely new way. The music on this disc is full of much more sorrow and sadness than the discs that came before, so be prepared to feel that deep sadness when you listen to it.
  
  
• All Along The Watchtower alone worth 20$
  By AD96B2DSBIAXD on 2007-10-29
  Incredible CD. The final song, All Along The Watchtower alone was worth the price of buying the cd. I've been looking forward to listening to this version of the song for a while, and it did not disappoint!
  
  5 stars.
  
  
• More of the best
  By A3IMI4TVQVOEZM on 2007-10-30
  This is, simply put, the best music I have heard in the past 3 years. I get as much joy from listening to the music that Mr. McCreary composes as I do from the show itself. I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed by buying this Soundtrack. I hope there is a special feature on the DVD about the composing and scoring of this soundtrack, I feel that Mr McCreary has not been given due attention for his masterfully work.
  
  
• OK, I'm Hooked!!!
  By A23XXPEQ16VIQR on 2007-11-03
  I love the show and now I love the soundtrack. I originally bought the soundtrack for one song and one song only. I loved the cover of "All Along the Watchtower" in the season finale, so I had been eagerly anticipating this CD for that one song. I was bummed that the song is slightly different from the one shown in the season finale (maybe they will release that version too and I will buy it as well), but it is still brilliant none the less (I think I have worn out my CD on that track if that's possible...LOL!!). The rest of the CD is amazing too. This CD is worth the price and worth the wait!!!
  
  
• Un-frakking-believable!
  By ATQHWEC8H46A4 on 2007-11-06
  I haven't been very impressed with soundtracks over the past few years but this one is simply fantastic on every level. Not only is it the best of the Battlestar Galactica soundtracks (each season seems to get even better) but the best movie/TV soundtrack available these days. If it doesn't reap some well deserved awards, something is wrong. The Celtic and other styles stand on their own with the best of any I've heard. The "All Along the Watchtower" vocals sound very much like Tom Cochrane of Red Rider fame and their are some other excellent hard rocking tunes. The best of everything in one package. No wonder the show is so darn good! Bear is going to have a tough time topping this one next season.
  
  

• Battlestar Galactica - Razor (Unrated Extended Edition)
• Battlestar Galactica: Season Two
• Battlestar Galactica - Season Three
• Battlestar Galactica: Season One
• Battlestar Galactica