The most fantastic thing about Babylon 5 is its epic scope. The show was already planned out, and then some, for its five year run (and multiple TV movies) and though the 5th year music is somewhat missing on this CD (the final track, Voices of Authority, foreshadows the future opening title theme of Season 5), this collection of 8 tracks provides the listener with a musical explanation of the series. The 1st track, Main Title 1st Season (extended), gives us a sense of adventure; the first steps into a journey that will take us amazing places. It gives us the feeling of alien voices calling out from far away with its synthesized voices...but it also has a powerful "hero" tune giving Babylon 5 a heroic nature (that would be returned in Track 7) The second track, Messages From Earth, gives us clips from the episodes where Sheridan takes control and beats out the rebels going against him and Babylon 5. It has sounds of "oh no, we are gonna blow up" and then redemption music to close the track out confirming victory for the Babylon 5 heroes. The Main Title for the second season (Track 3) is mysterious...giving us a hint that "shadows" (no pun intended) will eventually show their face. The fourth track, Z'Ha'Dum is violent and bombastic, much like the violent turmoil that happens in the third season. The third season has many up and downs and the tone makes sense. The fifth track carries on Z'Ha'Dum's theme with very loud drum blasts and violent tones. The sixth track is the most haunting, starting out very slow and then pumping with energy and then ending with a creepy, what seems like, electronic piano, emphasizing the journey is far from over. It is by far the most beautiful on the CD and haunting. The wild guitars, strange clangs, and odd sounds are just a few of the sounds on this track. The seventh track, the Main Title for the 4th season, is both upbeat and disastrous (in tone, not composition...it is brilliantly composed) making us feel the triumph of Babylon 5 of President Clark and the loss of friends and gain of power. It is a great way to represent the sad and joyous 4th year. The final track foreshadows the 5th Season Main Title theme that would come after this soundtrack was produced. It is perhaps the second best track, being epic in scale (the first few minutes are amazing) and its abrupt ending making you want more...just like the show. Fortunately the 5th season was just around the corner. Christopher Franke, formerly of Tangerine Dream provides synthesized beauty, rocking beats, and epic tones and no one better would fit the same themes Babylon 5, the show, represented in story and character.
