Original Movie Soundtracks - Sci-fi - Recommendations

I haven't got this (yet), but it has to worth a look.

When I saw the thread title, I was gong to recommend Blade Runner. But you're already there. Great soundtrack.

Look for the Fabulous world of Bernard Hermann, or "The Day the Earth Stood Still" - lots of fun.

Ah yes. I like a lot of Hermann's stuff. Hitchcock's main music guy.

Zoom B

Zoom A is nice, too.

Zoom B

Not sure if this qualifies as a pure *schience fiction* but if i have to pick just one out of the genre, this would be it. It's a hoot cranking this on a bit rig.

Danny Elfman wrote many cool scores.

Zoom A is nice, too.

Thank you for your contribution but I think these would belong more on the espionage/thriller genre.

Tony

Thank you for your recommendations so far. Another classic is Forbidden Planet. Does anybody own either a vinyl or CD release of it?

Tony

Danny Elfman is one of the giants in music among the living.

Just had a look though my collection of movie soundtrack music...

Aliens: i like most of what's on the disc very much but the face-hugger-sound can be annoying by trying to make you jump a few too many time imo, but i suppose that's very much a part of the film.

It's more or less an exact musical representation of the film score, very easy to recognise.

Taken: Don't think anything on here was composed for the film score, just a 'composite' collection of songs that was used though the series. It's been a long time since i've seen this but still remember how good it is, a bit longwinded perhaps but musically there's mostly really nice tunes on the disc, and the disc is an HDCD if like that sort of thing.

The Ninth Gate: Don't have any other sci-fi movie-music but do have an interesting supernatural which uses music composed by Wojciech Kilar and featuring soprano Sumi Jo, and The City of Prague philharmonic and chorus conducted by Stepan Konicek.

The music has it's weirdness here and there but it's all very classy imo, the film is fantastic too.

Sorry, I know it's not sci-fi but Juliette Binoche never looked more beautiful; the soundtrack is sublime, and the film is arguably Krzysztof Kieślowski finest.

I like these ones:

Gattaca, Michael Nyman

Robocop, Basil Poledouris (look for his The Hunt for Red October too)

Solaris, Cliff Martinez (Drive is very good too)

Moon, Clint Mansell

Donnie Darko, Michael Andrews (with the wonderful cover of Mad World by Gary Jules)

Save Robocop, all are more on the reflective side.

Good call for Danny Elfman. I particularly like his Planet of the Apes (though not necessarily the movie that much). The Dark Night by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard is good too. And I like Zimmer's work on Inception as well. The three of them are good for a woofers workout (and frightening the neighbours).

Hope you'll like them.

ATB

Maurice

Master and Commander. Very good production and some nice tunes to boot.

Oh, and Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Brad

Sci-Fi?

Fully agree Brad, though not really sci-fi (though Clooney's performance was somewhat unexpected at the time and could have been seen as science-fiction -- or horror ! -- by some of his fans ). Wonderful movie and great soundtrack nonetheless.

Cheers

I reckon that for those posting with an iPhone, the 'Sci-Fi' part of the post title is not visible (as is the end of any long post title). A bit annoying.

John Barry's "The Black Hole" and "Starcrash". Abysmal films,  wonderful scores by Barry, one of the true giants of movie music but sadly no longer with us.

If anyone is interested in investigating movie scores in general then have a look at the Film Score Monthly and Intrada Records websites. Both are specialist labels in movie scores, with many limited edition releases that will never be widely available. Silva Screen Records is another (British) label that specialises in mainly re-recordings of film scores past and present. They have some very nice budget and mid-price compilations (eg. 4CD set of Jerry Goldsmith scores). The performances by the City of Prague Philharmonic may not always be first-class but they are always spirited and enjoyable. A great way to explore the world of film music on a budget.

Peter

This gets my vote.

I will always remember the first time i heard the vinyl on a friends LP12/ crome bumper/Kan system.

Brilliant.

Stu

Not so much 'sci fi' but not far off as brooding as the amazing BR this gives your system a very good workout :-

Others I listen to are mostly from the stable of Tangerine Dream who have done dozens of scores.

This soundtrack has almost as tortuous a life as the original film BladeRunner - my original on vinyl now worth a fair bit.

If you can find an original Cd/ vinyl then it's worth it for the final track alone IMO with the colaboration of Brian Ferry, Dave Gilmore etc.

Thief, Firestarter & Sorcerer are also there.

If you really want to give your set a wringing out them this is pure fiction with some science bits in it

:-)

Very dynamic as well..

Thank you for all your enthusiasm and passionate responses. Some might have missed the point but  I respect them all.  The clue is in the title.  I must admit a few suggestions  caught me by surprise and brought back some good memories. Many thanks.

Tony

I have the DVD no cd or vinyl of it though.

I have seen the vinyl in my charity shops over the years but they have always been to mashed up to bother with.

Even the covers were to bad to frame just for the art work.

Stu.

I particularly like 2001 as a film because it is true to the acoustics of space - i.e. you don't hear anything from outside in a vacuum.

I also like the music which complements the visuals.

OK, got the SciFi bit wrong. Never mind, its the taking part that counts