Doctor Who (Season 1 & 2)

Murray Gold

 
" Doctor Who is one of the most explosive scores I've ever heard in a long running TV-series "

Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release

Doctor Who is the longest-running science-fiction television show in the world. The program depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien time-traveller known as "the Doctor", who travels in his spaceship (the Tardis), which appears from the exterior to be a blue police phone-box. With his companions, he explores time and space, solving problems and righting wrongs. The show is a significant part of British popular culture. It was so successful that it ran for over 30 years, got a feature film in 1996 and in 2005 it made a successful reappearance on Television. In that regard composer Murray Gold received his shot at glory when he took over the job as the regular Doctor composer. The show's amazing success immediately resulted in the CD releases of the first three seasons.

The first two seasons, which are featured here, show a significant plethora of musical styles. But none other than the main theme was the most important cue on the entire album. Since its airing, Doctor Who has received one of the most well known musical melodies in the world, all thanks to creator Ron Grainer. Gold's initial arrangement of the Doctor Who theme was controversial among some fans due to his decision to leave out the "middle eight" portion of the theme. This was later reinstated for a rearrangement of the theme introduced in the series' 2005 Christmas episode. However, it's the controversial theme version that opens the album.

The orchestral touch of the music only grew after a couple of episodes and it's in the beginning that more electronic samples are adjusted to give it a scientific feel. The bounces in "Westminster Bridge", the alienating score in "Cassandra's Waltz" that has its fair share of Elfman style and the mood in "Father's Day" surely show this evidently. This doesn't mean that an orchestra isn't present at all, because that would be a great lie. In fact, it's in moments like the brassy theme laden "Slitheen", or the epic Stargate-sounding "I'm Coming to Get You", when orchestra and even choir dictate the law. Full outbursts of brass enlighten such moments in "Hologram" and full choir is spotted in "Rose Defeats the Daleks". In fact, it's easy to tell that the scope has reached film music levels by then.

In truth, something could be said against Gold's more overblown method of scoring, but it surely makes for a hell of an album. The difference between the overblown "Hariet Jones, Prime Minister" and the piano/string laden "Rose's Theme" are two worlds apart. So are "The Face of Boe" and the thumping pace of "UNIT". Quite often it's staggering emotion that dwells around in Doctor Who. The haunting piano in "Madame de Pompadour" and the wonderful strings in "The Lone Dalek" are nothing but mesmerizing.

Against that stands the pompous power found in tracks as "Tooth and Claw" (with its choral and heroic galore) or the adventurous Arabian titled "New Adventures", which surely will please anyone. The bombastic "The Daleks and The Cyberman" truly doesn't beat around the bush either, because they bring nothing but staggering musical encores, while the choir adds whenever the orchestra stops. And when the brass players seize fire, the cello or violin occupy the listener's heart in the lovely "Doomsday" or "The Impossible Planet".

It's just a little sad that it doesn't end as strong, as the second part simply dominates the pace of the album. The extended version of the Doctor Who theme is a necessity, but still isn't the version I was hoping for. In truth I still love the versions as heard in the television film. However, that doesn't take away that Doctor Who is one of the most explosive scores I've ever heard in a long running TV-series. The strength, the detail and the big budget tone simply blows 95% of the television fare out of the water. It may be too pompous for some, but the hell with it I say, since it's all so riveting and exciting. Time nor effort have been spared to make Doctor Who again the leading icon of British Television. In musicality alone they have given the fans something to nurse for. Television music like Doctor Who rarely gets this big.

Tracklisting

1. Doctor Who Theme - TV Version (0.41)
2. Westminster Bridge (2.08)
3. The Doctor's Theme (1.18)
4. Cassandra's Waltz (3.08)
5. Slitheen (1.22) Excellent track
6. Father's Day (1.55)
7. Rose in Peril (1.40)
8. Boom Town Suite (3.02)
9. I'm Coming to Get You (1.12) Excellent track
10. Hologram (2.15)
11. Rose Defeats the Daleks (2.31) Excellent track
12. Clokwork Tardis (1.18)
13. Hariet Jones, Prime Minister (2.13)
14. Rose's Theme (2.14)
15. Song for Ten: Neil Hannon (3.29)
16. The Face of Boe (1.16)
17. UNIT (1.44)
18. Seeking the Doctor (0.44)
19. Madame de Pompadour (3.44)
20. Tooth and Claw (3.50) Excellent track
21. The Lone Dalek (4.59) Excellent track
22. New Adventures (2.19) Excellent track
23. Finding Jackie (0.54)
24. Monster Bossa (1.37)
25. The Daleks (3.01) Excellent track
26. The Cyberman (4.32) Excellent track
27. Doomsday (5.09) Excellent track
28. The Impossible Planet (3.11)
29. Sycorax Encounter (1.13)
30. Love Don't Roam: Neil Hannon (3.57)
31. Doctor Who Theme - Album Version (2.36)

Total Length: 75.28
(click to rate this score)  
 
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(total of 29 votes - average 4.1/5)

Released by

Silva Screen SILCD1224 (regular release 2006)