X-Files: Fight the Future
Mark Snow
" It doesn't present the best of Mark Snow's X-Files music, but it surely is loud enough to remember the really important ones. "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
With the series of The X-Files reaching its peak at the end of '90, fans literally saw their dream being realized by Rob Bowman (producer and director of the hit series). A big production covering a new twist of The X-Files' universe was released in cinemas around the world, bringing most of the important characters that appeared in the show (not like say in I Want to Believe). Naturally it was to be expected the legendary musical voice of The X-Files would get the chance to stretch out his muscles in what is basically one big X-Files episode. While Snow has been far more inventive, charming, scary and interesting in the hundreds of X-Files episodes, there is no denying that the orchestral size of X-Files: Fight the Future will surprise at least most of the X-Files fanatics.
The score itself is one giant brooding piece, mixed with moments that Mark Snow enthusiasts will love, considering it is all fleshed out in scope. The way he lets the orchestra take the upper hand in "Goop" and "Cave Base" is a darn good thing, namely bringing some scale to the suspense. By the way, both pieces were incredibly well used in the trailer of X-Men.
While there is enough brooding suspense, creepy material or crashing material in "B.C. Blood", "Plague" (with a noticed cello version of the theme) and "Goodbye Bronschweig", Snow can't resist bringing out more noticeable material as well. The mysterious piano play in "Already Dead", the fanfare in "Fossil Swings" and the big moment of The 6th Sense (also used in the second X-Files film) in "Crossroads" are impressive, while "Corn Hives" brings in a rhythmic juggernaut (heard alongside a great variation of the theme and synthetic choir).
Snow's driving action material is surely a welcome addition to an otherwise murky soundtrack. The rhythmic crashing in "Corn Copters" surely is exciting.
On the other hand the touching strings in the begin of "Stung Kissing / Cargo Hold" surely shows Snow's other voice. The track continues to imprint the X-Files theme in the minds enough, something I want to Believe doesn't do at all. That the end of Fight the Future is far more moody is surely true. Now the mystery and the truth comes out. So expect a lot of moody music in "Come and Gone", "Trust no One" and "Mind Games".
The scary action packed "Nightmares" and the frenetic synthetic sound design in "Pod Monster Suite" aside, the most stirring music comes at the final moment in "Crater Hug", bringing us music that we weren't expecting in such an X-Files soundtrack at all.
This doesn't prove that X-Files: Fight the Future is a successful score at all. There is far too much mood and eeriness to present a fine easy listening experience. The inventiveness is also lacking, something that made the series' music a playground of beauty, intrigue and excitement. That doesn't change however the often gripping package that the soundtrack is presenting. It are these 10 to 15 minutes that make the difference with The X-Files: I Want to Believe album. It doesn't present the best of Mark Snow's X-Files music, but it surely is loud enough to remember the really important ones.
Tracklisting
1. Threnody in X (3.13)
2. B.C. Blood (2.26)
3. Goop (4.17)
4. Soda Pop (4.45)
5. Already Dead (1.42)
6. Cave Base (1.31)
7. Remnants (2.10)
8. Fossil Swings (0.58)
9. Plague (3.22)
10. Goodbye Bronschweig (2.40)
11. A Call to Arms (0.57)
12. Crossroads (2.17)
13. Corn Hives (3.04)
14. Corn Copters (2.35)
15. Out of Luck (1.00)
16. Stung Kissing / Cargo Hold (4.11)
17. Come and Gone (5.27)
18. Trust no One (2.51)
19. Ice Base (1.33)
20. Mind Games (3.52)
21. Nightmares (2.44)
22. Pod Monster Suite (5.21)
23. Facts (2.35)
24. Crater Hug (2.05) Excellent track
Total Length: 67.50
The score itself is one giant brooding piece, mixed with moments that Mark Snow enthusiasts will love, considering it is all fleshed out in scope. The way he lets the orchestra take the upper hand in "Goop" and "Cave Base" is a darn good thing, namely bringing some scale to the suspense. By the way, both pieces were incredibly well used in the trailer of X-Men.
While there is enough brooding suspense, creepy material or crashing material in "B.C. Blood", "Plague" (with a noticed cello version of the theme) and "Goodbye Bronschweig", Snow can't resist bringing out more noticeable material as well. The mysterious piano play in "Already Dead", the fanfare in "Fossil Swings" and the big moment of The 6th Sense (also used in the second X-Files film) in "Crossroads" are impressive, while "Corn Hives" brings in a rhythmic juggernaut (heard alongside a great variation of the theme and synthetic choir).
Snow's driving action material is surely a welcome addition to an otherwise murky soundtrack. The rhythmic crashing in "Corn Copters" surely is exciting.
On the other hand the touching strings in the begin of "Stung Kissing / Cargo Hold" surely shows Snow's other voice. The track continues to imprint the X-Files theme in the minds enough, something I want to Believe doesn't do at all. That the end of Fight the Future is far more moody is surely true. Now the mystery and the truth comes out. So expect a lot of moody music in "Come and Gone", "Trust no One" and "Mind Games".
The scary action packed "Nightmares" and the frenetic synthetic sound design in "Pod Monster Suite" aside, the most stirring music comes at the final moment in "Crater Hug", bringing us music that we weren't expecting in such an X-Files soundtrack at all.
This doesn't prove that X-Files: Fight the Future is a successful score at all. There is far too much mood and eeriness to present a fine easy listening experience. The inventiveness is also lacking, something that made the series' music a playground of beauty, intrigue and excitement. That doesn't change however the often gripping package that the soundtrack is presenting. It are these 10 to 15 minutes that make the difference with The X-Files: I Want to Believe album. It doesn't present the best of Mark Snow's X-Files music, but it surely is loud enough to remember the really important ones.
Tracklisting
1. Threnody in X (3.13)
2. B.C. Blood (2.26)
3. Goop (4.17)
4. Soda Pop (4.45)
5. Already Dead (1.42)
6. Cave Base (1.31)
7. Remnants (2.10)
8. Fossil Swings (0.58)
9. Plague (3.22)
10. Goodbye Bronschweig (2.40)
11. A Call to Arms (0.57)
12. Crossroads (2.17)
13. Corn Hives (3.04)
14. Corn Copters (2.35)
15. Out of Luck (1.00)
16. Stung Kissing / Cargo Hold (4.11)
17. Come and Gone (5.27)
18. Trust no One (2.51)
19. Ice Base (1.33)
20. Mind Games (3.52)
21. Nightmares (2.44)
22. Pod Monster Suite (5.21)
23. Facts (2.35)
24. Crater Hug (2.05) Excellent track
Total Length: 67.50