The Orville (Season 1)

Not until recently have I discovered the wonderful The Orville. But it's clear this funny cast displays some chemistry together. It's clear the episodes are simple but often downright enjoyable. And it's clear the music plays a large role in that. Forget the tunes you hear in most television series. This is plain old orchestral music from the 80's and 90's that holds nothing back. The main theme by Broughton wins hearts each time you hear it, McNeely's unbelievable action music hasn't lost anything of its depth, Debney can channel Goldsmith apparently while the unknown Andrew Cottee fills in the gaps without making too much of a fuzz. The music functions more on ideas, fanfares and depth in its orchestrations than actual themes. But the music just lets every fight, explosion or energy be heard loud and clear, and the episodes become better through it. As said influences by the masters are heard, most notably Goldsmith in episodes like 'If the Stars Should Appear' (channeling the V'Ger itself), Horner comes through as well, Williams gets a Superman nod and McNeely and Debney show their action rhythms haven't lost their panache in crowd pleasers like "Rescuing Pria", "Searching Pria's Room / Dark Matter Storm / Navigating the Storm" and "Sucked In".

Truth is, the selection is too much, but it does make for one heck of a single CD. The music is big, bold and full of action. A theme, a motif is surely the next step towards perfection but The Orville does send action shivers down my spine more times than I can count. It's television music like this that makes you feel alive and kicking. And I thank Seth McFarlane big time for making sure music like this still has a future on the little screen.

A show like this deserves a classy theme. Enter Bruce Broughton.
The music is ballsy and covered in detail, the orchestra soars through the speakers.
McNeely surely hasn't lost his touch when it comes down to action music.
Debney and McNeely channel classic composers like Horner, Williams and Goldsmith with ease.
The show could easily use extra themes or motifs to perfect the experience.
2 Cd's is pushing it, but a perfect compilation can surely make The Orville soar.

Track Listing

CD 1: 76.59
1. The Orville Main Title * (1.04) Excellent track

OLD WOUNDS Composed by Bruce Broughton
2. Shuttle to the Ship (1.54)
3. She Requested It / Departing for Landing (1.09)
4. Krill Attack / Shuttle Escape (4.13) Excellent track
5. Emergency Docking (2.27) Excellent track
6. Kelly Has a Plan / Asking Kelly to Stay (3.51)

IF THE STARS SHOULD APPEAR Composed by Joel McNeely
7. The Bio-Ship / Exploring the Hull (2.22)
8. Exploring the Bio-Ship (2.44) Excellent track
9. Finding Alara / Space Battle (2.53)
10. Dorahl / The Roof Opens (4.04) Excellent track

COMMAND PERFORMANCE Composed by John Debney
11. Distress Signal Received / Alara Freaks Out / Explosion (5.54)
12. Alara Gets the Cold Shoulder / Approaching Calivon (3.51)
13. Extermination Process Continues / Bortus Hatches His Egg (2.38)

ABOUT A GIRL Composed by Joel McNeely
14. Western Simulation (1.00)
15. Asteroid Destroyed / Relieved of Duty (1.07)
16. Arriving on Moclus (1.42)
17. Trip to the Mountains (2.15)
18. Tribunal Adjourned / Epilogue (3.27)

PRIA Composed by John Debney
19. Rescuing Pria (3.51) Excellent track
20. Searching Pria's Room / Dark Matter Storm / Navigating the Storm (4.06) Excellent track
21. Approaching the Coordinates / Isaac Saves the Crew (3.19)
22. Pria's Theme (1.41)

KRILL Composed by Joel McNeely
23. Distress Call (1.28)
24. Krill Attack the Orville (2.48)
25. Bomb Found (4.54)
26. Intruder Alert / Preparing the Weapon (2.59)
27. Turning on the Lights / New Enemies (2.29)

CD 2: 74.02
MAJORITY RULE Composed by John Debney
1. Lysella Wakes Up / Looks Like Earth / Rescue Mission (1.38)
2. John Gets Arrested / Alara Seems Suspicious (2.04)
3. Ed Has a Plan (1.33)
4. Bringing Lysella Aboard / Casting the Votes / Their World Can Do Better (6.06)

INTO THE FOLD Composed by Joel McNeely
5. Sucked In (2.44) Excellent track
6. Claire Breaks Out (1.25)
7. The Fight (1.21)
8. Claire Returns to the Wreck (2.11)
9. The Attack (1.54)
10. Claire Thanks Isaac (1.20)

CUPID'S DAGGER Composed by John Debney
11. Archaeologist Arrives / Claire Visits Yaphit / Claire Kisses Yaphit (3.12)
12. Fleets Approach / War Before Peace / Cleared for Duty / Darulio Departs (4.38)

FIRESTORM Composed by John Debney
13. Plasma Storm / It Was Late Evening (3.08)
14. Alara Blows off Steam / There Was a Clown (3.04)
15. Alara Hallucinates / Deserted Ship (6.54)
16. Cannot End Simulation / Back to Normal (4.02) Excellent track

NEW DIMENSIONS Composed by Andrew Cottee
17. Damage Report / What Happened to the Plants? (1.59)
18. Krill Ships Approaching (2.29)
19. Within the Anomaly / Time to Reflect / Quantum Bubble is Deteriorating (2.25)
20. Engaging Tractor Beam (2.17)
21. Mission Complete / Commander Lamarr (2.47)

MAD IDOLATRY Composed by Joel McNeely
22. Emergency Landing (1.08)
23. Investigating an Anomaly (3.41)
24. Searching the Planet (2.38)
25. Walking Through Town (2.20)
26. Spread the Word (1.17)
27. Isaac Steps Up / Civilization Restored (3.13)

28. The Orville End Titles * (0.34)

* Composed by Bruce Broughton