Star Trek - Deep Space Nine: Music From The Original Television Soundtrack (The Emissary)

As filmatic as Generations, "Emissary" features some of McCarthy's best and most distinctive work from the early years of Deep Space Nine, (the texture changed in the fifth year) including a few cues that were later retooled for other episodes. Listen for the direct parallels between this and the music to "The Visitor."

The Main Title is also excellent, with one glaring problem that cost the CD a star. Evidently GNP Crescendo was unable to locate the original recording of the main title, so they simply digitally remastered the final product as seen on the show. Unfortunately, the sound effects are still there, seriously sabotaging the effect of the music. Echoes of the main theme are heard throughout the score bringing to mind Alexander Courages explorations of his two main themes in "The Cage" and "Where No Man has Gone Before." We also hear the theme played with Couyrages classic Trek theme in one fascinating cue. ("Saying Goodbye")

The music for "Wolf 359" is an excellent example of Star Trek battle music, and is especially delightful to Trek enthusiasts for its allusions to Ron Jones' music for "The Best of Both Worlds" and for a dynamic early version of one of McCarthy's suspence themes.

The rest of the album is very good, though the absence of the end credit music is sorely felt. Still, there are some memorable bonus tracks. "Cucumbers in Space," one of only two releases of original Trek source music so far, is a witty parody of electronic punk music, particularly the deadpan finale. The CD ends with "Single" versions of the Main Theme and of a beautiful piano solo from "Passage Terminated" which presumably were intended for Pop radio stations. The latter is fine, though actually inferior to the original "Passage." The former is a hoot! The DS9 theme is awkwardly played with a horrible drumbeat in the background until, of all things, an electric guitar takes over. It is one of the worst moments in the hisotry of Trek music.