Soundtrack (Caprica series)

"Soundtrack (Caprica series)" An album of the Caprica series
Album No.	6
Composer(s)	Bear McCreary
Artist(s)	{{{artist}}}
Producer(s)	{{{producer}}}
Label	La-La Land Records
Tracks	{{{tracks}}}
Running Time	{{{runtime}}}
Discs	2
Released	{{{released}}}
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Soundtrack (Caprica pilot)	Soundtrack (Caprica series)	Soundtrack (Blood and Chrome)
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Caprica: The Series - Limited Edition Soundtrack is a two-disc CD set offered by La-La Land Records on the music from the Caprica series, excluding the majority of the music from the Caprica pilot, as that has its own soundtrack.

Only 3,000 units of this soundtrack were produced for release in 2013, as it was marketed as a Limited Edition. As of 14 May 2019, La-La Land Records announced that it only had less than 150 units remaining for sale via their eCommerce portal.

Between both discs, this release contains a total of 2 hours, 38 minutes and 49 seconds of music.

Background and Production

The release of this soundtrack album faced significant obstacles due to the series' cancellation. Following Caprica's abrupt cancellation before the end of its first season, Bear McCreary explained that the "sudden cardiac arrest of the show put my hopes for a full series soundtrack album in deep freeze." The studio had little interest in promoting a series that ended so quickly, and a corporate restructuring due to NBC Universal's purchase further delayed the project.

Despite these setbacks, fan demand for the music remained persistent. McCreary noted that "fan demand for the release of this music remained relentless," and credited album producer Ford Thaxton's continued efforts in helping secure the studio's approval for the release. The composer encouraged fans by stating: "the squeaky wheel eventually gets the grease. If there's an album you want released, don't let up pressure until you get it."

Musical Direction

McCreary's score for Caprica represented a significant departure from his work on Battlestar Galactica. He described the Caprica score as "surprisingly restrained and melodic" compared to "the percussive bombast and world-music influence" of his BSG compositions. This shift reflected the series' move away from the military overtones of its predecessor while still exploring similar themes of digital self-identity, religious zealotry, and corruption in power.

Album Compilation

When finally given the greenlight to produce the soundtrack album, McCreary set out to create what he called "the ultimate Caprica soundtrack." With the pilot score already released separately, he focused on including as much new material as possible while also representing the best pilot tracks. Some favorites like "A Tauron Sacrifice" and "Grieving" had been trimmed for the pilot soundtrack, so they were restored to their original lengths for this release.

Track Listing

Disc 1

The runtime of this disc is 74m05s. Audio clips of select songs are available in MP3 format, and are noted accordingly in the index below.

1. Caprica Main Title

   Audio Clip: mp3

   Track Time: 0m52s

2. Caprica Abides

   Audio Clip: mp3

   Music by Bear McCreary

   Lyrics by Jane Espenson

   Featuring Steve Amerson, vocals

   From the Episodes: "Rebirth" and "Apotheosis"

   Track Time: 2m12s

3. Apotheosis

   Audio Clip: mp3

   From the Episode: "Apotheosis"

   Track Time: 6m36s

   Note: One of McCreary's favorite instrumental cues from the entire series, representing the final acts of the last episode and intended to "bring a sense of epic importance and closure, while simultaneously setting up the promise of further mysteries and adventure."

4. All Of This Has Happened

   Music and Lyrics by Brendan McCreary

   Performed by Young Beautiful in a Hurry

   From the Episode: "The Imperfections of Memory"

   Track Time: 5m30s

5. New Cap City

   Audio Clip: mp3

   From the Episode: "There is Another Sky"

   Track Time: 5m46s

6. Lacey and the Cylon

   From the Episode: "Rebirth"

   Track Time: 2m47s

7. Vergis' Dream

   From the Episode: "Know Thy Enemy"

   Track Time: 2m35s

8. Pact of Brothers

   From the Episode: "Dirteaters"

   Track Time: 1m52s

9. Grieving (Alternate Version)

   From the Episode: Pilot

   Track Time: 1m36s

   Note: Restored to original length after being trimmed for the pilot soundtrack.

10. Control and Power

    From the Episode: "Rebirth"

    Track Time: 2m54s

11. Caprica Buccaneers Theme

    From the Episode: "Rebirth"

    Track Time: 0m35s

12. Burlesque

    Audio Clip: mp3

    Remixed by Jonathan Snipes

    From the Episode: "Ghosts in the Machine"

    Track Time: 3m36s

13. Amanda's Forgiveness

    From the Episode: "False Labor"

    Track Time: 4m23s

14. Barnabus

    From the Episode: "Retribution"

    Track Time: 1m48s

15. Cerberus Dance (Demo)

    Audio Clip: mp3

    From the Episode: "Ghosts in the Machine"

    Track Time: 3m52s

    Note: A demo track produced to inspire on-camera dancing in Cerberus' drag club. McCreary explored the relationship between big band swing music and traditional taiko music, though the entire number was ultimately cut from the show.

16. Through the Paces

    From the Episode: "Ghosts in the Machine"

    Track Time: 0m52s

17. Lacey's Test

    From the Episode: "Blowback"

    Track Time: 4m49s

18. Clarice Willow

    From the Episodes: "Rebirth," "Reins of a Waterfall," and "Gravedancing"

    Track Time: 3m24s

19. Tauron Ceremony Song (Piano Sketch)

    Audio Clip: mp3

    From the Episode: "There is Another Sky"

    Track Time: 2m06s

    Note: An early sketch from McCreary's creative process as he worked to generate a variation of the Tauron Theme for an on-camera singer.

20. Lacey and Zoe (Expanded Version)

    From the Episode: Pilot

    Track Time: 4m41s

21. Capricoperatica

    Audio Clip: mp3

    Music by Bear McCreary

    Lyrics by Laura Kalpakian

    Featuring Elissa Johnston and Alessandro Juliani, vocals

    From the Episode: "End of Line"

    Track Time: 8m42s

    Note: Described by McCreary as "perhaps the most essential cut on the record," this lyrical work for voices and chamber orchestra features lyrics written by novelist Laura Kalpakian (McCreary's mother) and is performed by soprano Elissa Johnston and tenor Alessandro Juliani, who also portrayed Felix Gaeta on Battlestar Galactica.

Disc 2

The runtime of this disc is 74m35s. Audio clips of select songs are available in MP3 format, and are noted accordingly in the index below.

1. Caprica Abides (Instrumental Version)

   From the Episodes: "Rebirth" and "Apotheosis"

   Track Time: 2m13s

2. The Differently Sentient

   Audio Clip: mp3

   From the Episode: "Apotheosis"

   Track Time: 4m39s

   Note: One of McCreary's favorite instrumental cues from the entire series, representing the final acts of the last episode alongside "Apotheosis."

3. Amanda's Epiphany

   From the Episode: "Rebirth"

   Track Time: 5m20s

4. Rites of Passage

   From the Episode: "There is Another Sky"

   Track Time: 4m37s

5. New Cap City Theme (Demo)

   Track Time: 1m51s

   Note: A theme sketch that allowed McCreary to develop ideas without the restraints of matching picture, exploring "mood, energy and melody" freely.

6. Voices of the Dead

   Audio Clip: mp3

   Featuring Brendan McCreary, vocals

   From the Episode: "Reins of a Waterfall"

   Track Time: 2m36s

   Note: A Tauron gangster rap song that McCreary produced to expand the audience's sense of the world.

7. The Dive Bar

   From the Episode: "Rebirth"

   Track Time: 1m07s

8. The Cylon Whisperer

   From the Episode: "The Heavens Will Rise" and "Here Be Dragons"

   Track Time: 4m20s

9. Daniel Captures the Code (Expanded Version)

   From the Episode: Pilot

   Track Time: 3m28s

10. Dirt Eaters

    From the Episode: "Dirteaters"

    Track Time: 6m30s

11. Healing Wounds

    Audio Clip: mp3

    From the Episode: "Reins of a Waterfall"

    Track Time: 4m05s

12. Gemenon

    From the Episode: "Unvanquished"

    Track Time: 3m38s

13. I Am A Man

    Audio Clip: mp3

    Music and Lyrics by Brendan McCreary

    Performed by Young Beautiful in a Hurry

    From the Episode: "Gravedancing"

    Track Time: 4m11s

    Note: One of several source pieces written to expand the sense of the world, brought in by McCreary to offer unique sounds.

14. Was Love

    Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Snipes

    Performed by Captain Ahab

    From the Episode: "Gravedancing"

    Track Time: 4m05s

    Note: Another collaboration with outside bands to provide unique sounds for the series.

15. Tamara Kills

    From the Episode: "There is Another Sky"

    Track Time: 2m04s

16. Here Be Dragons

    From the Episode: "Here Be Dragons"

    Track Time: 2m03s

17. A Tauron Sacrifice (Expanded Version)

    Audio Clip: mp3

    From the Episode: Pilot

    Track Time: 3m30s

    Note: Restored to original length after being trimmed for the pilot soundtrack.

18. Waltz for Zoe

    Audio Clip: mp3

    From the Episode: "Unvanquished"

    Track Time: 2m53s

19. Death of the Guatrau

    From the Episode: "Apotheosis"

    Track Time: 2m27s

20. Tauron Ceremony Song

    Featuring Raya Yarbrough, vocals

    From the Episode: "There is Another Sky"

    Track Time: 2m58s

    Note: A version featuring Raya Yarbrough that McCreary produced specifically for the album, in addition to the piano sketch version on Disc 1.

21. Graystone Plays Nomion Variations

    Includes "Exploration" by Stu Phillips

    From the Episode: "Rebirth"

    Track Time: 3m02s

    Note: A variation of Stu Phillips' composition "Exploration" from the classic 1970s Battlestar Galactica. McCreary introduced this into the mythology as a composition by the fictional composer Nomion, suggesting that Nomion also influenced Daniel Graystone.

22. Caprica Theme (Sketch)

    Track Time: 2m26s

    Note: A Main Series Theme sketch that allowed McCreary to develop ideas without picture constraints, included to reward fans for their persistence in making the album release possible.

Special Features and Demos

This release marks only the second time McCreary allowed the release of his sketches and demos, following the three-CD set of Human Target. The inclusion of demo tracks and sketches was intended as a special reward for the vocal fan community that campaigned for the album's release.

McCreary explained his reasoning for including these materials: "These types of sketches are always helpful when I'm beginning a new project, because I can develop my ideas without having the restraints of matching picture. I am free to explore mood, energy and melody. Generally, no one but the executive producer or director ever hears these sketches, and sometimes even they never hear them."

Collaborative Works

The album features several collaborative pieces that demonstrate McCreary's approach to world-building through music. In addition to the collaboration with his mother Laura Kalpakian on "Capricoperatica," McCreary worked with writer Jane Espenson on the rousing national anthem "Caprica Abides." He also brought in outside bands to contribute unique sounds, including Young Beautiful in a Hurry and Captain Ahab, to create what he described as "fun source pieces" that expanded the audience's sense of the world.

Press Release

From the product listing:

La-La Land Records, NBC Universal and SyFy Channel present renowned composer Bear McCreary's (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, EUREKA, THE WALKING DEAD) original score to the acclaimed, dramatic science-fiction television series CAPRICA, starring Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales and Polly Walker. Mr. McCreary musically explores this series' thoughtful battle between advanced science and human condition with breathtaking insight, emotion and beauty. Handpicked by the composer himself, this striking collection of more than 2 hours of musical highlights from this notable series is a must have for genre and music fans alike. Produced by McCreary, Steven Kaplan and Ford A. Thaxton, this limited edition of 3000 units features exclusive, in-depth liner notes from film music writer Randall Larson.

Official Statements

Bear McCreary on his inclusion of two theme sketches in this release:

"I also included two theme sketches: one for the Main Series Theme and one for New Cap City. These types of sketches are always helpful when I'm beginning a new project, because I can develop my ideas without having the restraints of matching picture. I am free to explore mood, energy and melody. Generally, no one but the executive producer or director ever hears these sketches, and sometimes even they never hear them. I included sketches on this "Caprica" record because I wanted to reward fans with something extra special for staying so vocal about this one and making it possible for the record to be released."

Bear McCreary expressing gratitude to fans:

"I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each and every one of you reading this right now. If you've made this far into this blog entry, I can safely assume you were a member of the online mob of vocal fans who helped let the world know that demand for this album outlived the life-span of the series. I am incredibly proud of the work I did on this series, and thrilled that it has survived in the collective memory of fans. Thank you for listening."

Related Imagery

• 
  Disc 1 Art
• 
  Disc 2 Art

External Links

• Blog entry by Bear McCreary about the Caprica series soundtrack.