LOST Season 2 Soundtrack review

LOST Season 2 Soundtrack

If there ever was a new composer that’s ever impressed me of late, it is Michael Giacchino. In his early days, he captured listeners with his videogame scores. His Medal of Honor series is the reason he got the job on Alias, which in turn got him the job on Lost. Many have stated that Giacchino style lends itself to John Williams (of the 70s and 80s). However, Lost, on the other hand, reveals a completely different side to his work. On the show, he's moved away from his brassy marches that made him famous with his videogame scores, uses more of larger string section in his TV work.

With season 2, Giacchino shows off a warmer side to his work. I couldn't believe how many nice relaxing pieces there were on the CD compared to Season 1. Some of the work on this CD is really touching and warm. Toward the end, there are some darker tracks that will send chills down your spine, some of it sounding very tribal. The CD also sounds crisper, each sound stands out, so major props to the engineers on this CD.

There are a few pieces here and there that should have been on the CD, but I can't complain. All in all, this CD has better written pieces of music that fit nicely within the overall theme of the 2nd Season. However, I think Season 1 has a better Grand Scale than this CD. The music was bigger in S1, but S2 has better music overall. This is a touching Score.

Grade: A

Here are some of the best tracks to on the CD

3. Final Countdown: This one opens with the touching Locke theme, which is probably one of the prettiest themes on the show. Then, it moves into an Others/Action track with a bit of the magic of the island theme.

5. Mess It All Up: This track is short, but very touching. If I’m not mistaken, this one has one of the newer themes introduced in S2.

6. Hurley's Handouts: I never thought I’d like a track with Hurley’s name on it, but this one is wonderful to listen to. You might notice the Voyage/Boat theme from the end of season 1 within the track. Guitar, Piano, and Strings fill this beautiful track. It’s an interesting take on the Voyage/Boat theme; we will hear a different version of it in a later track.

7. Just Another Day on the Beach: This one is The Other 48 Days track, it is really dark at the beginning, and the LOST main theme is heard in a different key. The Lost theme swells into a strong sad key toward the end. This one is really good. (The Main Theme is heard during Jack’s ‘walk’ among the wreckage in the opening of the Pilot episode).

8. Ana Cries: Short and to the point. It has a bit of the Lost theme thrown in as well.

10. Gathering: This is a completely different take on the Voyage/Boat theme that was a fan favorite in season 1. This version is sadder and slower paced than the version in season 1. This is probably one of Giacchinno’s best themes to date. It shows Giacchinno’s growth as a composer.

11. Shannon's Funeral: There are hints of the Lost Main theme in this one. There are echoes to Boone’s Funeral. This one is a very complex track, because he mixes the Voyage/Boat theme with the Lost Main theme in a very interesting way toward the end. This is a very well written track.

12. All's Forgiven... Except Charlie: This is another nice track, and it has a classical feel to it in the beginning. There’s a lighthearted tone to half of it, and of course it gets dark toward the end. You’ll like this one.

19. Rose and Bernard: Really touching track, and wonderful to listen to. One of the newer S2 themes are used in this track. This is another track showing Giacchinno’s skills are growing. You will not hear something this beautiful on any other TV show.

21. I Crashed Your Plane, Brotha: I love this short track with its rich percussion. It’s just creepy.