Reviews:
Throughout its half-decade history, the Babylon 5 TV series faced overwhelming obstacles, including frequently
shifting airtimes, ongoing fears that the program would be canceled, and even the exodus of a few major cast
members. Yet despite these impediments, for most viewers the adventure remained enthralling and enjoyable.
Creator J. Michael Straczynski is rightfully credited for much of the show's success, but composer Christopher
Franke also deserves kudos for bringing musical consistency to the oftentimes byzantine story line. On its latest
batch of CDs devoted to the program, Sonic Images Records showcases Franke's contributions to a quartet of
key episodes: "Falling Towards Apotheosis," "Darkness Ascending," "Objects at Rest" and "Sleeping in Light."
Each of the four albums focuses on an individual show, presenting the melodies in the order they were initially
aired. There are six tracks per disc, with nearly every selection consisting of between two and five individual cues
clustered together. Like previous releases in this ongoing CD series, the packaging forgoes traditional liner notes,
instead printing informational text beneath the transparent inner tray and on the back of the jewel case. The
platters themselves are decorated with eye-catching geometric designs that serve as the cover art. During B5's
formative years, much of the action centered around grand struggles such as the Shadow War. However, by the
final season, many of the large-scale conflicts had given way to highly personal dramas. These relatively intimate
subplots required significantly more heartfelt harmonic accompaniment, which listeners can readily experience
on this set of remarkably evocative recordings. Compassionate cues are especially evident on "Sleeping in
Light," the last episode of the series. In what is undoubtedly one of his most affecting scores, Franke
simultaneously echoes and enhances the emotions of the on-screen characters as they prepare for the impending
death of President Sheridan and the demolition of the Babylon 5 space station. The melodies on "Objects at Rest,"
the penultimate chapter of the saga, are also quite poignant, subtly introducing many of the moving motifs that
are so effectively incorporated in the finale. "Falling Towards Apotheosis" functions as a transitional tale, with the
soundtrack delivering a pleasing fusion of exciting and emotional tunes, while "Darkness Ascending" offers
compositions that are clearly indicative of the episode's ominous atmosphere. The Babylon 5 story may have
concluded, but through these impressive CDs Franke's marvelous music, and in a sense the program itself, lives
on.
Jeff Berkwitz
Sci-Fi Weekly
June 1, 1999
