beyondcover_grandeMichael Giacchino (Varese Sarabande CD Club)

It’s been quite a year for composer Michael Giacchino. Quite apart from his scores for Doctor Strange and Zootropolis, he also provided the soundtracks to Star Trek Beyond and proved a worthy composer to develop John Williams’ Star Wars themes in Rogue One. Varese released a single disc of his Star Trek Beyond score at the movie’s release in July, but are now offering collectors this limited edition (5,000 copies) 2-disc package.

At 62 minutes, it never felt like the single disc had shortchanged fans, featuring 18 tracks from across the movie. What’s pleasing about this release is that the new content doesn’t rely on being alternate takes or minor variations on a theme but are decent score tracks sequenced into the action. As such, the original 18 tracks have a further 29 slotted between them, boosting the running time to a whopping 126 minutes.

It’s also nice to have Jaylah’s Theme and the Yorktown Theme separated out as tracks in their own rights, rather than just forming parts of wider cues. I won’t focus too long on Giacchino’s main Star Trek Theme (this is its third outing after all) beyond saying it has now indelibly made its mark on the JJ Abrams-originated Trekverse and is best enjoyed at top volume, Warp Factor 10 and presented in full.

Giacchinno continues to be the master of the puns in his track listings (Franklin, My Dear and Krall-y Krall-y Oxen Free, we’re talking about you!) but don’t let that distract you from the full-blooded, epic score as performed by The Hollywood Studio Symphony and Page LA Studio Voices.

Is this an essential addition to your Star Trek soundtracks collection? If you haven’t already got the single disc release, then absolutely. If you already have the earlier release then the must-buy factor will depend on your need to have every available score cue or if you were miffed that some of your favourite musical moments didn’t make the first release. What’s significant is that as collectors we have the choice to go for regular or deluxe and unlike some special editions there’s as much new stuff as old.

The vinyl version of the regular Star Trek Beyond release has just also been released, and this limited 2-disc CD version should soon shift its 5,000 run.

Verdict: This is a great companion piece to Giacchino’s Rogue One and a stellar reminder of what a versatile and accomplished composer we have. 8/10

Nick Joy