Star Trek Soundtracks

Jerry Goldsmith
User Rating: 92%

The first and the greatest, with the fanfare that has yet to be matched. Utterly brilliant and innovative, this isn't just the best Trek score; it even goes beyond being one of the greatest science fiction scores. Simply put, Goldsmith's masterpiece.

James Horner
User Rating: 83%

Coming up just behind at #2 is Horner's masterpiece. It may lose a few points since it isn't as innovative or original, but it is no less brilliant. Evoking seafaring adventure with some of his most soaring and emotional themes, Horner created the musical sound-scape of my childhood.

Cliff Eidelman
User Rating: 87%

Cliff Eidelman's chance at the big leagues and he makes the most of it, delivering music of profound scope and power. It's a pity Eidelman hasn't had another shot. He deserves it.

James Horner
User Rating: 80%

While not as good as Khan, this is still a strong and memorable work. A solid sequel score, with effective callbacks to earlier themes, and some entertaining new themes (Klingons, any one?)

Michael Giacchino
User Rating: 82%

An exciting reboot to the franchise. If Giacchino doesn't knock it through the park, it's not through lack of trying. Good action music and one classic track (Labor of Love) don't overcome a serviceable but uninspiring main title.

Jerry Goldsmith
User Rating: 77%

While this marks the welcome return of Goldsmith, this doesn't come close to approaching his first score. There is some wonderfully meaty action music and other late 80's vintage Goldsmith goodness, but the new main theme seems like a throwaway from earlier, better works.

Jerry Goldsmith
User Rating: 80%

The best of the Next Gen scores, First Contact greets us with some worthy action music, a clever theme for the Borg, and some inspiring orchestrations for the First Contact of the title. But the score never really gels completely as a full listening experience. It feels unbalanced and disconnected with itself (and the audience).

Jerry Goldsmith
User Rating: 80%

While it makes for a more balanced listening experience, Nemesis doesn't have the highlights of First Contact. An effective score with some solid action cues. But unfortunately not much more.

Dennis McCarthy
User Rating: 63%

Next Generation TV series composer Dennis McCarthy gives it his all, but in the end, he seems out of his element. Points for a genuinely inspired and appropriate main title theme and some nice action music in the beginning, but he runs out of steam quickly. A good college try, however.

Jerry Goldsmith
User Rating: 67%

Easily Goldsmith's worst Trek score, this sounds like he set out to make as dull and uninspired a piece of work as possible. That's harsh; there are some nice moments, but this is definitely a disappointment.

Leonard Rosenman
User Rating: 50%

Wow, inappropriate and unoriginal, this is the Trek score that bagged an Oscar nomination?! Other than Chekov's Run, this is a really bad score - something that would have been better in a Renaissance Fair or high school band concert.