n every episode of the popular UPN television program Seven Days,
courageous "Back Step" adventurer Frank Parker (Jonathan LaPaglia) travels
one week into the past to prevent major catastrophes and foil vicious
evildoers. But each time Parker breaches the space-time continuum, he's not
alone. Accompanying him on nearly every journey is the electronic music of
Scott Gilman, whose melodies from the series are presented on this new CD.
The Seven Days soundtrack offers 30 cuts arranged in three
suites. Following an introductory "Main Title with Dialogue," the first
sequence spotlights 13 selections from the episode "Vows." With
self-explanatory names like "Parker Meets Clary," "Frank Tries to Go Back"
and "The Wedding," the compositions primarily showcase martial melodies that
offer variations of the motifs heard on the opening number. Next is the
"Suite from 'Come Again'," which is divided into 10 movements and presents
softer but similarly rhythmic themes.
The final cluster of cues, collectively labeled "Suite from 'EBE's',"
returns to the dynamic aggression of the earlier numbers, incorporating
extensive synthesized effects to emphasize the spooky nature of this
particular adventure. "EBE's" is partitioned into only six segments, with the
movements comprised largely of linked compositions with cryptic titles like
"Walt Landis/Alien Vengeance" and "You Owe Me This/Citizen X/On the Move."
Throughout the disc, the length of the individual tracks ranges from under
30 seconds to nearly nine minutes, with the majority running between one and
three minutes. The liner notes include a synopsis of the program's basic
premise, along with information about both Gilman and Christopher Crowe, the
show's charismatic creator/executive producer.
Seven Days isn't weak
Many contemporary science fiction television series employ the same artist
to create music for every episode, which helps generate a highly
thematic--and often quite memorable--sonic signature for a program. While the
melodies produced by Gilman for Seven Days aren't as noteworthy as the
tunes of such renowned soundtrack wizards as Christopher Franke
(Babylon 5) or Mark Snow (The X-Files), they sparkle and are
enthusiastically performed.
It's interesting to hear how the motifs introduced in the "Main Title" are
woven through the different compositions. For example, the short but stirring
"Teaser," which launches the "Suite from 'Vows'," adopts and significantly
extends the trembling percussive sound that opens the show. Meanwhile, "Back
Step," a work derived from the same episode, begins with familiar martial
rhythms but adds frenetic synthesized noises and a muted version of the main
theme's fanfare. As presented here, these elements accentuate the excitement
and uncertainty associated with the high-tech device that enables Parker to travel through time.
Another standout selection is the nine-minute "Checkmate/Olga Looks for
Clues/Back Step/Fruit Basket/Code Black/Mentnor Peeps/A Peculiar Nature/Test
Pilot." This extended sequence from the "Suite from
'EBE's'" nicely exhibits Gilman's range, displaying eerie atmospheric
effects that are distinct from those heard earlier on the disc.
Gilman also does an admirable job establishing and refashioning the various
themes, although after a while the militaristic rhythms do become a bit
stale. And there are a couple of chintzy compositions, such as the simplistic
and unimaginative "Chase" (included in the "Suite from 'Come Again'").
However, for the most part, this Seven Days CD offers a pleasing
assortment of spirited and satisfying electronic tunes.
