Science fiction, as the genre of the future and of technological innovation, tends to be musically associated with electronic music. Music synthesized by machines, often unnatural sounding, as if belonging to something from another world. And one isn’t wrong to expect it. However, Bear McCreary–who has composed music for the landmark Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Defiance, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Europa Report and Eureka–often takes a different approach.

McCreary is best known for his Battlestar Galactica soundtracks, which was described by Variety as “some of the most innovative music on TV”. I’ve personally heard it described as “proof that a god loves us” and I’m inclined to agree with that. The soundtrack is a conglomeration of world music styles and features something unlike any other science fiction series offers. The soundtrack is sweeping string orchestras, emotional melodies, and even renditions of Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower”. Some of his clips from Caprica prove what he can manage to do with a string orchestra, and it certainly isn’t the Blade Runner-esque electric whining one would expect.

Just as unlikely is one thinking bagpipes has a place in science fiction television scores, especially in musicals themes more associated with a military, or that Japanese taikos and Chinese membrane flutes belong under a boxing match but Bear McCreary decided they did. Even when vocals are needed, he often searches for other voices and languages, including the Irish and Sanskrit. His use of more “ethnic” and “world” music in his scores, whereas others may stick to the traditional orchestras, certainly reminds me of Jane Espenson’s question, “If we can’t write diversity into sci-fi, then what’s the point?” Though Espenson was speaking of diversity in character, perhaps McCreary proves the same in his scores. Why shouldn’t one branch out musically? If there’s any place to explore what part each instrument or musical tradition has in our pop culture, then science fiction should be that place.

McCreary blogs about his work at his website, and it’s a really interesting read if one is into musical scores.