Overview

Veteran composer Frank Klepacki made a name for himself with the Command & Conquer series and continues to have a very loyal following of fans. The Command & Conquer Soundtrack Compilation was made available to those who purchased the Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 game. It features four scores from the series, Command & Conquer, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun, and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, in their complete forms across four discs.

Body

Frank Klepacki has never really abided by the typical "war game" soundtrack conventions. Maybe that's because he was doing Command & Conquer games long before Michael Giacchino popularized the Call of Duty and Medal of Honor franchises with their somber orchestral war themes. Most of his tracks follow that hard and fast rule: change it up every four bars. Yet he shows time and again that he is a master of his own craft. His transitions are natural and effective, and furthermore he uses a wide variety of synthesizers, electric guitars, percussion, and even vocal samples.

One particular track that exemplifies his experimental approach to scoring is "Hell March" from Command & Conquer: Red Alert. This theme is brooding, dark, and very much like a hardcore rock song. A driven drum beat, coupled with shredding and relentless guitars, signal a diversion from the original Command & Conquer. That's until about 2:45 into the track when we realize Frank hasn't yet abandoned his electronic roots! This theme has received several arrangements throughout the series' duration, including on the sequel soundtrack.

Klepacki's approach to the Command & Conquer titles considerably evolved between the original game and Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. However, certainly the biggest diversion among the scores is Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun, featured in the third disc of the compilation. Rather of offering a dynamic and hard-edged mix of rock and techno, he offers a futuristic soundtrack featuring soothing synthpads and ambient soundscapes.

Summary

Overall, the Command & Conquer Soundtrack Collection is a definitive compilation of music from the Command & Conquer series. It features many enjoyable themes and demonstrates the series' musical development over time. Fans of Frank Klepacki's work should seriously considering track this down.