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Vangelis’ Blade Runner soundtrack is to ambient electronic music as the Beach’s Boys “Smile” is to classic rock. It’s a legendary soundtrack that just never seems to get a definitive release (similar to the actual Blade Runner movie)! The 2007 “Blade Runner Trilogy” feels more like a deluxe album to the exceptional 1994 release of the soundtrack rather than an exhaustive compilation of all takes (which should still be released, hint hint Vangelis!). Because of the importance of the soundtrack, the purpose of this package is unclear. It only adds a couple of unreleased tracks as well as some new tracks, but for some reason doesn’t set out to be the definitive soundtrack when it easily could have. But I don’t think the incompleteness of the album should discredit the excellent compositions included here.

The first disk, the 1994 release of the soundtrack, is nearly flawless from start to finish. Some people criticize the inclusion of movie dialogue in the tracks. I usually think that adding dialogue to soundtracks mars the original songs, but it’s not too obtrusive and really adds to the atmosphere of the album. The ordering of tracks and this dialogue sets disk one up as an electronic concept album. And wow what a trip it is! Like the movie, the soundtrack is so grand and meticulously detailed that it sends you to another world (I know that’s cliche, but it really does)! The tracks are ethereal, mysterious, melancholy, noire and most importantly always changing so you are never stuck on one mood. I love that at one instance you are listening to “Love Theme”, soaking in the bluesy saxophone and heavenly synth chords to switch to a grainy, Ink Spots-esque “One More Kiss, Dear”. And I can talk on about how excellent “Rachel’s Song” and “Memories of Green” are, but honestly the whole disk is all killer no filler.

Disk two introduces some of the unreleased singles from the soundtrack. Like disk one, there is a purposeful order to the songs (not chronologically this time, but the tracks at least transition naturally). There are some really cool tracks here, such as the uncanny “Leo’s Room” and the suspenseful “Deckard And Roy’s Duel”. While these aren’t necessarily the centerpieces of Blade Runner, they are still great examples of exceptional soundtrack composition. The third disk on the other hand … yeah it feels a bit shoehorned. I don’t mind the addition of inspired tracks, but the tracks just feel out of place instrumentally. Where are the booming synths and echoing soundscapes? The Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack does a more accurate homage than these tracks (thankfully). But then again, you can disregard the third disk and the other missing tracks because there’s still plenty to like. Disk two is an excellent supplement to one of the best ambient electronic records of all time.