Docker's Guild
The Heisenberg Diaries –
Book A: Sounds of Future Past

Mr Docker has assembled an interesting guild for this, his second effort, using only female musicians and vocalists for this orchestra. The first effort was well received and everything, but I have not heard it. It was also the first part in a story of nine albums and this one is the second part. One has to wonder if quantum mechanics is a pastime of Docker or if he has just been watching a lot of science fiction as it is a prominent feature here and there in sci-fi shows. This lead character Heisenberg seems to have a certain appreciation of science fiction and that is what this album is exploring. It is an album comprised of themes and suites from well known sci-fi movies and television shows.

We get to hear well known themes like the Doctor Who theme, Space 1999, Red Dwarf, Dune, Flash Gordon, even music from the final episode of Babylon 5 – so I get to hear at least something from a favourite sci-fi of mine. I wouldn’t have minded to hear the theme from Star Trek Voyager in a rockier tune but you cannot get everything, can you? So, it is sci-fi tunes, covers you might describe it as but they put their own mark on these songs. The production is very strong and the musicianship very impressive – as the songs are from different shows by different composers we also get a strong variation which makes the playing time of 64 minutes feel rather short.

One could argue that making an album out of cover songs is a weakness but the choice of songs is pretty unique making this album interesting despite the fact that the songs are not written by the primary artist himself. The idea is great, the songs are great and as a fan of science fiction and knowing many of these songs it is really enjoyable to hear them in more rocking versions. I see no weaknesses in this album. Not only is this album great, it is also enjoyable, clever, catchy and imaginative. It is a highly recommended album, especially if you like the classic sci-fi stuff.

Of all these great sci-fi tunes I think the best ones are the opening Space 1999-theme, the Red Dwarf theme, I enjoy the beautiful Babylon 5 music and the Doctor Who theme is another enjoyable song. With that I can only conclude that this has been an enjoyable album to listen to and that it is too bad that I haven’t had the chance to hear the debut album and probably won’t have as long as I write reviews for Hallowed. So if you are a sci-fi fan, don’t miss this one.

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