The Truth and the Light: Music from the X-Files

Last updated
The Truth and the Light: Music from the X-Files
Truthandlight.jpg
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedOctober 8, 1996
Genre
Length45:50
Label Warner Bros.
46448
Producer Mark Snow
Jeff Charbonneau
The X-Files chronology
Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files
(1996)
The Truth and the Light: Music from the X-Files
(1996)
The X-Files: Original Motion Picture Score
(1998)

The Truth and the Light: Music from the X-Files is a 1996 album by Mark Snow. The album is composed of excerpts of instrumental music scores from the first three seasons of the American science fiction television series The X-Files , on which Snow was the resident composer. These tracks are linked together with portions of dialogue from the series.

Contents

Released on October 8, 1996, the album received mixed reviews from critics. It reached a peak position of number forty-two in the UK albums chart, and spent four weeks in France's album charts, peaking at number nine.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Chris Carter and Mark Snow

No.TitleLength
1."Introitus: Praeceps Transito Spatium" ("Død Kalm")1:51
2."Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme (Main Title)"3:22
3."Raptus" ("Pilot")3:16
4."Adflatus" ("One Breath")4:00
5."Deverbero" ("F. Emasculata")1:28
6."Cantus Excio" ("The Calusari")4:42
7."Mercutura" ("Gender Bender")3:23
8."Lamenta" ("Roland")1:48
9."Insequi" ("Oubliette")1:37
10."Otium" ("Conduit")1:43
11."Dubitatio" ("Ghost in the Machine")2:49
12."Iter" ("Nisei")1:20
13."Progigno De Axis" ("Nisei")1:35
14."Carmen Amatorium Ex Arcanum" ("3")2:38
15."Facetus Malum" ("Humbug")2:42
16."Memoria" ("Shapes")2:02
17."Mitus Lumen" ("Soft Light")2:41
18."Fides Fragilis" ("The Erlenmeyer Flask")1:35
19."Exoptare Ex Veritas" ("Oubliette")1:30
20."Kyrie" ("Grotesque")1:43
21."The X-Files Theme (Flexifinger Terrestrial mix)" (UK release only)4:23
Total length:45:50

Personnel

Release

The Truth and the Light: Music from The X-Files was released by Warner Bros. Records on October 8, 1996, [1] on both compact disc and compact cassette formats. [2] It spent two weeks in the UK Albums Chart, reaching a peak position of number forty-two on September 12, 1996. [3] The album spent four weeks in France's Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique album chart between September 14 and October 26, 1996. It entered the chart at number forty-two, before peaking at number nine, and finally dropping to number forty-three before leaving the chart entirely. [4] A more comprehensive four-disc collection of Snow's compositions for The X-Files was released by record company La-La Land Records in May 2011, containing several of the cues found on The Truth and the Light. [5] [6]

Reception

The Truth and the Light has received mixed reviews from critics. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album four stars out of five, calling it "evocative and eerie", noting that "it holds up surprisingly well when isolated from the visuals" of the series. [2] Filmtracks.com's Christian Clemmensen rated it two stars out of five, calling it a "basically adequate souvenir of sorts". Clemmensen lamented that the inclusion of dialogue from the series hindered the album as a whole, explaining that "inconsistent incorporation of dialogue hinders the album's continuity". He also felt that the cues included on the album did not reflect Snow's best work on the series, which in his view would come from the later seasons, but that the album instead reflected "Snow's darker, ambient, and atonal music", though admitting that there was still an audience for "those creepy sounds". [7]

Extended track listing with additional details

TrackTitleTitle TranslationLengthMusicQuote(s)
1Introitus: Praeceps Transito SpatiumThe Beginning: Quickly Across the Void1:51 2x19 Død Kalm Fox Mulder in 3x13 Syzygy)
2Materia Primoris: The X-Files Theme (Main Title)Main Title3:22
3RaptusAbduction3:16 1x79 Pilot 2x05 Duane Barry
4Adflatus Breathing upon 3:36 2x08 One Breath (23") 3x01 The Blessing Way, 3x16 Apocrypha (Cigarette Smoking Man: "You can trust all of us.")
5DeverberoThrashing1:28 2x22 F. Emasculata (15") 2x10 Red Museum (35")
6Cantus ExcioRousing Song4:42 2x21 The Calusari (15",21",23")
7MercuturaMerchandise3:23 1x13 Gender Bender (38"), 2x22 F. Emasculata (27") 2x25 Anasazi (21", Bill Mulder)
8LamentaLamentation1:48 1x22 Roland 2x06 Ascension, 2x22 F. Emasculata (26", Fox Mulder - "Why weren't we told the truth?", Cigarette Smoking Man - "The truth would have caused panic. Panic would have cost lives.", Cigarette Smoking Man - "What's the truth, Agent Mulder?")
9InsequiPursuit1:37 3x08 Oubliette
10OtiumPeace1:43 1x03 Conduit
11DubitatioUncertainty2:49 2x22 F. Emasculata (14",35"), 1x07 Ghost in the Machine 1x01 Deep Throat (Deep Throat, Fox Mulder)
12IterJourney1:20 3x09 Nisei
13Progigno De AxisBring Forth from the sky/ the Axis 1:35 3x09 Nisei 2x25 Anasazi (40", Dana Scully - "Mulder, in these files I found references to experiments that were conducted here in the US by Axis-power scientists who were given amnesty after the war.")
14Carmen Amatorium Ex ArcanumLove Song from secrets2:38 2x07 3 2x22 F. Emasculata (42", Walter Skinner - "I'm saying this as a friend. Watch your back. This is just the beginning.")
15Facetus MalumGraceful Evil2:42 2x20 Humbug (12",20")
16MemoriaRemembering2:02 1x18 Shapes 3x01 The Blessing Way
17Mitis LumenSoft Light2:41 2x23 Soft Light (0",9",27",34") 2x06 Ascension (Dana Scully - "Mulder!), 2x25 Anasazi (42", Cigarette Smoking Man - "Burn it!")
18Fides FragilisFragile Faith1:35 1x23 The Erlenmeyer Flask 2x16 Colony (0", Fox Mulder)
19Exoptare Ex VeritasDesire for the Truth1:30 3x08 Oubliette 3x02 Paper Clip
20Kyrie O Lord 2:57 3x14 Grotesque (1:42 - 2:57)"Apology is policy" derived from episode 3x10 731
21The X-Files Theme (Flexifinger Terrestrial mix) (UK release only)4:23

Footnotes

  1. Sprague, David (August 24, 1996). "Nothin' Like the Reel Thing". Billboard . Vol. 108, no. 34. p. 105. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Truth & Light: Music from 'The X-Files' - Mark Snow". AllRovi . Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  3. "MARK SNOW | Artist | Official Charts". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. "lescharts.com - Mark Snow - The Truth And The Light" . Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  5. "LA LA LAND RECORDS, X FILES, Vol-1". La-La Land Records. Archived from the original on December 31, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  6. "'The X-Files' Soundtrack Set released". Film Music Reporter. May 11, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  7. Clemmensen, Christian (June 15, 2011). "Filmtracks: The X-Files (Mark Snow)". Filmtracks.com . Retrieved January 3, 2012.

Related Research Articles

<i>The X-Files</i> American television series

The X-Files is an American science fiction drama television series created by Chris Carter. The original television series aired from September 1993 to May 2002 on Fox. During its original run, the program spanned nine seasons, with 202 episodes. A short tenth season consisting of six episodes ran from January to February 2016. Following the ratings success of this revival, The X-Files returned for an eleventh season of ten episodes, which ran from January to March 2018. In addition to the television series, two feature films have been released: The 1998 film The X-Files and the stand-alone film The X-Files: I Want to Believe, released in 2008, six years after the original television run had ended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Goldsmith</span> American film composer (1929–2004)

Jerrald King Goldsmith was an American composer known for his work in film and television scoring. He composed scores for five films in the Star Trek franchise and three in the Rambo franchise, as well as for films including Logan's Run, Planet of the Apes, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Patton, Papillon, Chinatown, The Omen, Alien, Poltergeist, The Secret of NIMH, Medicine Man, Gremlins, Hoosiers, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Air Force One, L.A. Confidential, Mulan, and The Mummy. He also composed the fanfares accompanying the production logos used by multiple major film studios, and music for the Disney attraction Soarin'.

<i>Millennium</i> (TV series) American television series

Millennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, which aired on Fox from October 25, 1996, to May 21, 1999. The series follows the investigations of ex-FBI agent Frank Black, now a consultant, with the ability to see inside the minds of criminals, working for a mysterious organization known as the Millennium Group.

<i>Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files</i> 1996 soundtrack album by various artists

Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files is a 1996 compilation album released in association with the American science fiction television series The X-Files. The album contained a mixture of songs that were either featured in the series, or shared thematic elements with it. Songs in the Key of X peaked at No. 47 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart after its release. The album's title is a play on the title of Stevie Wonder's 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life.

<i>The X-Files</i> (film) 1998 film by Rob Bowman

The X-Files is a 1998 American science fiction thriller film based on Chris Carter's television series of the same name, which revolves around fictional unsolved cases called the X-Files and the characters solving them. It was directed by Rob Bowman, written by Carter and Frank Spotnitz and featured five main characters from the television series: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, John Neville, and William B. Davis reprise their respective roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner, Well-Manicured Man, and the Cigarette-Smoking Man. The film was promoted with the tagline Fight the Future.

Summon the Heroes is a one-movement orchestral composition written for the 1996 Summer Olympics by American composer John Williams for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). It premiered on July 19, 1996, in abridged form, at the opening ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, played by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Williams. The piece is the third of four compositions he has written for the Olympics, following 1984's Olympic Fanfare and Theme and 1988's Olympic Spirit, and preceding 2002's Call of the Champions.

Mark Snow is an American composer for film and television. Among his most famous compositions is the theme music for science fiction television series The X-Files. The X Files theme tune was released as a single in the United Kingdom, where the series aired on BBC Two and BBC One, in early-1996, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Snow also wrote the music for another Chris Carter series, Millennium, and the background music scores for both shows, a total of 12 seasons.

<i>The X-Files: The Album</i> 1998 soundtrack album by various artists

The X-Files: The Album is a 1998 soundtrack album released to accompany the film The X-Files. Released on June 2, 1998, the album features songs by various artists, including several who had contributed to the earlier album Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files, and consists mostly of cover versions or reworkings of earlier material.

Pilot (<i>The X-Files</i>) Pilot episode of The X-Files

"Pilot" is the pilot episode of the science fiction television series The X-Files. The episode aired on September 10, 1993, on the Fox network in the United States and Canada, and subsequently aired in the United Kingdom on BBC Two. The episode was written by series creator Chris Carter, and directed by Robert Mandel. As the pilot, it would set up the mythology storyline for the series. The episode earned a Nielsen rating of 7.9 and was viewed by 7.4 million households and 12.0 million viewers. The episode itself was generally well received by fans and critics alike, which led to a growing cult following for the series before it hit the mainstream.

Deep Throat (<i>The X-Files</i> episode) 2nd episode of the 1st season of The X-Files

"Deep Throat" is the second episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. This episode premiered on the Fox network on September 17, 1993. Written by series creator Chris Carter and directed by Daniel Sackheim, the episode introduces several elements which became staples of the series' mythology.

"Go the Distance" is a song from Disney's 1997 animated feature film Hercules. It was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel, and originally recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of Hercules. American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's end credits, which was also included on his eleventh studio album All That Matters (1997). Puerto Rican singer and actor Ricky Martin performed the Spanish version of the song, both in the movie and in the credits; this version is included on Martin's album Vuelve. Both the song and its reprise featured in a stage production of Hercules, performed upon the Disney Wonder during 2007/2008.

<i>Where the Beat Meets the Street</i> 1984 studio album by Bobby and the Midnites

Where the Beat Meets the Street is the second studio album by Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and his side-project, Bobby and the Midnites. The album reached number 166 on the Billboard 200.

<i>The X-Files: I Want to Believe</i> 2008 science fiction film

The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a 2008 American supernatural thriller film directed by Chris Carter and written by both Carter and Frank Spotnitz. It is the second feature film installment of The X-Files franchise created by Carter, following the 1998 film. Three main actors from the television series, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and Mitch Pileggi, reappear in the film to reprise their respective roles as Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, and Walter Skinner.

Merchandise related to the American television The X-Files franchise includes VHS and DVD sets, compact discs, video games, T-shirts and a magazine devoted specifically to the show.

<i>Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix</i> (soundtrack) 2007 film score by Nicholas Hooper

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2007 film of the same name, based on the book by J. K. Rowling. Nicholas Hooper composed the film's score, following John Williams, who scored the first three films, and Patrick Doyle, who did the fourth. Though new to the series, Hooper had worked with director David Yates before. The soundtrack was released 10 July 2007, the day before the film's release.

"Triangle" is the third episode of the sixth season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It premiered on the Fox network on November 22, 1998. Written and directed by series creator Chris Carter, "Triangle" is a "Monster-of-the-Week" episode, a stand-alone plot which is unconnected to the overarching mythology of The X-Files. "Triangle" earned a Nielsen household rating of 10.8, being watched by 18.20 million viewers in its initial broadcast. The episode generally received positive reviews with many critics commenting on the episode's directing style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The X-Files (composition)</span> 1996 instrumental composition by Mark Snow

"The X-Files" is an instrumental written and produced by American film and television composer Mark Snow. On its parent album, The Truth and the Light: Music from the X-Files, the track is titled "Materia Primoris". It is a remixed version of the original theme Snow composed for the science fiction television series The X-Files in 1993. The composition was released as a single in 1996 and achieved chart success, particularly in France, where it reached number one on the SNEP Singles Chart. The composition has since been covered by many artists, including DJ Dado and Triple X; DJ Dado's version was a major hit in Europe while Triple X's version reached number two in Australia.

Music of The X-Files franchise is composed and written by American Mark Snow; the franchise was created by Chris Carter. Snow has composed the music for all the franchise main releases. Together with the show, the music was positively met by critics and viewers of the show alike. Snow has been nominated with over twenty awards and nominations for his music on the various franchise releases, but notably The X-Files. Among the most famous compositions of the franchise is the theme song for The X-Files. The theme was a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Up</i> (soundtrack) 2009 film score by Michael Giacchino

Up (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 2009 Disney-Pixar film of the same name composed by Michael Giacchino. This is his third feature film for Pixar after The Incredibles and Ratatouille. Giacchino wrote a character theme-based score that the filmmakers felt enhanced the story of the film. Up received positive reviews from music critics and won major awards. Despite being well regarded, Up was not released as a compact disc (CD) until 2011, when it became available via Intrada Records.

<i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the score album for David Fincher's 2011 film of the same name, composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It was released on December 9, 2011, through The Null Corporation in the US and Mute Records outside North America. This is the second soundtrack that Reznor and Ross have worked on together, following the Oscar-winning The Social Network, also for Fincher.