Brain in a Box: The Science Fiction Collection [Box set] [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It doesn't take much rhetorical muscle to argue that science fiction was one of the dominant genre artforms of the 20th century, from the Lumiere brothers to Spielberg, from Wells and Conan Doyle to Asimov, Bradbury, and Clarke. This nearly exhaustive, lavishly packaged collection documents the genre's musical legacy across virtually every major genre on its five discs and 113 tracks. Each volume is divided by sub-genre--Movie Themes, TV Themes, Pop, Incidental/Lounge, Novelty--with each containing both the obvious contenders and some delightful surprises. The film disc alone contains a wealth of rarities, including music from Them!, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, The Andromeda Strain, Fantastic Voyage, and other notables. The packaging is brilliant kitsch: a 6.5-inch square, metal-lidded cube emblazoned on three sides with suitably tacky 3-D images of--you guessed it!--a floating brain. But the profusely illustrated, hard-bound, 200-page book (designed to emulate the Big Little Books of the 1940s and '50s) that's included gives the subject its serious due, with an introduction by Ray Bradbury and contributions from an array of other notables, including Forrest J. Ackerman, Billy Mumy, Joe Dante, Dr. Demento, and Matt Groening. Perhaps the best half-cubic-foot of sci-fi brain food every assembled. --Jerry McCulley

Brain in a Box: The Science Fiction Collection,Various Artists - Soundtracks,Rhino / Wea,Alternative Pop/Rock,Box Sets (Audio Only),College Rock,Electronic,Film Music,Instrumental Rock,Movie Themes,New Wave,Novelty,Orchestral Pop,Pop,Psychedelic,R&B,Rock & Roll,Singer/Songwriter,Soundtrack,Soundtrack Collections,Soundtracks,Soundtracks & Film Scores,Space Age Pop,TV Soundtracks,Television Music,Traditional Pop

Tracks:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Science Fiction/Double Feature - Richard O'Brien
2001: A Space Odyssey (Introduction) - The City Of Prague Philhamonic/Nic Raine
Forbidden Planet: Main Titles - Overture - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
The Day The Earth Stood Still: Prelude/Outer Space/Radar - Bernard Herrmann
It Came From Outer Space: Visitors From Space - Dick Jacobs
Creature From The Black Lagoon: Main Title - Hans J. Salter
The Incredible Shrinking Man: Main Theme - Dick Jacobs
The Time Machine: Main Title/Credits - Russell Garcia
Them!: Main Title - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
The Thing Aka The Thing (From Another World!): Prelude - The National Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Gerhardt
First Men In The Moon: Main Title - London Studio Symphony Orchestra/Laurie Johnson
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms: Main Title - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Fantastic Voyage: Radio Spot Announcement - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Fantastic Voyage: Main Title Sound Effects Suite - Leonard Rosenman
Planet Of The Apes: Main Title - Jerry Goldsmith
The Andromeda Strain: Desert Trip - Gil Melle
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind: The Conversation - John Williams
Aliens: Ripley's Rescue - The London Symphony Orchestra/James Horner
E.T.The Extra-Terrestrial: Three Million Light Years From Earth - John Williams
Robocop: Robo Vs. Ed-209 - The Sinfonia Of London Orchestra/ Howard Blake
Robocop: Main Title - The Sinfonia Of London Orchestra/ Howard Blake
Terminator 2: Judgement Day: Trust Me - Mark Ayres
Outland: The Mine - The National Philharmonic Orchestra/Jerry Goldsmith
War Of The Worlds: Main Title & Introduction - The City Of Prague Philhamonic/Nic Raine
Predator: Main Title - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
The Fly: Main Title - London Philharmonic Orchestra/Howard Shore
Mars Attacks!: Main Title - Artie Kane
The Matrix: Anything Is Possible - The City Of Prague Philhamonic/Nic Raine

Tracks:

The Twilight Zone, Main Title: First Season - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Lost In Space: Main Title/Main Title - Season 3 - John Williams
My Favorite Martian: Theme - The Warner Bros. Orchestra/Carl Brandt
Doctor Who: Dr. Who - Eric Winstone & His Orchestra
The Jetsons: Theme - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
The Time Tunnel: Main Title - John Williams
One Step Beyond: Fear - The Berlin Symphony Orchestra/Harry Lubin
The Outer Limits: Control Voice Introduction - Vic Perrin
The Outer Limits: Main Title - Dominic Frontiere
Men Into Space: Theme - The Buddy Morrow Orchestra
The Thunderbirds: Theme - Barry Gray
Stingray: Theme - Barry Gray
Astro Boy: Theme - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea: Main Title - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Land Of The Giants: Main Title - Season 1 - John Williams
Star Trek: Main Title & Closing Theme - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Fred Steiner
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Main Title - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Caine
V (The Series): Main Title - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
Babylon 5: Main Title - Christopher Franke
The Simpsons: Treehouse Of Horror I (Kang & Kodos Medley): Holy-Moly/We Offered You Paradise - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection
The X-Files: Main Title - Mark Snow
Changing Channels - Brain In A Box: The Science Fiction Collection

Tracks:

Telstar - The Tornadoes
Blast Off - Jimmie Haskell And His Orchestra
Out Of Limits - The Marketts
Have You Seen The Saucers - Jefferson Airplane
Waiting For The UFO's - Graham Parker & The Rumour
Spaceman - Nilsson
Space Child - Spirit
Flying Saucer Safari - Suburban Lawns
UFO - Soul, Inc.
Rocket - Jow Bennett & The Sparkletones
Rocket To Nowhere - Webb Wilder
For Science - They Might Be Giants
Machines - Lathar & The Hand People
Beyond Tomorrow - Stan Ridgway
Theme For The Creature From Under The Sea - Milton DeLugg
Humans From Earth - T-Bone Burnett
One Step Beyond: Fear - Main Title - The Ventures
Rocket Ship - Vernon Green & The Medallions
Radar Blues - Chris Conner
Creature With The Atom Brain - Raky Erickson
Rocket Ship - Kathy McCarty
After The Gold Rush: Prelude - Prelude

Tracks:

Frozen Neptune - Russ Garcia & His Orchestra
Lunar Rhapsody - Les Baxter
Man From Mars - Ferrante & Teicher
On The Dark Side Of The Moon - Frank Comstock
Saturday Night On Saturn - Les Baxter
Welcome To Tomorrow - Attilio Mineo
Space Reflex (Blues In 5/4) - Dick Hyman
The Planets: Mars, Bringer Of War - The City Of Prague Philharmonic/Nic Raine
Theremin Solo - Dr. Samuel Hoffman
Guitars In Space - Billy Mure
Nova (Exploding Star) - Russ Garcia & His Orchestra
Space Is The Place - Sun Ra
Twilight Zone - Raymond Scott & His Orchestra
Cosmic Ballad - Perrey-Kingsley
Moon Gas - Dick Hyman
Monsters Of Jupiter - Russ Garcia & His Orchestra
She Likes Me - Jerry Goldsmith
Tone Tales From Tomorrow - Frank Coe
Alien - Leonard Nimoy
On Planet X - David Garland/John Zorn

Tracks:

The Flying Saucer (Parts 1 & 2) - Buchanan & Goodman
Beep! Beep! - Louis Prima
The Blob - The Five Blobs
Martian Hop - The Ran-Dells
Music To Watch Space Girls By - Leonard Nimoy
Planet Claire - The B-52's
Gigantor - The Dickies
Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer - Ella Fitzgerald
Flying Saucer Attack - The Rezillos
Flyin' Saucers Rock 'N' Roll - Billy Riley & His Little Green Men
UFOs, Big Rigs & BBQ - Mojo Nixon & World Famous Blue Jays
We're Going UFO'ing - Jimmy Durante
Surf Trek - The Rubinoos
Mister Spaceman - The Holy Modal Rounders
Meet Space Pilot Jones - The Satellite Singers
The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
Knocked Out Joint On Mars - Buck Trail
Tiny Space Man - Bill Carlisle
(When You See) Those Flying Saucers - Buchanan Brothers & The Georgia Catamounts
Unfunky UFO - Parliament
You Came From Outer Space - The Kirby Stone Four

Amazon.com

It doesn't take much rhetorical muscle to argue that science fiction was one of the dominant genre artforms of the 20th century, from the Lumiere brothers to Spielberg, from Wells and Conan Doyle to Asimov, Bradbury, and Clarke. This nearly exhaustive, lavishly packaged collection documents the genre's musical legacy across virtually every major genre on its five discs and 113 tracks. Each volume is divided by sub-genre--Movie Themes, TV Themes, Pop, Incidental/Lounge, Novelty--with each containing both the obvious contenders and some delightful surprises. The film disc alone contains a wealth of rarities, including music from Them!, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, The Andromeda Strain, Fantastic Voyage, and other notables. The packaging is brilliant kitsch: a 6.5-inch square, metal-lidded cube emblazoned on three sides with suitably tacky 3-D images of--you guessed it!--a floating brain. But the profusely illustrated, hard-bound, 200-page book (designed to emulate the Big Little Books of the 1940s and '50s) that's included gives the subject its serious due, with an introduction by Ray Bradbury and contributions from an array of other notables, including Forrest J. Ackerman, Billy Mumy, Joe Dante, Dr. Demento, and Matt Groening. Perhaps the best half-cubic-foot of sci-fi brain food every assembled. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

a brain that your brain will enjoy.......2002-12-12

First off, the design of this boxed set is outstanding, from the 3-D panels showing a brain in fluid to the CDs and cases themselves, which highlight various grade-Z schlock sci-fi themes. The construction, however, is another story, as the box itself is sloppily made, and the foam padding which houses the CDs is not the ideal method, as it makes re-inserting the CDs without damaging them a bit annoying. The accompanying book is an interesting (if hodge-podge) overview of pop sci-fi culture. As for the music itself, kudos go to Rhino for their excellent compilation, which is head-and-shoulders above other compilations of novelty music, though one can argue that some of the obscure selections should remain obscure. Still, many should enjoy the discs devoted to movie and TV themes; I, for one, was overjoyed to see the inclusion of the theme from The Blob (by Burt Bacharach!) on the Novelty disc.

Nostalgia at it's best........2001-04-05

The first thing you will notice is the beautiful box. Though not metal (decorated to look as if), it has a really cool hologram on three sides, with all track listings on the back. Decent construction, though some may not like the foam insert inside which holds the 5 discs and book.

The 5 discs are packaged with their own cardboard sleeve that is decorated in a 50's style retro design and categorized by a main theme: T.V., Movie, Lounge, Novelty & Pop. But the best part of the inserts is the small hard cover book included. It is chock full of old B-movie posters and artwork, news/articles, and information/history on 'space' related music over the years. This is truly a gem and adds quite a bit to this collection. You will spend hours marveling over the old retro designs and comic like appearance of all things sci/fi that are within this books covers.

Now why only 4 stars? Well though you will be giddy to hear old show tunes like 'Lost In Space', 'The Outer Limits', and some of the movie themes and lounge, it does lack some heavy hitters. One can argue that Rhino probably had hundreds of tunes to sift through, and they picked what they could for licensing reasons and taste, but while others may enjoy some tunes, others will wonder how this made it into the collection. For me, I was a little let down by the Novelty disc....some songs were actually annoying to me.

The biggest let down, and I realize the issues behind it, were the absence of a few major players: There is no Star Wars theme, no Cantina, no Dune, no Klingon music, a few TV shows that were not represented, but you can't please everybody right?

Otherwise a very good collection...and a stellar book.

It doesn't get better than this..........2001-01-30

If you're the kind of person that stays up weekends until 4AM just to see a rare '50's sci-fi drive-in movie on the tube, start saving up,you've got to have this. The other reviews point out the superb packaging (I can't imagine anyone bringing out a better graphic design for CDs this year,give the Grammy right now) and the esoteric music, and I fully agree. But I think I've found how to enjoy this set the most:stick all the discs in your 200-CD jukebox and use random play mode. This stuff is the greatest for spicing up your round-the-house listening! Extremely highly recommended (if you're into old sci-fi and unusual music).

Thinking Inside the Box.......2001-01-13

This offering from Rhino Records sets a new standard for graphic design! Really, it's absolutely terrific. Before ever getting around to opening the box, I luxuriated in the marvelously rendered details, the perfect switches and gauges, the tongue-in-cheek labels from the "brainstorm" light to the warning to "replace fluids every 3000 hours." I got more kicks from just reading the box than I've gotten from many novels!

And the box is only the beginning! The 200-page booklet is a sheer delight for fans of 1950s sci-fi B-flicks. Really, you can't appreciate the genius that went into this package until you experience it for yourself! More than a box, it's Art.

Very highly recommended!

Fun and cool, but only for ... sci-fi fans.......2001-01-12

With an ultra-cool holographic box that instantly transports you back to the sci-fi B-movie days of the past, "Brain in a Box" also serves as a fairly comprehensive library of all kinds of music relating to science fiction, from movie and TV themes to pop and novelty songs. If I had to introduce someone to sci-fi music, this wouldn't be a bad way to do it. I could easily quibble over what's missing, but I prefer to focus instead on what you DO get: an excellent hardbound book with info and commentary, several tunes I would never have heard otherwise (like "Tiny Space Man"), and the amazing brain storage container that is it all comes in. I do have complaints: the sound quality varies widely (couldn't be helped, I'm sure)

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

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