The NYT comments section is all over the place. Some people don't seem to "get" soundtrack music. "It's boring." "It's nothing without the show." Etc. Soundtra

The NYT comments section is all over the place. Some people don't seem to "get" soundtrack music. "It's boring." "It's nothing without the show." Etc. Soundtrack music isn't meant to stand without the film or TV show or game it's created for. And some, probably most, doesn't. But you can have a real winner if the music stands on its own as well. The Twin Peaks soundtrack album does, for me...and I've never even seen the show. Some composers are better at this than others: John Williams, Howard Shore, Maurice Jarre, Korngold, Badalamenti are among those who can stand alone (IMO). Bear McCreary is one who stands out in my mind as being an excellent composer, but whose music is virtually unlistenable without the visuals to go with it.