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"Battlestar Galactica" arguably is one of the most acclaimed science-fiction series in television history. And as the serialized tale came to a close earlier this year after four seasons, composer Bear McCreary was charged with capturing the epic tone of the show’s final episodes in its score.

If the soundtrack release for BSG Season 4 is any indication, McCreary’s efforts were a complete success.

From the very first track, McCreary gets listeners’ attention with “Gaeta’s Lament.” The mournful tune begins a capella with vocals by cast member Alessandro Juliani, but soon the instruments join in. Reflective strings and pounding percussion punctuate the melody, which at first plays like a funeral hymn. As it builds, though, the track becomes more and more intense, as Juliani’s powerful voice is accompanied by a torrent of blaring orchestrations.

From the episode titled “Guess What’s Coming to Dinner,” the track is one of the strongest on the album and makes a superb selection to engage listeners right from the get-go. McCreary also includes an instrumental version of the song, making it even easier to appreciate every nuance of the tune.

“Roslin Escapes” is another drum-heavy track, and while percussion is an important part of the musical landscape of BSG, McCreary is far from versatile than that. “Kara Remembers” has a particularly eerie feel to it, while “Grand Old Lady” possesses a majesty that calls to mind Howard Shore’s score for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Not that McCreary’s track is unoriginal in the slightest, but it captures a larger-than-life quality similar to the Academy Award-winning adventures of Middle-Earth.

“Dreilide Thrace Sonata No.1” from an episode titled “Someone to Watch over Me” is a gorgeous piano-centric piece.

The Season 4 soundtrack includes two discs, and while the first chronicles the musical highlights of the season, the second places the spotlight on “Daybreak,” the three-hour series finale. While McCreary infuses every note with a climactic energy, this second disc captures the high stakes of the final episode, making it clear that the entire series has led to this point.

Throughout the album, McCreary –- whose other credits include episodes of “Eureka” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” –- demonstrates a skill for deftly shifting from one sound to the next. He makes these transitions so effortlessly that it may take a listen or two for fans to identify all the different sounds McCreary uses to make up the unique score of BSG.

Fans will be pleased to hear that he has been hired to compose the music for “Caprica,” the series which will chronicle the story that takes place prior to the events of BSG. So though the series may be over, McCreary’s work isn’t.

Even for people who’ve never seen an episode of BSG, the Season 4 soundtrack is a masterwork. While hardcore fans will clearly appreciate it best, the soundtrack works almost as well as a standalone musical composition. The entire album has an earthy, almost-tribal sound, and while this style befits the tension featured in the series, it also makes for an exhilarating listen all on its own.

"Battlestar Galactica: Season 4" is available in stores everywhere through La-La-Land Records beginning July 28, the same day that "Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5" comes out on DVD and Blu-ray.

For more details, visit www.lalalandrecords.com.