I hear Giacchinos soundtrack to "Star Trek" and think to myself: ".. Wow The sounds amazing," But in "Star Trek Into Darkness" was rather the opposite is true. Why? Each composer has (subjectively and objectively) strengths and weaknesses. When Giacchino I've noticed in the past that he knows how indeed to write wonderful melodies, the orchestration is rather bland, but what I do not like him, is his penchant for simple harmonies. Had they at Goldsmith, Horner and Eidelman in the past beautiful sounds, it seems Giacchino at brave strings and many brass instruments, which just play anything to leave. Good example: "London Calling". Strings that appear as simple structured, but still a nice melody, but only repeats itself. Even the initial "Logos / pranking the Natives" sounds somehow, as entered by computer. Also this choir in this piece, which plays on deem Klingon planet, sounded a bit strange. The soundtrack is for me somehow not alive. In Goldsmith there were brass, there were strings, BUT Jerry Goldsmith (for me one of the greatest film composers besides John Williams) could make out of it more. Compare and notice at Goldsmith an extra depth and better orchestration. But of this product, I'm just disappointed. But one plus point was Michael Giacchino seek with me: in spite of the new orientation of Star Trek since JJ Abrams, he has finally incorporated the missing of my Star Trek theme of old movies.