Background music in TV episodes - what I like and don't like

As a musician I am always listening to music and noticing it in my environment. What kind of music is being played, how well it works, how much I like it et cetera. So naturally I pay attention to the music on TV shows. How well it works, how it reflects what is going on in the episode and the ever important - how much do I like it. And here is a short synopsis on music in my favorite TV shows.

NCIS has the best music score hands down. It is always such a delight to listen to and it makes a good episode even better. What I have also noticed is that I respond most emotionally to the music on NCIS. It's simple but very effective music and it conveys so much without words. In my opinion it expresses emotion so well, I have even got teary eyed over listening to the music.

My most favorite all time NCIS song is "Aliyah" - I just love it and that song has a very personal meaning for me. I regularly listen to it just before I fall asleep, it is so soothing and calming. I love the quiet melody, the simpleness of the song and the serenity it brings but there is still that touch of melancholy. It's one of my most favorite songs of all time.

And all the other NCIS soundtrack songs are amazing but "Aliyah" is the best one

And I have to mention Cote de Pablo's wonderful performance of "Temptation". I am a big Jazz and blues fan and that song is amazing. I listen to it regularly and love the mysterious aura it has.

NCIS:Los Angeles is unfortunately not nearly as good when it comes to the background music. I never enjoy it. It always feels forced or just a bit too much. If there is an exciting scene it blasts way too much and when there's a funny scene the music turns extra, nauseatingly light and fun. So I tend to twitch in my seat when I listen to the music.

But I did like this song they played in one scene.

Castle, just like NCIS, has excellent background music. I love it how subtle and soft their music is but it still adds great atmosphere to scenes when needed and can convey the mood of each scene perfectly. I am also enjoying how much the composer uses piano melodies - they are always simple but effective. They use both the music of their official composer and music from pop artists.

This song from 2x13 by Pearl Jam I absolutely love.

But the music in the end scene of episode 4x24 is just so amazing. I enjoy the way the cello melody and the piano melody are twinned together and how the music conveys the mood of the characters. This is in my opinion a good example of well composed TV score. The music I am referring to begins around minute 2.

Truth be told I have never noticed much the TV score in Criminal Minds. It is so much in the background. But the way they incorporated music into episode 6x16 "Coda" was very good. And that score was so well done.

I am always on the lookout for good music. And TV does provide some :)