What makes Inventions from the Blue Line by Mike Post notable?

This album is notable for its iconic opening track, 'Theme From NYPD Blue', which became synonymous with the series and contributed to Post's reputation within the television music landscape. The album solidified his status as a leading composer in the industry, influencing subsequent television soundtracks and composers looking to create similarly impactful themes. By the time 'Inventions from the Blue Line' was released in 1994, Mike Post had established himself as a prominent composer for television, particularly known for creating memorable theme songs. This album followed his significant success with the themes for 'The Rockford Files' and 'Hill Street Blues', showcasing his ability to blend classical and contemporary styles in a cohesive collection.

How many songs are on Inventions from the Blue Line?

Inventions from the Blue Line has 10 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Inventions from the Blue Line

Mike Post · 1994

37 min · 10 tracks · classical music

Intricate orchestral arrangements intertwine with jazzy motifs to create a cinematic soundscape that defines police procedural themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Theme From NYPD Blue — As the signature tune of one of the most acclaimed police dramas of its time, this track captures the show's gritty realism while showcasing Post's mastery of evocative melodies.
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Law & Order — This piece exemplifies Post's gift for crafting tension-filled music that enhances the dramatic elements of crime narratives, becoming another recognizable theme associated with its respective show.
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Silk Stalkings — The smooth jazz influences in this track highlight Post's versatility and ability to merge different genres, making it a standout example of late-night crime drama themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong orchestral writing with jazz influences, maintaining a cohesive cinematic feel throughout.

What we noticed

The album opens with a prominent theme that features a strong melody and orchestral backing, setting a cinematic tone.
Tracks often blend jazz elements with classical orchestration, creating intricate arrangements that shift in mood and tempo.
Several tracks feature recurring motifs that connect them thematically, enhancing the sense of cohesion across the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Theme From NYPD Blue 3:28
2 One Five Open for Business 4:14
3 The Blue Line 3:48
4 A Rough Wolf 3:59
5 A Song for Rudy 4:14
6 #9 Has the Heart of a Lion 3:42
7 Law & Order 3:15
8 Silk Stalkings 3:31
9 Theme From Renegade 3:37
10 Cop Files 3:25

What to play next

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Television Theme Songs

1982

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata