"I am a big Ghost in the Shell fan, so this CD is pretty much essential to my collection of music. The score for GITS is powerful and moving, and it plays an essential role in displaying the ominous, breath-taking mood of the movie. I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy listenting to the music by itself, since I usually listen to rock, blues, and a little jazz. I soon found out that this CD is very enjoyable. It's excellent study music, since it's slow and has few vocals.The CD begins with the movie's theme song, and eventually gives it two VERY different variations with "Ghost City" and "Reincarnation." "Ghosthack" is a bit odd, since the first two minutes of the song is pure drumbeat before the keyboards and other instruments are heard. However, the solo drumbeat seems to describe the suspense in some of the first scenes of GITS. My personal favorite is "Nightstalker," with what sounds like a beautiful guitar or mandolin solo with a synthesizer in the background. I find myself skipping back to that track after the CD is over. Too bad "Nighstalker" couldn't be longer than a minute and a half! All the other tracks are really cool, however, the last track of J-Pop (Japanese Pop) doesn't really fit the CD's mood, since the track is very happy and has a comparitavely faster pace. It might have been played during the credits, because I don't remeber it at all from the movie.If you're looking for a CD to jam and play air guitar with, this isn't your cup of tea. But if you want a CD that is great for study music and setting a unique mood in a room, then this is the CD for you. And by the way, if you have not seen Ghost in the Shell, do so, and then you'll really be able to appreciate the soundtrack."
Bonus track? not quite...
David Rigby | 11/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who are still clueless as to why track 11 was included in the soundtrack, go watch the movie again. If you listen carefully you can hear the song playing in the background during the chase scene in the market place. FYI, the song's in "cantonese" not japanese."
Awe-inspirimg music !!
Calvary | NY | 10/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD years ago, [and the money] I had spent was worth it. I love the music, it combines elemnets of traditional Japanese folk music (temple bells, chanting,and I think koto)with some synths. Some tracks, if not all of them, are great for meditation, yoga, or just thinking about the grander things in life. Kawaii has outdone himself with this soundtrack. Defintely worth the high price.OK...for all of you who saw the American version, the last song that's played during the closing credits is called "One Minute Warning" and it was actually sung by U2 (I think...don't quote me on that)That song can be found on a CD called "Passengers"- this CD has very cool music too. The last song on the import CD is the song in the Japanese-language version closing credits of Ghost in the Shell. I searched for a loooong time for "One Minute Warning". Hope this helps."
The best soundtrack i've heard, period
DaRkSoL | Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico | 03/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mostly, I'm not very excited by soundtracks as most seem to sound rather jejune and insipid without the movie to back them. This of course is perfectly comprehensible; soundtracks are supposed to be purely there for the ambience, never distracting you from the movie. However, some gifted composers have made masterpieces in their own right that somehow manage to be unobtrusive while the movie plays and at the same time reveal themselves as beatiful pieces of music on their own.Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack is one of them; this is another. While it will NOT be everyone's cup of tea, the beautifully percussive pieces that dominate the album create a magical atmosphere all their own that refuses to leave long after the album has been played. These pieces are gorgeously sparse and elegantly japanese; Kawai at his best. And the more melodic pieces (Making Of A Cyborg, Nightstalker) are wonderfully haunting, fusing such diverse components (shamisen, synth pads, strings, choral parts) that it seems impossible they shall work... but they do!The only flaw is that the japanese (being compulsively thorough) thought it a good idea to include as a bonus track the incidental pop piece "I See You Everyday". It's dreadful! I really can't stress how much this piece ruins the soundtrack, but I guess it's a small price to pay for what is otherwise VERY powerful music by Kenji Kawai."
PRICING
pault@medialabinc.com | troy, mi USA | 09/19/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this is an excellent ost. however the prices for this that I have seen are much to high. A company in California sells this cd import for 18.00 dollars, and shiping is a couple of bucks."