Search - Yoko Kanno :: Macross Plus - Original Soundrack - Vol. 1

THE BEST ANIME MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD...

Knyte | New York, NY | 04/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The universe of Macross is simply incredible. From the characters, to the animation, to the storytelling, and the music, it is one of the most compelling works of fiction to ever grace popular culture.I first heard the Macross Plus Soundtrack (Volume II) last spring, and fell in love with the musical diversity it presented. Then this past spring, I attempted to order this CD, but instead received another Macross Plus CD entitled "For Fans Only". At first I was upset because this wasn't what I'd ordered, and it didn't include the original version of "Voices", but what it did include is excellent; I'll get to that later, but first allow me to highlight this CD:The National Anthem of Macross (Track 1) is stunning; it sounds like a real anthem, something that makes you swell with pride whenever you hear it. Fly Up In The Air/Tension (Track 2) combines two tracks, the first one really cheerful, with a Spielberg/John Williams flair, followed by a somewhat menacing (think attacking orcs from "Lord Of The Rings") portion that ends really great. In The Dark/Torch Song (Track 3) is the rockish song we hear after Isamu Dyson is injured by Guld during a training exercise. The lines, "I've Been Waiting For You" are repeated throughout this glitzy (and very cool) rock song. The following portion is the Torch song which has a foggy, Celtic/mystical LOTR feel to it. The Torch song is really beautiful.Track #4 (The Myung Theme) is simply FANTASTIC, and is probably one of my favorite anime-related songs ever. It starts mellow, and builds to a majestic climax replete with french horns, violins, and a punctuating xylophone following the melody of "Voices". Track #5 (Bees and Honey) is another perfectly orchestrated John William-ish track with a light-hearted, flying a la Peter Pan feel to it. Track #6 (In Captivity) is a mellow string track which is quaint, and pensive. Track #7 (More Than 3cm) is the piano version of the ultra-mellow and soothing saxophone melody found on the Vol.2 CD of the Macross Plus Soundtrack. This version is more lush and beautiful than the Vol. 2 version, which is simply very wistful. Track #8 ("Voices") is a vocal version of one of the most beautiful melodies I have ever heared -- shimmering background music, delicate background vocals and all. Track #9 (Break Out/Cantible) is the most exciting composition here, it details a battle sequence including one segment that is practically bursting at the seams with suspense. I love it. The second part of this track has a memorial sound to it -- sad, and dignified. Track #9 is definitely one of the best works on this album, and in my humble opinion some of the best action scoring I have ever heard composed for an animated film - period. Very Little Wishes (Track 10) has a healing sound to it, it actually reminds me of Lynn Minmay from the original Macross. Santi-U (Track 11) is creepy. Really creepy - but it works very well to illustrate the dangerous entity that Sharon Apple (from the film) represented.I apologize for the length of this review, but I would now like to elaborate quickly on the highlights of the "For Fans Only" CD that you should definitely try to get your hands on if you can:Track #9 from the "Fans Only" version of the Macross Plus Soundtrack is called Wanna Be An Angel, and this song does indeed sound angelic. This song paints visions in my head of warm sunlight shining through the elaborately ornate stained glass windows of a cavernous cathedral in medieval Europe. It features a wonderful blend of female voices that sound like an incredible choir. The background music is perfect J-pop. Put simply, Wanna Be An Angel is my favorite song from the Macross Plus universe -- even more so than Voices, and that should say a lot.Track #8 from the "Fans Only" version of the Macross Plus Soundtrack is the cello version of Voices, which I now believe to be the best version of the song; it is incredibly moving and must be heard. The last two songs I'll mention here are Track #4 (Tepee) which is this hilarious joke of a march (you've got to hear it to believe it!, and Track #3 (Idol Talk) which starts right from the beginning, no waiting around like you have to do when listening to it on the Macross Plus Soundtrack Vol 2...Thanks for Reading!Lt. Commander Knyte
Valkyrie Pilot - UN Spacy
Super Dimensional Fortress Megaroad-01"