| "Music Review" by Konstantin (2006-06-20) |
With the season almost over, the opening/ending CD singles have just about finished coming out. Lots of otherwise great shows had pretty forgettable soundtracks this season, but a few really managed to stand out. Here are some of my personal favorites
Mell - Red Fraction (Black Lagoon OP) - Pretty much a tie for best song of the season with the Higurashi OP. Both have been on semi-constant loop in my head ever since I started watching the respective shows. The Engrish lyrics, industrial/electronica loops, and Mell's tough-sounding voice work together perfectly to evoke the feeling of the Black Lagoon's grit and action, and make for a damn catchy song in the process. As an extra bonus, the single includes an extended electronica remix of the song, which makes it sound even better. I've Sound are at the top of their form on this one.
Shimamiya Eiko - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni OP) - Another addictively catchy song from I've Sound, this one with a dark and mystical electronic feel to it. Fits the show's disturbing and mysterious mood very well, and benefits from one of the season's best opening animations. The b-side is another track from Shimamiya, which, while not quite as solid or catchy as the main song, still has a strong I've feel to it and makes for a great addition to my playlist.
Kawai Eri - Madoromi no Rinne (Utawarerumono ED) - The second prettiest thing about Utawarerumono (the first, of course, being Eruruu). Has a bit of a traditional feel to it with a truly beautiful chorus part that never fails to lodge itself in my brain every time I finish an ep of the show.
Anna inspi' Nana (Black Stones) - Rose (Nana OP) - A good rocking song with quality guitar parts. While not quite headbanging material, the riffs are nothing short of tasty.
Tainaka Sachi - Kirameku Namida wa Hoshi ni (Fate/Stay Night OP2) - My obsession with all things F/SN continues, and while I think I prefer Disillusion from the first half of the series, the second opening is still a nice energetic song. I particularly like the effect of it starting slow and dark, and then the drums kicking in.
Hirano Aya, Chihara Minori, Goto Yuko - Hare Hare Yukai (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu ED) - No review of the season's anime songs would be complete without a mention of the Hare Hare Yukai single, which was propelled way up the Oricon charts by scores of loyal Haruhiists. The song itself is a pretty decent bit of eurobeatish parapara music, but is really brought to life by hypnotically choreographed dance that has swept the anime fandom on both sides of the Pacific. The b-side is filled with pure denpa goodness.