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![[MUSIC CDs]](/file/35716/EX CD Rom.iso/issue2_6/images/section_music.gif){kind=small}  |
 BEST OF MOLDIVER
Copyright © Pioneer Entertainment
— by Roderick "Agitator" Lee
* The Machinegal dolls consist of Shinohara "Isabelle" Emi, Amano "Jennifer" Yuri, Inoue "Brooke" Kikuko, Kikuchi "Sayuri" Izumi, Shimamura "Nastassja" Kaoru, Nishihara "Vivien" Kumiko, and Shibata "Elizabeth" Yumiko The English vocalists are uncredited |
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Not content to cede the North American CD market to Victor/JVC, it was only a matter of time before Pioneer responded with its own offering of affordable anime music. Thus, we have BEST OF MOLDIVER, one of the latest offerings from the new PAnime CD label. But, while the JVC discs are essentially low cost reissues of existing Japanese originals, BEST OF MOLDIVER is a completely new release with a different arrangement from any Japanese original. And there certainly were no English tracks on any of the Japanese MOLDIVER CDs. BEST OF MOLDIVER contains an impressive count of thirty tracks, including
seven original Japanese vocals, and three more English versions; not a
bad ratio of vocals to instrumentals. For comparison, the original
MOLDIVER vol 1, Original Soundtrack is 37 tracks with a
pittance of three vocals.BEST OF MOLDIVER draws its source material from both Japanese
CDs; all three vocals from the soundtrack album, another four out
of the five vocals from MOLDIVER VOL 2, METAMORDOLLS. All of
the instrumentals appear to be from the soundtrack disc.Following a brief, stately "Prologue" instrumental, BEST OF MOLDIVER opens with the
series OP, "Go! Go! Moldiver"; a lively, upbeat performance by Nogami
Yukana, the voice of our heroine Oozora Mirai, with lyrics by series creator himself,
Kitazume Hiroyuki. Now, segue into the BGMs
from METAMORFORCE, the first OVA volume.Fittingly, this starts off with "Mirai's Theme"; a light, playful
keyboard solo, which captures Mirai's own mischievous personality.
This track is common "stock BGM" throughout the series, even when Mirai
is not necessarily a part of the scene. Then, switching gears a few
tracks later, "Terror Mecha Appears!" is a dramatic, tension-building
piece dominated by horns, brief and effective. Which sets the table
for the majestic "Moldiver I Theme," marking the heroic arrival and
debut of Mol-Unit 1 in the guise of Captain Tokyo.Compare this with "Moldiver II Theme," which is just as heroic, but
also has playful undertones. The trumpets are slightly muted to
introduce a flute, yielding a more complete composition, and also one
that is actually more triumphant than the first "Moldiver I."
Appropriate, too, considering over the course of the series Moldiver
II will play savior of the day more often than Captain Tokyo.Rounding out the vocals, "Oneesama to Yobanaide" (Don't Call Me Big
Sister) is an amusing duet between Mirai (again by Nogami Yukana) and
her friend and rival Shirase Mao, voiced by Hiramatsu
Akiko (also known for Nene and Miyuki); this is off of the
METAMORDOLLS disc. Also off the same disc, Mirai gets another
solo, "Koibitotachi no Monument" (Lovers' Monument). This one is the
charming piece that plays in the background when, in volume 3
LONGING, Mirai fails to meet up with her beloved Misaki-san at the
Hachiko Dog Monument.As its name indicates, METAMORFORCE also includes tracks
focusing on the female android team of the Machinegal Dolls. "Dolls!
Dolls!" is the team theme, an oddly paced group piece which does not
sufficiently employ its talent in top names such as Amano
"Jennifer" Yuri, Inoue "Brooke"
Kikuko, and team leader Shinohara
"Isabelle" Emi. It sounds more like some kind of chanting
exercise. Fortunately, the other vocal, "Silver Wolf," featuring
Shinohara Emi, gives listeners another chance to hear her true range
and ability. From the second OVA volume, OVERZONE, idol singer Amy
Lean's "Falling in Love in the Twentieth Century" is a jumpy, airy
anthem sung by yet another seiyuu, this time Fujieda Noriko.The arrangement (with the exception of the English tracks) is strictly
chronological and, not surprisingly, some of the best material is from
VERITY, the final climactic volume. "Moldiver vs. Isabelle" is
another dramatic presentation, even more menacing than "Terror Mecha
Appears!" while "Mirai's Love" is a short, sad clip, heavily
influenced by strings. Close out with the final vocal, "Time Limit,"
the series ED, a peaceful, heartwarming ballad by Nogami Yukana, which
also plays during the final scene between Mirai and Misaki.The English tracks are all translated versions of the three soundtrack
vocals and demonstrate Pioneer's careful screening to identify an
English singer with the same nuances and voice inflections as Nogami
Yukana. (Unfortunately, Pioneer does not seem to think fit to actually
credit said vocalist, so she cannot be properly credited here.) And
an admirable job, indeed, as evidenced by the English versions of "Go!
Go! Moldiver" and "Time Limit." Similarly, Amy Lean's English voice
would seem to be the same voice that sings the English version of
"Falling in Love in the 20th Century."Over seventy minutes of series music, a goodly proportion of vocals,
and English versions that actually hold up to their Japanese
counterparts. This is a prize for MOLDIVER fans, especially
considering the vocals draw from two Japanese CDs. But, listeners who
gravitate toward mostly light but varied arrangements may find appeal
here as well. And the English version of "Time Limit" is its own
reward. One caveat, though: Pioneer is not releasing this in a
standard jewel box. Rather, it is one of those substandard, shoddy,
ill-contrived "eco-paks" that most CD enthusiasts hate with a passion.
Such a shame; quality inside, but no quality outside. |
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