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BEST OF ANIME
Copyright © Rhino Records
R2 75514
Available in the US
$15.98
—by Charles McCarter
16 tracks; 50:52
| 1. |
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Astro Boy |
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| 2. |
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Gigantor |
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| 3. |
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Speed Racer |
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| 4. |
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Lum's Love Song |
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| 5. |
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Sentimental Over the Shoulder |
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| 6. |
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Beautiful Planet |
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| 7. |
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Active Heart |
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| 8. |
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Adesso E Fortuna |
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| 9. |
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Full Moon Light |
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| 10. |
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Sailing |
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| 11. |
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Happy Birthday to Me |
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| 12. |
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Just Beyond the Time |
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| 13. |
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My Heart I Can't Say, Your Heart I Want to Know |
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| 14. |
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Cutey Honey |
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| 15. |
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Voices |
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| 16. |
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Sailor Moon Theme |
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Compilation CDS are nothing new in Japan, but in the United States they are
akin to nonexistent. Until now that is. Rhino Records has compiled a
collection of anime theme songs, and what's more, it includes songs from
both Japanese and American releases.
The format of the CD is roughly chronological, so it logically begins with
"Astro Boy." This is the English version of the song, sung by a choir of
children. Nostalgic if you remember the song from your youth, but
otherwise, this may wind up being one of the tracks that many listeners will
skip over. The English songs continue with the less well-known "Gigantor"
song (again in English), and of course the anthem of the anime hip enough to
be aired on MTV, SPEED RACER.
After this point, the CD reverts to territory perhaps more familiar to the
hard-core fans, starting with "Lum's Love Song," from URUSEI YATSURA.
However, as URUSEI YATSURA has a great many songs from which to choose, a
better selection could have been made. Those who know "Lum's Love Song"
identify it with the show, of course, but many do not identify it as a song
they want to hear over and over.
The next two tracks are my personal favorites on the CD. "Sentimental Over
the Shoulder" (The original Japanese is "Senakagoshi ni Sentimental") is
from MEGAZONE 23. One of Eve's songs, it made an indelible impact on anime
fans who first heard it. The melancholy lyrics are juxtaposed with a
bright, jazzy melody, but it is an irony that works beautifully. "Beautiful
Planet," from the incredibly moving movie WINDARIA (unless you see the
English version), is the heartbreaking ending theme to the film. However,
this will be the first time that US audiences hear this song, as it was cut
from the American release of the film.
Many of the songs on the CD are from anime that have been released
commercially. This was, of course, a smart business decision, but the
selection of songs is nicely varied. While there are several very
well-known songs, such as "Sailing" from SILENT MÖBIUS and "Active Heart"
from GUNBUSTER, there are also a few sleeper hits here as well, such as
"Just Beyond the Time," which is from the second DOMINION series. This is a
driving hard rock song with a dark, brooding feel to it.
There is lighter fare on the CD as well, including "My Heart I Can't Say,
Your Heart I Want to Know," the sugary-sweet opening from AH! MY GODDESS and
"Happy Birthday to Me" from CAT GIRL NUKU NUKU.
The CD closes with two distinctly different songs from the same time period.
The simple melody and a capella beginning of MACROSS PLUS's "Voices" grows
into a lush, richly accompanied outstanding vocal performance, providing an
example of the very best of anime music available. The last track returns
to its American roots with the English version of the "Sailor Moon Theme."
Although many fans find the English lyrics rather insipid, almost everyone
will agree that the melody is infectious.
THE BEST OF ANIME is a good compilation in its own right, but it is also an
excellent musical history of anime in the United States. Fans who are just
starting to collect anime soundtracks will find this CD a welcome addition
to their collections, as will those more dedicated anime CD
enthusiasts.  |
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