Bubblegum Crisis: As Sekiria

BUBBLEGUM CRISIS: AS SEKIRIA
PRISS ASAGIRI VOCAL COLLECTION
Copyright © JVC/AIC
Japan Victor VICL-60237
Available now in Japan
¥3045
Where to buy

—by Charles McCarter

1. Waiting for YOU (Re-tracked) 6:07

2. Tonneru no Naka no Wakusei (Planet in a Tunnel) 4:29

3. y'know 4:05

4. bug list 0:00

5. Ame (Rain) 5:01

6. Blue confusion 3:30

7. Fuyu no Kakera (Fragment of Winter) 2:46

8. Waiting for YOU 5:31

9. Idea 4:36

10. Bukkirabou na Ai ni Oboretai (I Want to Drown in Your Brusque Love) 3:24

11. y'know (Lectro-One) 5:47

Last issue, I lamented the fact that the BUBBLEGUM CRISIS Soundtrack CD contained no vocals. This CD, however, neatly solves the problem by providing not only the opening and ending themes, but seven other songs (and one remix of each theme) on this album, which is billed as "Priss Asagiri's Vocal Collection."
Aside from the Hardsuits, one of the few things left nearly untouched in this remake is the character of Priss. She is still a loner, a quiet person with a lot to hide. And seiyuu Sudo Akira carries on the vocal tradition set now some ten plus years ago by Oomori Kinuko. Her voice is strong and rich, and rather low for a Japanese singer. But in this mix of slow rock, techno-tweaked, and neo-acoustic songs, her voice stands out and holds the album together.
The first track is the "Re-tracked version" of the ending theme, "Waiting for You," which is a moderately-paced rock ballad. While the lyrics are slow and melodic, the accompaniment is energetic, and includes an acoustic guitar alongside synthesizers and drums. "Tonneru no Naka no Wakusei" ("Planet in a Tunnel"), the next track, sounds a lot like an Alanis Morisette song, first subdued and even gentle, but then the melody opens up and Priss begins to nearly shout the lyrics. Yet all the while, she is in control of her voice. It's an interesting song.
The opening theme, "y'know" comes in two versions: original and "Lectro-One." The first version is what's used in the series opening. This is probably the most "techno" of all the songs, with lots of guitar riffs in the background, and little other accompaniment besides drums. All the while, Priss is singing about life in her futuristic society, talking of DNA and ID cards. But the song is a lot of fun. The techno touches are not overpowering, and there is a solid melody behind the vocals. The second is more techno, complete with synthesized voice sampling and more synthesizer calisthenics. In fact, the intro goes on for nearly a minute and a half of chirping and gurgling before the lyrics start.
Probably the strangest song on the album is "bug list," a title which is nondescript and yet somehow very fitting. Mostly, though, it's just a thrash song with Priss shouting lyrics over what sounds like a lot of loud noise but is really guitar and drums. Not my favorite song by any means.
However, many of the other songs on the album more than make up for this. "Rain" is another slow ballad, and so is "Blue Confusion," in which she gets to really show her vocal range in both volume and octaves.
In fact, the majority of these songs seem softer and slower than one would expect from BUBBLEGUM CRISIS, whatever the version. However, these songs provide both a boost to the show's musical soundtrack, and an interesting look into the character of Priss, even showing listeners the occasional rare glint of warmth.
But not to worry, there are also a couple of hard-rockin' songs on there, the best of which is "Bukkirabou na Ai ni Oboretai" ("I Want to Drown in Your Brusque Love"). This is a straightforward, fast-paced rock song, and is probably as close to the vocals from the original OVA series as this show is going to come.
This album is certainly worthy of being added to any anime fan's collection. Regardless of the "Classic" versus "New" BUBBLEGUM CRISIS debate that will probably continue on for another ten years, AS SEKIRIA is certainly able to stand on its own.