Gun Smith Cats Vocal Best Collection

GUN SMITH CATS VOCAL BEST COLLECTIONS
VAP
VPCG-84620
December 1, 1996
Running Time: 55:55 (12 tracks)
¥3000

Copyright © Roderick Lee / HardKOR Vision-ary Publications, 1997
All rights reserved.

— by Roderick "Agitator" Lee

1. Hateshinai Toiki (Endless Sigh) 4:32

Gun Smith Cats

2. Show Time 5:24

Neya Michiko and Araki Kae

3. Funk Me Baby 4:01

Neya Michiko

4. Onegai Mister (Please, Mister) 3:37

Araki Kae

5. It's Neat 5:00

Hisakawa Aya

6. Utitled 4:03

Neya Michiko

7. Gambare! Onna on Ko (Go for it, Girl!) 4:40

Neya Michiko and Araki Kae

8. Koi Suru Minnie May (To Love Minnie May) 5:31

Araki Kae

9. Holiday 5:31

Neya Michiko

10. Sweet Dream, CHICAGO 4:11

Nogami "Janice" Yukana

11. Shiawase da yo (Happiness) 5:08

Gun Smith Cats

12. Nantoka Shinakya! (Somehow That Is Next To Impossible) 5:09

Gun Smith Cats

As those familiar to the new GUN SMITH CATS series know, the BGM features powerful, theatrical instrumentals, reflecting on the fast, high energy nature of the series itself. So, with nary a vocal to be found, what exactly is this GUN SMITH CATS VOCAL BEST COLLECTION?

When GSC finally made its long awaited for transition to the world of anime, the three volume animated series was not the only thing that came into being. Following a recent trend in the industry, GSC has become a seiyuu franchise vehicle, as evidenced by the existence of a GUN SMITH CATS CHAPTER ZERO video release and image theme single, both of which preceded the animated series; these were soon supplemented by a radio drama and drama album. Meanwhile, fans waiting out the long period for "High Speed Edge" (video Chapter Three) could sate themselves with a series of six image albums, the first which saw release on the same day as the second video Chapter, "Swing High!". And while "Gun Smith Cats" can now refer to all of these (not to mention the original manga series which is still running), the Gun Smith Cats are now a seiyuu group composed of Neya Michiko, Araki Kae, and Hisakawa Aya, the voices of Rally Vincent, Minnie May, and Becky Farrar respectively.

Thus, while there are no vocals in the OVAs, there is more than enough vocal material to mine from the image material. Thus, the twelve vocals featured in VOCAL BEST COLLECTION are culled from these discs, as well as the earlier drama album. The entire ensemble comes together for three tracks while Rally and May sing duet for two more. Thus, over half the disc is left for solos: three by Rally, two by May, one by Becky, and one by guest seiyuu Nogami Yukana as Janice, a feature character from the fourth image album, "Cross Counter".

The disc is neatly framed by ensemble tracks on both ends. "Hateshinai toiki," (Endless Sigh) the opener, is an off-beat, pleasant romp from the image single complete with false sirens. Not a bad selection, but perhaps, the B-side, "Nantoka shinakya!" (Somehow that is Next to Impossible) would have been a better choice to open the disc. Very similar in temperament and tempo, "Nantoka shinakya!" has the bonus feature of opening with the actual exclamation "Gun Smith Cats!". A simple compilation oversight, but track arrangment is far too often overlooked. And to make matters worse, the final ensemble track, "Shiawase da yo" is a peaceful, down tempo ballad-like piece from the drama album that would have made an ideal close. Instead, it is the penultimate track, signaling a premature end to a composition that is not yet finished.

The rest of the disc demonstrates better insight in arrangment. No soloist appears twice in a row, and the second duet track appears near the middle to help vary the pace. Arranged as track two, "Show Time," from the third image album, "Zack the Ghost," would also have made another excellent opener; it is a medium tempo, entertaining duet between Rally and May that also acts as an introduction to our two principals. Meanwhile, the other duet is the only new track on the disc, "Gambare! Onnanoko" (Go for it, Girl!), which is a high-energy escapade perfectly in tune with the title.

The solo tracks provide a better variety to the mix. Off the fifth image album, "Rally & Company,"Becky's "It's Neat" is a fittingly tranquil oasis in a sea of faster, more dynamic pieces that appropriately parallels Becky's life to the more frenetic pace of Rally and May. And with Hisakawa Aya's expert voice behind it, this is definitely one of the highlights of the disc, both for its vocalist and its contrast. Fans may recognize Janice's "Sweet dream, CHICAGO" as the voice behind MOLDIVER's Mirai. As with most of the tracks here, this is another jumpy, spirited song. Both of May's contributions come out on top. In particular, "Koi suru Minnie May" (To Love Minnie May) is a spunky, playful spree from the second image album, "Growing Up," ideal for the impulsive, devil-may-care bomb freak. For Minnie May fans, this is definitely the best track of the disc, though it is both endearingly and annoyingly addictive. Rally should be so lucky, as she provides the opposite, the lowlight of the disc. "Funk Me Baby" is an utterly awful seventies retread from the first image album, "Trigger Happy," and as the title implies "funk" is just a euphemism for another similar, less reputable term. Her other tracks are thankfully much better (but then again, what could be worse?), but they still do not match the quality in the other solos. This is too bad because Neya Michiko does quite well in the duets and ensemble; her own tracks do not do her justice.

VOCAL BEST COLLECTION provides a one-stop source for all of the image vocals that sole viewers of the OVA series are missing out on. "Best" is questionable, though. The arrangement could have been better, and the main character's tracks are lackluster. Nevertheless, strictly speaking, it is an ideal image album. GSC is a fun cavort through the streets and seamy underworld of Chicago, and the music here captures that essence. The songbook features an interview with Neya Michiko and Araki Kae. Just don't listen to "Koi suru Minnie May" too often unless you want to lose your mind.

CD INFORMATION
GUN SMITH CATS VOCAL BEST COLLECTION
VAP VPCG-84620
1 Dec 1996