 |
KUROGANE COMMUNICATION ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Copyright © Takuma Tomomasa * Katou Hideo / Mediaworks * Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon: PCCG-00478
Available now in Japan
¥3000
Where to buy
—by John Yung
38 tracks; 70:10
| 1. |
|
my best friend |
3:56 |
| 2. |
|
You Kanaru Kuu |
2:15 |
| 3. |
|
Shoujo HARUKA |
1:54 |
| 4. |
|
Heion na Hirei |
1:10 |
| 5. |
|
Haikyo |
1:30 |
| 6. |
|
Haku ri Kuru Kiki |
1:41 |
| 7. |
|
Kanashimi no Naka de |
1:52 |
| 8. |
|
Yasashii Soui |
1:42 |
| 9. |
|
Kanashii Shukumei |
1:53 |
| 10. |
|
Shitsuwareta Kioku |
1:37 |
| 11. |
|
Deai |
1:44 |
| 12. |
|
Akumu |
1:06 |
| 13. |
|
BATTLE |
1:28 |
| 14. |
|
ALICE & LILITH |
1:08 |
| 15. |
|
Hitoribotchi no HARUKA |
1:11 |
| 16. |
|
Setsuna sa |
1:23 |
| 17. |
|
Mitsu kana Kouraku |
1:49 |
| 18. |
|
Shitsuwareta Omoide |
1:22 |
| 19. |
|
Suiheisen no Kare Hou e |
2:18 |
| 20. |
|
Kagara no ONE PIECE |
2:23 |
| 21. |
|
Yokan |
1:45 |
| 22. |
|
Kinchou no Toki |
1:38 |
| 23. |
|
Dasshutsu |
1:18 |
| 24. |
|
Kazoku |
2:03 |
| 25. |
|
Tanoshii Ichinichi |
1:35 |
| 26. |
|
Tansaku |
1:46 |
| 27. |
|
Shikkoku no BATTLE |
1:48 |
| 28. |
|
Gekitou |
1:43 |
| 29. |
|
Fureai |
1:47 |
| 30. |
|
Tsuioku |
1:00 |
| 31. |
|
Shinjitsu |
2:01 |
| 32. |
|
An ni Hei zasareda Shin |
1:48 |
| 33. |
|
Michi naru Daichi |
2:12 |
| 34. |
|
Giwaku |
1:24 |
| 35. |
|
FLYER, Tobu |
2:23 |
| 36. |
|
EPILOGUE~Toki o Koete |
2:48 |
| 37. |
|
Myounichihe |
0:31 |
| 38. |
|
Dear mama |
4:01 |
|
|
For a musical backdrop for a post-apocalyptic series, the KUROGANE COMMUNICATION ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK seems
like an oxymoron with its lack of depressing music. Instead, the
soundtrack has tracks that could have come from a contemporary
drama. But considering the dramatic direction of the series, this
mix of music is actually appropriate.
Even though the series' main heroine, Haruka, is possibly
the last human on earth, she tries to maintain an upbeat outlook
on life. Haruka's emotional states are reflected in the show's
soundtrack, which does a terrific job of enhancing the mood or
setting up the situation. The opening song, "my best friend,"
is an exception with its bouncy instrumentals, even though the
lyrics seem more doubtful than happy as the music suggests. KUROGANE COMMUNICATION's plot is also more
serious than what the opening song implies.
One thing a listener might notice about some of the
tracks is that they're variations on the opening song's
instrumentals. Thankfully it's not like the numerous versions
of "Fly Me to the Moon" on the NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION II and III soundtracks.
It's more like an underlying theme that unifies the album. Since
"Shoujo HARUKA" is the first instrumental
version of the opening song, this track becomes the default
Haruka's theme.
The variations on Haruka's theme and the rest of the
music are performed on an ensemble of acoustic piano, keyboards,
guitar, string instruments, flute and percussion instruments,
which seems like an odd combination, but it works. By varying
the arrangement of the instruments, we get an upbeat version of
Haruka's theme, "Suiheisen no Kare Hou e," a quiet music box
version, "Tsuioku," a playful version, "Tanoshii Ichinichi," or
a sugary, bouncy version like "Myounichihe."
While there are mellow pieces like "Yasashii Soui" and
"Deai," there are also serious tracks for the tense and dramatic
scenes in the series. "BATTLE" and "Shikkoku
no BATTLE" were used obviously for the
combat scenes. "Haikyo" and "Akumu" are ominous pieces which do a
good job of unsettling your sense of ease. "Shitsu wareta Kioku"
and "Shitsu wareta Omoide" are both sad piano pieces, but they are
sad in a wistful way, not angstful.
There are a few new age-ish tracks: "Kanashimi no Naka
de," "Setsunasa," "Yokan," "Fureai," "Michi naru Daichi," and
"Giwaku." These tracks are personal favorites because they add
an interesting ethereal texture to the soundtrack by using
unconventional arrangements and melodies.
However, the soundtrack isn't without flaws. The drums
used in most of the pieces on the CD, like
"Haku ri Kuru Kiki" and "An ni Hei zasareda Shin," seem mechanical
and lifeless compared to the sentient robots on the show. Although
the drumbeat varies, it doesn't seem like a variety of drums were
used, and the percussion patterns are too repetitive.
Two tracks that probably have the most emotional impact
after watching the series are "EPILOGUE~Toki
o Koete" and "Dear mama." "Toki o Koete" is another variation on
Haruka's theme, but it has this sense of finality that you're sure
that the story has drawn to a conclusion by the time the music
finishes. "Dear mama" is the series' ending song, which sounds
like a circus song because it's accompanied by a calliope. The
empathic lyrics convey the wistful message of a child to mother.
There isn't much bonus material in the liner notes.
There's a list of tracks and a list of the soundtrack production
credits. The notes also contain the lyrics for the three songs on
the soundtrack. The niftiest item in the liner notes is a chart of
the tracks, indicating in which episodes the musical track was
used.
KUROGANE COMMUNICATION ORIGINAL
SOUNDTRACK is an excellent CD, but it
doesn't quite have universal appeal. If you have low tolerance for
soft rock/adult contemporary music, you may want to steer clear of
this CD. For the rest of us, it's an
inclusive collection of expressive music that aurally compliments
the visuals of an engaging series.  |
|
