Gundam 0080 Sound Sketch 2

14 Tracks; 35:45

1. Yoake no Shooting Star [Shooting Star at Dawn] 4:51

Vocalist: Hayashibara Megumi

2. Itsuka Sora ni Todoite [Someday I'll Reach the Sky - instrumental version] 1:17

3. Toui Kioku [Distant Memory - instrumental version] 2:12

4. Unmei no Ya [The Arrow of Fate] 2:01

5. KURISU no TEEMA [Chris's Theme] 1:49

6. Shutsugeki [Attack] 2:20

7. Eve wa mou Konai [The Eve has not yet Come] 2:15

8. Itsuka Sora ni Todoite [Someday I'll Reach the Sky - short version] 1:49

vocal: Shiina Megumi

9. Barnard Wiseman 1:56

10. Nakanaide [Don't Cry] 3:04

11. Kokoku naki Yusha [The Brave People of Home] 2:49

12. Sora ni Chiru [Scatter in the Sky] 3:25

13. Uchuseiki 0080 [Universal Century 0080] 3:53

14. Toui Kioku [Distant Memory - short version] 2:02

vocal: Shiina Megumi

—by Charles McCarter

Don't let the title fool you. GUNDAM 0080: SOUND SKETCH 2 is not an image album. Instead, it is the second volume of the soundtrack to the 1989 OVA series GUNDAM 0080: WAR IN THE POCKET. However, since the OVA series was only six episodes, it doesn't really seem that there was enough material to justify a second CD. But here it is.
It's got a good hook. The CD opens with a bright, upbeat pop song sung by then not quite superstar Hayashibara Megumi (who later went on to play seemingly every female lead in every anime series in the 1990s and have a very successful solo music career.) This song showcases her vocal talents amply, but her fans will probably say that this is not her best work. Even so, it's a good start to the CD.
The instrumental tracks range from the decent (track 4, "The Arrow of Fate) to the just plain weird (track 2, the instrumental version of the opening theme). This particular version of the song isn't particularly appealing, and one has to wonder if it was put on the CD simply to bulk up the content. But at least they didn't pull a "Fly Me To the Moon" and include sixteen different versions of it.
The other tracks are more or less standard fare. There's the sad theme "Nakanaide," the military attack theme "Shutsugeki" and all the expected musical cues in between. And they're not bad, they're just a little, well, predictable.
Both the opening and ending vocals are present, although in their shortened version. Still, they are a welcome break and add much to this CD, as the theme songs for 0080 are especially memorable and enjoyable. However, it's kind of a letdown that only the short versions were included on this disc. (Of course, they are included on SOUND SKETCH I, so it's not really surprising.) The songs are done by Shiina Megumi and are delivered in a very powerful yet very clear voice that gives the songs a unique, almost soaring feeling.
One minor quibble with this CD is its length: it clocks in at just under 36 minutes. And at a price of approximately $30-35 per CD these days, that's certainly not a great value. But GUNDAM completists will find it to their liking. It's certainly not a bad CD, it's just not something that every anime fan will be clamoring to add to their collection. (Unless, of course, they're GUNDAM fans, or Megumi fans...Oh forget it.) If you like GUNDAM 0080, its vocals or Hayashibara Megumi, then you will probably like this CD.