Beej's review: I finally have
time to do a review. This CD is one of the best CDs you could possibly
get for your collection -period. What, you wanted more? Very
well then. Its BGM is quite catchy, with elements of jazz and classical
interwoven through the different tracks. And of course, this CD is
the only source for the Outer Senshi henshin themes ("Uranus, Soshite,
Neptune"). Buy it. Just buy it. You'll thank me
later, I'm sure. ^_^
-
Seihai, Kyuuseishu ... Shinpi naru
Sekai - this was instantly my favourite on the CD. A soprano
sax plays an aboslutely infectious, ethereal melody, while a sitar,
bass, and flute provide a beautiful harmony for this piece. Part
2 features a vocalist instead of the soprano sax. I used this track
to test out my speakers for my car stereo before I bought them. BTW,
this BGM is usually played whenever Hotaru is around - which is not limited
to the S season . . .
-
Subtitle - A short (8
second!), fast piece. It's the music played when the episode title
comes up . . .
-
Asa no Namikidou - a
relaxing jazz piece with a piano playing a catchy melody, and a guitar,
bass, and bongos backing it up. As I say, it's very relaxing and
a pleasure to listen to. Part 2 features a flute playing another
relaxing melody with piano accompaniment. It's slower than the first
one, but just as easy on the ears.
-
Death Busters no Yabou
- a slow, very ominous piece initially played on bass instruments (upright
bass, bassoon) with higher instruments (flutes, clarinets, violins, piano)
underneath (it is so possible . . .). The second part is faster
than the first, but it still gives that ominous feel using the same instruments,
and adding brass near to the end.
-
Ten'ou Haruka to Kaiou Michiru
- an upbeat, sophisticated piece played on violins, bass, synth drum kit,
and harpsichord (you can just barely hear it . . .). Played
in straight eights, it gives a Baroque feel while adding a fast drum beat.
The second part is a violin solo and is also fun to listen to.
-
Koisuru Otome wa Tomaranai!
- a great track! ^_^ The first piece is a swing piece with
a definite jazz feel, with the melody played on clarinet. Following
that is a gentle swing piece played on tenor sax, and backed by a big band
(strings, brass, and brushes of drums). The third piece has a faster
rhumba or samba feel, with the melody and harmony moving across all the
instruments.
-
Daimon Shutsugen - Another
three parter. First, it's an short ominous piece played usually when
the bad guys rear their ugly heads. Next is an absolutely kick-ass
swing/jazz piece featuring a piano solo, backed up by a big band.
It's dancing music, so try not to be seated while listening. The
last song gives a mysterious aura, building to a climax, then sinking back
down to understated music, before building again to fast battle music.
-
Eye Catch - the eye catch
sequence that occurs when SMS goes to commercial. Fast-paced and
upbeat.
-
Ubawareta Junsui na Kokoro no Kesshou
- this starts out quite urgent, but then settles down to a funky beat with
pianos and jazz guitars playing little riffs in the background. Another
great jazz/funk piece (which was compared to 70s porno music by a friend
of mine - I think he's seen too many 70s pornos, if that's the case . .
.). The next part is also urgent rock, but the mood sticks for the
entire song. This time, a violin plays a high, fast solo over the
battle music, while the electric guitar gets in a few licks.
-
Senshi no Shukumei . . .
- it seems like a waltz or dance of some sort. Slow and elegent,
the trumpet takes solo stage over a strings section, piano, and drums for
much of the melody, then hands it back to the strings later on. To
keep the romantic ambiance, an accordion is added to play melody.
The second movement is slower, played in 4/4, and is played primarily on
the piano and violin (with the strings in the b/g).
-
Henshin! Sailor Senshi
- rather than starting out with the henshin BGM, it instead uses a piece
of "enemy attacks" BGM. It's followed by an extended cut of Sailor
Moon's henshin without vocal accompaniment - it seems just long enough
for all the senshi to transform together. Then it's - what
else? - the vocal cut of the SM henshin, but this one is just long
enough for Moon herself to transform. Good, but it can't possibly
beat . . .
-
Uranus, Soshite, Neptune
- you all know what this one is; it's the reason you buy
the CD, eh? ^_^ Initially, it's the Outer Senshi Make Up! theme,
but the later three parts are Outer Senshi battle BGM. All four have
a wicked melody, rockin' guitars, and the sweetest violin I've ever heard
. . . As Armitage once said, "I had no idea a violin could rock this much!"
-
The Pretty Soldiers' Big War!
- you get a distinct feeling of anticipation while listening to this.
The strings and tympani drive the beat, while other sections play the "melody".
But then, it launches into instrumental versions of henshin BGM for each
of the senshi, sans vocals. Finally, we get an extended track of
Sailor Moon's attack sequence.
-
Ai no Kiseki - it starts
out slow and gentle, with piano and strings, playing a nice melody.
The next part is a waltz, using a strings section with drums and a glockenspiel.
Then a piano takes over the melody for a short time . . .
-
Raishuu mo Mite ne! -
And what better way to end a BGM CD than with yet another set of
Sailor Moon's henshin BGM! ^_^ This time, though, a synth violin
is used instead of a real strings section.
(c) Takeuchi Naoko, Koudansha,
TV Asahi, Toei Douga
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