Music for Anime
Neon Genesis Evangelion, Part 2
By Jeff Wilson
Last
time, we looked at music from the popular anime series Neon Genesis
Evangelion. We finish that look today with the remainder of the discs
dedicated to the series. The first of these is the soundtrack to End
of Evangelion, which in fact covers the final two episodic films, Rebirth
and End of Evangelion. The presentation of the disc certainly
catches the eye, packaged in a clear red plastic slipcover, giving the
booklet cover shot of an explosion an otherworldly look. The booklet, like
the other series discs, is lavishly illustrated.
The music varies among composer Shiroh Sagisu's original cues, two pop
songs he wrote that are used in the films and classical pieces. Sagisu's
instrumental cues focus primarily on piano, and they have an understatedness
that works well with the visuals. Sagisu to his credit has written music
that serves as a great complement to the films and not as a driving force.
When his music is called to the forefront by action onscreen, which it
is on a couple of important occasions, it leads the way admirably. The
pop songs are excellent as well, with one, "Komm, susser Tod"
built to great effect around the melody from Pachelbel's Canon. A stirring
disc from start to finish.
As with many anime series, Evangelion spawned vocal discs, which
are CDs composed of songs with the dreaded (to American soundtrack fans
at least) "inspired by" tagline. However, many are well done
and actually relate to the subject, unlike American song discs, which simply
grab a number of popular artists and slap them on a disc to capitalize
on their success or hipness. There is obviously intent to make money with
these vocal discs as well, as they are hardly necessary, but they are usually
quality products, which makes a difference.
The first of two Evangelion vocal discs is titled Refrain, and
it is by far the better of the two. Featuring several different styles
from straight pop to standard balladry to techno, the disc is solid melodically
speaking and is well performed and recorded. Even if you can't understand
the lyrics, it's simply good pop music. The second disc, "Vox,"
is not so fortunate. In fact, a good portion of it is awful. These portions
feature quasi-gangsta rap by British rapper Mali, which take the general
ideas of the series and treat them as verbal battles with Mali as our fighter/rapper.
These are unintentionally funny on many occasions and hardly worth a second
listen. I should mention that most rap leaves me cold, so my judgment of
these songs can be taken with a grain of salt. The remainder of the tracks
use R&B stylings and for the most part are pretty good. Overall, though,
approach this one with caution.
Finally, we come to the Evangelion Symphonic Concert set, which I eagerly
looked forward to, as it promised full-bodied versions of series music
performed by a symphony orchestra. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to
my expectations. My first complaint relates to the inclusion of some of
the classical pieces used in the series. In the series, they worked amazingly
well, and I wouldn't change any of them. Here, though, I wanted to hear
Sagisu's music, and not, say, the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
or Pachelbel's Canon. They are amazing works, but in this setting, I wanted
the original music. Furthermore, the disc is soiled by the inclusion of
"Armageddon Rap" from the Vox disc, another track that samples
Pachelbel's Canon for its melody line. Unlike the track on the End of Evangelion
disc however, this one tanks. The first disc is largely a keeper, as it
focuses on cues from the television episodes. The second is a washout,
with a mix of classical, rap and a couple more TV cues thrown in. A wasted
opportunity sums up this release.
As a final word, if you've been interested enough to seek out the series,
and I can't recommend it highly enough, do try to see the subtitled versions.
The dubbing in the English versions is mediocre. The 26 televised episodes
are available from ADV Films and can be found at most decent video stores;
the three films have not been legally released outside of Japan.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Discs, Part 2
End of Evangelion: **** KICA 370 (King Records) 14 tracks, 57:20
Refrain: ***1/2 - KICA 378, 13 tracks, 64:34
Vox: ** - KICA 386, 20 tracks, 72:36
Symphonic Concert: **1/2 KICA 390-1 (2 CD) disc 1: 13 tracks, 49:22;
disc 2: 12 tracks, 67:09
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