Track Reviews...
Name: "Zankoku Na Tenshi No These"
Artist: Yoko Takahashi
Type: opening
The classic opening theme that blew me away when I first heard it, which was actually in a Sailor Saturn transformation clip years ago. I don't know what idiot mixed the two together, but it was my first introduction to Evangelion. Truthfully, I like the TV size version more. I've had this song and various versions of it on my playlist since 1998, so I have grown a liiiiittle tired of it. It's still the perfect opening for Evangelion, though. If you haven't heard this song, you must be the newest of the anime newbies. Get your feet wet with this.
Grade: A ---download--- |
Name: "Fly Me To The Moon"
Artist: Claire
Type: ending/english
THIS song... yeah, I think we've all heard enough of it. There are over 30 versions of this song used for Evangelion; that's about 25 too many in my humble opinion. I still really like the song, unless it's by one of the crappy singers... like Claire. This is awful, the woman sounds like ass. She so badly wants to sound like smokey lounge, but she just comes across as flat and ass. I hate this singer, but the music is nice.
Grade: C- |
Name: "Angel Attack"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Dun dun DUN! The Evangelion fight music was funny to me because it always reminded me of the over-the-top stuff for the old mecha and sentai shows, except that they used an orchestra hear. So it's even MORE over the top... they even have the electric guitar of PAIN. That always makes me laugh and think of Rookie Of The Year. Don't ask. This is great for the series, but some of the battle music is hard to listen to on a CD. It demands visuals.
Grade: B |
Name: "Rei I"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
The chilling music used to represent the mysterious Rei Ayanami. Piano and string instruments give a very cold, emotionless feel that depicts the little clone perfectly. One of my all-time favorite BGM pieces, though I maybe would have done without the horns toward the end.
Grade: A+ ---download--- |
Name: "Hedgehog's Dilemma"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Contemplative music usually played when Shinji has some thinking to do, alone. Misato descibed Shinji's problem as the hedgehog's dilemma; he's afraid he'll hurt the ones he loves, so he distances himself from everyone. The hedgehog can't hug his loved ones or he'll hurt them, thus the hedgehog's dilemma. I'm pretty sure I remembered that right... it's been years since I've seen the show, but I remember always loving this track.
Grade: A |
Name: "Barefoot In The Park"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
This has kind of a bossa "Clean up on Aisle 7" feel to it. Blue light special. It has an end of the day, relaxing melody and samba-ish sounds to it. I feel like taking a deep in the ol' onsen everytime I hear this.
Grade: B+ |
Name: "Ritsuko"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Yeee... not my favorite track. This is the dull music played for Ritsuko, and I think it does capture her big sister type of friendship with Misato pretty well. Guitar and piano. I don't really like it much.
Grade: C+ |
Name: "Misato"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Misato's theme. Crazy Misato, always drinking and acting like a kid rather than the 29 year old she is, much to Shinji's chagrin. I think this music is absolutely charming and was always a delight to hear in the series. "Misato" is also one of the few genuinely happy pieces of music for Evangelion.
Grade: A+ ---download--- |
Name: "Asuka Strikes!"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
The wacky music played for Asuka Langley Soryuu, or whatever. I didn't learn to appreciate Asuka until the 2nd movie and the first few volumes of the manga. Maybe if I watched the series again I'd look at her in a different light. Since Asuka studied in America, her theme is a little country western. It's cute AND you can dosey-do to this at your next hoe down. Ho down? Hoe-down... that always sounds like a prostitute has been shot or something. She's been hit! Hoe down, I repeat, hoe down at eleven o'clock, we need medics pronto!"
Grade: A- |
Name: "NERV"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
This grandoise orchestrated music must mean it's time for a visit to the NERV headguarters. Like I said on "Angel Attack", a lot of these bigger pieces need visuals and aren't as enjoyable on CD.
Grade: B- ---download--- |
Name: "Tokyo-3"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Misato surprises Shinji with a view of Tokyo-3 rising from the earth. I remember that scene was really amazing to me the first time I saw it, but without the scene this music doesn't do much for me. I really don't like this many horns in my music.
Grade: C+ |
Name: "I. Shinji"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Shinji is pressured into piloting the Eva unit by his father, with Ayanami's tattered body used as bait to guilt him into it. I think this was the music played when Shinji was asked to first pilot an Evangelion. It's pretty dramatic, but it reflects his torn feelings pretty well... he's scared, but he can't let Rei go back in there! He musn't run away... he must prove himself to his father! AAAAANGST!
Grade: B |
Name: "Eva-01"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Shinji makes his debut as 01's pilot. I don't really remember where this was used, but it's rather pretty in its mechness. NGE music is so vintage... it's like watching movies from the '40s to the '60s of all genres, except maybe romantic comedy.
Grade: B ---download--- |
Name: "A Step Forward Into Terror"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
And they're off! The music for when the Eva units are shot up onto the battlefield. This feels like Superman movie music, but it's kinda fun with it's big drums and loud horns. This is like "Yeah, they's gonna go get 'em! They's gonna go get 'em! Kiss it, angels!"
Grade: B+ |
Name: "Eva-02"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
More of that Superman music for Asuka's evangelion. Big Red was a glory-hungry pilot and eva team, so this music sounds a bit show-offy to represent them.
Grade: B |
Name: "Decisive Battle"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Battle music for when things ain't looking so hot for our chosen children. It's got that "Oh shit, what do we do next" feel where you know the NERV crew are going crazy in their observation booths. "Shinji! What are you doing? Get in there!" "I'm trying but it's too strong!" "You idiot! I told you to let ME handle this!" "Asuka, look out!" "Oh shit!"
Grade: B ---download--- |
Name: "Eva-00"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Rei's evangelion unit has a considerably more frightning theme song. Her Eva is known for giving NERV some trouble, and that's exactly what seems to be going on in this track. Very dire, very "uh-oh" sounding. Get outta there Rei, or you'll die again!
Grade: B |
Name: "The Beast"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
This is essentially a sped up version of the above track, with some differences. Was this used for berzerker-mode Eva or for the angels? Hmm... can't remember... maybe both. This is pretty unsettling.
Grade: B |
Name: "Marking Time, Waiting For Death"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Geez, what a title. This is rather creepy, with the music being a very simple tempo played on the higher piano keys. Then DUN DUN DUN DUN come the drums and lower keys, horns, and everything is just scary. This was probably played when the kids got stuck in a really crappy situation where they were about to die for the umpteenth time. Perfect title.
Grade: B+ |
Name: "Rei II"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
This music is nothing like Rei's other theme. This is much sadder, heavy on the string instruments and light on piano. I want to think this was played when Shinji was feeling sorry for Rei, or in the few episodes where Rei shows some sign of human emotion, like when Shinji's crying and she's smiles at him. That was a great episode.
Grade: A- |
Name: "Fly Me To The Moon"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
A really fun instrumental version of the ending theme. Think "Barefoot In The Park" meets "Misato", I suppose. I'm not sure if this was actually used as BGM or not, but it's really fun.
Grade: A- |
Name: "Jikai Yokoku"
Artist: N/A
Type: BGM
Next time on Evangelion... The music played when someone is hyping up the next episode at the end of the show. For some reason, this and the opening are the only tracks written in Japanese.
Grade: B |
Name: "Fly Me To The Moon" (Yoko Takahashi Acid Bossa Version)
Artist: Yoko Takahashi
Type: ending/cover/english
Yoko Takahashi, who sings the opening, gives the ending a whirl as well. I like her voice MUCH more than I like Claire's, so this is greatly appreciated. A really fun little cover of the ending... really, I feel dumb describing this to you. The song title with parenthesis does a rather concise description, so I'm feeling a little inadequate here ;_;
Grade: A- |
