Karasu Tengu Kabuto OST-カラス天狗カブト

The reason for me having this cd is because of the series called Tenchi Muyo! You will be seeing a lot on that by me.  I loved the first episodes, and the music is what made me watch it.  This was back when I was graduating high school, 2007.  I've wasted a lot of time on filling up my mp3 with only his music.   So everyday I'd be searching for the music. I'd eventually be downloading a lot of Seikou Nagaoka's music.  My thirst would never be filled, mainly because only a fraction of his music is available.  Only in the begining of 2009, would I start collecting off ebay, just in case the downloads missed something. 

Back to this soundtrack.  I've recently obtained it.  It was a difficult cd to track down, and cost quite a load, that's without the obi.  I still have no idea what those annoying things were made for, but I guess it's to show the authenticity of the product.  As in when it was made. 

A comment on the package of the CD.  This is my own scan above.  That's all about worth scanning.  The interview there, probably with the director, is poorly presented, as the background picture is obscuring the reader.  Not like I can read it, but I know he comments on the composer.  It wouldn't be much of a comment if he didn't mention the composer.  The rest of the booklet has the lyrics, performers, and character artwork.  The CD itself is neatly showcasing the four animals in silver on black. No comment from the composer, sadly. 

 I looked on youtube to see if I wouldn't be wasting money on music I never heard.  I have not watched any other shows that had his music.  I just liked the composer.  I came across the theme songs and fell in love with Beyond the Era sung by Mika Kaneko, and to my despise done by another composer.  I couldn't stop listening to it until the cd arrived.  I've moved from ebay to the Japanese yahoo auctions site, early in 2010.  Now with the declining dollar to yen, it's harder for me to get stuff. 
 

01	破者の道	1:38
02	ＫＡ・ＢＵ・ＴＯ	4:51
03	カラス天狗見参	2:03
04	玄武	2:15
05	背景音楽集Ⅰ	11:07
06	青龍	2:00
07	白虎	1:53
08	朱雀	2:06
09	背景音楽集Ⅱ	10:50
10	Ｂｅｙｏｎｄ　Ｔｈｅ　Ｅｒａ ～時代を超えて～	3:27

Disc length 42:10

As far as I can tell, this must be his first cd, at least the earliest cd I own of his.  His earliest work is basically the last in my collection.  It is great to hear the opening track, Road of Conquer.  Not the most welcoming, but it portrays the dark atmosphere of the series.  I've only seen a few moments of it.  52 episodes is too much to go through.  Anyway, the drums in the opening track, are weak.  Kabuto theme is nice.  Kind of upbeat for a dark anime, but I like the use of real instruments and the blazing guitars in both songs.  Mr. Nagaoka is a bit too attached to his synthesizers.  All his earlier works rock though.  The third track, Enter the Karasu Tengu, has a jungle beat to it. Guitars at least sound real.  The wind works sound majestic, probably symbolizing the heroism. 

Then onto tracks 5(Background Music Selection I) and 9(BMSII), are a combination of bgm's, which is common with this composer.  It is very annoying, because you have to fast forward if want to hear a specific piece.  Luckily this composer makes it all sound good, so one can't really mind listening to the 10 min. file.  I can't find a good mp3 splitter to do the job, and quite frankly, I had only tried one.  I need to get it done.  Most of them are minute long tracks, and then some, and some shorter, so they are sadly over before they begin.

BMS I starts out with those weak drums, and then gets in a weird blazing guitar riff. This file has 10 different tracks.  Second is another variation of the third theme.  Third is very Japanese-esque.  Very nice.  Fourth is a great, but short, sounds like the Kabuto song.  Fifth is a funky version of the third theme.  Then the sixth is those amazing evil themes Nagaoka does.  The beats of the drums make it sound like your in a lair.  Seventh is a soft track, like waking from a dream, I love it.  Eighth is another spooky drum and bell theme, fantastic.  Ninth is another dream theme, cool.  Then ten is a banging, upbeat, guitar ripping theme, almost heavy metal theme,  lasting 2:30.  They really should have left that one separate.

BMS II starts out rocking. I'll skim through this, 2nd is a dark theme, 3rd is an amazing evil guitar rocking piece, too short, 4th is a soothing violin and clarinet piece, then an upbeat end of the day theme, 6th is another evil theme, he makes a cool string breaking sound in the 7th, goose-bumpy, 8th is great another upbeat rock theme, and finally an odd version of the Enter Tengu track.

Track 4 Genbu's theme is my favorite, love how he use the drums.  6 is Seiryu and is nice, this is like Enter the Karasu tengu, and is used alot in the soundtrack.  Byakko theme, 7, gets funky with the base guitar.  Finally, Suzaku, track 8, is great.  I'll leave it at that.

Overall, this soundtrack is recommended.  I just hope that is all the music made in the series.  No piece is on this cd is at all objectionable.  The BMS's is something that can get on your nerves.  Character themes are very nicely portrayed.  The best thing is the songs at least and that Nagaoka doesn't use too odd of sounds.  His compositions are just perfect, if only they would give him orchestra or band.  Vocals were also a high point.  Mika Kaneko is the main attraction, her voice is dramatic and effective. For a TV budget, it feels more like OAV standard music. 

I give this an A+ for outstanding music and composition. 9/10 for the package and how the contents are put on the cd.  I should probably develop a better grading system.  What do you think?  If you are looking to here this cd, ask.  Or tips on where you can find it.