Friday, February 15, 2013

BRAVE10 Special Soundtrack CD Brave Strike!

Enclosed in BRAVE10 Vol.5 DVD/Enclosed in BRAVE10 Vol.5 DVD/BD (ZMBZ-7745/ZMXZ-7735) 
Wow, what a cover!  Not that the cover makes a soundtrack.  As stated above this CD is packaged with the fifth DVD volume of the Brave10 series.  I was not too impressed by the teaser trailer when it first came out a year or so ago.  The music didn't fit the time setting, however, it works with the fast paced action.  Yet here I am, reviewing the music, despite how uninspiring it was in the demo.  To be honest, I don't physically own this.  I haven't even bothered to obtain it.  Fortunately, someone uploaded it on youtube, thanks to user Zax Kuroyami. 
 
 

01メインテーマ1:46
02艶男。-adeosu-(INST) -animation Ver.-1:55
03英姿颯爽(エイシサッソウ)1:53
04天衣無縫(テンイムホウ)2:00
05気炎万丈(キエンバンジョウ)1:52
06暗雲低迷(アンウンテイメイ)2:44
07明鏡止水(メイキョウシスイ)1:56
08泰然自若(タイゼンジジャク)2:41
09不撓不屈(フトウフクツ)2:20
10平穏無事(ヘイオンブジ)2:45
11光彩陸離(コウサイリクリ)2:33
12精霊飛来(INST) -animation Ver.-1:44
Disc length 26:09

Main theme is a rocking opener with a nice melodic ballad.  He does go over the top though, in the later half's acoustic melody.  The percussion could use a little boost so that it can be heard, as they are well performed.

Fukusuke wrote track 2, while track 12 is composed by three fellows known as gennbu, koujin, and sayroo.  Never heard of them, but OK, no need to bother and research them.  They are instrumentals, probably meaning they were songs?  Anyway, Nagaoka treats the composition with ethnic Asian strings, and a hip beat.  The final track gives a funky guitar solo opener, followed by a bass, leaving off with a satisfying finish. 

My first run through the music provided, didn't leave much of a mark in my few brain cells.  However, now that I'm thoroughly listening to it, the quality is much higher in some of these pieces.  Mostly in the slow, melancholic ones though.  For instance, in tracks 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, all have movie quality music in them.  Emotional, moving, riveting, and powerful as well.  This whole soundtrack is one of Nagaoka's most generic, yet a few listens can really make anyone understand any of his works. 

I especially like the touching theme for Heion Buji, track 10.  A harp paired with violins and oboe that is dying to bring tears to whomever listens to it.  The following track is more suddle in approach, but manages to get sweeter in the middle of things, before it soars with its melody.  Track 8, Taizen Jijaku, and 7 as well, is worth listening to, as I find it hard to explain just how it can change a mindset.  Track 4 is rather the most generic of them all here, but in its own right, an excellent slice of life theme.

Third track rocks its own ballad, like in the main theme, only being more original.  Nothing spectacular there, in fact, its just passable at least.  Kienbanjou, track 5, is a little more on the upside of the continued rock influence.  Seikou does get serious for this track, but the jingles do throw it off bit.  In track 6, a change of tone with the anxious violins, stalking piano keys, and mysterious cello leading the other strings. 

The highlight of the soundtrack is track 9, which is a more elaborate and paced version of the main theme.  However, I still don't like the acoustic wind work, though the touch of flamenco is new.  Now, I am out of tracks to cover, as I was imagining I haven't started. 

Being a special release, I'd say this is a fair and deserving grade.  As I stated before, for one of Nagaoka's most bland and low key efforts, it has many glimmers.  He's used some styles here that were very new and fresh.  Only a few pieces are able to sink into right away, but that is what makes this musician unique.  I have to listen to each composition a few times just to understand the style. 
Album:B+
There is no grade for package, as I do not own it.  Someone who's already collecting the series, is going to be happy to have this very small sample of the series music.  However, for us who just want the music would have to spend nearly $100 to own it.  At least, its not only for the music, I'm sure the other content can be consumed.  Had it been a full soundtrack, giving up a Benjamin wouldn't feel bad.