Monster Original Soundtrack 2
Anime: Monster
Album: Monster Original Soundtrack 2
Musicians: Fijiko Heming, Haishima Kunaiki
Composer/Lyricist: Haishima Kunaiki
Release Date: 22 Dec 2004
| Monster Original Soundtrack 2 – Haishima Kunaiki Tracklisting 1. Make it Home *Bold titles – recommended listening. |
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OVERVIEW
Same anime, same composer. For these reasons, it’s no surprise that the highlights and banes of Monster Original Soundtrack 2 are pretty much shared exactly with Monster Original Soundtrack. While the sequel is a slightly better soundtrack than the Haishima Kunaiki’s first outing for Monster, it can be easily divided into three distinct layers of quality: the brilliant, profound songs, carrying Haishima’s signature poignancy, the middle of the road songs that require a foreground of Urusawa Naoki’s suspenseful moments to complement and set the atmosphere for and the lesser songs that are best used in… well, anywhere I won’t hear them. This soundtrack is worth it for that top layer, but if you listen to it frequently, you may find yourself reaching for the “skip” button often.
THE GOOD
Make it home
Monster’s second ED song consists of a beautiful string assembly that perfectly complement’s the soft acoustic guitar line. Fijiko Heming‘s falsetto voice is beautiful and gentle and does a fantastic job of creating the mood for this song. In comparison with the first ED song, “Make it home” has a more brisk pace and is also more upbeat, but the mood carries an undertone not dissimilar to a feeling of hopelessness.
The Seeds of Time
This track is among the highlights of this soundtrack, and is arguably Haishima at his best. Consisting of three phases, each carrying distinct moods, this song builds with time, allowing the forceful, yet soft string assembly to develop into a tense full orchestra cacophony, which can almost be called a fanfare. The rhythm is held with the steady timpani beat that gets louder as the song builds, aiding the intensity perfectly and invoking a mood of fear and paranoia. Then, just as it reaches a climax, it crashes into a wonderful melancholic string line, capturing a feeling of remorse that instantly brings back memories of the scenes in Monster which bared this song.
Cannot Hear
There is a certain tenderness to this song, but also a feeling of emptiness that’s unlike many of the other atmospheric songs heard in Monster. While the song may lack direction, it transcends that, and capitulates a mood perfectly, one that is reminiscent of quiet solitude. This is a perfect song for the slower moments in Monster.
Faith
Haishima’s offers more of his signature poignancy with “Faith”; this track does a marvelous job of using a deliberately tempered string assembly to create a deep atmosphere filled with regret and sadness and all the other emotions that define Monster.
THAN ONE
Unusual in a respect for Haishima on Monster Original Soundtrack 2, is that much of the melody is carried by woodwinds. But it is the double bass line which is the highlight of this track, regular and perfectly complementary of the tenderness of this song. In comparison with the other songs on this album, “THAN ONE” is much like a respite from the atmospheric tension, offering a momentary calmness, but at the same time keeping the profoundness held in many of the other great songs on this soundtrack.
THE BAD
Hold On
There’s a touch of 60s psychedelic rock and a touch of jazz, but the overall verdict on this song is “cacophony”. There’s not much reason or direction in this song, and the atmosphere is completely lacking.
Catch
What can be said about “Catch”? This song really is out of place on Monster Original Soundtrack 2, sounding like a mix between an old-time surf rock song and an odd samba. The result isn’t exactly an aurally pleasing experience and completely lacks any of the profoundness or atmosphere of most other songs on this soundtrack.
The Rating: 6
Reviewed by: Sorrow-kun
