Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Original Soundtrack
Anime: Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
Album: Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Original Soundtrack
Musicians: Himemiya Milan & Chocolate Rockers; Watanabe Tsuyoshi; Matsuki Miyu; Noto Mamiko & Gotou Mai & Shimizu Kaori & Ueda Kana & Satou Rina
Composer/Lyricist: Watanabe Tsuyoshi
Release Date: 26 Sept. 2008
| Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Original Soundtrack - Watanabe Tsuyoshi Tracklisting: 1. Tomadoi Bitter Tune (TV Size) *Bold titles - recommended listening. |
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OVERVIEW
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu’s soundtrack, like the anime itself, is “clichéd, shallow,” and largely forgettable because very few of the pieces manage to stand out as being remarkable. Despite the soundtrack’s tendency towards orchestrated and piano melodies that fall closer to muzak, it nevertheless is a pleasant listening experience. Most of the tracks on the album clock under two minutes, which means that the listener should not expect the pieces to develop into anything deeply emotional or soul-stirring. However, each track is consistent and together, the album as a whole manages to convey the essence of a light-hearted high school comedy rather well.
In light of this, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu’s soundtrack should be judged based on how well the music complements the series and in that respect, it puts forth a competent effort. The pieces which represent the slice-of-life scenes have a laid-back, sometimes mischievous vibe to them while the more somber, introspective pieces which play during the drama-heavy segments are suitably morose. So as you proceed through this album, keep in mind that tracks that I’ve relegated to the “The Bad” category manage to fit the mood of the scene just fine; they just have a few issues which make them less appealing than some of the other tracks in the album.
THE GOOD
Hakugin no Hoshikuzu (Nuit Etoile)
This piece has a sort of dignity and elegance to it which does an excellent job of conveying how the rest of the school perceives Haruka. Starting off with a mix of strings, piano, and harpsichord, the melody sets a regal tone while retaining a certain degree of daintiness which captures Haruka’s soothing, angelic aura. Towards the middle of the piece, the melody morphs slowly as the piece assumes the characteristics of a dance which becomes more apparent as the tempo increases and takes on a rondo form to close out the piece. Basically, where this piece shines is through the warmth and serenity that it exudes, while its melody does an excellent job of bringing out the essence of the anime’s female protagonist.
Haruka-sama
If I had to guess at what kind of piece this would fall under, I’d probably classify it as a minuet since it has the air of delicate dance. The solo piano melody is fairly light and those who listen closely may catch a motive that seems to be partly influenced by Hisaishi Joe’s music. The transition around 0:49 takes this piece into the minor key, bringing with it a sense of uncertainty which doesn’t last too long before the serene mood returns and the piece closes out in a manner that suggests that all is well. Short and sweet, this piece keeps the listener engaged through its enjoyable melody.
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
Looking back, it’s odd to see three pieces that are associated with Haruka are my favorite tracks on this album. Perhaps that’s no accident since her character is meant to be seen in an ideal light by the show’s target audience, so it’s only natural that the music that describes her tries to capture that idealness. This particular track doesn’t necessarily relate to her, but it does wrap up the series rather nicely. From the opening notes, the melody urges the listener to look back on the events that have transpired in the series to observe the obstacles that the characters have had to overcome to achieve happiness. After giving the listener time to reflect, the piece shifts around 1:22 with a beautiful crescendo that signals the coming of a new dawn, painting through its melody the seemingly endless possibilities that await. Finally, the piece draws to close though the piano solo which plays softly in a way that reassures the viewer that no matter what issues may arise, the bond the characters have forged is an eternal one.
THE BAD
Sora wa Dame desu, Komari masu
The frenetic pacing that this piece exhibits does catch the listener’s attention quickly, but were it falls is in the way its various segments combine together. It’s fair to say that this track sounds like a hyperactive toddler with a low attention span just because of how quickly the piece transitions. One thing that stands out is that the transitions aren’t quite smooth because they don’t really ease smoothly into the next segment, thereby contributing to a jarring feeling. So while these the pacing and the various sections of the piece keep it from being boring, it’s not very appealing either, especially if you prefer slower music with a sort of palpable structure to it.
Tokimeki Fortissimo (Dojikko Aki-chan no Theme)
Yes, I realize that this piece is supposed to parody the stereotypical magical girl show music through its use of cutesy lyrics and backup vocals whose purpose is to generate high-pitched girly squeals. Unfortunately, this kind of joke has been overdone, making it annoying really quickly as it goes from being mildly amusing to being fairly irritating. Even if you block out the backup vocals and listen to the melody on its own merits, the refrain sounds out of place as though its only purpose is to serve as a way to conclude the song more than anything else.
Ero~i!
As befitting its title, this piece tries to imitate the feel of a scene in which the femme fatale seduces the main character and I suppose it works since the vibe is on target. However, the way the piece flows just seems disconcerting, possibly because of the way the piece over-exaggerates the situation. Furthermore, the melody creates a surreal feeling, especially when the saxophone hits some of the higher registers which ends up stalling the piece because there’s an apparent lack of direction. This unfortunately causes the melody to meander before coming to a forced conclusion that isn’t all too satisfying.
The Rating: 7
Reviewed by: zzeroparticle
