Wings of Honneamise Original Soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakamoto (Midi records 35MD-1025, ¥3286)
Nausicaa Original Soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi (Animage records 35ATC-3, ¥3286)
It's time to look at Anime soundtracks and to examine the music accompanying some classic movies. For these reviews I've chosen Nausicaa and Wings of Honnemise. You'll have difficulty finding anything better than these two to watch. But what about the music ?
Well let's start with Wings', the lesser known of the pair. Which is a total shame since it's one of the best animated movies I've ever seen.
Musically the styles vary an awful lot. Ranging from light almost pop like tunes which jilt along at a fairly jolly pace to the heavy operatic drama filled themes which leap out to grab at you. Now some of this stuff is pretty weird and at times almost reminiscent of the drum and vocal tracks in Akira. At times segments of this ST yell Japan out at you. However the overall effect is calm and soothing, but with an underlying tension that at times explodes unexpectantly. If classic or traditional Japanese music is your kind of thing then this soundtrack may well be worth getting. If you're a big fan of 'Wings of Honnemise' then you may well want it. But otherwise I'd best say be careful. It's good. but it's offbeat, very different, and definitely not the power rock which accompanies some OVAs (the perfect example being that perennial favourite Bubblegum Crisis).
So from a world just getting ready to jump into orbit lets visit the valley of the wind. Reviewing anything associated with Miyazaki tends to be a bit scary. Give it a bad review and the fans won't let you hear the end of it - unless the're trying to be fashionable Miyazaki bashers (continual success always attracts the cynics).
So onto the soundtrack.
Brilliant, that's what it is. This is definitely from a full motion picture. Cut down with drama and action so tightly arranged as to be almost visual. This of one of those soundtracks where you just cannot stop yourself from visualising the action in your head. It's that potent. The music itself has a definite eastern (but not oriental) feel. Yet it evokes the medieval image which are so associated with Nausicaa. At times the orchestral grandeur gives way to simpler themes which sound very disconcerting and eerie (I'd swear that electric guitar was in pain!). So far you may be thinking that this is just all action powerhouse music. Well in the main it is. Except for the occasional softer interludes, which slow the blood and soften you up ready for the next onslaught. However these pieces serve well to remind you of the sadder pro-environmentalist message of Nausicaa. And then the children start to sing. Well that's downright sad. As the ST winds down you're treated to the gentler symphonic and slightly whimsical tracks which will forever be associated with Nausicaa. What can I say but a very worthwhile soundtrack.
Well that wraps it up for these two reviews. I liked them both though I prefer Nausicaa. Let's hear it for the soundtrack. After all anime ain't just animation.