The Slayers: Sound Bible Vol. 2
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I'm going to say right off the bat that I was disappointed with this CD, though not because of quality. This CD lead to my distrust of E-bay, where I purchased it. (The biggest problem with anime auctions on Ebay is that most sellers don't know much about what they're selling.) I bid $20, because this CD was described as being "in its original Japanese packaging." When I got it, it turned out to be a SonMay copy. Not that I have anything against SonMay CDs, but I was hoping to support the series and buy the real thing--and I thought I was getting a good deal on it. Oh well. >_< Dragu Slave!
Okay, well, being a huge Slayers otaku, I have to say that naturally I love this CD. However, the background music on this CD is not the best I've heard in the series. Usually the Slayers BGM is amazing! There are few tracks I like, but most of them aren't outstanding. I really like track 7 ("Sore wa Himitsu Desu"), track 8 ("Twinkle Twinkle"), track 14 ("Please, Show Me the Way..."), and track 17 (Xellos something or other...damn, I need to learn all the kanji!). Twinkle, Twinkle is cool because it's the "falling in love" song on the show, played a lot for Martina, among others. Also, track 10 is about 10 seconds long, and it's the eyecatch music. I like it ^_^.
Of course, this disc is the 2nd in the "Sound Bible" series, from Slayers: Next. The vocals on this one are pretty damn good in their own right. Also, this is the sound bible with Gourry's monologues, which are interesting, although I can't understand much of what he says. (Sound Bible 1 has Lina's monologues...I don't know who's monologues are on SB 3.) The bold tracks are reviewed at the bottom are are listed in bold typeface.
Slayers music is, for the most part, easier to like than a lot of anime music. It's not ridiculously girly, it's usually very well done, and it tends to be more serious than other anime songs...Not always, though. This is The Slayers, after all.
Tracks:
1. Get
Along - Hayashibara Megumi (Lina)
2. Get Along - Karaoke
3. Monologue of Gourry 1 - Matsumoto Yasunori (Gourry)
4. Give a Reason - Hayashibara Megumi
5. Track 5 BGM
6. Everyone was Hungry
7. Sore wa Himitsu Desu!
8. Twinkle Twinkle
9. Otome no Inori - (Ameria & Lina)
10. Between A & B
11. We Are... - Midorikawa Hikaru (Zelgadiss)
12. Day After Day
13. Track 13 BGM
14. Please, show me the way...
15. Track 15 BGM
16. Confusion
17. Zerosu [Xellos], something.. ehh... BGM
18. Next Door To....
19. Jama wa Sasenai <Live Rock-On Version>
- Okui Masami
20. Monologue of Gourry 2 - Matsumoto Yasunori (Gourry)
21. Give a Reason <TV Size> - Hayashibara Megumi
22. Otome no Inori <Karaoke with Lina>
23. Otome no Inori <Karaoke with Ameria>
24. Jama wa Sasenai <TV Size> - Okui Masami
25. Give a Reason <Giga Remix> -
Hayashibara Megumi
Reviews:
1. Get Along - This song is simply unbelievable. It's probably one of the best opening songs in the anime world, in my opinion. The vocals are cool, the beat is cool, and the lyrics kick ass, for lack of a better description. Strong guitar chords carry this song, with a nice, steady drum beat. Megumi-san's vocals are, as usual, perfect for the song. She breathes life into it. It's a terrifc track that an anime fan could love, even if they'd never seen the show (although watching it does give you a better feel for the series).
4. Give a Reason - I love this song. It's 3rd on my list of favorite anime opening themes (#1 is "Breeze" from Slayers: Try, and #2 is "Cruel Angel Thesis" from EVA). I can't begin to describe this song, it's just beautiful. You have to hear it, and that's all there is to it. "Give a reason for life.. " lala... The TV sized version is the exact same thing, only shorter.
9. Otome No Inori (A Maiden's Prayer) - Ah! Sailormoon fans, you'll love this. This is a song sung by Ameria and Lina, to cast a spell (how that turns out is another story), and they're forced to do so while wearing little outfits obviously meant to mock Sailormoon. The song itself is like a parody of the lovey-dovey style used on Sailormoon (notably "Otome no Policy" and "Heart Moving"). The tune is cutsey and the lyrics are so cute. It's even better in the show, where poor serious Zelgadiss is forced to sing parts in order to teach the girls. The girls haramonize well and this is an all around fun song. "My heart is beating fast in my little breast..." heh. Good song.
11. We Are... - Ah! Zelgadiss-sama! A rocking song with beautiful vocals by Hikaru-san. It's a great image song for Zel, especially if you read the translation. Many people who don't even like anime music like this song, since it's so upbeat and well done. This is one song where you just have to pump the volume up and sing along. ^_^
19. Jama wa Sasenai <live rock-on version> - This version sounds much better than the TV sized version, which is practically the same, expect it's not mixed as well and it's shorter, of course. Masami-san is really a great vocalist and she's no disappointment here. Gotta love this track, although considering the great vocals on this CD, it's not my favorite. Still, it's a great song.
25. Give a Reason <Giga Remix> - Named after Lina's furious Giga Slave, this remix is pretty good. I'm not a fan of remixes, but this is one I like. There are weird English vocals in the background ("activated..") and an additional dance beat. The vocals are pretty much the same, although they muffle them at one point for an effect. It's pretty neat. Perfect "Club Otaku" music, assuming it ever starts up. ^_-
