Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version: CD1 2/2 February 8, 2009

Track Listing

1. The Dungeon is Full of Monsters
2. Let’s Go Down the Wine River
3. Grandpa and the Delightful Tadpoles
4. Shock!
5. Sad Song
6. Let’s Play “Geno”
7. Geno Awakens
8. Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms
9. Rose Town
10. From Inside the Earthen Pipe
11. Welcome! Yo’ster Island!!
12. Let’s Race!
13. Hard-working Moles are Good Moles
14. Docaty Mountain Railroad
15. Welcome to Booster Tower
16. And My Name’s Booster
17. Long Long Ago…
18. Heart Beating a Little Faster
19. Slope

1. The Dungeon is Full of Monsters

Well, if you can guess where this song is played, then it’s obvious.  It’s a really dark and foreboding area song, but it suffers from the repetition issue because it never really goes anywhere and you can only stand so much organ for so long.

2. Let’s Go Down the Wine River

OMG hick music at its best.  Even though the song doesn’t have a main role in the game rather imposing as a mini-game tune, I actually found the charm instantly here.  I just wished there was more of it to listen for.

3. Grandpa and the Delightful Tadpoles

Since the area where this tune is played is near water, you’ll hear steel drums playing the main melody of the song, but other than that, I found this to be really empty almost.  If it wasn’t for the jolly mood the song was portraying as, this tune would’ve been a huge failure.

4. Shock!

If there was a track that was beyond pointless, this would definitly fit into that category perfectly.  All it is is two dejected notes that sound horrible to represent the emotion of shock.  Not flattering and leaves me to question why this was on here in the first place.

5. Sad Song

Shock to sadness?  Well, this track was pivotal for the storyline for Geno so, you can see how it fits.  There’s a lone piano playing here and it does sound depressing and quite the odd one not be any bouncy and fun like the others.

8. Let’s Play “Geno”

I’ve always wondered why they had to rearrange “Athletic” from Super Mario World for this tune.  I honestly, don’t remember hearing this tune, so I must’ve not paid that much attention, but if it was my guess…it was probably when Mario met the Toad kid in Rose Town for the first time and saw the Geno doll.

7. Geno Awakens

Twinkly sounds begin this otherwise short tune and ends on a good note.  The song gradually gets louder and happier and when the twinkly sounds start to diminish, this small ditty tune starts to play instead.  I really liked the song.

8. Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms

“Geno Awakens” is easily overshadowed by the fan’s favorite and most memorable track, Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms managed to capture a forest’s mood, like there’s something looming in mystery and covered up by a catchy melody.  It’s nothing short of amazing here and such fun-loving track too, I mean what’s not to like about it?

9. Rose Town

Town themes in this game always have the bounciest melodies and Rose Town is no exception.  I do have to say that it is way too short to be even liked fully.  Still, it’s an alright town theme, but not my favorite of them.

10. From Inside the Earthen Pipe

Another rearrangement of a classic Mario tune, this time in the form of the Underground music from 1-2 of the orignal Super Mario Bros.  In this game it still plays during the underground portion that links to Yo’ster’s Island.  Not the most original of tunes but definitly used for the nostalgia.

11. Welcome! Yo’ster Island!!

We’re talking Yoshi here.  Even though Yoshi once again wasn’t that important in the game, it was really nice they at least put them somewhere nice.  It doesn’t seem really “islandy” as some of the other Mario tunes mostly from later release “Super Mario Sunshine”, but it was OK, just not that memorable IMO.

12. Let’s Race

This song was used in a mini-game that had to with racing Yoshi’s….Sadly the music was fast and had a marching style tied to it as well.  Worse was the fact whenever this song played, it somehow frustrates me especially when you have to pay attention to the mini-game and the music is just blaring by.

13. Hard-working Moles are Good Moles

Moleville, oh what an original title right?  Well, it has a sense of serious work and does sound like they’re mining, but it also seems like it represents a little clumsiness as well.  I thought it was the perfect theme to Moleville for sure though.

14. Docaty Mountain Railroad

There was no way around it.  You had to listen to Docaty Mountain Railroad during the ride out of the mountain.  It’s a typical train song so it’s not anything new, but the fiddle usage and the whole Western feel made it a new sound on the game.

15. Welcome to Booster Tower

I’ve always felt this song was looming darkness.  There’s strings playing the melody, but there’s low horn and shuffling and other small sounds that makes up this tune.  Like I said there was an unsettling dark sound to it and it’s perhaps Booster was represented as evil, but maybe I’m thinking to much.

16. And My Name’s Booster

For being a bad guy named Booster, his theme track was anything but.  It was more of a sneaky persona with the feeling I was getting by listening to it.  Likewise it’s bouncy, but it’s just nothing special once again.

17. Long Long Ago…

Oh the nostalgia factor just went up again.  This time with the main series’s most recognizable tune.  Stage 1-1 makes an appearance in the game, but in the most random way and everyone should know where that is in this game.  At least Nintendo was nice enough to remind us of Nintendo’s biggest game.

18. Heart Beating a Little Faster

Just like the original, when time was running low, The game notified you by doubling the speed of the song trying to get you to move faster.  They also kept this intact in the game where it plays at the same spot where you run into the previous track.  It was so funny just going through that moment in the game.

19. Slope

We finally finish the first disc with the chase scene’s tune when Booster runs away with Peach.   It’s not a spoiler alright, just a minor part of a bigger issue.  Slope doesn’t really sound like something you’d chse someone with, but accounting that it is the longest track between these 19 tracks it’s surprising.  By itself though, it kind of is annoying because it’s frantic sound and overall repetitiveness…

Tracks Recommended

•  Beware the Forest’s Mushrooms
• Let’s Go Down the Wine River
• Geno Awakens
• Sad Song
• Welcome To Booster Tower

I’m not sure what happened, but some of the songs here were just plain to me.  Other than the fact that this was the 2nd half of the 1st CD, I’m surprised at how much nostalgia was found on the ths half.  Let’s hope the 2nd disc won’t be as meh as the first disc.

Ai Otsuka – PEACH/HEART

Track Listing

1. PEACH
2. HEART
3. Ren’ai Shashin -Haru-
4. PEACH (Instrumental)
5. HEART (Instrumental)

1. PEACH

If “CHU-LIP” was suppose to represent Spring, then PEACH is the epitome of Summer.  By the start you can already feel the whole summery vibe with the guitars and such.  Sadly, Ai does lose some points because her vocals are just a little bad, but not terrible.  Think “Happy Days” and it’s what it sounds like.  I still love her ad-libbing before the chorus though.  Loved that part. 

2. HEART

HEART is definitly more laidback than “PEACH” and actually I like it more than said track.  There’s a calm atmosphere backed up by guitar and Ai’s soft vocals.  I don’t know why but I keep thinking of oldies with this one and I love it.  Nice compliment the each other.

3. Ren’ai Shashin -Haru-

Ren’ai Shashin returns again, but in a different arrangement that is meant to represent Spring, hence the “Haru” part.  I’m not sure if Ai resang this, but there’s a new line that was implemented in as well.  Put with more strings than the original, I thought this was better. 

 

 

Ai’s final single before her 4th album was well….Iono…PEACH was alright for a summer song, but Ai’s vocals took a hit for it.  HEART was a nice reminder of the past and she saved herself with it.  The rearranged version of past A-side, Ren’ai Shashin was really nice and sounds so much better than the original. 

Shoko Nakagawa – Sorairo Days

Track Listing

1. Sorairo Days
2. happily ever after
3. Mitsubachi no Sasayaki (Regular Only)
4. Sorairo Days -of construction- (Limited Only)
5. Sorairo Days -of realization- (Limited Only)
6. Sorairo Days -Instrumental-

1. Sorairo Days

I didn’t expect a rock track to be place here for Shoko’s next A-side.  It shows a raw kind of sound, maybe like a garage band sound with more refined stuff going on.  I also took in the fact that Shoko has a good voice and all, but rock isn’t really her thing to take on.  Also to know that it’s her most well-known track is pretty cool here. 

2. happily ever after

Two tracks that are rock-influenced?  I’m surprised lol.  Once again her voice does not work with this style so much, but I can hear her try to use a somewhat deeper tone and in some ways it’s better than “Sorairo Days” if not more.  There’s just so much more energy and emotion here and the drums isn’t hitting everything at once. 

3. Mitsubachi no Sasayaki

This is the Shoko I knew from the last two singles, sadly her voice takes the worst condition ever and she tries to be uber cute.  I can udnerstand because it is a sugar-coated pop song, but c’mon give us a break.  She’s sounding like poor ole Momoko of Buono! and that’s not right….Meh, I’ll pass this song up.  Way to screw the regular edition up.

4. Sorairo Days -of construction-

From the looks already, Both tracks only found on the limited are short like over a minute and a half.  People would be wondering, why’d they have two short versions.  Well, this track carries the first verse and chorus so it’s more like the original.  Still way short and not much will surprise you.

5. Sorairo Days -of realization-

I’ll be brutally honest.  This one is just like the one before, like an exact copy.  Though there’s a big difference between the two…Realization actually uses both the 2nd verse and chorus….which is strange because both tracks end at the same second.  I guess putting them together gets the song perhaps?  Not what I’d call smart businessing.

 

 

Shoko did some obviously tried a new style and it actually worked since Sorairo Days is her most memorable track today.  I don’t think rock’s her calling card, but more props to her since happily ever after sounded so much cleaner and more catchy IMO.  Let’s not even go there with Mitsubachi no Sasayaki…As for the limited onlys, don’t bother.  All you get is split in the song and just useless.  Nice try though

Buono! – Buono!2

Track Listing

1. Early Bird
2. Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
3. KiraKira
4. Shoushitsuten -Vanishing Point-
5. Rottara Rottara
6. co・no・mi・chi
7. Minna Daisuki
8. I NEED YOU
9. Gachinko de Ikou!
10. You’re My Friend
11. OVER THE RAINBOW
12. Goal

1. Early Bird

Oh, hell no…why did they had to start the album with such a giddy track.  I guess it does seem cute but damn he synths are ear piercing and just hurts my ears.  The girls doesn’t seem really interested in this song, so they tend to sound really boring unless it calls up for one of the kawaii girly moments, y’know the squeals xD. 

2. Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

I’m already sensing that the singles are gonna sound different from the new tracks because they seem to have a rock flair to them.  Anyway, we begin with the A-side that started the era off in the first place.  One things for sure, Momoko can not have solo lines anymore.  She’s so ugh to me….even worse than Koharu…and that’s saying something.  Miyabi and Airi sounds OK, nothing spectacular, but whatever.  The chorus just reminds me of MilkyWay’s “Sansan GOGO”….The harmonica solo….ever weirder….

3. KiraKira

Well, I was wrong…KiraKira has a rock sound to it and sounds quite bouncy in the verses.  You hear a low synth plaing in the background as well which added some interest, until the boring-like chorus happened.  I mean they could’ve done something more explosive here.  Wasted opportunity if you ask me.

4. Shoushitsuten -Vanishing Point-

I was surprised at our next track because it does sound different for the girls.  Inclusion of the acoustic guitar and piano was a smart idea and Momoko doesn’t sound like crap here which is OMG thankful.  It’s a little on the slow side, but otherwise a really strong new track before the league of old tracks.

5. Rottara Rottara

I’ll admit, this was my first Buono! song I ever heard and I was hooked because of a certain someone….*cough* Jin *cough*.  I mean it has such a hook to it and such fun to it.  I just love every moment lies one of the ~Rottara Rottara~ moments and the girls doing their girly stuff throughout.  The chorus even made them sound more mature, even though Momoko is failing here.  Awesome party song!

6. co・no・mi・chi

At least the B-side wasn’t included.  At some points this is more harder than “Rottara Rottara” and sometimes it seems to be like their past stuff.  Once again, I think they could’ve made the chorus more louder and profound than what we got.  Other than that, this was alright, but not my favorite here.

7. Minna Daisuki

The only representative of a B-side on the album, Minna Daisuki was not my first choice to see appear here.  It’s obviously drenched in girly cuteness and all the girls don’t sound good IMO.  The lack of a rock element somehow affected this and knowing this was on “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” I probably won’t like it then either.

8. I NEED YOU

I NEED YOU probably wins the track that stands out award.  For one it’s like the used an old style of rock here to go through the verses and made the worst translation ever into the chorus where things speed up way fast and it’s just loud and furious and then returns back to the smooth rock groove and repeat.  I’d stay away from this track it just doesn’t sound good at all!

9. Gachinko de Ikou!

The last A-side to appear here is another great track representing them.  The song has a pretty loud instrumental mostly in the drums where they are pounding.  I love the spacey first part of the lyrics and its lead into the rock portion, so cool.  All the girls sound good here as well, which like I said is rare xD.  The middle instrumental part though was uhhhhmazzing!

10. You’re My Friend

I kind of guessed this would’ve been a light-hearted rock song, I just didn’t think they’d get it right with such a corny ass title.  I actually enjoyed this track as it isn’t too much of anything just some softcore stuff then worked out for them.  Their high notes are a little on the shaky side, but other than that it was pretty nice.

11. OVER THE RAINBOW

We finally get a ballad from Buono!.  There’s something really nice and calming about hearing this.  They seem to sound really good in the English department as well pronouncing ~rainbow in the sky~ right.  The solo lines were good for Momoko and Airi, gorgeous singing voice and while Miyabi has a little trouble, it’s  not too much of one.  Nice!

12. Goal

We finally get through the album with Goal which wow.  The guitar lines and how the girls were going about singing it reminded me of like something misono would do.  The girls are in a lower tone and they sound amazing.  I think they should keep up singing songs like this.  I was expecting something like hard, but this was really cool.

Tracks Recommended

•  Rottara Rottara
• Gachinko de Ikou!
• Goal
• OVER THE RAINBOW
• Shoushitsuten -Vanishing Point-

Song of Avoidance

• I NEED YOU

I can’t make assumptions since I haven’t listened to “Cafe Buono!” yet, but this album surely sounds well-made from H!P.  Other than the fact that the early parts of the album were really bad stuff, the later half was just awesome one after another, minus I NEED YOU and Minna Daisuki, but from Rottara Rottara up, it was just awesome stuff.  Maybe, I’m being too lenient on looking at other acts of the H!P franchise, but one things for sure NO JE ON THIS BLOG~~!!!!