Customer Reviews

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Vol. 2

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was so happy when I purchased this second OST, which seems like it is geared more for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig than the first season. Fans of Yoko Kanno will NOT be disappointed as this soundtrack features the composer doing the things she does best, making cool grooves.

That said, you won't hear any unique branching out of styles as you have probably become accustomed in her other works. This OST seems very derivative of work you have already heard from Yoko Kanno, although that isn't necessarily a bad thing for those of us who love her music. On this OST you can expect to hear songs that sound like a mix of what you heard in the first GITS: SAC OST, as well as a few of the Cowboy Bebop OSTs (cuts 3,4, and 6 in particular). Track 11, "What's it For?" and track 13, "Pet Food" even bear a resemblance to music from the Wolf's Rain OST 1.

Also, if you play this CD on your computer, don't be surprised when you realize that several of the track titles come up written in Japanese. Also, all of the performers are listed as Yoko Kanno (despite the vocals being done by others) and her name is always written in Japanese. This isn't a biggie, though, since all the titles and names are written in English in the liner book.

Overall, I'm glad I bought this, and I will probably enjoy it until GITS: SAC 2nd Gig is shown on Adult Swim starting in November.

In Vol. 2 we get more of the same from Yoko Kanno which is a good thing. 17 tracks from Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig. Among those tracks are extended versions of Get 9 and Rise, which really gets the heart pumping and the spirit moving. Any fan of Yoko Kanno or any fan of Ghost In The Shell or any fan of anime in general needs to grab this CD, new or used.

I shall be brief with this review of mine. While I thought that the first Stand Alone Complex O.S.T. could not be `beaten' easily by another soundtrack; well, I dare to say that this one most probably is even better than the first one.

As for you who might not be aware of the composer, her name is Yoko Kanno and she combines all sorts of music from classical, rock, cyber, drums up to heavy metal etc. bringing forth a very special kind of music.

Moreover, by looking at this CD you are respectively familiar with anime shows.
Why am I saying this?

Simply, because amongst others, she also composed the music of Cowboy Bebop, Wolf's Rain, participated in the music of Escaflowne, Macross, `Please safe my earth' etc. (I am referring to anime shows so that the people who read this review can get a picture of her music).

I hope that I could help you...

The songs for this CD are wonderful, whether or not you like Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. This really appeals to English fans of the series. With a third of the songs in English, this really made me happy. And every song you will hear in the series. Every song complements the series. I love this CD.

This is an awesome sound track. Most of the songs are really good, and I'm a person who doesn't like sound tracks. I love the Ghost In The Shell franchise, but this music can stand on it's own. The composer, Yoko Kanno, effectively creates a variety of sounds that have real dimension. What I mean by that is the music doesn't just set a mood, but it fills a space. Listen to the first track ("Cyberbird"), and you'll understand. Some of the tracks with singing are not in Japanese or English, I think they're in Italian. The female vocalist on this album is Ilaria Graziano, and her voice is angelic. Her performance in "I DO" makes you feel sad and happy at the same time...Granted, there are a couple of tracks on this album that do sound like they come from an Anime Tv series, (kind of Japanese Pop style), but they're still fairly enjoyable... Most of the songs are very emotional and have a subtle power to them. While listening, you'll feel chills on more than one occasion... Since owning this album, I've found myself searching out more music composed by Kanno and more performances by Graziano. I'm a fan of them both now.

Okay, I thought the first OST was amazing so I assumed OST 2 would let me down. Boy was I wrong! Not only do you get full versions of Rise and Get 9, but you are also gifted with two tracks sung by Ilaria Graziano (I Can't Be Cool and I Do).

But let me back up a bit. I knew I would love this OST more than the first one when I slipped it into the CD player in my car and Cyberbird almost ruptured my eardrums. Unbeknownst to me, the volume was up too high and I didn't turn it down until a cop looked at me funny. I think he liked what he heard but was afraid to admit it.

There are seventeen tracks. Each one is different. From techno to electronica to jazz to pop to funk to a lovely ballad titled I Do. There's a little bit of everything, which is just the way I like my music. If you own Vol. 1 you should add this one to your collection.

Amazon - Is there any chance you'll be selling Vol. 3? Pretty please?

If you like the music from Cowboy Bebop and/or other stuff Yoko Kano has done then you'll like this CD.You will hear the songs in the tv show.The opening song of the show Rise and the ending song Living inside the shell,you get to hear the full length version of both.After listening to this CD and as you watch the GITS you'll reconize the songs.It's a good CD for GITS fans.

This CD really, honestly, blew me away. I am very impressed with all of the tracks, including cyberbird and the 2nd gig opening, which, I feel, is a big improvement over the original.

If you're contemplating a purchase, I strongly suggest it. It feels more like a full-featured album rather than a mere OST. All the tracks are done in a variety of languages, as well. It incorporates symphonic values, rock, industrial, and upbeat jazz influences. It's like a burst of melodic, rythmic, multi-genre flavor.

I haven't purchased such a stimulating and fun to listen to album in a while. This was definitely worth its weight in gold. Yokko Kanno's brilliance shines through this encompassing, imersive masterpiece of a soundtrack.

I purchased this for my son who loves the GITS episodes. He loves the music from the series. It is an interesting and wonderful collection of different types of music.

Yoko Kanno is a genius. What's not to like about this CD? She is the basis for my collection of music that I feel could be the soundtrack to my life. Well, 3 minute sound bites anyway.