Yu-Gi-Oh: Music to Duel By [SOUNDTRACK]

Elik Alvarez (Composer), Freddy Sheinfeld (Composer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 2002)
• Original Release Date: September 29, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Dreamworks
• ASIN: B00006LLNI
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,117 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
While many soundtracks include music "inspired by" a given property, Music to Duel By is intended to inspire. The songs on this companion to the Yu-Gi-Oh global phenomenon (toys, cartoons, software) is supposed to provide background music for the tension-packed card games played by Yu-Gi-Oh enthusiasts. The album opens with the TV show's theme, a hyperkinetic mix of symphonic sounds and industrial metal, and contains a few other songs heard on the series, but most of the music appears here for the first time. Three of the entries are singled out as "special battle tracks," and they sound very much like high-end video game scores: the of-the-moment drum & bass percussion, the campily canned violins, the grab-bag source material. Those cuts are admirable for their short-attention-span theatricality, the way the various distinct musical segments edge the tension up a notch at a time, allowing for an occasional balladic moment of repose. Some of the vocal tracks evidence that peculiar Japanese fascination with overproduced '80s American pop, and will likely send kids running to their Linkin Park and Mudvayne CDs, but it's hard to argue with an album that includes a limited-edition set of stickers. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's very good, but not what I expacted., October 30, 2002

By	Evil Cupcake of Doom (In the deep recesses of your mind..) - See all my reviews

I'll say this: the album's not on my top ten list, but it certainly won't be at the bottom of my CDs either. I liked it, but I expected it to have a bit more...edge or somethin' like that. But that's just me. It's very enjoyable to listen to, I've listed ratings of the songs below:

(1) Yu-Gi-Oh theme- This is obviously the theme song, but on the album it's longer, that really cool part with the ancient Egyptian sounding violin part is awesome, and the line "your move" is more easily heard. A good way to start it off. I give it 4/5

(2)Time 2 Duel- It aint bad. It sums up the basic point of the show really. It's a rock/punk/rap beat that's really enjoyable. But I have to say that the chorus is really, really ANNOYING. Sorry, but it is. I give it a 3/5

(3) I'm Back- A must for Kaiba fans, after all that's who the song's about. Mainly about the conspiracy at Kaiba corp., the abduction of Mokuba, etc. I have to say I LOVE the background music in this, and the lyrics are good too! I personally think they coulda left out the dialogue from the show...but that's just me. I'm not a huge Kaiba fan and like I said that's who the song's about. I give this a 4/5

(4) Summon the Dragon- This is an awesome instrumental..possibly a theme for the Blue Eyes or maybe a theme for all the dragons in general. But whatever it is, it sounds very good, I was quite impressed. I give this a 5/5

(5) Your Move- This is the reason I bought this album!! I ADORE this song so much! It's all rockish and stuff! ^__^ The lyrics rock ( I love the "Egyptian secrets" part and the music blew me away. A bunch of my friends accuse me of loving this song because it's mainly about Yami (AKA Yugioh..which means King of Games) and well uh...*blush* Yeah, that's pert of why I like it so sue me! I give this a 5/5

(6)Duel Madness- Oh my. This song rocks!! I can't get enough of the techno-soundin' melody of this!! It's so..so...I can't find words for it!! I love this song...yep *thinks this may be another Kaiba song..or not I dunno* I give this a 5/5

(7) No Matter What- I don't like it. There I said it. I didn't like this song when it was on the show and I don't like it now. It's all...sappy...and..friendly.. Not my style. It does have a good chorus..but I'm afraid I must give this a 2/5.

(8) Exodia- Well 3 guesses what this is about! Another instrumental and I think this was the background music to when Yami was dueling Kaiba in the 1st episode..but I'm not sure, I haven't seen that eppie in a while. the very end of this song's quite exciting also. I gve it a 4/5

(9) Ahead of the Game- Dang, this thing's CATCHEY! This was stuck in my head all day! But more to the point, I liked this. It seemed kinda new-wave to me for some reason. I can't help but think that this i also about Kaiba (mentions a lot of stuff about technology and how he's "ahead of the game," hence the title. Ah well. I give this a 3/5
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10) We'll Be There- Ummmmm...no. I'm sorry but I have to say that I hate this song. It's all soft..Tea-like! Bleach! But I will say that the chorus makes up for the sap. It's reminiscent of the songs You Can Do It (if you really try) and Never Too Far From Home, from the Pokemon albums. I give this a 2/5. Woulda been a 1/5 but I can't help liking that chorus darn it!

(11) Face Up Face Down- I like. I like a lot. It's sung by Pegasus..or what sounds like Pegasus(has a very good singing voice. Who woulda thunk it?). It's VERY good, it describes him to a tee! Not a single flaw in this, great music, lyrics, beat and I honestly think what makes this song so awesome is that Pegasus himself sings it. Very foreboding soundin' also. I can honestly say this is my favorite song on the whole CD. I give this a 5/5

(12)Millenium Battle- yet another instrumental. But I think this may be the best on the entire album. I found it powerful and a bit inspiring..but that's just me. I give it a 4/5

(13)Heart of the Cards- Ooooooooooohhh. I liked this too. Another Yami theme (yay!) I love the begining it recites the "in ancient times a game was played with both sprit and mind" part. I like the guy what sings it too. I give it a 4/5

(14)World of Yu-Gi-Oh- Well it about..the world of Yu-Gi-Oh. It describes and sums up the 1st season really. I liked it lots. Also quite catchy..and upbeat too. I give it a 4/5.

And that's all the songs. I suggest only getting this if you're a fan of the anime or the manga otherwise you won't know what the heck's going on. All in all it's a good album, not fantastic, but good nonetheless. A true prize for a true fan, and as the title of the album says, it's really good music to duel by.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Such an apt title, October 31, 2002

By	Ayame "kaibas_girl" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

OK, so I'm 25 and female. What in the world am I doing reviewing a Yu-Gi-Oh! CD? Well, that's because this CD is probably one of the best CDs from an English Dubbed anime that I've heard in a LONG time. The extended version of the theme is completely worth the purchase price of the CD, but it doesn't stop there! Just about every song on the CD is a fun expression of the themes presented in the show. And they're just fun songs. I can easily see myself sitting around the table playing some Duel Monsters with my nephew as I listen. Some of the highlights include: I'm Back, Your Move, No Matter What, and Face up Face down. Even the instrumental tracts are good. There are a couple of songs that have a bit of cheese to them, We'll Be There comes to mind as does World of Yugioh!. But even these grow on you. One notable absence from the CD is Not Gonna Panic. And it is definately missed.

Of course, I personally would love to see the inclusion of the Japanese themes, especially the opening and closing from the third season. And my ultimate dream on any American CD from a dubbed anime is to see the actual voice actors singing some of their songs. But I guess that will remain a pipe dream at least for the time being.

Anyway, if you or anyone you know are a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, they will throughly enjoy this CD. And the stickers that come with it are a wonderful piece of laginappe.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Total Must-Buy, January 16, 2003

A Kid's Review

This CD is, in one word, incredible.
1. Yugioh! Theme
This is an extended version of the theme song. Very nice- it has really cool Egyptian music in the background, and it's still recognizable, but it's different enough to keep you interested.
2. Time 2 Duel
One of my favorites. Fast-paced, cool lyrics, very nice song overall.
3. I'm Back
Kaiba's song. This is another one I really like. It has great lyrics that really remind me of Kaiba (ex: "You thought you were so tough, had it all under control. Now nothing's enough- gonna take back what you stole. Give it up- cause now I'm back.") And awesome guitar music at the end.
4. Summon the Dragon
No lyrics, but I like it that way. It's a nice battle track.
5. Your Move
I really like this song too. It has fast music, cool lyrics that are easy to understand, and is all-around cool.
6. Duel Madness
This one's kinda weird. The rap is done it a mechanical sort of voice, but I guess it's meant to be like that because at the beginning it mentions Kaiba's technology.
7. No Matter What
I LOVE this song. So great.
8. Exodia
No lyrics, cool music.
9. Ahead of the Game
Kaiba-like, egotistical music. "All my technology, all my smarts, my creativity will rip you apart." Cool song.
10. We'll be there
Awww... duet between Tea and Tristan about friendship and sticking together. May not appeal to everyone, but hey, I like it.
11. Face Up Face Down
Go Darren Dunstan! (a.k.a. Pegasus) This is for sure the real voice actor. Chilling song, eerie Pegasus-like lyrics, easy to listen to over and over and over...
12. Millennium Battle
The third and last battle track on the CD. Again, good music with a good beat.
13. Heart of the Cards
Almost the whole thing is that mechanical-sounding rap again. It kinda weirds me out, but no matter- it's a good song anyways.
14. World of Yugioh!
Don't be fooled by the title making it sound like a sing-along song. Great words that go along with the TV show, and SUCH a fun refrain.
Take it from me: Incredible.