[Music]

Macross Frontier Soundtrack 2: Nyan TRA

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross Frontier, Yoko Kanno]

The second Macross Plus OST album was a bit more of a mixed bag than the first, with fewer standout tracks and more oddities. Not so with the second LP-length outing for Frontier though: this disc is every bit as good as its predecessor, and possibly of even higher quality if I make allowances for the songs growing on me in the fullness of time. The running order seems to place vocal tracks and instrumentals alternately, which prevents it getting repetitive and gives an emotional break or ‘reset’ between the lyrical flagship-type songs and the instrumental BGM ones.

The proceedings kick off as before in dramatic style with an orchestral instrumental track, this time with Prologue F; it’s less than two minutes long but sets the mood wonderfully. The Jpop side of Frontier makes itself felt immediately afterwards with Northern Cross, which launches itself into a fuzzy, strident electric guitar, a fast-paced beat with May’n’s vocals picking up the pace. It’s a heady blend of (synthesised?) orchestral strings, frantic drums and six-string riffery; as a (re)introduction to the vocal aspect of the score, it’s a sound choice.

[4 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Macross Frontier end: Vajra have feelings too

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross Frontier]

At least, so says the closing episode of Macross Frontier. It’s a statement that sounds clichéd and absurd yet, in the context of the story at least, quite heartfelt and profound. The same can be said of the series as a whole actually: the whole affair was clichéd and absurd, yet strangely heartfelt (although saying it was profound would be stretching it a bit). I think the underlying message here is that we all share valuable bonds that link our hearts and minds, even those of supposed monsters we don’t understand. I did find the humour in the idea of the heart-melting Aimo as the cue for an intergalactic Vajra love-in to detract from its seriousness though; it’s like Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do being forever etched on my mind as the last song of the school disco when unattached males made a swift exit from the dancefloor. Kevin Costner kinda ruined that for me too, I might add.

Anyone who was praying as I was for a Gunbuster-style Ranka/Sheryl combo attack should be happy now…MANLY TEARS, people

Bear in mind that although I’m about to hit you with a Wall of Text that outlines the negatives I still really, really  enjoyed watching Frontier. I looked forward to every subsequent outing, sitting on my sofa on Sunday morning with my morning coffee and breakfast and eager to see where the story would go next. I knew I’d be fanboying shamelessly right from that early first showing of the opening episode, and also knew deep down that even if it turned out bad I’d still watch it, for no other reason that IT’S MACROSS, DAMMIT. For all this I don’t think it was everything it could have been; just because I enjoyed it more than nigh on every series of 2008 so far, that sadly doesn’t mean it was the best of the lot.

[12 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Macross Frontier 17-21: what ’bout my Sheryl?

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross Frontier, Unashamed fanboying]

Macross Frontier seems to have taken a delightfully serious turn in recent weeks, culminating in the Vajra shitstorm that left homes destroyed, families mourning, Michel buying the pineapple salad and Ranka being whisked away by Brera to take her pet Vajra home. Klan has so far been a bit of a minor character but here she absolutely shines - and you can’t help but feel sorry for her when you see the love of her life being taken from her while in the macronisation chamber; that I think is the only situation where a Meltrandi is in a position of vulnerability and helplessness so when she went all berserk and badass afterwards in ep #21 I felt SCARED.

Hell hath no fury like a Meltran scorned, eh?

I’ve been detecting a bit of Ranka-hate in the blogosphere recently though, which I’m guessing is down to the fact that the prediction of her turning out as ‘the next Lyn Minmei’ is irritatingly accurate. In another one of those recurring Macross tropes, she had a diva moment that earned a healthy slap to the face…although in fairness I daresay the majority of us would have reacted in the same way as she did when the chips are down. Interestingly this time, the Macross equivalent of the Brightslap wasn’t dealt by the male lead but by the other female in a bitchslap X sisterly hug combo; this is a prime example of why I think Sheryl is awesome.

[14 Comments]

[Music]

Macross Frontier soundtrack 1: delicious deculture

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross Frontier, Yoko Kanno]

Macross Frontier is something of a full circle trip for Yoko Kanno. Macross Plus, along with its two OST albums, was my introduction to both her work and that of Kawamori’s Macross franchise, so the news that the two of them would be working together again was what made me so enthusiastic about this series. It’s inevitable that comparisons will be drawn but the atmospherics of the two shows are so different that the scores inevitably have their own distinct sound and feel: Plus was very grown-up and cinematic while Frontier is more fun and eager to revel in the nostalgia of the franchise as a whole. Because of this, the Frontier soundtrack has a stronger pop slant as well as the orchestral numbers; in my reviews of the series so far I was reluctant to place the Frontier score alongside its illustrious predecessor but saying I’ve started to change my stance on that a bit is an understatement. I might go as far importing it in fact, unless Beez pick up the license and release it with English language packaging (which would consequentially make me a happier if slightly poorer man).

[9 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Macross Frontier 11-16: the rise and rise of Ranka Lee

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross, Macross Frontier]

The first question I ought to be answering here is, if Macross Frontier is one of my favourite shows I’m watching now, why am I not blogging about it more often? For sure, I’m enjoying it one heck of a lot but while some stuff is really enjoyable to watch that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to write about too. I don’t blog anything episode-by-episode any more either (Eve no Jikan will be an exception to this, but I don’t see it being released weekly like the TV series are) and Frontier is a good example of why: I’d just be writing really short posts that state the same things over and over.

Nuff said

It would go something like this: the aerial scenes rival those of Macross Zero (honestly), the music is only one level below that of Plus and it has a good balance of humour, dorama and intrigue. Basically, this is space opera anime of the highest order - the sort of stuff my blog lives for. As true as all that is, it pretty much goes without saying for every episode so I can’t be bothered to reiterate it every week…unless I can somehow acquire the same talent for insight and humour as Kabitzin perhaps.

[10 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Macross Frontier as of ep #10: throw out your cares and fly

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Macross, Macross Frontier, Unashamed fanboying]

After languishing in the seventh level of Backlog Hell I realised that I hadn’t blogged Macross Frontier since the First Impressions posts. My bad. Despite the strong start to the series, things took a bit of a dip after a while, culminating in a thoroughly disappointing episode eight that featured lazy animation, fillerish content and had a chase through the school after a pair of undies as its centerpiece. Since Most People™ are following this show too, it’s safe to say you know I’m not making that up; for all my Macross fanboying, I struggled to find anything to say about it.

Enter episode ten which, among other things, borrows a lot from the Macross Zero OAV. I haven’t had chance to re-watch and blog that yet but for all its pretty-shinyness that was an underwhelming offering in terms of characterisation and, well, everything apart from the pretty-shinyness. Frontier delivers on at least some of the visuals; in terms of content though it wins hands-down over its high-budget predecessor. My expectations were high given its Anniversary status but now I can look enthusiastically upon Frontier as a worthy addition to the franchise I know and love.

[9 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Spring 2008 first impressions #2: Golgo 13, Macross Frontier, Soul Eater

Posted by Martin  [Tags: First Impressions and Retrospectives, Macross Frontier, Soul Eater]

Yes, I know I haven’t posted my thoughts on Kaiba yet, nor have I watched Kanokon (before you ask: in regards to the former, I’m waiting for ep #2 to be subbed. In regards to the latter, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” still applies so I’ll watch the first two before allowing myself to rip it to shreds). In accordance with Peter S’s recommendationn I’ll try out Kamen no Maid Guy purely for giggles. Because wake-up call + hosepipes + cleavage == lulz. Maybe. At any rate, my schedule is filling up fast but my .mkv playback issues appear to be resolved. Huzzah. Onwards then, with Golgo 13, Soul Eater and Macross Frontier in glorious 1280×720 widescreen. *_*

[7 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Macross Frontier 1: First Impressions

Posted by Martin  [Tags: First Impressions and Retrospectives, Macross, Macross Frontier]

It’s almost cruel to put out the first episode of Macross Frontier, possibly the coolest Christmas gift evaaar, only to declare that we won’t see the rest until the spring; right from the first rumbles and rumours I’d been keeping my eyes peeled for any tidbit of news or scrap of promo art with the words “MOAR MACROSS! MOAR MACROSS!” zooming around inside my head like a Valkyrie on afterburner. Since it’s an anniversary piece I daresay no expense has been spared in getting it together either; even the mighty Kawamori himself is credited on the staff roll-call as Chief Director. In case you’re head hasn’t quite exploded in fanboyish jubilation just yet, what about Yoko Kanno being back to provide her first musical score contribution to the franchise since Plus? Talk about high expectations…

Hell yeah!

Okay then, this was one of THE big 2008 titles for me so I might not be as objective as some. Macross Zero set a new benchmark for aerial combat while Macross Plus did the same thing for the level of characterisation and soundtrack quality way back in 1994 so there are bound to be comparisons here, there and everywhere, both positive and negative. I suppose this uncertainty comes from a pedigree that’s as unpredictable as the mighty Gundam but for whatever reason I’ve always been a Macross man; on the other hand, success is by no means guaranteed, Kawamori/Kanno or no. It’s impossible to gauge from one episode the merits of the character development or storyline either, so to make any judgement in that respect would be idle speculation; so, what do we have to go on?

[9 Comments]