FLCL OST 1: Addict
For a series as quirky, offbeat and original as FLCL, it is fitting that the soundtrack should be every bit as, well, quirky, offbeat and original. This, the first OST in a series of three, is a compilation of incidental music for the series by Shinkichi Mitsumune and various songs by Jrock band The Pillows that were selected specially for the show.
Mitsumune’s songs are perfectly fitting for the scenes in which they are used, but are make for great stand-alone listening. The tender Rever’s Edge and Pain are beautiful pieces of music in their own right, although the inclusion of Gallop by Kabalevsky was no doubt due to its appearance in the series rather than being in keeping with the rest of the disc. Selfish-b is a funky little number that is guaranteed to get your feet tapping and Pink is a cutesy slab of saccharine Jpop that you can’t help but enjoy, no matter how much you’d hate to admit it.
The main event in the album is of course the contributions made by The Pillows. It was a bold move to use an established yet little-known rock band to provide the backdrop to an off-the-wall slice-of-life comedy series, but it paid off admirably. The catchy riffs and heartfelt lyrics of Instant Music, Ride on Shooting Star and Hybrid Rainbow capture both the joys and pains of growing up: the very emotions that the animated series conveys so well. Even the shorter intermission numbers are full of raw energy and whistleable melodies that are equally at home as a companion to animated mayhem or on their own.
The only downside is that the disc’s recording lacks a bit of polish with the occasional background hum from the amps or less-than-perfect sound levels. Nevertheless this only heightens the carefree and youthful ‘garage band’ vibe and makes the music all the more accessible and immediate. While most of the songs straddle the pop/punk boundary and even dabble in the occasional moment of atmospheric psychedelia they can’t really be called ‘heavy’ and it’s amazing that they haven’t made a splash outside of their native Japan.
In Summary
Addict is a loud, emotionally charged and hopelessly catchy record brimming over with youthful energy, memorable tunes and perfectly captures the mood of the series that inspired it. Although The Pillows have reached the popularity that they have through the exposure from FLCL their unique brand of rock should have reached the masses long before now.
Tracklisting
- Last Dinosaur
- Ride on Shooting Star
- Sad Sad Kiddie
- Carnival
- Runners High~FLCL ver.~
- Instant Music
- Stalker
- Rever’s Edge
- Stalker Goes to Babylon
- One Life
- Pain
- Kabalevsky from “Clown”~Gallop
- Hybrid Rainbow
- Selfish-b
- Pink
- Beautiful Morning with You
- Sleepy Head
- Bran-new Lovesong
- Come Down
- Advice~FLCL Arrange Ver.~
- Little Busters
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