Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Highly recommended

Publisher
Manga
Director
Kenji Kamiyama
Production
Bandai, Dentsu, Production IG, Victor Entertainment
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2002

Stand Alone Complex O.S.T - Original Soundtrack CD.

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
19th May 05

There are two official soundtrack CDs to the popular anime series GITS: SAC, and they were offered with the first two special edition versions of the region one DVDs. Sadly no such offer was made over here, but fortunately Beez have decided to release these in what could be the first of many more anime soundtrack CDs on their way.

“Stand Alone Complex O.S.T” is by far the better of the two GITS: SAC soundtracks, containing around 18 tracks which come to a running time of over an hour. The tracks differ quite radically (see further down for a track list and summary), ranging from hard hitting techno and smooth vocal tracks. Interestingly most of the vocal tracks are in English which means that you don’t have to know Japanese to get the most out of the vocal tracks. The CD also comes with a booklet with credits to the musicians and all the vocal tracks lyrics on, which is great if you’re the person who likes to sing along with the tunes.

Here’s a run down of all the tracks…

1. “Run Rabbit Junk” – This is a pretty upbeat track, sung in English and used in several of the action sequences of the anime,

2. “Yakitori” – A track that uses a guitar for most of it, and certainly is a great little rift, however it lasts about seven minutes and does sound extremely repetitive.

3. “Stamina Rose” – This is also used a lot in the anime, for action sequences, it has vocals which are very likely to be in Japanese. For those that have seen either GITS movies this sounds like an upbeat version of the choir pieces used in them.

4. “Surf” – Again another frequently used piece of background music, it’s pretty relaxing, although like “Yakitori” it is repetitive but fortunately this only lasts for half the time “Yakitori” did.

5. “Where Does This Ocean Go?” – Another English vocal track, one that I’ve not heard used in the series yet. This is again a nice track to chill out to, although the lyrics do come across as strange, so I advise not singing this to yourself whilst on the bus.

6. “Train Search” – Used frequently this track is kind of “Techno Rock” but is rather short at a couple of minutes long.

7. “Siberian Doll House” – This is guaranteed to send a small chill up your spine with the slow spooky music and the unnerving whispering going on during it.

8. “Velveteen” – Another English vocal track, with a mix of what appears to be Latin or Spanish, another track to send shivers down your spine.

“Lithium Flower” * - This is the full version of the Ending theme of the series an upbeat tune with some catchy lyrics.

9. “Home Stay” – Another well used piece of music, often used during sequences involving the Tachikomas.

10. “Inner Universe” – The full opening theme for your enjoyment.

11. “Fish ~ Silent Cruise” – This is a track featuring what sounds like a single choirboy, with some slight backup instrumentally. A very relaxing piece.

12. “Some Other Time” – If you like your Techno then this is the track for you. Maybe a bit too long as the constantly repeated techno part can get annoying.

13. UNKNOWN * - If you’ve read the note at the bottom for the “Lithium Flower” track then this tack isn’t mentioned on the track list, yet takes up this track number. There are no lyrics in the booklet for it so for know it will remained unnamed. The track is another good track to chill out to and uses (probably) Japanese vocals.

14. “Beauty Is Within Us” – This is a fairly slow and sad track and the lyrics are rather moving.

15. “We’re The Great” – Another track played mainly on a guitar with some lyrics popping in, it is rather short though.

16. “Monochrome” – More Techno with some interesting vocals in English but something that would be difficult to sing to.

17. “GET9 (TV size) – A snappy little vocal track, little is the dominant word though as the whole track lasts little more than a minute.

18. Rise (TV Size) – Again another short vocal track, these last two tracks could be future opening/closing themes or even possible opening/closing for 2nd GiG.

“Stand Alone Complex O.S.T” is an essential purchase for the fans of the music of the series; some tracks are a lot stronger than others, and you’ll probably only listen to them all once or twice and then stick to your favorites.

*There’s a strange problem here, while “Lithium Flower” is billed on the CD case as track 9, it appears on track 8 along with the track registered at number 8. This means there’s 19 tracks on the disc, and one is not included on the track list which is why I’ve placed track 13 as UNKOWN.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 19th May 05

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Images