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

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex O.S.T 2

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
21st Dec 05

This is in reality the third soundtrack CD to Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, or the first soundtrack CD to GitS:SAC 2nd GiG depending on the way you look at it. GitS:SAC was one of the most popular titles of 2005, and 2nd GiG looks set to do the same in 2006.

The Stand Alone Complex O.S.T 2 is a bit shorter than the first, but it does seem to contain a wider selection of different musical styles, and it doesn’t suffer from any technical problems like the first one did. Bringing out the soundtrack to 2nd GiG months before the first DVD is to be released in the UK certainly is an odd choice. Will anybody be likely to buy the soundtrack before the series is out in this country? Having heard the CD I’d say yes. There are far less techno tracks on this CD for a start. Like all the previous GITS soundtracks from Beez, this also comes with a booklet featuring the track list, which is missing from the back of the CD case for some reason. The booklet also contains lyrics for all the songs on the CD that feature them, and offers the Romanized version of the Japanese plus a translation into English. Like the first GITS:SAC OST some of the songs feature lyrics which aren’t Japanese or English, and doesn’t offer any translation for these.

All in all the SAC:OST 2 would make a worthy addition to any anime soundtrack collection, after all the music is by the goddess like Yoko Kanno (also some of the lyrics and music are performed by Tim Jensen who worked on the first CD), which should be enough reason alone to purchase this CD, if you needed any more that is. Doubtless, some may be put off buying the soundtrack to 2nd GiG when the anime itself has not yet reached our shores, and if your unsure wait until the first volume is out before making a decision. Having seen the first volume myself the music in it is well worth having on CD. However many of you like myself won’t be able to wait for section 9’s next outing and this CD makes the wait seem shorter.

Track List:-

1. Cyberbird 6:00 – Cyberbird, is sung completely in Japanese, its easy music to chill out to.
2. Rise 5:28 – Rise is the full-length version of the opening for GITS:SAC 2nd GiG, it did feature on the first OST in a cut down version. Most of the song is in English, and does have a slight techno feel to it.
3. Ride on Technology 4:41 – Yeah groovy. This track is a purely instrumental one and is a sort of jazzy piece possibly used for action sequences, it does remind me of some of the music used in Cowboy Bebop.
4. Idoling 2:48 – Another instrumental track, this one seems to aimed at unnerving the listener then about halfway through it picks up into a more active track.
5. I Can’t Be Cool 4:31 – Another vocal track, which the majority of is done in a untranslated language, still the music is a slow piece that picks up into rock during the chorus.
6. 3Tops 3:57 – Another instrumental this is similar in style to “Ride on Technology”, yet it’s a bit more relaxed, a saxophone and piano are the main instruments that stand out in this.
7. Gonna Rice 2:01 – Techno-esq. this track is used in mainly the exposition scenes where the characters stand round discussing what to do. It’s rather repetitive but fortunately it’s short.
8. GET9 4:42 – This is another purely English vocal track. Rock is the best musical category to class this under.
9. Go DA DA 1:52 – Imagine someone playing a kazoo trying to intimidate you, can’t can you. Well you’ll no what it sounds like after hearing this.
10. Psychedelic Soul 4:45 – Another English vocal track, this one is a more relaxing piece.
11. What’s it For 3:14 – An English vocal track, another relaxing track although the lyrics have a extremely negative view.
12. Living Inside the Shell 6:24 – Another English vocal track, this is also the ending theme to GITS:SAC 2nd GiG. The lyrics are well planned and the music is easy going.
13. Pet Food 1:28 – Mainly a guitar solo, but towards the end some other instruments can be heard.
14. Security Off 1:13 – This sounds like it could come from one of those bands that use things like dustbins to make their music, it’s actually pretty impressive.
15. To Tell the Truth 4:48 – At the start this sounds similar to “Idoling” but then goes into a playing a piano, then a harp comes in. Pretty moving.
16. I Do 4:49 – This is similar to I Can’t be Cool and Cyberbird, the majority of it is done in a language the isn’t translated in the booklet but could be Esperanto (It's actualy Italian Edited 8th Sep 2006 - Joe) .
17. We Can’t Be Cool 1:33 – This has a strange sound like a time bomb stuck in a music box.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 21st Dec 05

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Images