 |
Title |
| The Cat Returns
- Original Soundtrack |
| International Title |
| The
Cat Returns |
| Music By: Yuji
Nomi |
| Record Label: Tokuma
Japan Communications |
| |
 |
| Running Time: 64:08 |
Discs: 1 |
| Release: July 2002 |
CD Number: TKCA-72367 |
|
| Comments |
 |
Anthony
Romero |
 |
|
|
Yuji
Nomi's soundtrack for the 2002 animated feature The
Cat Returns is an enjoyable one, although not
particularly memorable much like the film itself.
The score tends to feel more like a classical body
of music, done for orchestra as a stand alone experience,
rather than a soundtrack bent to reflecting onscreen
action. So the end result will appeal to some, but
might turn off others who don't associate their musical
taste as falling in the "classical genre".
As far as the score as a whole, it tends to be on
the soothing side. Its the type of soundtrack that
one can happily fall asleep to, as the music isn't
too engaging but is pleasant to listen to. The only
real exception to this is the over the top "Me,
a Cat?" track, which blares horns and other things
to address the onscreen action and seems to counter
balance the overall feeling of the rest of the work.
The other outliner is the song by Ayano Tsuji, which
closes out the film. The song, "Become the Wind",
isn't bad, as Tsuji's soft and slightly rustic version
of playing is an interesting element. Regardless though,
at heart its still a pop song, and feels really at
odds with this mostly classical score.
In terms of the rest of the soundtrack, it has a few
noteworthy cues. "Procession of the Cat King"
is one of these, as it has a slightly exotic flavor
akin to its Egyptian-like subject matter. "To
the Cat King's Castle" is another great cue,
being a little bit more foreboding than the others
while a little more rousing as well. "Escape
from the Labyrinth" is also a nice soothing piece,
but like a lot of the soundtrack does sound predominantly
classical in its approach. A strength about this selection,
though, is that there really isn't a weak cue, with
maybe the exception of "At the Crossroad (Street
Organ)" which tends to drag on for too long.
While most of the previous talk was about the score,
its worth mentioning the aspects of this disc in particular.
The contents are organized mostly by how they appear
in the film, with the exception of tracks 26 through
30. The reason for their separation is because how
they were conducted. Tracks 1 through 24, with the
exception of track 9, were conducted using the Tokyo
Philharmonic Orchestra. The ending tracks, however,
were conducted using the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
Due to methods, these ending tracks feel even more
like classical pieces and less like work for soundtrack.
Still, it's interesting to compare them to similar
themes found on the disc, as these end pieces tend
to be a bit more grandeur in their style.
Overall, this isn't a great soundtrack, but should
definitely appeal to those who tend to find they like
classical music. Nomi may not be the best at composing
for soundtracks, but his work does make for a soothing
stand alone experience.
Rating:  |
|
| Tracks |
- Opening
- Have You Awoken, Haru?
- Meeting Lune
- Cat Chat
- Procession of the Cat King
- The Cat Returns
- After School Boredom
- Mysterious Voice
- At the Crossroad (Street Organ)
- Following Muta
- Welcome to the Cat Office
- The Abduction to the Seraglio
- Is this the Land of Cats?
- To the Cat King's Castle
- Me, a Cat?
- Rumba of the Juggler Cat
- Polka of the Belly-Dance Cat
- Waltz Katzen Blut
- I'm Humbert von Gikkinge
- I'm Not a Decoy
- Escape from the Labyrinth
- Lune and Yuki
- Escape
- I've Returned, Returned Home!
- Become the Wind (Acoustic Version)
By: Ayano Tsuji
- Baron
- The Cat King
- Haru's Boogie
- Pastoral
- Haru's Memory
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