R.O.D. the TV Original Soundtrack Vol. #1

By Lauren Goodnight     April 04, 2005
Release Date: September 09, 2005



What They Say
The extraordinary lives of paper masters, aggressive novelists, assassins and covert operatives are all revealed in R.O.D the TV, as well as the lively jazz-dominant soundtrack slickly laid down by Taku Iwasaki (Witch Hunter Robin, Rurouni Kenshin OVA), whose dazzling fast-paced composition propels the roller coaster action and intriguing drama of this popular new series. Included on this 17- track CD is the series' intro theme "R.O.D - Opening Version-"

The Review!
It took a few episodes for R.O.D. the TV to win me over as a show, however, it took no time for me to fall in love with this disc. Somehow, the musical tone of R.O.D. the TV works here in ways it fell flat for the original OAV. Smooth sambas, driving beats, and soft orchestral tracks make this both distinctive and entirely feminine. Guys, don't shy away from it because of that; you will love this for the same reason you love women. It is graceful and entirely unpredictable. Suspense abounds. Within this disc is something for every dark and beautiful mood. There are a LOT of different expressions of the same ROD theme, but hearing one or more does not make the listener disagreeable to hearing more because they are such short renditions.
Standout track: ROD theme - You must be kidding, Miss Readman Version: This light samba is a rare gem among anime compositions. It picks up the softness and subtle expression of a music that originated entirely in another culture and makes it feel authentic. Real escapist music.

Skip-it track: ROD theme - I <3 Hong Kong Version: Okay, I lied earlier. This reiteration of the familiar is unnecessary here, with the only real difference being a little more horn and a little more synth.
Where I took it: Driving, lounging on a Sunday
Where it took me: 1960's spy movies, here I come!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Features
R.O.D -Opening Version-,R.O.D Theme -You must be kidding, Miss Readman Version,R.O.D Theme -Public pressure Version-,Health and peace,Death in the country,Read or Die Suite ~Untouched by humans,A Feeling is already war,Time of blue,Does a sleeping book have dreams of being republished?,The adventure of a bookshelf inspector,They occasionally come home,A shadow goes,R.O.D Theme -I Love Hong Kong Version-,Let my tears stream,A buddy,R.O.D Theme -After all I love books Version

Review Equipment
SOUNDTRACK STAFF

Mastering Engineer: Yuji Chinone

Mastering Studio: Sony Music Studios Tokyo

Package Design: Haruka Ishii (Highway Graphics)

Coordinator: Azusa Naito

Special Thanks: Koji Masunari, Hideyuki Kurata, Taraku Uon, Tadahito Kimura, Takaaki Taguchi

Produce: Tomonori Ochikoshi


Performance

Music Composed & Sound Produced by Taku Iwasaki

Orchestrated and Conducted by Taku Iwasaki

A.Pf: Taku Iwasaki

Recorded and Mixed by Yoshi Tamla

Production Coordinator: Sei Sato (Office Without)

Musician Coordinator: Noriko Sekiya (FACE MUSIC)

ProTools Operator: Toshiyuki Takizawa

Strings: Masatsugu Shinozaki Strings

Strings: Jun Takeuchi Strings

Trumpet: Shiro Sasaki, Isao Sakuma

Trombone: Yuzo Kataoka, Wakaba Kawai

B.Trombone: Junko Yamashiro

Saxophone.Flute: Osamu Koike, Kazuhiko Kondo

Horn: Hiroshi Minami, Sumiharu Arima, Yo Okamura

Guitar: Masahiro Itami

Clarinet: Kimio Yamane

Recorded Studio SOUND INN

Mixed Studio MARUNI STUDIO

Assistant Enginnered by Hiroaki Ohgushi (MARUNI STUDIO), Yasuo Hiruma (SOUND INN), Yuka Suzuki (SOUND INN)

Directed by Takashi Kodama


US STAFF

Executive Producer: Henry Goto

[Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.]

Producer: Nobu Yamamoto

[Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.]

Associate Producer : Michiko Powers

[Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.]

Mastering: Mack • Nightjar

English Packaging: KGI• KOYO Graphic