Song 16 - Foretaste

Title: Foretaste
From: Pandora Hearts OST Volume 1
Track: 2



The anime itself might be a little on the not-so-deep side, but the music definitely makes up for that! This track starts off slow and deep and ominous, and moves into something dark and epic as it progresses, all because of the way the melody on the strings becomes higher and higher pitched with more and more harmony and complexity. It really shows that even in simplicity, so much can be achieved if done correctly.

Personal rating: 9 out of 10

Song 15 - Unforgettable

Title: Unforgettable
From: .hack//LIMINALITY OST
Track: 16



On most every OST Yuki Kajiura does, there is a beautiful piano and violin piece. This is that piece for .hack//LIMINALITY, and I think it's one of my favourites of these types of pieces. It is rather melancholy in feeling, however, it also lifts me up somehow at the same time.

Personal rating: 9 out of 10

Song 14 - Open Your Box

Title: Open Your Box
From: MADLAX OST 2
Track: 3
Vocals: Fion
Language: Kajiurago

Lyrics (thanks to Canta-Per-Me):
ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama
ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama

ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama
ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama

marria perdo yora la
casa adoche
yama lia yora miia
madala ii si canta

ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama
ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama

ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama
ranma yavari yera rama
ranma yavari yera sama



This song is quite awesome, and also a lot different from a lot of Yuki Kajiura's songs. Without the violins, without the higher pitched vocals in the main section, with the more straightforward rhythms, it gives a very different atmosphere to the compositional style we've all gotten so used to. It's a little different, and it's good.

Personal rating: 9 out of 10

Song 13 - Arayashiki

Title: Arayashiki
From: Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution OST
Track: 5
Vocals: ?

Don't forget to click to hear the whole song!

The Aquarian Age soundtrack is not one I am terribly fond of, and I have the same feelings for the Noir and .hack//SIGN soundtracks. Why is this? I feel Yuki Kajiura's music has progressed greatly over the years she has been composing. Her choruses are richer, her instruments have more emotional impact, and the overall picture is much more coherent than on these older soundtracks.

That being said, this is an enjoyable song, considering when it was composed. In fact, it's not just enjoyable, it's good. The song starts out slow, with a vocalist (Kaori Nishina, perhaps? I can't find credits for it, but she sang the other songs, like the well known Zodiacal Sign.) singing subtlely in and out between the instruments.

Personal rating: 7 out of 10