UlasanAnime.com – Reflecting on the music scene of 2012, it’s evident that my engagement with music has been somewhat sporadic compared to previous years. While music remains a constant presence in my life, the process of integrating new discoveries has become a bit more cumbersome. The convenience of a multi-disc, mp3-capable CD player in my car allows for an endless rotation of tracks, though I find myself relying less on albums and more on individual songs, partly due to infrequent driving.
The primary hurdle lies in the workflow between listening and processing. Most of my initial exploration happens on YouTube or my phone while I’m on the go. YouTube is straightforward, but managing music on my phone presents a challenge. The effort involved in downloading, ripping, unpacking, organizing tags, renaming files, and then transferring them to my phone feels like a significant undertaking, perhaps stemming from a touch of laziness. It makes me wonder about the efficiency of processing albums or singles within a given hour.
To simplify, I will present a list of notable musical pieces from the year, highlighted in bold:
Undoubtedly, the soundtrack for Chihayafuru stood out as my favorite of the year. During an Anime Expo panel, I inquired about its creation, and the response indicated a desire for a modern sound appealing to younger audiences. While I can’t confirm if that was the exact intention, it certainly resonated with me.
Although the initial soundtrack for Last Exile: Fam didn’t quite capture my interest, the second release proved to be a perfect fit. The packaging mirrored that of the original Last Exile, which makes me realize I should probably finish watching the series.
Beyond the memorable line “Her name is Koko, she is loco,” Taku Iwasaki’s world-music-influenced style perfectly complements the narrative of Jormungand. I admit a personal fondness for his work, as it’s consistently enjoyable. While not as intense as Ben-Tou, it doesn’t need to be.
The Kuricorder Quartet delivered as expected with Tsuritama. And what about Sayonara Ponytails! Their rendition of a great song felt fitting, and I appreciate such experimental approaches from post-modern bands. Additionally, Spitz’s collaboration with Yuki on the Moyashimon S2 OP adds a nostalgic touch to the noitaminA block.
The Tari Tari Music Album is noteworthy for its glee club arrangements. Beyond that, it offers a thematically rich experience, reminiscent of Yoko Kanno’s Macross albums, albeit with a lighter, more cheerful atmosphere, fitting for a seaside coming-of-age story.
Aquarion EVOL did not disappoint, offering the same level of enjoyment as the original series but with enhanced refinements. While not solely the work of Yoko Kanno, the overall musical direction proved effective.
Sakamichi no Apollon merits mention not just for its established name but for its exceptional musicianship. The track labeled “My Favorite Things~Someday My Prince Will Come~Moanin’?” deserves particular praise, especially considering its placement as the emotional climax of the series. The opening and ending themes are also quite pleasing.
You might also be interested in : 2012: An Introduction
A soundtrack for a post-apocalyptic world by Otani Kou is a must-mention. His previous work on Humanity Has Declined is considered one of anime’s finest. This soundtrack, while distinct, still features compelling pieces, including “Ave Maria.”
The Sphere anime features another contribution from nijine, whose work I generally admire. This makes Natsuiro Kiseki a particularly enjoyable listen.
Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere saw a significant improvement in its second season’s music compared to the first. While retaining a “touhou”-esque quality, it traded the mysterious “eastern” feel for a more engaging electronic-infused style.
There’s a unique quality to ClariS’s Birthday album, almost as if it were crafted as an auditory stimulant. My reaction upon discovering this while exploring Natsuko Aso’s discography was quite memorable.
As noted by a peer, there has been a noticeable increase in less successful tracks within Kajiura’s recent output.
The soundtrack for Eureka 7 Ao is competent, aligning with typical expectations. However, I found Zetsuen no Tempest to be slightly more compelling, which may reflect the composer’s style. It’s debatable whether this is a meaningful comparison.
The presence of Ano Natsu de Matteru demonstrates that I’ve Sounds continues to deliver their signature style. Both “Sign” and “Vidro Muryo” are particularly strong offerings.
Rinne no Lagrange features delightful music from Marble.
I enjoyed the first opening of Sword Art Online, primarily due to LiSA’s performance rather than the power-pop arrangement itself. LiSA had a remarkable year in capturing the hearts and wallets of fans. Her AFA performance, even viewed via Niconama, was exceptional.
Aya Hirano’s new album includes a song titled “Pizza Song,” which I found particularly appealing.
If 2012 was the year of idol pop groups infiltrating anime, then StylipS certainly did it right. While their songs might not individually top my personal charts, the opening theme for Saki Achiga-hen, “Miracle Rush,” comes very close.
While I only have a few Chihara Minori songs I truly like, her contribution to Oniai‘s opening, “Self Producer,” is one of them. The tie-in with iM@S likely enhanced its appeal.
Speaking of doing things right, Momoiro Clover Z arguably excelled the most. In addition to Mouretsu Pirates, which features a decidedly old-school soundtrack including the track “Black Holy,” their collaboration with Yoshida Bros for Joshiraku was highly entertaining.
Another adaptation involving online gaming, specifically Accel World, features a collaboration between Sat and KOTOKO that I genuinely enjoyed. Witnessing it live would likely have been an even more impactful experience. Sat’s “Decade” track is also quite respectable, despite its somewhat theatrical nature.
“Platinum Disco” from Nisemonogatari doesn’t quite reach the heights of “Renai Circulation.” Similarly, “Sweets Parade” from Inu x Boku SS, while not “Renai Circulation,” perfectly captures Kana Hanazawa’s essence. Her vocalizations within the song add to its charm. “Happy Ending” from Zetsuen no Tempest also falls short of “Renai Circulation,” though it comes closer than the others.
While generic Kurinoko songs are acceptable, “Sign” highlighted her untapped potential in pop music. She should explore more diverse styles, as it certainly offers a more pleasant listening experience than Koda Kumi’s opening for Muv-luv Alternative: Total Eclipse.
And, of course, there was the significant presence of iM@S.
Bonus: Should Guilty Crown’s original soundtrack or Penguindrum’s ARB cover album be considered for 2012?
Next up: A look at live performances and the appeal of moe voices!
PS. Apologies, but there are no sharks featured in this post.
PPS. Last year, I compiled a “select” playlist for 2011’s remarkable themes. I decided to do the same for 2012, creating a playlist for your enjoyment. Please note that a complete version of all songs may not be available on YouTube, so you might need to assemble the collection yourself. The track listing and where to find them are as follows:
- Kokoro no Senritsu (#6 ED version) – Tari Tari (Music Album)
- INSIDE IDENTITY – Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai (ED single; the OP single features a rock cover that is significantly better)
- Mōretsu Uchuu Koukyoukyoku – Dai-Shichi Gakushou -Mugen no Ai- – Mouretsu Pirates (OP single)
- Vidro Moyou – Ano Natsu de Matteru (ED single)
- Kaoru & Sentaro Duo in BUNKASAI (Medley -My Faorite Things~Someday My Prince Will Come~Moanin’?) – Sakamichi no Apollon (OST)
- Wareta Ringo – Shinsekai Yori (ED single is scheduled for release on January 26th; this is the TV cut from the OST)
- Requiem – Tasogare Otome x Amnesia (Included with a DVD/BD, a single exists but likely not sold separately)
- Enter Enter MISSION – Girls und Panzer (ED single)
- ??unfinished?? – Accel World (ED1 single)
- SELF PRODUCER – Oniai (ED single)
- signs ~Sakutsuki Ichiya~ – Muv-luv Alternative: Total Eclipse (ED1 single)
- Above your hand – Sankarea (ED single)
Year in review 2012:
