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While it may not work very well as a "pop music" CD, (Hirasawa's) techno sensibilities blends well with the orchestral music, providing a truly different audio experience.

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Paranoia Agent Original Soundtrack

Review by: Matthew Anderson

Anime Series Soundtrack

Company: Geneon Records

CD Length: approx. 52 minutes

Rating: G (All audiences)

EXTERNAL EXAM

"Just because your paranoid, don't mean there not after you!"

There has been a rash of seemingly random beatings in Tokyo. Each description of the attacker has been the same: a juvenile with a bent baseball bat and a pair of golden inline skates. The two detectives assigned to the case have been unable to find a connection between the victims. The deeper they investigate, the stranger and more dangerous the case gets.

Come with us, as we explore the dark enclaves of the human mind with musician Susmu Hirasawa. His avant guard blend of techno, vocals, and orchestral music will have you regressing into the darkest pits of your soul.

Let the paranoia begin

FINAL EXAM:

Original soundtracks usually come in one of two forms: something you can listen to in the car or while you go running (Ghost in The Shell, Initial D are good examples) or music that only works in the context of the story, providing little enjoyment on their own. The "Paranoia Agent" original soundtrack falls into that second category.

Writer and Director Satoshi Kon struck anime gold with "Paranoia Agent" an anime made by adults, for adults. There were no robots, aliens, or ninja commandos from hell. The only demons viewers found were the ones that live inside the blackest parts of their hearts. Part "Perfect Blue" and part "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit", "Paranoia Agent" was a suspenseful, twisted, and engrossing journey into madness. The soundtrack by Techno pop/new wave pioneer Susumu Hirasawa was created to match this creepy and bizarre story.

Sadly, the twisty and odd vibe his music provides doesn't really work as an album. Most of the songs work better in the context of the story. For example, track 9 "Condition Boy" was used to great effect in episode 2, as we see one of the characters crack up under the pressure of being a suspect. As a song, it sounded like a rap done by aliens. What was nerve wracking in the show, was totally lost on me as a individual piece.

I'm not saying that Susumu Hirasawa's work wasn't groundbreaking, because it is. While it may not work very well as a "pop music" CD, his techno sensibilities blends well with the orchestral music, providing a truly different audio experience. You feel the unbridled joy of the opening theme "Dream Island Obsessional Park", or the regressive, childlike quality of "White Hill-Maromi's Theme". It isn't his abilities I have a problem with, it's the fact that most of the tracks on the CD don't work unless they are in the context of the show.

Best track

"Dream Island Obsessional Park". If you have seen the "Paranoia Agent" anime, then you already know this track. Susumu Hirasawa's melodious vocals combined with "techno operatic" music will have you feeling "the sound of waves in your heart".

Worst Track

While there isn't a "worst" track, the second half of the album looses its techno edge and journeys further into orchestral territory. It's not that it's bad, I just didn't get that into it.

Perfect for Fans of:

The "Paranoia Agent" anime, Bjork, and those of you who like movie soundtracks.

While the music in "Paranoia Agent" original soundtrack is in no way shape or form bad, many of the tracks in loose their emotional punch when not accompanied by the animation. Even the best track "Dream Island Obsessional Park" isn't quite as powerful without the "Marvelous mushroom shaped cloud" in the background.

Certainly, if you want something different, give this CD a try. However, if your looking for something along the lines of the "Appleseed" or "Ghost in the Shell" soundtracks, you might want to pass on this one.

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