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Filmtracks Recommends:
Buy it... if you have any interest in Akira Ifukube or Gojira, for the 2004 album is the definitive release of the original film's music. Avoid it... if you do not value the history of Gojira more than the need for perfect sound quality, or if the Ifukube style has proven too foreign for your Western sensibilities. Filmtracks Editorial Review:
Godzilla (1954): (Akira Ifukube) To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the release of the original Japanese Godzilla (Gojira) film directed by Ishiro Honda, a remastered and expanded soundtrack CD is hitting the shelves in the summer of 2004. Surviving the legacy of dozens of sequels, as well as two notable American adaptations in 1956 and 1998, the original Godzilla remains a cult classic around the world, but especially in Japan, where the creature to this day stands as a historical relic of an age during which post-war nuclear fears were their greatest. Japanese composer Akira Ifukube's career will forever be remembered as one of massive creature battles and other fantasy adventure, and remarkably, Ifukube was honored on this Godzilla anniversary in 2004, just as the retired composer turns 90 years old. Ifukube was once again involved with the modern series of Gojira films in the 1980's and 1990's, finishing with the death of the original monster in 1995's Gojira vs. Desutoroia, a film which Ifukube incredibly scored while in his 80's. Like the films, the music for the Godzilla films are a source of pride for the Japanese, and have stood for 50 years as a testament to Japanese ingenuity as well as Ifukube's individual talent. His scores were both tragic and heroic, massively orchestral, and creative in the use of the ensemble to produce the majority of sound effects for the first films. From the patriotic march of the Japanese Army, performed by trumpets in unison), to the epic scenes of destruction with excruciating strings, it was only a matter of time before Ifukube's music climbed from its purgatory on Japanese record labels and was fully remastered on an international release. Several official and unofficial Japanese albums of the music for Godzilla have existed over the years. The most widely attainable recently has been the official 1993 release of the score by Futureland/Toshiba EMI of Japan. Unfortunately, even this release suffered from the after-affects of dialogue mixes, poor renderings of the sound effects, warbles, and even the sound of a screaming baby that somehow managed to work its way onto the release. Because the recording was made in mono (not to mention limited recording quality available to the project in 1954... both the composition and recording phases of the original Godzilla were extremely rushed, which proved to be a recurring problem for the sequels as well), the sound quality is perhaps poorer than its contemporary counterparts no matter how much you attempt to clean it up. For some listeners --and especially those who are simply not interested in the historical magnitude of the score and film-- the distant and muffled sound quality could restrict your enjoyment of the music (and unfortunately there does not yet exist an adequate, full re-recording of the entire score). In 2004, however, La-La Land Records has taken the best available mono sources of the music from the Toho music vaults and remastered them to remove all of the most annoying artifacts heard on the Japanese versions. With a detailed package and four new tracks, this 46-minute expanded edition will likely prove to be the definitive Godzilla album ever to hit the shelves, and it joyously comes as Ifukube is still able to actively see his music enjoyed by the masses. Whether you have any of the Japanese editions or not, now would be the time to purchase Ifukube's classic Godzilla score on album. *****
Review #2, by Mike Karis
Godzilla (1954): (Akira Ifukube) When I first saw the original Godzilla during the film's 40th anniversary, I was shocked at what I saw and heard. The special effects were good for their time, but scorewise, before I saw the film, I was expecting a (slightly) cheesy score like Mothra (1961). But I was wrong. But that's more of a compliment than insult. Akira Ifukube had started his career in 1948, but it wasn't until Godzilla that film scoring became popular in Japan, similar to John Williams' score to Star Wars. And this score proves that Akira could very well be the Japanese equalivent of John Williams. We start off with the Main Title, an action-oriented piece very good to listen to. Footsteps (Track 2) is mostly sound-FX, with Godzilla's roar and footsteps, which Akira also created too, in addition to the music! Track 6 serves as source music for the Odo Island ritual for the beast known as Godzilla, where, according to legend, a young island girl is sacrificed to the creature. Many ancient Japanese instruments are used for this track. The first and second Frigate Marches are very good, and are also used in several Godzilla sequels. Storm on Odo Island serves as action music, similiar to the action music John Williams would later use for Jaws! From Track 11 on out, it's mostly more action music. Godzilla Comes Ashore is very slow moving, from what I remember seeing in the film. (Note: I don't own this disc, but I have heard the music for myself.) Track 17 (Prayer For Peace) I believe is the main highlight of this score as a women's chorus sings a funeral-esque hymn amongst visual images of the destroyed city of Tokyo. 45 years later, this choral pattern is repeated in the film Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, in "Duel Of The Fates." Track 19 leads to the film's climax, where Godzilla is destroyed, and humanity is spared. From what I can remember hearing in the (altered American) film, the Ending is a reprise of Track 17. All in all, a great, not to mention new, listening experience. The sound quality I guess is good, but don't take my word for it. The film was altered for American release, with Perry Mason's Raymond Burr, so the score is kinda messed around with, but most of it is the same as the Japanese version (at least from what I saw in the track listing). Go for it! *****
The 2004 expanded re-issue contains detail notes about the film, composer, and the history of the Godzilla series on the big screen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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