ue to the spectacular box-office success of Star Wars, television programmers in the late 1970s were frantically seeking futuristic shows for a newly SF-hungry audience. For many younger fans, one of the most noteworthy TV adventures of that time was the anime series Battle of the Planets. A new CD offers a rare collection of music from that classic cartoon, including both composer Hoyt Curtin's engaging orchestral melodies--created especially for the American translation of the program--and Bob Sakuma's original Japanese themes.
Effervescent instrumentation dominates "Battle of the Planets--Main Title," an ebullient number which serves as a fitting launch to this energetic and enthusiastic album. The 19 cues penned by Curtin--a veteran of such popular animated shows as The Jetsons, The Flintstones and Jonny Quest--all maintain a frothy and fun air. "Alien Planet" uses extensive electronics and shrill horns--plus a brief electric guitar interlude--to generate an active yet otherworldly atmosphere, while "Space on Fire" plays with listener expectations, delivering a lilting instrumental torch song rather than the anticipated scorching symphonic extravaganza.
Sakuma's selections are equally emotional. Presented largely in 13 concise suites, sequences such as "Emblem G" and "Like the Phoenix" contain rousing brass fanfares and pensive lulls. "Red Illusion" spotlights a jangly dance beat throughout much of the work, just as "A Vow to the Sky" opens with a mournful and slightly menacing meter before accelerating to more dynamic rhythms. The disc concludes with six short Battle of the Planets promotional spots, along with a reprise of the "Main Title" theme featuring the show's stirring vocal introduction.
An audio blast from anime's past
In addition to such late 1970s and early 1980s syndicated science fiction series as Robotech and Star Blazers, Battle of the Planets was integral in introducing American audiences to the oftentimes complex anime storytelling style. As a result, many Japanese animation buffs hold fond memories of the show and its lively accompaniment. Although some of the cuts on this CD can be overly bombastic, the tunes maintain enough variety and verve to easily entertain both long-time fans of the program and devotees of old-fashioned, high-energy cartoon music.
Curtin's "Phoenix Raising" is among the most invigorating compositions, opening with shuddering strings and imposing brass blasts that steadily build to an inspirational hullabaloo: It's a work that clearly evokes the ascent of a breathtaking battleship. At the same time, "Ready Room" is a disco-era delight, replete with boisterous trumpets and sweet violins, while "7-Zark-7's Song" offers zany electronic bloops and bleeps in a quirky ditty written for the show's "computerized coordinator" (a character added to the American version of the program as a narrator).
Among Sakuma's contributions, "Countdown"--a spirited suite comprised of six linked cues--showcases an incredible array of zestful noises, from lonely flutes and deep drums to tinkling bells and bellowing horns. The promotional spots are also fun, though when compared to the rest of the CD their audio quality is clearly second-rate. At times the snappy melodies can be somewhat outdated, but there's little question that the show's soundtrack remains delightful and--especially for diehard Battle of the Planets devotees--downright indelible.
