Monster Hunter Arrange à la carte -I’ll Love You-
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Album Title: Monster Hunter Arrange à la carte -I’ll Love You- |
| Record Label: Sweep Record |
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| Catalog No.: SRIN-1081 |
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| Release Date: August 24, 2011 |
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| Purchase: Buy at Sweep Record |
Overview
The latest arranged album dedicated to the Monster Hunter series is likely to be the most divisive yet. A team at SuperSweep, led by Techno the Future‘s Zunba Kobayashi, offer a series of remixes featuring J-Pop vocals and electronic beats. Can good pop songs really be created from an orchestral soundtrack? It depends on your tastes…
Body
First things first, this album isn’t for those that are easily irritated. Six of the eleven tracks on this album feature female vocalists of the cutesy Japanese variety. Yet others feature potentially obnoxious elements like rapping, techno beats, and lots and lots of cat purrs. Many will feel averted to such elements, regardless of how well they’re integrated, and the choice to include them in a Monster Hunter album was certainly a daring one. Regardless, the album is a far cry from the traditional acoustics and bombastic orchestrations of the Monster Hunter franchise, and this guarantees it’s something you either love or hate. I’m in the first category myself and the album is something of a guilty pleasure…
“Declaration of Airu Bomb!” opens the album with a crazy mixture of sounds. Reminiscent of Sampling Masters’ work during the 1990s, there’s infectious techno beats, hypnotising ethnic samples, various cat sound effects, and, of course, fast-paced vocals. High-pitched, weirdly intonated, and completely girly, pLumsonic’s voice will prove annoying for some, endearing for others — check the samples on the official page to decide which camp you’re in. For those who can’t get enough of such vocals, the hyperactive tribute to the series’ triumph theme and lyrical interpretation of the cute airu theme will also delight. For the rest, the karaoke versions might not be sufficient compensation for a misplaced purchase.
One of the most remarkable additions to the album is the J-rap version of the Monster Hunter main theme by MintJam’s sezter. This track is far from perfect: the rap samples sound they belong in the last generation, the thrashing guitar riffs grow repetitive, and the F bomb is entirely unnecessary. But regardless, the track is rhythmically compelling and highly entertaining during its playtime. Particular highlights include the 8-bit interlude and the sudden rave-like buildup otherwise. It’s incredible that SuperSweep were able to convincingly transform the original here, when so many other contemporary remix albums fail. This is perhaps the greatest strength of I’ll Love You.
What other ‘goodies’ does this album have to offer? The interpretation of “Theme of Pokke Village” is beautiful, blending an emotional vocal performance with soft electro-acoustic backing. Yuka Suzuki’s voice is a little too naive for this song, but at least it’s not annoying. Another edgy remix, “Temporale del Tigre-Rex” is a clear highlight. Following yet more cat noises, the first section of the remix captures all the energy and danger of the monster encounters by blending orchestral samples with heavy beats. The extravagant vocal performances during the second part make it clear the climax is here. pLumsonic also returns to offer a more soothing take of “Proof of a Hero” at the end of the album, though it does not match the grand orchestral original as well as other remixes here.
There are also several non-vocal tracks that round off the release. Shoichiro Sakamoto’s “Attack the DiGi-Conga!!” will inspire memories of the encounter with Congalala, shifting from a brooding organ-supported introduction into a fast-paced beat-heavy climax. Takahiro Eguchi’s jazzy take on the title theme from Monster Hunter Diary is less striking, but features some inspired improvisations on piano, bass, and drums. There are also two retro remixes. Yousuke Yasui’s rendition of “A Day on Pokke Farm” charmingly blends jazzy brass with chiptune samples, while Zunba Kobayashi’s 8-bit reduction of “Proof of a Hero” easily surpasses the vocal version and matches the upbeat tone of the album. The soundtrack is rounded off with a medley of samples advertising Yuji Takenouchi’s Monster Hunter Diary soundtrack.
Summary
This album has its fair share of potential problems: it’s very detached stylistically from the original material, features numerous vocal samples and sound effects, and is quite inconsistent in terms of production values. Yet it’s highly impressive how SuperSweep captured the melodies and energy of the originals, despite shifting from orchestral anthems to vocal raves. But the fruits of their labour are likely to only be enjoyed by a minority of Monster Hunter fans and many will wish to stay clear of this album. For those that can tolerate the vocals here, this album will nevertheless be a catchy and entertaining experience.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
3.5
Posted on August 1, 2012 by Chris Greening. Last modified on August 1, 2012.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
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