Muchi Muchi Pork! Original Soundtrack

	Album Title: Muchi Muchi Pork! Original Soundtrack
	Record Label: Cave
	Catalog No.: CVST-0007
	Release Date: January 21, 2008
	Purchase: Buy Used Copy

Overview

Cave is known for having a diverse set of shooter scores. For example, there’s the more futuristic synth sound of the DoDonPachi series, or the gothic rock nature of DeathSmiles, but one of the sound teams, responsible for Pink Sweets Ibara, goes for cutesier, bouncy sounds. In their recent work Muchi Muchi Pork!, they kick things up a notch much to many people’s dismay. However, I find the work to be, while not the greatest Cave shooter score, a nice little romp from time to time.

Body

There are two distinct styles on this soundtrack. Those related to boss themes and those related to stage themes. The stage themes go for a much bouncier style. The opening stage theme, “Doki Doki in the Sky,” features an extremely happy sound. There are some rock elements infused into this mainly cutesy theme, but I find it to have a pretty entertaining melody, even if it is one of the weaker themes. “Uki Uki Arcade,” on the other hand, has a sound comparable to Persona 3. It’s another upbeat theme, like the entire soundtrack, but it manages to incorporate some more jazzy and modern elements. It’s a shame it’s one of the shorter stage themes on the soundtrack. My second favorite stage theme, “Hamu Hamu Pepper” is similar in vein to “Doki Doki in the Sky”. It boasts a fantastic melody with some rock elements as well, but I find the overall atmosphere to be better, especially in the B section. There’s just something about how it all comes together that makes it a special treat.

There is definitely a pattern when it comes to stage themes, as “Rabo Rabo Factory” shows. Like “Uki Uki Arcade,” this one incorporates some jazz elements into the mix, but it also subdues the pace of the theme, making it stand out a bit more. There are some nice industrial bridges and some orchestral synth accents as well. My favorite stage theme, though, has to be “Iza Iza Main Dish!” This is the best theme on the soundtrack, hands down. Featuring a beautiful, upbeat theme that fuses together both orchestral and electronic elements, it manages to offer a varied soundscape. From the simple, yet engaging, piano work to the beautiful brass counter harmonies that really accent the string melody, it gives off a bright atmosphere. I particularly like the addition of the electric guitar at times, and the slower bridge and melody that follows that incorporates choir and harp, giving it an almost angelic nature. If you only listen to one song on the album, this is the one I suggest.

The boss themes go for a more adrenaline packed, if melodically absent, sound. “Un Un Thorium” goes for an industrial techno sound with pulsating rhythm and small melodic fragments. There is little to no variation, but I still find it pretty interesting, but I’ve grown acquired to this style. “Gan Gan Titanium” is definitely an industrial composition. Featuring a pulsating rhythm, it manages to create an interesting soundscape by including metal clanking and some grunge guitar work. “Ura Ura Uranium” features a tenser, darker atmosphere than the boss themes before hand. The mixture of synth orchestral work and piercing techno beats is an interesting one, and I think it manages to convey a sense of epic desperation. The last boss theme, “Un Un Hexium”, goes back to that industrial techno sound heard in “Un Un Thorium”. There are some definite improvements in terms of variation. At times, you’ll hear some suspenseful sections, while at others, you’ll hear more breakbeat-like sounds that help bridge that pulsating rhythm in the melody line. It’s definitely more listenable on a stand alone basis, as opposed to some of the true last boss themes from the DoDonPachi series.

Summary

To be honest, the first time I heard this soundtrack, I was disappointed. Not so much as some, but given the impressive works of other Cave shooters, and in particular, this sound team’s previous score, it came off as underwhelming. This score isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind happy, bouncy, and somewhat superficial themes interlaced with more industrial and techno themed boss music, it might be worth trying out. Of course, since this album came out a while ago, you may have to resort to Yahoo Japan Auctions, given the rarity of Cave soundtracks once they sell out of their first and only print. It’s by no means perfect, but it’s still a good addition to the Cave discography.

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on August 1, 2012.

About the Author

Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.

Related Posts

Final Fantasy VII Remake Acoustic Arrangements →

Fleeting Symphony →

Final Symphony II – music from Final Fantasy V, VIII, IX and XIII →

The Primals Zepp Tour 2018 -Trial By Shadow- →