 | Album Title: Super Robot Wars Alpha 2nd: Skill – JAM Project |
| Record Label: Lantis | |
| Catalog No.: LACA-4090 | |
| Release Date: April 23, 2003 | |
| Purchase: Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
JAM Project are a J-Rock group that principally make theme songs for animations. In addition, they have been a regular force on Banpresto’s Super Robot Wars games, given their extensive use of mecha anime crossovers. After debuting on the PlayStation’s Super Robot Wars Alpha, they have appeared on nearly every main game in the series, each time releasing singles featuring their opening and ending theme songs. Let’s take a look at their offerings on 2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha.
Body
After being left cripplingly short in the game’s animation and soundtrack release, in what has become a recurring trend for the series, it’s delightful that the opening song “Skill” is given a chance to really expand on this single. The most enjoyable feature here are the ‘call and response’ vocal passages between the female and male vocalists, who both really bounce off each other. The rock accompaniment verges on melodramatic, but this is arguably part of the charm and it certainly adds to the anison spirit.
The ending theme “Forever & Ever” is also greatly elaborated upon here. Once again, there is creative use of both the male and female vocalists, but in a rather different way. Whereas some parts of the song resemble a romantic duet, others are closer to a rock anthem. Unfortunately, the song comes across as a bit disjointed overall despite its touching moments; it gradually becomes more unified during the latter half.
The main exclusives on the single are the full-length versions of the theme songs which only appeared in shortened versions in the game and its soundtrack release. However, there are also instrumental versions of the theme songs at the end of the single, lacking any vocals. These are good for karaoke purposes, but a little pointless and hollow otherwise.
Summary
Overall, the theme songs for 2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha are enjoyable, but they’re really not up to the superlative quality of their direct predecessor. Instead of heading for this single, dedicated fans of JAM Project should consider the Super Robot Wars JAM Project Theme Song Collection, since it features these full-length songs and 12 others from the series.
