View source for Yoko Kanno/Awesome Music

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Let's just stop here and agree that the entire musical oeuvre of [[Yoko Kanno]] is a [[Crowning Music of Awesome]]. Sort of like how every chapter of the Summa Theologica is a miracle. This era's Mozart or Beethoven. [[Trope Pantheons/Music|God of Music]]. You get the picture.
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* ''[[Macross Plus]]'' has a lot of awesome music, but [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82tzllnsQ38 ''Information High''] is one of the best, especially when seen in context.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tud4JUiPDRk "Voices"] can make a person cry with its sheer Awesomeness. It's won its share of "Best Anime Song of X period" awards, and it's easy to see why.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee55r9G48Oc "National Anthem of Macross"]. Listen and feel patriotic fervor for a country that doesn't even exist!
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4F5tC3AEls&fmt=18 "After, in the dark"] is a rocking '80s-style open-air concert performance that plays over the first episode fadeout, and at the beginning of the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJBLmExgHiw Sharon Apple concert]. As an in-story product of the virtual idol Sharon Apple, it really makes me buy how an AI could have become a mega-popular performer in the Macross universe. This is crucial to the plot, you see. ;)
* ''[[Macross 7]]'''s OVA sequel Dynamite 7 has [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rRTYj6qz7g ''Angel Voice''], even [[JAM Project|Basara]] haters have to admit that this song is pretty awesome.
** Think about it, ''Angel Voice'' is basically [[JAM Project]] and [[Yoko Kanno]] together in one song! You can't get anymore awesome then that.
*** Becomes even better when you consider that Mari Iijima (Lin Minmay) did her own version. That was awesome enough on its own, then the fans mixed it with the original, the result is sheer [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSktqTsXUeA musical awesomeness] as well as a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] for fan mixes.
* ''[[Macross Frontier]]'' has a the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H1yTmrrAFs ''Nyan Nyan Service Medley''], which combines multiple songs from the series, all possible examples of this trope in their own right, into one medley made of sheer awesome.
** The whole soundtrack for that series counts, there's a reason it's the first soundtrack break into the top 3 of the Japanese charts since Evangelion over a decade ago!
*** For your consideration (to be updated as the movies bring even more to the table): ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL9lvjlMc0Q Lion]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUyvqZIFmZQ Northern Cross]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxLboP0vdOk Seikan Hikou]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT31mtz2bW0 Diamond Crevasse]'' (and ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEXxahpz3Ms Shinkuu no Diamond Crevasse]'', for good measure), ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc1kMlY8Jmw Triangler]'' (and the ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJP7X1g7z6o Fight on Stage]'' cover), ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR4_XPon3RE Infinity]'' (and the alternate ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkxQzW6urnc Infinity #7]''), ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOewRLArqzI Iteza Gogo Kuji Don't be late]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-S_ui6T8n0 Welcome to my Fanclub's Night]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orS_VR5NbHg Yousei]''... and those're just the ones with lyrics (and there's ''more'' with lyrics).
*** The promised movies are equally awesome. ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwluBRxGAeI Universal Bunny]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB-UQYpsR7U Pink Monsoon]'', ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZ9cglDGf8&feature=related Obelisk]'', and from ''[[Grand Finale|The Wings of Goodbye]]''? [[This Is the Final Battle|Try]] '''''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cmnAmzcRx4 The Wings of Goodbye]'''''. The final soundtrack auspiciously named {{spoiler|''End of Triangle''}} also featured, as its last song, one more version of ''[[Tear Jerker|Diamond Crevasse]]'': ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldp48dzdlWs Diamond Crevasse ~ thank you, Frontier]''.
*** At this point you should realize that ''all'' of the soundtracks count.
* Often looked over is her work for ''[[Turn a Gundam (Anime)|Turn a Gundam]]''. Quite a few of the songs are very well done, especially [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_OlWVTQPJA Black History] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU35fJNtxp8 Moon].
* ''[[Vision of Escaflowne]]'''s "Dance of Curse." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSlNHi6wgQQ Repetitive, but awesome].
** The movie had an up-tempo reprise [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVi2HVWm72c "Dance of Curse II"], and then took it to the next level with [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1clgyPLkUg "Black Escaflowne"]. Neither track would have been out of place in an apocalyptic Hollywood movie preview.
** Also, "Epistle" and "Chain" from the same series.
** Gotta toss in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMhSWEu6r6c "Shadow of a Doubt"]. Dat Cello. Such wonderful political intrigue music.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYCeveOuYCM White Dove], the opening recap for the series for the first few episodes, awesome enough from just that until you listen to the soundtrack version and you realize that, Hey there are words in this song!
** The amazingly beautiful [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORbnPOKOSKQ "Story of Escaflowne"] that's played during the finale. If the ending doesn't make you misty eyed, this will. 
*** Here, watch the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKyvVBwxhzM last 4 minutes] of the TV series and see for yourself!
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HswhDujrLlk&fmt=18 "Arcadia"], which accompanies Hitomi's vision of the Atlanteans' ancient doomed utopia, and her final epiphany about who she truly loves at the end of the series. Exquisitely poignant dissonances in the strings form the introduction to a literally operatic piece (it's an honest-to-god aria). Transcendentally beautiful. 
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjB3SQ1EXAU "Sora"] is a truly beautiful song. I can't find any better words to describe it, as trying would just feel redundant.
** Heck, ANY track from the ''Escaflowne'' soundtrack is epicly gorgeous! Revenge, Farewell, Murder, Angel, Wings, Gloria, etc...
** From the ''Escaflowne'' Movie OST, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-qc94lcoQc "Take My Hands"] is an emotionally powerful interlude in the soundtrack when Van's wings are revealed while rescuing Hitomi. Seriously. The last stanza is used in the opening of the Escaflowne Movie DVD. 
* ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]''. "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Kf545Kg4s Tank!]", <s>Quite possibly the</s> Best. Theme Song. EVER. Especially when played [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-TAxm00jOg LIVE!]
** Also the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BQs9onayvU extended version of "The Real Folk Blues"] from the last episode.
*** The song in the last episode isn't "The Real Folk Blues," but rather [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4lNGz-2TaQ "See You, Space Cowboy"]. This version was going to be the regular ending credits, but it wasn't ready in time for the first episode broadcast, so they switched the songs.
** Agreed, and "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuAzPR0ACVw Bad dog, no biscuits]" is so awesome it made this troper shed a tear.
*** Angriest. Trombone solo. ''Ever.''
** The most AWESOME ending in the history of anime segues seamlessly into [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSmiasnAuk the beautiful 'Blue'].
*** Roughly 90% of anime fans want that song played at their funerals.
*** The ending of the final episode is one of the few end credit sequences to an anime series that [[Adult Swim]] doesn't speed up to get in more advertising time (including most other ''Cowboy Bebop'' episodes after the initial run). "Blue" is just that PERFECT an ending to the series.
** As if that's not enough, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnVaDwUg5s Space Lion]", "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcrb6365GsQ Rain]" and the ED "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DClbGmOBqgY Real Folk Blues]" are truly and simply beautiful. Quite possibly the best OST ever.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S_0ojO3bGc ''No Reply''] is an astoundingly beautiful, passionate song.
*** It doesn't even bother most people that the song is about the dying moments going through the singer's mind as he's committing ''suicide''. It's THAT. DAMN. GOOD.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zRwRatEa8c "What Planet is This"] 
*** Not only is the music amazing on its own, but the fact it is used during a protracted dogfight/chase with main character Spike, using what are essentially futuristic fighter jets. Surprisingly, it fits the scene perfectly.
*** On a similar note, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR4TDBXebWc "Elm"] shows that even in the middle of a chase scene, the right song can turn it from being about catching the bad guy to an internal, emotional struggle. Just try replacing this song with anything else, and I swear [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kLVauybm4ag#t=998s Jet's chase scene] will be nowhere near as powerful.
** Along with "Blue", this troper would like to submit "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THslC4gOaWE Green Bird]".
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPbBhvv6GI8 "Call Me, Call Me"] has been one of {{[[User|DRCEQ]] This Troper}}'s favorite songs since the series first aired on [[Adult Swim]] in 2001. A truly beautiful [[Tear Jerker]] when taken in context when it's used in the series.
** "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdnMOavVElk Is It Real?]". It has such a fatal and tragic message, and yet it's also quite moving.
** It would be easier to simply say that every song on the OST is made of win than to list all of the awesome songs on it.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5M3R2WvFQk Yo Pumpkin Head]: dancing in your chair = impossible to resist. 
** I cant be the only one who really loves [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rYYzKo6S9g Ask-DNA]
** The melancholy [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmFAJPArhqM&fmt=18 Road to the West] could be described as a saxophone weeping lyrically for 3 minutes. As one of the comments states, "If I ever break up with my girlfriend and I find myself driving on the highway at night alone, while it's raining, still remembering her and the times we had, this is the song that would be playing in my head." This is actually the emotional context in which it was used in the series.
* One absolutely magnificent piece is [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPz_lkRJPq8 Grace Omega] from ''[[Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade]]'', which ushers in the end credits in the most spine-tingling way imaginable.
* The ''[[Wolf's Rain]]'' soundtrack. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoQuu7GPxAI "Stray"], the theme song, definitely deserves a mention. The song is reminiscent of all the most epic 80s power ballads, with Steve Conte's voice making it even better. And then there's the frankly brilliant moment where the guitar makes a howling sound, just as a wolf is shown howling...
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQlFoiY2KVU "Gravity"] is just such a wonderfully, beautifully melancholy song, that it deserves to be included here.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXnzHCjKIFc "Heaven's Not Enough"], also sung by Steve Conte, for more power ballad goodness.
** This troper would like to add [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWAmzRo12Zg "Tell Me What The Rain Knows"], for its sheer beauty and goosebumps-inducing factor. Although it does fall under 'collabs with [[Maaya Sakamoto]]' category, this troper found it special enough to get a separate mention.
** The final track, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBJntstcB6w "Go To Rakuen"], is just so beautiful this troper cried first time they heard it. It's really indescribable. Also the heartbreaking [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsvUHGqd1Cg "Shiro, Long tails"] that played during some of the most emotional battles.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4SJcDd4ICg "Strangers"], sung by Raj Ramayya - the haunting trumpet, the soft vocals, the lyrics filled with desire and hope that lets you believe the wolves really could make it to Paradise. At the same time this makes it very sorrowful, but still no less gorgeous. 
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liYO3LPwlFk "Face On"]. Ho-ly shit... Makes this one cry it's so epic.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e1abC9ymNA "Run Wolf Warrior, Run"] is possibly the most poetic and beautiful song this troper has heard, and it definitely deserves mentioning.
** No mention yet of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQkn8dwSh6k "Cloud 9"]? Dude, that song practically has awesome written all over it! 
* The soundtrack for ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex]]'' is really, really good. There isn't really a single track that isn't marvelous, they always blend perfectly with the visuals and context of the scenes they're matched with, and they play a huge part in making the show so amazing. It's possibly one of the greatest soundtracks ever made.
** The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KnGorAuA4 opening song] for ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex|Ghost In The Shell Stand Alone Complex: 2nd Gig]]''. You can find the anime altered full version [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ytAGz6deYI here].
** As amazing as the second opening Rise was, one can never forget the jaw-droppingly amazing first opening, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIVgSuuUTwQ Inner Universe].
** Not to mention the opening theme for the terrestrial broadcast of the first season [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqueqtgHeNU Get9] Hip-hopadelic delight, indeed....
** It would be easy to go, "The whole soundtrack is made from PURE AWESOME" without really lying. Especially for making a piece of music played primarily on '''the kazoo''' into [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kYq1Fhet5w the most malevolent piece of music in anime history].
*** If you don't absolutely HATE everything that this song is, then it's not doing what it was suppose to do. "Go DA DA" is just as it's described: The most malevolent and ominously evil sounding song you'll ever hear. It's suppose to instill scorn from the listener.
** It's hard to find any song that's better than [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOLLm_fzbg4 "Stamina Rose"] to kick off '''any''' anime, let alone TV series in general.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ow4tGgZWk Torukia] could also easily be the best track in the OST.
*** It's also kickass in ''a capella'' Gregorian-like slow choir-only version in episode "Poker Face", when there's a sniper duel on church's roof.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smhh1n3VEp8&NR=1 "Date of Rebirth"]. I mean, holy ''crap''.
** Also from Solid State Society, I present [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9jXt79joM "Take a Little Hand"],[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOPSwV97oQc "Human Step"] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8OVH5AsuQA ""From The Roof Top/Somewhere in the Silence"].
** Also,[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkFLdmIdJCk "Ride From Technology"].Sounds like a lost masterpiece from Cowboy Bebop, definitely great.And not to forget,[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi111djCEew Fish/Silent Cruise].Such a dramatic song with such a power,purely awesome. And what about the great Jam Rock masterpiece which is called [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EJroqNxPVQ Yakitori?] Okay, I admit, this soundtrack is simply awesome and so is Yoko Kanno.
** The song [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lIrkkvo9Iw beauty is within us] [http://members.shaw.ca/ykdb/discography/lyrics/beauty_is_within_us.html (lyrics)], specifically written for the episode that features it, '''Runaway Evidence TESTATION''', perfectly conveys the anguish and enigmatic motives of Kago Takeshi.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMxtI7QfpWk Run Rabbit Junk]
** How about [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI-vhtKxYBI I Do], the beautiful Italian song that plays throughout most of the [[Tear Jerker]] scenes in 2nd Gig.
*** If you didn't start crying when this song was used in context with the episode ''"Affection"'', then you truly have no soul. I'm tearing up just thinking about this song right now.
*** ''"Every time that song plays, an angel is born."'' And I get [[Sand in My Eyes]].
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8OVH5AsuQA "From the Rooftops ~ Somewhere in the Silence (Sniper's Theme)] is just one of ''those'' songs you can listen to whenever you just need to relax. The song itself gives off a relaxing atmosphere that you can't help but immerse yourself in.
** [[Tropers/Sangome|This Troper]] would like to present [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB30Z-h1Oc Psychedelic Soul]. It's a bittersweet tale, but absolutely beautiful. If I could chose any song to listen to for the rest of time, this would definitely be it.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiesDxPkYmM Know Your Enemy] is a beautiful piece of music which can change moods so many times and still be gorgeous.
** The fight against the Jigabachi helicopter in 'Natural Enemy' was pretty awesome by itself, but wouldn't have been anywhere near as awesome as it is without [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKHa6d9sdhk THIS] playing in the background.
** There's also the desperate, melancholy [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBwwUfCVA0c Christmas in the Silent Forest].
** To sum up, the soundtrack is really, REALLY good!
* Several tracks from ''[[Turn a Gundam (Anime)|Turn a Gundam]]'': Moon [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_He5ZhyDXUg (especially the live version)], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWJY2zJ8u5s Tsuki no Mayu], and {{[[User|Nitramy]] This Troper}}'s personal favorite, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxOU-HTCF6Y Back to the River - Original Vocal Version].
* [[Brain Powerd]] is also worthy of note as sort of a precursor to [[Turn a Gundam (Anime)|Turn a Gundam]], this was the first collaberation between Kanno and Yoshiyuki Tomino and gave us such great songs as [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbBerjcezXM Light of Love], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JaEgxL6VmM Sonne] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn9vOyGDTZ8 Flow].
* The ''[[Genesis of Aquarion]]'' soundtrack, especially the theme song ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez5Aqj30g8w Sousei no Aquarion]'', composed by her.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDc7e2lBAa0 The English version] is no slouche either.
** ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsR58_izogQ Pride ~Nageki no Tabi]'' is great alone, but when used it becomes pants-wettingly amazing.
** With [[Aquarion Evol|a new Aquarion series]], we get an awesome new opening, in the form of ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e88AbE0-B3k Kimi no Shinwa, Aquarion Dai-Ni-Shou]''.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1OVEIxDlKQ Beast Beat]. That ''bass''.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_hWbrubooI Aquaria Mau Sora] is just.... [[Manly Tears|beautiful.]]
* The ''[[Please Save My Earth]]'' ova episode ending song, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tizpl0S5hk&fmt=18 Toki no Kioku] ("[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YACSbe0fnE0 The Moment's Memory]"), set the nostalgic mood of the anime. The rest of the soundtrack contributes as well, of course....
* I'm going with the entire ''[[Darker Than Black]]'' soundtrack. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL6dKJP8P-0 GO Dark] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa6xTnfrfpg Highheel Runaway] in particular. When those songs start, you know some crazy shit is about to go down.
** Presenting, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0UHq6uv0S8 Deadly Work.]
** Adding, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w69pwrrXE4 Guy.]
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ZoQmsRrPc Total Eclipse] I can really only describe it as Hei's 'murder music'.
* Her collaborations with [[Maaya Sakamoto]]. Unsurprisingly, there isn't a bad song on any of her Kanno-produced albums, and many AWESOME ones. For a sample, there's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnv7cEA9hYM "Sea Of Miracles"], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lPeBeHGtg "Hemisphere"], [http://daitrombe.net/attachments/49624/01_-_Triangler.mp3 "Triangler"], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTbLyHa94d4 "Platinum"] the above-mentioned "Gravity" and, the one that started it all, [http://208.53.138.111/soundtracks/vision-of-escaflowne-op-single-maaya-sakamoto-yakusoku-w...-/kakfowcehh/01-yakusoku-wa-iranai.mp3 "Yakusoku wa Iranai"]
** And when Steve Conte, who sang most songs of [[Cowboy Bebop]], sings with [[Maaya Sakamoto]], we get this piece of heaven: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJQOqZjmZ4 "The Garden of Everything"], from ''[[RahXephon]]''.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVBADRGB34o This song called "O Bento O Tabenagara"] is sung by [[Spice and Wolf|Kiyoura Natsumi]].
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QujlhpeQGGU "Cloe"] from ''[[Earth Maiden Arjuna]]''. Just... just listen to it.
** The battle theme [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJV6jAyfOs4&fmt=18 "Earth Resonance"] mixes wordless chorus and orchestra into a uniquely energizing piece with its strong rhythms. It's in 13/16 time for half of it!
* How has her work on ''[[Oban Star Racers]]'' not been mentioned yet? Granted most are collaborations, but still.
** First up we have [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ONusi1AgPg ''A Chance to Shine''] a very uplifting tune, with Akino on vocals.
*** And then we have [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXNcoH6mIf0 ''Waratteta''] with vocals by Mou Sukoshi.

{{reflist}}
[[Category:Awesome Music (Anime)]]
[[Category:Yoko Kanno]]
[[Category:Awesome Music]]