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L-sama
11-12-2006, 11:18 AM
Title: Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Best
Number of Tracks: 8 + 1 bonus DVD (U.S Release Exclusive)
Total Run Time: 34:04
Release Date: March 3, 2005
Price: $16.99

Score: 79%

Highs: If you loved the series, you'll be in heaven; The openings
Lows: Too short for its price; one out of place ending theme; Could've gone without the DVD

It was bound to happen: a Fullmetal Alchemist archive of the opening and ending themes. They've been heard in their one and a half minute format more than enough times, so now it's time to hear what they really sound like. For the most part, I was very satisfied.

The audio CD contains all four opening and ending themes of the series in their full version format. No more, no less. The themes, if you haven't heard them already, are either J-rock, J-pop, or R&B in genre. The obvious feature, L'arc~en~Ciel's READY STEADY GO, isn't the only rocking tune you'll hear; AKFG is well represented with Rewrite, Cool Joke kicks it up with Undo, and Porno Graffiti has the addictive track entitled Melissa. As a bonus on the U.S release, the package also features a DVD of the music video to Indelible Sin by Nana Kitade. Once again though, that's the only thing on the DVD, running at about 4:30.

With only eight tracks on the CD, the price seems a little too high. Had there been no DVD, the price could've been no higher than $13. However, due to the fact that the DVD was included, the price needed to be raised to compensate. As entertaining as the music video may be to some, there really seemed to be no need to include it. In essence, it's a 5 minute commercial for Nana Kitade.

Outside of one ending theme, Crystal Kay's slow and mellow Motherland, the songs really seem to fit with the tone of the series. If you're willing to shell out the $17 to get this CD and DVD, then you'll be in for a good half an hour of some very nice vocals. Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist have probably already gotten this through import, but for those who haven't, this is a treat for anyone who likes good J-pop.

Mouse
11-12-2006, 11:48 AM
Nicely done L-sama.

Motherland does stick out next to all the other songs, but I actually thought it fit well with the series. It tapped into the more melancholic and tragic elements of the story. At least by sound as I have no idea what the lyrics are. XD

L-sama
11-12-2006, 12:47 PM
Thanks ^_^

Anywho, what do you think of the review format? Should something be added or taken away? I was actually thinking of having a section for favorite tracks and least favorite tracks. Good idea or not?

isolatedotaku
11-12-2006, 01:30 PM
Great (http://www.nihonreview.com/wordpress/soundtracks/) Idea. While you wrote it into your review, it would be a good idea to put a list of the tracks in the general information for the OST.

I like your review, I haven't really seen OST reviews on AA before, so it is good to finally see one (even if it is only a student review).

Mouse
11-12-2006, 01:34 PM
Thanks ^_^

Anywho, what do you think of the review format? Should something be added or taken away? I was actually thinking of having a section for favorite tracks and least favorite tracks. Good idea or not?
What you did is a good format. I like that you included price and total runtime, and then your opening two paragraphs that detailed the product were great.

I'm not so sure that you really need to add favorite/least favorite though. All that is in the body of your review. Or I assume so anyway. I think if you added that section at the top it would just create a nice little summary of the review. A summary of the summary if you will. Just doesn't seem necessary to me, but if you'd like, it certainly won't hurt either.

Milkymagic
11-13-2006, 06:40 AM
I usually enjoy going to the "All Music Guide" for reviews, and I like how they highlight which tracks were their favorites (or most memorable). That's something I would consider too if I were to take a stab, which will come after November's over ^_-

But the format works well, and the Highs/Lows doesn't hurt anything much, since it gets the main points to the forefront. Perhaps it should be an option for the most part however (give or take who would be reviewing).

Keep it up!

L-sama
11-13-2006, 09:42 AM
Great (http://www.nihonreview.com/wordpress/soundtracks/) Idea. While you wrote it into your review, it would be a good idea to put a list of the tracks in the general information for the OST.

I like your review, I haven't really seen OST reviews on AA before, so it is good to finally see one (even if it is only a student review).


Thanks for your input. I see that Nihon Review already has a soundtrack section. That's cool.

I think I might try this review again and incorporate more of the NR format and what you said, isolatedotaku; I think I treated the CD too much like an anime in terms of review content and format.

animanic_critic
11-18-2006, 01:46 AM
Very impressive. I thought the anime soundtrack review section at NHRW was the only place to get good soundtrack reviews, but it doesn't seem to look like it anymore. Furthermore, I like how the review not only touches on the musical aspect, but also on the actual product itself, something I haven't see yet anywhere else. Maybe I should write one too... :icon_danc

L-sama
11-22-2006, 06:57 PM
Very impressive. I thought the anime soundtrack review section at NHRW was the only place to get good soundtrack reviews, but it doesn't seem to look like it anymore. Furthermore, I like how the review not only touches on the musical aspect, but also on the actual product itself, something I haven't see yet anywhere else. Maybe I should write one too... :icon_danc


Most definitely! Go for it! :)