Radiant Silvergun Soundtrack - :: Review by Dave

	Album Title:	Radiant Silvergun Soundtrack -
	Record Label:	Treasure
	Catalog Number:	Promotional
	Release Date:	1998
	Content:	1 CD - 7 Tracks
	Purchase:	Buy at eBay

Overview

Promotional albums always give a great taster of the music featured in the game, and although they lack length, some can be a pleasant surprise. There is a lot of flair in Sakimoto's compositions on the Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack +, with the best bit of his initiative shown through repeating the main melody in each track. Through this we also see his true intelligence; although the main theme is in each track, it is arranged in an almost flawless manner that doesn't make the album repetitive. To see this theme carried over into this promotional soundtrack is fantastic, as, in some ways, it develops a great sense of what to expect from the game and the main soundtrack. Nonetheless, why would anybody think of buying this album? First and foremost, it is a very good introduction to Sakimoto's ever improving orchestration and consideration of dynamic detail. Added to this, the themes are exclusive to this album only, it provides a fulfilling experience, and it should really get you used to the music from the Original Soundtrack and possibly even persuade you to buy it.

Body

On the Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack +, the ominous "Quickening" started off the album, but, in many ways, it gave the listener the wrong impression of what to expect. "Title Back (Out Take)" would have been a perfect opening track that avoided any cause of confusion. First off, it has a much better build up than "Quickening," and, although that impressive crescendo is missing, the track features a great amount of dynamic contrasts that make the theme seem grand and introductive. To hear this track before "Quickening" would have been a pleasure, and there is no evident reason compositional-wise that this wasn't put into effect. The next track, namely "Return (Early Take)," is longer than the final version that features on the soundtrack, and in some ways, it is a lot better due to this. Admittedly, the first section loops repeatedly before receiving any development, but the main melody that is carried through the entire track is even more prominent than the original track. Added to this is a sense of mystery evoked by the transcending chimes, (replaced by tubular bells in the Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack +'s "Return") in the background of the track. On the whole, I much prefer this version of "Return," but with the endless being present, I can understand why Sakimoto submitted a different version to the main soundtrack.

"? (Out Take)" is the next track and I guess that it is a little dissapointing, too. I daresay that this one wasn't included in the main soundtrack not only because of its length but because of the fact that it is a straight arrangement of the main theme. The orchestration of the track is interesting, but it doesn't really go anywhere. The last two tracks on the album are of similar length, too, but they are both quite promising. "Ending Movie 1 / Take 1 (Out Take)" is a vigorous track that is filled with fear and orchestral suspense, and what it could have been with a little bit more development. "Ending Movie 1 / Take 3 (Out Take)" shares a similar name, but that is the only similarity that the two hold for this is an ambient gem that features a choir and a piano which beautifully play along together. Naturally, there isn't a lot to this track due to its length, but it has signs of promise all over it. "For Stage-? (Out Take)" is much more active than the stage themes in the game, but its development just doesn't cut it. The music seems to turn into a random blur of notes as the track proceeds and this is mainly down to the percussion in the background of the track. "Origin (Out Take)" is a nice enough track which is as ominous as one would expect. On the whole, it is a definite stage down from "Origin," as not only does it lack the power, it lacks the development, too.

Summary

The sole reason that I purchased this album was because I was unsure about whether I would like the music from the Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack +, and, seeing though this was the cheaper option (although I eventually purchased both), it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. This album should impress most listeners, and although it can hardly be placed in the same class as the Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack +, the experience is a pleasant and fulfilling one. This album is everything that you would expect a promotional album to be like from Sakimoto — with the themes being diverse and promising, the orchestral style that they are given really lets the melodies shine. Nonetheless, I hope that you have read my Radiant Silvergun Original Soundtrack + review, as in all honesty, that is a cheaper and much more accessible introduction and description of the themes from the album than the promotional album itself. I would only recommend this album to an album collector, but, by all means, if you find it going for a cheap price on eBay, go for it. I doubt that you will be disappointed.

Percentage Overall Score: 65%