Count me among those fans who find “What ’bout My Star” from Macross Frontier to be one of the catchiest pop songs Yoko Kanno has ever produced. You could have Kelly Clarkson shout the hook in the chorus and sell a truckload of CDs. That’s how slick it sounds.
One reason I enjoy the song so much, I think, is because it’s essentially an extended version of Kanno’s “Going to the Sea” from the Honey and Clover movie soundtrack. I’ve always loved that particular track, but it’s more an incipient song than anything else, only consisting of a quick introduction, a “B” section, and a single chorus. It doesn’t develop any further.
“What ’bout My Star,” on the other hand, takes the same basic musical idea and transforms it into a full song. It’s especially easy to hear in the @Formo duet version, which was featured in part in Episode 5 of the series. That’s my preferred version of the song, by the way.
Of course, it’s just one of many great songs that have graced the series thus far. “Diamond Crevasse” is spectacular, and “Infinity” worked out surprisingly well in show. And then there’s that damn carrot song…
I’m not a fan of bubblegum pop but that tune has such a good-natured type of catchiness that I can’t bring myself to dislike it. That scene you linked to is fantastic though - the way that passers-by in a nearby music store picked up guitars and drumsticks then played along was brilliant!
I guess it’s a significant plot point because it’s where Ranka finds her true voice but Kanno still hasn’t written a bad song yet…although the way in which the songs are incorporated into the story invariably helps. Those scenes in which Cheryl’s live performance forms a backing track to the battle scenes is another aspect that makes Macross as a franchise stand out for me.
Good call on on Going to the sea, although I think we might hear more pop songs in the series that might be even closer sounding than What ’bout My Star?
Listening to both for a while I don’t think they’re that similar beyond having the same structure (like a bijillion other jpop). That said it would be cool if there’s a couple more rock-ish songs in MacF.
I really want them to do more Minmay songs. After watching Flashback 2012 again a week or two ago, I realized just how catchy those songs are.
“What ’bout my star” reminds me a bit of “Heavenly Star” by Genki Rockets (used in Lumines 2), at least how the catchy-ness goes. Though it could also be that they both have Star in the name…
I though her “aimo” song was more impressive
yep, it is a good song, but of all the songs on the macross OSt, track 14 is the one i just can’t seem to get out of my head. Only a minute long but my god, i’m unable to stop listening to it. it’s on permanent loop right now.
Unfortunately I would have to disagree with you. I think the major issues with the main plot have been distracting me greatly but I can’t seem to come to like Macross F’s soundtrack, or for even that matter, the series itself.
I want more ARIA damnit.
This OST is amazing, and very good throughout. I like the Formos version, and I was pleasantly surprised that they had that cute rainbow carrot song on the soundtrack as well.
I like What Bout My Star @ Formo. ;)
But Yoko Kanno…why are you sampling music from other places. I just found out like half of the songs she “composed” were direct copy/pasts from obscure jazz/swing albums.
I am in despair.
LOL @ wolflx.
It’s not sampling or even direct copies.
meh…to the guy on the street they are.
Aren’t there some resources to be found on the song youa ll talk about? I watch this anime too. Still I would like some more information before I start judging, so if any of you have any, share it with us here?
At the moment, there’s no contest with it being the best anime OST of the year (though Shion no Ou’s OST comes close to me. Yes, you heard that right. :P), and it’s one of those where you can definitely tell “Oh that’s Kanno.”. I heard several tracks that I felt could have been right at home in GitS:SAC, for example, but that might be just me.
Anyway, I really, really like it, and I definitely prefer Ranka’s version of “What ’bout my star”, and that’s probably because I like Engrish better when it’s not in my fac- ears, and it’s more subtle. Or something like that. :P As I already mentioned on omo’s blog, I really like “Aimo”, “Alto’s Theme” and “Big Boys”. And “Diamond Crevasse” brings the house down of course, but it already had a single before it was on the OST, so I don’t “count” it in the criteria. :3
The songs are meant to be ditzy and dreamy and they have been successful in being so.
Ninjin loves you yeah!
Ninjiin loves me, yeah. Glad to see more Ranka supporters here than in other places. May Nakabayashi’s voice just doesn’t work for more poppy stuff like What ‘Bout My Star. She’s better suited to powerful vocals, like the chorus of Diamond Crevasse.
We can only hope this is the start of a great career for Megumi Nakajima. You know, kind of like an apology for the relentlessly annoying and omnipresent Aya Hirano.
I love Ranka and her songs. My favorite theme is her version of “My boyfriend is a pilot” (appear in episode 4). Nostalgic times -about Minmei of course-
Shinning little star … lol …
I really enjoy and like the MAcross Frontier OST ..