Title: Evangelion-VOX
Score:
Label: King Records
Catalog no.: KICA-382
Release Date: 03/12/1997
Playing time: 72'36"
Tracks: 20
From: Japan
Price: 3.059¥

Released in December 1997, this CD is based on music of the TV serie and The End of Evangelion (movie). All tracks are composed by SAGISU Shirô (Evangelion, Nadia, Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou, Bleach), except the fifth (SAGISU and Martin LASCELLES).

The songs' inspiration mainly is Hip Hop & R'n'B, so expect to hear the better and the worse. We find in the staff 4 different singers: LOREN (n°2, 5, 10, 17, 18) ; Carroll THOMPSON (n°3, 11) ; MALI (n°7, 8, 12, 14, 15) and MASH (n°13).

Songs that I appreciate the least are those sung by the rapper MALI. Personally, they tend to depress more than anything else, and do seem to be off-topic with the Evangelion's atmosphere. However, his best song is no doubt "Armageddon" (n°12), it is a mix between the symphonic composition, -which is none other than a music cover of the famous "Kanon in D-Dur" composed by by the German Baroque Johann Pachelbel-, and the rap sound. I'd really recommend the live version that you can find in the album "Evangelion Kôkyôgaku" (KICA-390~1: CD2 n°4), just amazing!

Once again, we find the female singer "LOREN" with, amongst others, her 2 movie themes (from The End of Evangelion): "Thanatos - If I can't be yours" (n°10) ; and "Komm, Süsser tod tumbling down-mix (M-10)" (n°13). The track 13 is a special version, differently sung by LOREN in a jazzy ambience. Not bad at all!
"Promised land (F-2)" (n°17) actually is a cover song of the BGM "Jikai" (OST1, n°22), famous short music heard at the end of each episode (next time!). The style is funky and energetic, really nice.

Another good song that I like very much is: "I'll be always on your mind (C-5)" (n°11), pretty optimistic and gets you in a good mood. The Carroll THOMPSON's voice is really pleasant.

Regarding remaining tracks, they are pretty average (or even not great at all).

Basically, this album included the better and the worse songs of Evangelion, so I have a mitigated opinion on it. Except for some songs (n°10, 11, 12, 13, 17), I do not really see any interest to own this CD.