© 2004 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title: Godzilla 2
CD Label: Toho Music Corporation
CD Number: GX-2
Music by: Various
Number of tracks: 22
Running time: 51:13
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: December 24, 2004

REVIEW

January 3, 2005

Review courtesy of Sam Scali

This is the second in a series of special bonus discs included in the Godzilla "Perfect Collection" boxed sets. Like the previous set, the disc is a faithful reproduction of a classic LP , in this case GODZILLA! 2, originally released by Toho Records in 1978 (catalog number AX-8112), and later reissued on Star Child (K22G-7239). As before, this CD accurately duplicates the original LP cover, blue label, folded insert and silver-and-red obi strip. Unlike the previous disc, however, this album has never previously appeared on CD.

While both albums feature highlights from the "Showa" series of Godzilla films, the arrangement of tracks on the second disc is more organized, and focuses mainly on earlier Showa entries from 1954-68. It starts out with a generous helping of cues from the original GODZILLA, followed chronologically by selections from KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, GODZILLA VS. THE THING, GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER, MONSTER ZERO, GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER, SON OF GODZILLA, and DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. The CD also includes two bonus tracks not included in the original LP. The first track is a version of "Give Back the Sun!", a song that originally appeared in 1971's GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER. The second track features the audio from the Japanese theatrical trailer for KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, which is fun to hear even without the visuals.

As with the bonus disc version of the first GODZILLA! album, this CD is an entertaining collection of choice tracks, punctuated with matching sound effects and monster roars. The sound quality, while not perfect, is a considerable improvement over the muddy, erratic mix of the previous LP (and its subsequent CD incarnations). Toho Music has done an excellent job of recreating the look of the original LP, and the disc neatly compliments the remastered soundtracks in the boxed set.

Updated November 29, 2008

I receieved an email from a fan of the site, Jay Kranz, who states he recently purchased a copy of the original Godzilla 2 LP that is replicated within this box set, and it includes the two tracks listed as bonus tracks on this disc.

GODZILLA 2 (GX-2)

  1. Eiko-maru Sinking (GODZILLA)
  2. Odo Island Theme / Storm On Odo Island (GODZILLA)
  3. Godzilla Comes Ashore (GODZILLA)
  4. Devastated Tokyo (GODZILLA)
  5. Oxygen Destroyer (GODZILLA)
  6. Ending (GODZILLA)
  7. Giant Octopus vs. King Kong (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA)
  8. Preparation for Operation 'Burial' /
    Preparations for Operation 'One Million Volts' (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA)
  9. Main Title (GODZILLA VS. THE THING)
  10. Background Music Inside the Hamakaze Hotel (GODZILLA VS. THE THING)
  11. Adult Mothra vs. Godzilla (GODZILLA VS. THE THING)
  12. Mahala Mothra - Karaoke Version (GODZILLA VS. THE THING)
  13. Radon from Aso (GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER)
  14. The Mystery of Planet X (MONSTER ZERO)
  15. The Underground Passage (MONSTER ZERO)
  16. Main Title (GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER)
  17. Preparing for the Experiment (SON OF GODZILLA)
  18. Parent Godzilla Comes Ashore (SON OF GODZILLA)
  19. SY-3 - Alternate Take (DESTROY MONSTERS)
  20. Ending (DESTROY MONSTERS)

    21. Bonus Tracks:

  21. Give Back the Sun! II (GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER)
  22. Theatrical Trailer (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA)