© 2014 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title Monster Mania
CD Label Varese Sarabande
CD Number VSD-5969
Music Conducted by: Randy Miller
Number of tracks 22
Running time 64:21
Number of discs 1
Year of release/manufacture 1998

REVIEW

This CD contains all new digitally recorded music from the classic Godzilla films (1954-1995). It is NOT from the Original Soundtrack Recordings. Since this is a fairly new U.S. release it should be relatively easy to find at your local store or online CD vendors as well as ordering direct from Varese Sarabande.

That said, the music itself is very well done and all your favorites are here. I can easily recommend this CD to the casual Godzilla fan as well as the more fanatical of us. However, if you are more than a casual fan, you will definately know these are new recordings and not from the Original Soundtracks. Since this is clearly labeled on the disc, it's not a problem. The sound on this new digital recording is very clean and crisp and conductor Randy Miller does a good job of staying pretty close to the originals with only some minor straying like on Track 13. Track 13 sounds like it could have been in an American western from the 60's. That's not a bad thing, just not Godzilla like. Track 16 sounds very much like John Williams "Superman" music.

Overall the CD is well done with much recognizable music. The casual fan should definately pick this up. The harder core fan should get it if you're having problems finding the original Japanese soundtracks or for just a comparison to what you remember.

Title: Monster Mania - Music From The Classic Godzilla Films (1954-1995)

    Godzilla, King Of The Monsters (1954, Ifukube)

  1. Main Title Theme

    2. Destroy All Monsters (1968, Ifukube)

  2. Destroy All Monsters March

    3. Godzilla vs. Mothra Suite (1992, Ifukube)

  3. Main Title, The Letter, Song Of Mothra & Mothra March

    4. Godzilla 1984 (Koroku)

  4. Main Title
  5. Love Theme

    6. King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962, Ifukube)

  6. Godzilla Revived / King Kong Transport Operation

    7. Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994, Hattori)

  7. Main Title
  8. Love Theme

    Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (1966, Satoh)

  9. The Departure From Retch Island

    10. Godzilla vs. Destroyer (1995, Ifukube)

  10. Main Title / Destroy Hong Kong
  11. Requiem

    12. Son Of Godzilla (1967, Satoh)

  12. Godzilla And Minilla
  13. Kamakilas

    14. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989, Sugiyama)

  14. Main Title
  15. Biollante
  16. Super X-2

    17. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991, Ifukube)

  17. Opening And Attack On The City
  18. Terasawa And Emmy / Goodbye, My Home Town

    19. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993, Ifukube)

  19. Main Title
  20. G Force March

    21. Godzilla (1954, Ifukube)

  21. Requiem

    22. Godzilla, King Of The Monsters (1954, Ifukube)

  22. Reprise