Disc 1

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Disc 2

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Disc 3

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Tracklist and miscellaneous album information provided by VGMdb.

Review: Watching the entirety of the Clannad anime (including the After Story) felt like completing a long journey that, looking back, yielded a mix of wonderful and bittersweet moments in the life of its two principal characters. Much of the show’s success is derived from seeing the personal and emotional growth that its protagonists, Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa, undergo as they fall in love and together, face the obstacles that fate has put in their path. Through it all, the series serves as a firm reminder that no matter what tragedies one may have to endure, the family will always provide that firm bedrock of support that one can celebrate along with in the best of times, but also rely upon in the worst of times.

And as we sit through Tomoya’s ups and downs, the music is always hovering just out of sight, but the impact it delivers when it needs to can transform a scene that’s merely sad into one that’s emotionally wrenching. The credit goes to Key’s Jun Maeda, Shinji Orito, and Magome Togoshi for delivering unto us a soundtrack that is absolutely beautiful in the way it captures the mood of the series and to Lia and riya, whose performances made this album truly shine as my favorite soundtrack to a Key/Kyoto Animation collaboration.

The question is where exactly one starts when addressing this soundtrack? There’s no doubt that the characters themes are particularly delightful. For example, Fuko’s theme, “Hurry, Starfish,” will elicit cheers and groans depending on one’s perception of her, but there’s no denying that the piece’s light-hearted aura gets her eccentric, capricious nature down pat through the piano introduction that depicts the appearance of a whimsical sprite. Kotomi’s theme, “Études pour les petites supercordes,” uses the violin in a rather bumbling manner which fits with her socially awkward tendencies, but it retains her good-hearted nature that is positively endearing.

Hurry, Starfish
[See post to listen to audio]
Of all the character themes though, I consider Nagisa’s to be the most important because of the role she plays in Tomoya’s life and, by extension, in the anime. Her theme may be simplistic, but it illustrates her warm personality, her caring nature, and her determination to see things through to the end in spite of her health problems. This piece is one that I will return to a few times because it represents so many of Clannad’s themes, from the sense of hope that things will turn out for the best to the ensuing tragedies that come up along the way, but regardless of the ups and downs that the audience experiences, “Nagisa’s” beautiful melody reassures us that happiness lies in store at the end of it all.

Nagisa
[See post to listen to audio]
After all, “Nagisa” makes its appearance after “Town, Flow of Time, People,” which is depressing as it illustrates the hopeless, despairing thoughts that have encumbered Tomoya’s mind through the piece’s grim aura that leads one to believe that the city’s atmosphere is slowly suffocating him with the painful memories he’s associated with it. But “Nagisa” comes in like a healing wind, and this transformation results in Tomoya’s prospects brightening up considerably, making way for tracks like “Spring Wind” and “Country Lane” which brings in an air of optimism into his day to day life and allow the listener to take in the relaxing aura and enjoy the brief moment of happiness that Tomoya experiences through his daily interactions before things take a turn for the worse.

Town, Flow of Time, People
[See post to listen to audio]

Spring Wind
[See post to listen to audio]
The point at which tragedy strikes is where the second disc takes over since most of the melancholy themes that one associates with Clannad’s downhearted moments are found here. For example, “Snowfield” exemplifies the same sort of hopelessness that “Town, Flow of Time, People” carries by hinting at the tragedies that are soon to come. What really struck me when listening to “Snowfield” was the sense of loneliness that emanates from this track. Not only does it hammer the feelings of despair, this suffering is something that Tomoya goes through alone as the person he cares for most is taken from him. This emotional turmoil is also evident in “Roaring Tides II” which moves at a slower, more deliberate tempo as though to illustrate the extent of the despair that has engulfed Tomoya, weakening him and making him especially vulnerable to what will happen next.

Snowfield
[See post to listen to audio]
“Nagisa ~ Farewell at the Foot of a Hill” deals him the final blow, and by incorporating Nagisa’s theme into the piece, the audience too acutely feels his pain. While I have discussed the effect of this piece during the scene which depicts Nagisa’s passing, it bears repeating that what makes this piece so powerful lies within the context of the scene. When the music plays, it sparks one’s memories and one cannot help but remember all the times Tomoya and Nagisa spent together and how her death profoundly affects him. By using a synth as a backdrop towards the end of this piece, we are encouraged to reflect upon those happier times as her death finally sinks in and Tomoya’s life unravels from the shock and pain.

But amidst the melancholy and despair are some bright spots like “To the Same Heights” and “Shining in the Sky.” “To the Same Heights,” in particular, raises the specter of hope that things don’t have to be so bad as long as that familial foundation of support still exists. This bittersweet brew tastes more sweet than bitter and the message I got from this wonderful piano melody is that fate may deal one a terrible hand, but by maintaining one’s relationships, one can overcome those difficulties and soar on to a brighter tomorrow. That it’s used as the basis for “Toki wo Kizamu Uta” makes for an interesting comparison since my first impression of this piece had been an uplifting one rather than the mournful feel that I derived from the After Story opening.

To the Same Heights
[See post to listen to audio]
“Shining in the Sky” is also mentioned as a bright spot. This track carries an aura of contentment as it brings its air of finality through the crescendo around 1:53. Through the music, one gets a feeling that the struggles had been a valuable lesson and the characters have learned to move past the tragic events to become stronger as a result. “Country Train” takes the feeling of optimism further by adding in a dose of resolve through its rhythm and tempo which allows one to not only hear the swift-moving train, but to also feel as though Tomoya has awakened from the pits of despair as he pours his heart into making amends (especially towards Ushio) and reconnect with the people he cherishes so much.

Shining in the Sky
[See post to listen to audio]

Country Train
[See post to listen to audio]
The best aspect of the second disc belongs to the three vocal pieces though. “-Two Shadows-” has a nostalgic feeling imparted through riya’s upbeat and emphatic delivery and “Ana” is also a beautiful track that utilizes Lia’s ability to express herself wonderfully. Although the lyrics which can be incoherent at times as it talks about a paradise that goes through cyclical changes, Lia’s soaring vocals carry a peaceful, almost ethereal aura which channel the song’s lofty sentiments.

-Two Shadows-
[See post to listen to audio]

Ana
[See post to listen to audio]
Of the three vocal songs, “Tiny Palm” is absolutely unforgettable. It starts with the theme from “Nagisa” but quickly makes way for riya’s heartfelt delivery which takes us through the story from start to finish. The initial meeting with Nagisa is heard at the very beginning and through that fateful encounter, their lives are changed, and for the better. Although the feelings of love take awhile to build up, when it shines, it does so radiantly through the chorus where riya expresses the characters’ hopes and dreams as they vow to face life’s challenges as a couple. I cannot get over how beautifully this song imparts its themes as it uplifts the spirit through the genuine emotions it instills in the heart of the listener and it is by far the best song on the soundtrack.

Tiny Palm
[See post to listen to audio]
Although the third disc consists of arrangements that are enjoyable, but nowhere as integral as the first two discs, it’s worth finishing since it’s the conclusion of a long, but fruitful journey in the same way the anime series is. Through it all, the music succeeds in being a heartfelt addition as it not only takes us through the joys and the sorrows, it also serves as a subtle reminder to us all to cherish the relationships we have and to build new ones along the way.

Rating: Excellent

After reading this post, I was inspired/compelled to address the impact that the background music had in Episode 16 of Clannad ~After Story~, specifically in the last five minutes where things come crashing down emotionally. So before we actually go too deep into the discussion, those of you who haven’t watched the episode should be warned that there are spoilers ahead. For the rest of you, we will start by examining the scene and taking a look at how well the music succeeds in bringing the viewer’s emotions to bear because of the associations that have been put in place.

Background: Nagisa’s pregnancy is already in full force, and though the arrival of a child is supposed to bring happiness, there are enough doubts lingering over Nagisa’s health to dampen the occasion. Each passing day brings forth a mixture of hope, despair, and uncertainty. Tomoya tries to temper his feeling of hopelessness and sense of self-loathing by dismissing it outright or keeping up a mask to hide his worries. This approach does work for a time but fate ultimately deals the two a rather cruel hand and when the day finally came, tragedy struck. Tomoya had already been worrying, his mind in a haze and he was practically wandering through a world of mist and fog and only the sound of Ushio crying was able to jerk him out of his dazed state and bring him back to reality. But it had already been too late. Nagisa lay there, minutes away from dying and though the two were able to exchange tender words, there was no doubt as to what was going to happen. Tomoya’s voice cracked. His tone indicated a sense of desperation as he began babbling while his eyes pleaded for Nagisa to hang in there but alas, the ordeal was enough to sap the last remnants of her strength and she passed from this world. In their final moments together, the viewer is treated to montage that allows us a peek into Tomoya’s memories that he shared with Nagisa, but in reverse chronological order. And while all of this was occurring, a familiar melody begins to play:

[See post to listen to audio]

The Music’s Impact: The scene is very beautiful and moving in its tragedy and “Nagisa” nails that sentiment by starting out soft and subtle. Up until now, this piece had captured Nagisa’s character as well as her experiences with Tomoya perfectly in the way it’s structured. The subtle piano opening conveys her shy, unassuming personality but it grows ever so slowly, starting with the left hand on the piano, and then with the addition of a violin part at the 0:38 mark accompanying piano motive. A transition section takes over around 0:57 and the piano is replaced by an instrument that sounds like a harpsichord which plays a melody that brings forth the imagery of someone taking baby steps cautiously at first, but with increasing confidence as time passes. This confidence culminates at 1:17 when the full strength of the melody blooms, its arrival announced by a bass drum that brings in a melody that is buoyant, colorful, and alive as the harpsichord and piano play side by side, bolstered by percussion instruments that moves at a deliberate pace. The way this section expresses itself feels like a depiction of Tomoya and Nagisa’s happiness as they resolve to go through life together with all its joys, pains, and sorrows, while overcome any obstacle that gets in their way.

But in spite of the optimism imbued in the last section, this piece comes across as being very melancholy within the context of Nagisa’s death scene and it’s only logical to ponder why. My thinking is because this melody isn’t one that we, the audience, are unfamiliar with. Rather, we’ve heard this piece play quite a few times and the fact that it fits her character so well is strongly ingrained within our subconscious that we’ve come to associate that melody with her. That element is why that piece is so powerful in the scene described above. The way it plays is absolutely subtle but its presentation blends in perfectly that it augments the raw emotions gushing forth. As “Nagisa” begins to play, it dawns upon us that this really is the last time we’ll see her and the feeling of loss that we experience upon realizing that fact hits us pretty hard. Furthermore, the scenes in which we backtrack from Nagisa and Tomoya’s married life, to the Theater Club, to helping out fellow classmates, and finally to the moment where the two first met serves as a strong reminder of all they’ve been through and the memories that they’ve created together. When you put “Nagisa” on top of all that, the memories we recall become really clear and we get a sense for the scope of the tragedy borne from the hole that now exists in Tomoya’s life; a hole that, I might add, is unlikely to be repaired anytime soon.

The piece succeeds at bringing out the brunt of the pain as we too sympathize with Tomoya’s loss. Throughout the piece, we’re reminded of all the good times that Tomoya and Nagisa shared as they practically grew up with each other’s support. Even if some of us saw this outcome, the sense of loss isn’t diminished. So with that, I’d like to leave you all with Lia’s rendition of Nagisa’s theme, titled “Chiisana Tenohira,” which is probably the most beautiful version that I’ve heard because Lia’s voice brings out the sheer beauty of the piece so well:

[See post to listen to audio]

It’s tragic. It’s beautiful. And it’s a poignant scene that we’re unlikely to ever forget.

Information provided by Bigblah of VGMdb.net/Gamingforce.

Review: For those of you who’ve talked to me either in person or online, it should not come as a surprise as to how much I had been anticipating this album’s release. I’ve long been a fan of Lia’s vocal works since I listened to “Tori no Uta” and add to that the fact that Clannad’s game soundtrack managed to deliver a comparable listening experience to Air’s soundtrack (a very good thing) and you’ve got a pretty good record going on. So when I saw that Clannad ~After Story~ would use an arrangement of “To the Same Heights” (Disc 2, Track 5 from Clannad’s soundtrack) with Lia on vocals, I knew we’d be in for a treat. After listening to the song a few times, I can declare “A Song Engraved in Time” to be the best song from Fall 2008’s lineup.

Words just can’t describe the heartfelt emotion with which “A Song Engraved in Time” instills within its listeners from its opening chords all the way to the very end of the song. This song starts off by capturing your attention with its brief introduction that lends itself to a rather soothing atmosphere. Then, Lia’s voice enters the picture and the sheer power of her delivery succeeds in entrancing the listener and she builds up the melody to transition over to the heart of the song, which makes its entrance at the 1:03 mark. At this point, the song enters high gear as Lia conveys a sense of loneliness and longing and does so in such a way that’s nothing short of being stunningly beautiful and depressing at the same time. The depths to which this song hits at one’s emotions is just astounding and it’s definitely a testament to the richness of Lia’s voice that brings with it a sort of expressiveness few other vocalists can match. Everything about this song, from the vocals and the piano interlude 1:50 to 2:00 to the refrain that wraps up the song is just poignant and came pretty close to reducing me to tears a few times. There aren’t many songs that have that sort of effect, which demonstrates how well this track does when it comes to delivering a solid, emotional impact upon the listener, making it a wonderful listening experience.

Any song that comes after “A Song Engraved in Time” just simply won’t compare and it’s even a steeper climb for “TORCH” since I wasn’t enthralled with the piece when I watched the ED sequence. Its jumpy, celebratory introduction is a jarring transition compared to the heavy, emotional moments that “A Song Engraved in Time” put forth. However, if you force a separation between the two pieces, I think you’ll find “TORCH” to be a decent, competent track even though it’s certainly nowhere as good as the track that preceded it. The opening notes certainly give this song a festive air packed with energy that oddly reminds me of music from any given Mario Kart game just before the race begins and if you’ve paid attention to that ditty, I don’t think the comparison is too far off. Lia enters at the 0:15 mark and the mood shifts from an energetic piece to one that’s a bit mellower where you can sense a buildup, though it’s more subtle this time around. The buildup culminates at 1:03 where the melody shifts back to its joyous introduction before starting the second verse.

As I stated before, “TORCH” just doesn’t have the same kind of pull and by having Lia on vocals, the song is passable only because she’s a very good singer. Furthermore, whether it’s because I’m only concentrating on the music instead of being distracted by the accompanying or some other factor, “TORCH” is actually more tolerable in its full version than in the series. It doesn’t change the fact that it will forever lie in “A Song Engraved in Time’s” shadow, but at least it’s not as bad as I had initially made it out to be when I first heard it.

It’s albums like this that serve as a reminder of the power that music has upon people. While it’s easy to dismiss most anime OP/EDs as bland, uninspiring J-pop, there are enough songs out there that grab on to you emotionally to make the process of digging through lots and lots of anime music worthwhile. And in this instance, the sheer beauty and poignancy of the music puts “A Song Engraved in Time” in a class of its own.

Rating: Very Good

Opening – A Song Engraved in Time

Ending – TORCH