ARIA the Box – Soundtrack Collection – Review

Disc 1
[spoiler]

[/spoiler]
Disc 2
[spoiler]

[/spoiler]
Disc 3
[spoiler]

[/spoiler]
Review: If the ARIA franchise started airing 5 years ago, you wouldn’t know it based on the snippets of conversation that you pick out from the air from people gushing over their favorite moments as though they watched and savored it just yesterday. The way in which the series showers the viewer with warmth and uplifts the soul leaves that indelible mark that will stay in one’s consciousness for years to come.

But none of this would have been possible without ARIA’s masterful score. The Choro Club and Takeshi Senoo have crafted a soundtrack that takes you far away from the hubbub of modern life, far away from the stresses of school and work, and deposits you gently into a wonderful, idyllic world that washes away your burdens and sorrows and rejuvenates your spirit. Every note that comes forth from the background music ripples serenely and nudges you along provided that you’re willing to allow the its beautiful music to envelop and propel you forward.

Natsu Tayori
[audio:103 Ariabox.mp3]

As you look around, the city transforms before your eyes revealing its quirks like the seasonal Aqua Alta, where the floodwaters bring a halt to most day-to-day activities. This slow, lackadaisical feeling is reflected in the cello part that sets the rhythm before the bandolim takes over. I find myself absorbed into the piece, especially with the staccato section that imitates the sound of someone splashing through the floodwaters and is a testament to the composers’ ability to use music to illustrate the scenery effectively. It’s not long before the soundtrack shines its spotlight on the show’s main focus, which begins with the beautiful grace notes in “Shourou no Patri -Neo Venezia-” and conveys unto you the gondoliers’ quiet grace and dignity through a simple but sublime piano melody.

Aqua Alta Hiyori
[audio:105 Ariabox.mp3]

Shourou no Patri -Neo Venezia-
[audio:107 Ariabox.mp3]

This focus upon the gondoliers (aka “undines”) is where ARIA really shines and the way it forges a bond between us and the characters is masterfully executed. The music reinforces these connections as we see the world through their eyes, are privy to their innermost thoughts and feelings, and learn what drives them to work as hard as they do. We share in their delights, their sorrows, and their quiet triumphs, feelings that drift around in our subconscious long after the show has ended. After all, who could forget Alice’s heartfelt delivery in “Lumis Eterne,” a song so bubbling with joy that we too cheered her on? Or how about Aika’s awkwardness in “Kami To Hairpin To Watashi” which voices her sorrows, but ultimately imparts her willingness to move on as she looks forwards to tomorrow? The characters all get their time to share their innermost thoughts, but the overriding theme I get out of it is that their eyes are on the future, a feeling reinforced through Takeshi Senoo’s “Mirai He no Kouseki,” a poignant piano and bandolim piece that lifts our spirits and assures us that all is well and it’s only a matter of time before they find the happiness they seek.

Lumis Eterne
[audio:213 Ariabox.mp3]

Kami To Hairpin To Watashi
[audio:207 Ariabox.mp3]

Mirai He no Kouseki
[audio:113 Ariabox.mp3]

And lest we forget, the voices of Yui Makino and Round Table feat. Nino are almost constantly there to take us in and out of each episode with the former exhibiting her usual flowing voice that allows us to soak in the show’s gentle aura and the latter delivering upbeat vocals backed by the acoustic guitars to make us look forward to the next episode. Special mention goes to Eri Kawai, whose stirring vocals, like the one she does for “Barcarole,” lightens our load long enough for us to gaze out around Neo-Venezia and realize that though these sights may be familiar, they are nonetheless beautiful as people’s hearts mold the city into an entity that warmly embraces all who come to visit, live, or work there.

Barcarole
[audio:202 Ariabox.mp3]

I love this soundtrack collection. Though it’s by no means a replacement for getting all of the soundtracks from the three seasons, it’s a good sample of ARIA music that makes for a good start to the journey to Neo-Venezia. The aura of gentleness dissolves any lingering feeling of anger or ill will while also unearthing the snapshots of all those wonderful moments that I have tucked away. I find myself entranced by its exquisite piano and choro-styled melodies which convey the show’s charming atmosphere while winning me over with its sincere sentiments. In the face of all the challenges and difficulties, ARIA’s music is a balm; the message that it and the series seems to stress is that we all can find our own little corner of happiness through the relationships that we build with others and by taking a step back and finding pleasure in even the most unlikely of places. It’s a magical world after all.

Second Season -Deai-
[audio:120 Ariabox.mp3]

Rating: Masterpiece