© 2003 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title: DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
Japanese Title: GOUKAI Na KAIJU SOSHINGEKI
CD Label: BKM
CD Number: G.R.F.011
Music by: Akira Ifukube
Music Performed by: Takeo Yahiro & Friends
Number of tracks: 26
Running time: 63:32
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: 2002

REVIEW

February 09, 2003 (Courtesy of Sam Scali)

"GOUKAI Na KAIJU SOSHINGEKI" (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS)" (G.R.F.011)

This CD is the fourth in a wonderful series of "a cappella" discs featuring Godzilla-related music, produced by an informal artists' collective known as the Bukimisha Weird Secret Society. Like the previous discs, "GODZILLA" (G.R.F.008), "THE MYSTERIANS" (G.R.F.009) and "MONSTER ZERO" (G.R.F.010), the material was taken from Akira Ifukube's classic Toho sci-fi scores, with all the musical parts painstakingly re-arranged and performed by a group of ten male vocalists. This disc picks up where "MONSTER ZERO" left off, featuring Ifukube's individual monster motifs from "War of the Gargantuas" (1966) through "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah" (1995). There is also a hidden track at the end of the disc that was not composed by Ifukube - a spirited (and rather funny) rendition of the "Gamera" song.

As before, the performances are truly impressive, with the complexity of Ifukube's original arrangements faithfully replicated by an ingenious blend of voices. Still, as carefully crafted as each track is, the Bukimisha guys never seem to take things too seriously - there is a lot of enthusiastic humor behind their interpretations. For example, during some of the themes the monster's name is repeatedly sung ("Gojira!" "Mosura!", etc.), to the melody of the piece. There are many other amusing touches and exaggerated vocal flourishes, but the structural integrity of Ifukube's compositions is never lost.

All of the Bukimisha CDs are a must for diehard Ifukube fans, and have to be heard to be believed. Their lighthearted approach will also appeal to Godzilla fans as well as followers of unusual music in general. Many of the group's earlier, non-Godzilla CDs are sold out, so get these while they last!

Bukimisha CDs are available to non-Japanese buyers through BOOTH (The International Indie Art Marketplace) by using a proxy service or other intermediary: https://bukimisya-maal.booth.pm/

English Title:DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
Japanese Title: GOUKAI Na KAIJU SOSHINGEKI

  1. [Bukimisha/Introduction]
  2. From "Destroy All Monsters"

  3. Earth Monsters Converge
  4. From "War of the Gargantuas"

  5. Gaira
  6. Sanda
  7. Giant Octopus
  8. From "King Kong Escapes"

  9. Mechani-Kong
  10. Gorosaurus
  11. King Kong
  12. From "Latitude Zero"

  13. Gryphon
  14. From "Yog, Monster From Space"

  15. Gezora
  16. Ganime
  17. Kameba
  18. From "Terror of MechGodzilla"

  19. Godzilla, MechaGodzilla, Titanosaurus
  20. From"Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah"

  21. Godzillasaurus
  22. King Ghidorah
  23. From"Godzilla vs. Mothra"

  24. Battra
  25. Mothra
  26. From"Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II"

  27. MechaGodzilla
  28. Baby Godzilla
  29. From"Godzilla vs. Destoroyah"

  30. Godzilla, Destoroyah
  31. Godzilla
  32. BONUS TRACKS

    From"Destroy All Monsters"

  33. Intro/Main Title
  34. Title Credits
  35. Monster Land
  36. [Bukimisha/ Conclusion]
  37. HIDDEN TRACK

  38. Gamera