© 2011 Lawrence Tuczynski

Info for this CD courtesy of Sam Scali

Title Toho Special Effects Movie DVD Collection Soundtrack The Best 2
CD Label DeAgostini/Toho Music Corporation
CD Number TTD-G030
Music by: Various
Number of tracks 28
Running time 77:09
Number of discs 1
Year of release/manufacture December ??, 2010

REVIEW

September 28, 2011
Review courtesy of Robert Storch

Released roughly six or seven months after the first volume, this is another limited edition compilation from DeAgostini/Toho Music. As of this writing, a third installment has been released, though whether or not an ongoing series is planned remains to be seen. Like the first CD, Volume 2 is limited to only 1000 copies and, as far as I can tell, both volumes have completely sold out.

What makes this CD unique is its inclusion of several Godzilla "Millennium" series themes, which have never before appeared on a Toho compilation. A substantial number of cues from the Heisei era, which was not represented on Vol. 1, also make an appearance. To be honest, this is my least favorite DeAgostini CD from a musical perspective, since I already own two or three editions of each of the Heisei and Millennium soundtracks, not to mention additional compilations that contain Heisei music. Nevertheless, it's entirely appropriate that Toho has decided to represent the Millennium series in a more concise format, and the CD is a worthwhile introduction for fans who are unfamiliar with the later scores.

The sound quality is excellent, for the most part very similar to the sound of the 50TH ANNIVERSARY GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION discs. The only exception is the two cues from GODZILLA FINAL WARS, which sound more subdued and normalized compared to the sharper sounding Victor soundtrack from 2004. The bonus track, "The Super-X Suite" from GODZILLA 1984, is a true rarity - a 1994 re-recording that, until now, has only appeared on the bonus disc (KICA-2210) in the long out-of-print KING OF MONSTERS 10-CD boxed set.

I have to admit that the main attraction for me in purchasing these DeAgostini compilations is the fact that they are limited editions, and as mentioned above, the first two volumes have already sold out. The reason "DVD Collection" is mentioned in the title is because these CDs were released as a tie-in with DeAgostini's recent Toho Sci-Fi DVD collection (55 in all), where buyers get a magazine and a DVD featuring one of the movies for a low price (though without the special features found on the original Toho DVDs). In the end it is really up to the individual to decide whether or not these compilation CDs are worth seeking out, as they are expensive and difficult to find, but collectors and completists should take note.

UPDATE: September 02, 2013

This CD as well as Vol. 1 and Vol. 3 are out of print now and hard to find..

Track listing courtesy Sam Scali

Toho Special Effects Movie DVD Collection Soundtrack The Best 2

    GODZILLA (1984)

  1. Main Title (M1 T2)

    2. GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE (1989)

  2. Godzilla 1989

    3. GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991)

  3. Main Title (M1bt1)
  4. The Self-Defense Force Swings Into Action (M6)
  5. King Ghidorah's Shadow / King Ghidorah Attacks Fukuoka (M18a + M18b)
  6. Ending (M38 +M23a + M?)

    7. GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA (1992)

  7. The Birth of Adult Mothra (M26)
  8. Godzilla Against the Self-Defense Forces (M32)

    9. GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (1993)

  9. Mechagodzilla Sortie (M11)
  10. The G-Force March (M16)

    11. GODZILLA VS. SPACE GODZILLA (1994)

  11. Godzilla's Theme 1994
  12. SpaceGodzilla's Theme: The Descent of the God of Destruction

    13. GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (1995)

  13. Requiem (M44)

    14. GODZILLA 2000 MILLENNIUM (1999)

  14. Godzilla's Theme - 2000 Millennium (M34 [M11 '89])

    15. GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS (2000)

  15. Fateful Confrontation (M32 T2)
  16. The Gryphon Mobilizes (M20)
  17. Godzilla X Megaguirus (M40)

    18. GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001)

  18. Main Title (M2)
  19. Attack Preparation (M27)
  20. Godzilla's Rage (M32)

    21. GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA (2002)

  21. Announcement Ceremony for Type 3: Kiryu (M13)
  22. Mobilization (M14)
  23. Crisis - Decisive Battle (M31)

    24. GODZILLA X. MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003)

  24. Mothra in Flight - Main Title

    25. GODZILLA FINAL WARS (2004)

  25. Earth Defense Force and the Threat of Monsters (M2a [Long])
  26. Gotengo Launch

    27. GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (1995)

  27. Ending (M45 OK)

    28. BONUS TRACK:

  28. Super-X Suite