Title: A great film composer
Review: Fans of Kitano films such as Sonatine, Kikujiro, and the supremely excellent Fireworks/Hana-bi might find it hard to keep their hearts out of their mouths when listening to this CD, particularly the "Thanks for everything" track from Hana-bi. But for the uninitiated (poor souls), the music is good enough to stand on its own. The themes are simple, poignant, and expressed using the simplest means: some soaring strings, a little piano tinkle, and percussion that sounds somehow Japanese. Much of it is synthesized and sounds like a karaoke-machine, but it is affecting nevertheless. It ought to be sentimental--it comes very close, in fact--but ultimately I think Hisaishi's music succeeds in evoking genuine emotions.
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