So, here are what I consider to be the top 10 anime titles of all time, as ranked by their opening themes or signature tracks!
Don't agree with me? Let me know which titles and tunes you would include on your list in the comments section below!
10) Pokemon For many people this is the sound of both hope and youth...
9) Porco Rosso Surprisingly chilled and jazzy.
8) Akira One seriously apocalyptic score
7) Death Note (Series 1 and 2) Grungey, dark and full of metal
6) Knights of Sidonia (Series 1 and 2) ElectrOrchestral
5) Apreggio of Blue Steel Energetic synth rock
4) Bleach (Series 1, 2 and 5) Consistently strong and catchy openings (collectively earning 4th place).
3) Tokyo Ghoul Emo yet powerful
2) Attack on Titan Rouses you to action!
1) Princess Mononoke Simply magical
There we have it! Princess Mononoke is my number 1! Do you agree? Let me know!
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Notable mentions, but not quite in my top 10
- Tank! Cowboy Bebop Bongos! Not in my top ten, partly because I haven't watched Tank yet, but mainly because it feels like animated Spy comedy 'Archer' has given Tank a nod in its own theme, somewhat diluting the original charm (for me personally).
- Rurouni Kenshin The Ruro Ken/Samurai X series didn't quite make the cut, as they have had a few incarnations with subtle differences/tonal rebrands. Plus, the live action films have arguably made use of better music. Don't despair though, if this wasn't a music based list, Ruro Ken would be far higher ranking.
- Spirited away Because Joe Hisaishi can't be the entire list
- Dragon Ball Z Obviously a classic, but there's only so many times you can listen to this...
- Psycho Pass Great music, but equally Bloc Party could have supplied the tunes, and show would have retained its vibe... Should this matter? Probably not, but meh.
- Terror in Resonance
Another quality tune, but the chord changes remind me a lot of Royksopp, who I could also hear soundtracking the opening. Perhaps unfair to down grade it on these terms?Again... Meh.
Glastonbury! Oh how you refresh the soul! There is honestly nothing like you in the world!
As dawn broke on the Thursday before the party started, I woke to the tent enhanced heat of a summer morning's sun, and realised something... I'm a bit of a Glastonbury veteran these days. I haven't missed a trip to the festival since first making the pilgrimage back in 2009. When you consider the amount of good fortune it takes to get a sniff at a ticket, I count myself amongst the very lucky - the blessed even. Glastonbury at times does have a divine feel about it. Ok, perhaps 'divine' is a stretch too far. But, there is a unique atmosphere present that you can only find at Glastonbury. You'd struggle to cultivate it anywhere else. Its the kind of vibe that only a huge gathering of collective good will can conjure. Glastonbury is so much more than a performing arts and music festival, its a celebration of the best things in life. There is no ill feeling, and everyone is united with one aim; to have a good time.
Irrespective of what people tell you it should be, Glastonbury is a great opportunity to take stock of what is important in life (whilst playing in mud... which is almost optional). Most people have no choice but to do away with modern technology and the perks of civilisation (yes, including those that provide basic hygiene and sanitation... but counterfactually not massive screens, pyrotechnics and sound-systems).
Because Glasto is so starkly different to our usual 21st century lifestyles, there is a somewhat religious undercurrent to it. Bizarrely, going to Glastonbury is sort of like fasting and binging at the same time. Its a step back from typical western living, coupled with an overexposure to near endless varieties of thinking, opinions and stimulus. True, some of the messages and ideas being spread at the festival are undeniably missionary (often rightfully so; universal access to clean water an indisputable example). However, other ideas and arguments, can be a little more polarising depending on who you are. A wander around the green fields will certainly get you thinking about lots of topics, not just about climate change as you might expect. This is amazing, mainly because starting a sustained discussion on climate change alone is sadly still quite difficult. Unfortunately the slow destruction of our natural resources and habitat remains boring topic for people. Perhaps unsurprising given our apparently diminishing attention spans and need of ever present entertainment. Mercifully, in our post-social climate of boredom, Glastonbury is a relentless muse, and undeniably a hot bed for inspiration. Every year I come back from the fields of avalon feeling inspired, optimistic, and increasingly desperate to one day be listed as part of the line up.
Common consensus ruled 2014 to be a vintage year for the festival. Despite the mud, rain, intense sunshine, tent-pitching difficulties, power-cuts, thunderstorms and the highest demand for mobile technology in the middle of any field anywhere ever; Glastonbury 2014 was Glastonbury at its best.
For me, the success of the festival is always defined by the music (even though there is so much more to it than that). When compared to the last 5 years, 2014's bill had no standout or 'power' headliner. No Rolling Stones, and no Beyonce. Metallica appeared to be the biggest name, but notably, they aren't everyones cup of tea. Across all stages the line up was arguably the most eclectic seen in years, with no one popular genre, band or artist dominating the agenda. People where sort of free from the usual 'must see' act that underpins what everyone spends their time hyping up... So mob rule elected Dolly Parton the supreme must see act of 2014. Slurred renditions of 9 to 5 were all you could hear. Everyone was singing it from their islands in the streams of mud. Jolene echoing everywhere in the Glasto ghetto. Dolly appeared just when we needed her the most, if you Parton the expression.
*Sigh.
Anyways... On this level playing field the mid bill bands got more attention than ever, and the result was everyone felt like they could discover something, or enjoy something new and unexpected at any moment! This itself lead to a constant state of feel good fun, and arguably the best Glastonbury I've ever been too.
On that note, here are some of my musical highlights from 2014:
Royal Blood
Drum and Bass, but not as you know it. Shred that 4 string.
Crystal Fighters
Feel Good New Age Tribal Vibes
Jurassic 5
Old School Hip Hop, with a positive message
Metallica Metal, obviously...
The Music of Barry Gray Swinging 60s Television themes made real again
Circa Waves Surf pop from... Liverpool? Ride that Merseyside tide!
Skrillex Pretty much ADHD channeled into music. Metal for electroheads.
Nick Mulvey Soothing nylon stringed bliss. Let yourself get carried away.
Turtle Island An ensemble of madness.
Lana Del Rey Glum chic, and desperate to make smoking cool again. Sort of managing.
Pretty Lights Breakbeat meets Hip Hop = Dance moves
