My prediction for 2010 is that the arrange album for Guwange will rank #1 (for me - maybe not for you). A lot of people are fairly complaining about the difficulty of acquiring Cave music; it was by pure luck that I found this (if you call paying double the retail price luck, then I was very lucky). When voting time comes around, this might be helpful.

Thanks, Kast. Gonna check this out once it finishes. My connection is slow enough to end a marriage.

I've never heard the original. Is it as good as Namiki or N.T?  (The only info I know is a bit negative - while not necessarily  related to the actual quality, the sound quality is bad because they didn't record the music directly but instead the low-bit rate MP3 files which was unfortunately the only musical asset left)

Seems like GeOnDan fares better in the Cave soundtracks, the originals of which aren't necessarily my favorites.

The original music is not that interesting, nor is it necessary for appreciating the arrange album. I had listened to the AST about 5 times before finally checking out the originals. I was not too impressed. As a counterexample, I can still enjoy the originals from Mushihimesama after hearing the arranged versions. And even more so for Deathsmiles.

Exactly. I can't say I know the originals intimately or care for them at all. However, that doesn't stop me from appreciating a fascinating and very experimental arranged album.

Jodo, what are your favourites on the album? I'm going to probably say Taro Fujikado's, Akari Kaida's, and Maki Kirioka's.

I relistened to it and felt it was well-produced. It came across more as a concept album from artists than a compilation from mercenary arrangers. Naruke, Kaida and Fujikado are among my favorite. Not sure it will end up on the top of my eventual favorite list of 2010 though (of recent Cave, I do rate ESPGaluda II BL more highly. While Sou1, Namiki and Keneda did a good job in their own way, it's the definitive soundtrack of the series. Above all, Stage2 and Stage6 are incredible. If GeOnDan finally produces an AST for ESPGaluda, I suggest it should be based on the BL soundtrack).

What attracts me to this album is that it has 12 different opinions. This is different from the typical arranged album, in which we get one opinion. I like this strategy because I am familiar with many of the arrangers; I am reminded of their other works. Plus, this is atypical music in a realm that can not be classified. There is no 'genre' of video game music since it encompasses so many styles - it is the opposite of 'parochial'.

  It's difficult for me to arrange the 12 tracks in order from favorite to least favorite.

  Favorites (track number):

  Michiko Naruke (2), Seiko Kobuchi (3), Yoshitaka Hirota (6), Hirokazu Koshio (7), Taro Fujikado (10)

  Good:

  Michiru Yamane (1), Akari Kaida (5), Maki Kirioka (8), Yoshino Aoki (12)

  Acceptable:

  Masafumi Takada (4)

  Difficult (boring):

  TECHNOuchi (9), Shunsuke Kida (11)