Welcome to another installment of my series of Song Collection reviews. I previously kicked off this little project with reviews of each song from Winspector, Solbrain, and Exceedraft. This time around I'm taking a look at a series that I've never covered in the past...Kamen Rider! No, not that Kamen Rider...the other 70s "Kamen Rider" series...uhh...Skyrider! This disco-rific song collection has a grand total of two singers contributing: Ichiro Mizuki and Isao Sasaki.
For this review I'm dusting off my copy of the 1996 release of Kamen Rider Complete Song Collection Series 6. I prefer these releases over the Super Hero Chronicles versions since Karaoke tracks are included for all songs.
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01. Moero! Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
I've declared this to be my all-time favorite Kamen Rider theme song in the past. It's still my top pick. This is maximum Ichiro Mizuki with the perfect assist from Koorogi '73 on backing vocals. It manages to be an unmistakable 70s Tokusatsu theme song without the corny ambiguity of virtually every theme song before it. That isn't to say I have a problem with theme songs prior to this, but...yeah, just look up the theme song from Zebraman and you'll see what I'm on about. Moero! Kamen Rider sails past the genre of theme song that was made for parody decades later.
Seriously...if there was ever a theme song to get hype over it's this one.
02. Harukanaru ai ni kakete / Ichiro Mizuki
The first ending song of the series. While most ending songs to Rider series prior to this were just as amped as the opening theme songs, this is an uptempo ballad. Mizuki's singing is nothing short of perfect and the assist from Koorogi '73 is just as necessary as it was on Moero! Kamen Rider.
03. Kagayake! 8nin Rider / Isao Sasaki
OK, there is a little explaining needed for this one. If you take a look down you'll see this song makes another appearance on the list. This version is sung by Isao Sasaki making his lone Kamen Rider theme song contribution. This version of the song was used as the theme song to the 8nin Rider movie from 1980.
I love this song. It's short, sweet, and catchy as all hell. You will undoubtedly find yourself singing One-Two-Three-Four-Five-Six-Seven-Eight (Five-Six-Seven-Eight!) for the rest of the week. Sorry. Also......the intro building up Rider as the bravest of all the fighter, etc. is just so wonderful.
04. Ima tatakai no hi ga noboru / Isao Sasaki
Isao Sasaki's only other contribution to Rider songs. While I love Kagayake! 8nin Rider, I think this is *his* better song for the series. Sasaki is really able to stretch his legs and deliver an awesome disco-action song. Hell, this one is really catchy as well.
I have a theory that this was meant to be a theme song to the series...more on that in a bit...
05. Otoko no na wa Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
The second theme song from the series starting on episode twenty-nine and running for the remainder of the series. While Moero! Kamen Rider is an impossible act to follow, I dig this song almost as much as it's predecessor. Yeah, it was baffling that they had the perfect theme song and felt the need to replace it...but this is a really good one as well. So what if Skyrider's new paint job debuted this episode...bah!
The little bits of guitar thrown in almost give it a little more of an 80s feel. Mizuki's vocals are spot-on, but the lack of Koorogi '73 kinda makes the whole song a little hollow.
06. Kagayaki! 8nin Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
Ichiro Mizuki's version of the 8nin Rider theme was used as the second ending song for the series starting on episode twenty-nine. I kinda alluded to it on my reviews of Isao Sasaki's songs, but I prefer this version of the song. Mizuki's vocals just go with the flow a little bit better...even if the man can't hold a note for his life. Haha.
The big question is...why even record two versions? I know multiple versions were a common thing during the early years of Rider, but bringing in Isao Sasaki was such a random thing. Maybe Mizuki wasn't available to record the movie theme...? Mysteries...
07. Oh Oh Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
Skip past the weird intro and this is a pretty average song. It's upbeat, but kinda in a non-offensive bland way. Not bad, but not one I particularly seek out randomly.
08. Chiheisen kara yattekita otoko / Ichiro Mizuki
If you told me that this song was from the Kamen Rider Stronger song collection, I'd probably believe you. Maybe this was a little bit dated sounding for 1979, but it isn't bad. It just doesn't flow with the rest of the synth-lashed tracks that we're used to in this song collection.
09. Are wa Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
I like this one. The funk guitar and background singers are back. It isn't particularly peppy, but it's certainly a catchy tune. In an alternate universe, this could be the theme song. Granted, it isn't as good as the theme songs we have...but it's certainly worth the listen. Miyo!
10. 8nin Rider Medley [Instrumental]
The famous instrumental medley from the series. This is a largely synth and horn-created medley of the Kamen Rider theme songs to date (plus Ima tatakai no hi ga noboru for good measure...which somewhat leads me to believe that it was meant to be the second theme song for the series). A (1980) modern interpretation of the Rider themes, if you will. Of all of the songs here, I probably listen to this one the most. It's a great track to throw on in the background.
11. Henshin! Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
The intro isn't great, but this is a great action song. It does remind me of Moero! Kamen Rider a little bit, but it is definitely more of an insertion song. It's also the only song here that mentions "Skyrider" by name rather than just Kamen Rider. Way to sneak that in at the very end.
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This has always been my favorite Kamen Rider song collection. It's in that sweet spot between the 70s schlock and 80s...whatever the 80s were. Ichiro Mizuki is really at his peak on this song collection and the two songs from Isao Sasaki are quite good as well. The balance it perfect here. You don't realize how amazing Ichiro Mizuki's singing is until you listen to the Karaoke version of pretty much any song--Moero! Kamen Rider in particular. The songs are just empty without him.
I feel like this is an unpopular opinion, but yeah...I truly like this song collection the best. Black RX and Black are up there as well, but I think something is missing from both of those soundtracks. When I'm in the mood for Kamen Rider songs, this is where I end up.
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That does it for Skyrider. Check out my post on Kamen Rider Super-1's song collection while you're here.
See ya!
-CC
Song Collection: Kamen Rider Super-1
That Heisei Feeling
CD Collection / Music Articles
For this review I'm dusting off my copy of the 1996 release of Kamen Rider Complete Song Collection Series 6. I prefer these releases over the Super Hero Chronicles versions since Karaoke tracks are included for all songs.
---------------------
01. Moero! Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
I've declared this to be my all-time favorite Kamen Rider theme song in the past. It's still my top pick. This is maximum Ichiro Mizuki with the perfect assist from Koorogi '73 on backing vocals. It manages to be an unmistakable 70s Tokusatsu theme song without the corny ambiguity of virtually every theme song before it. That isn't to say I have a problem with theme songs prior to this, but...yeah, just look up the theme song from Zebraman and you'll see what I'm on about. Moero! Kamen Rider sails past the genre of theme song that was made for parody decades later.
Seriously...if there was ever a theme song to get hype over it's this one.
02. Harukanaru ai ni kakete / Ichiro Mizuki
The first ending song of the series. While most ending songs to Rider series prior to this were just as amped as the opening theme songs, this is an uptempo ballad. Mizuki's singing is nothing short of perfect and the assist from Koorogi '73 is just as necessary as it was on Moero! Kamen Rider.
03. Kagayake! 8nin Rider / Isao Sasaki
OK, there is a little explaining needed for this one. If you take a look down you'll see this song makes another appearance on the list. This version is sung by Isao Sasaki making his lone Kamen Rider theme song contribution. This version of the song was used as the theme song to the 8nin Rider movie from 1980.
I love this song. It's short, sweet, and catchy as all hell. You will undoubtedly find yourself singing One-Two-Three-Four-Five-Six-Seven-Eight (Five-Six-Seven-Eight!) for the rest of the week. Sorry. Also......the intro building up Rider as the bravest of all the fighter, etc. is just so wonderful.
04. Ima tatakai no hi ga noboru / Isao Sasaki
Isao Sasaki's only other contribution to Rider songs. While I love Kagayake! 8nin Rider, I think this is *his* better song for the series. Sasaki is really able to stretch his legs and deliver an awesome disco-action song. Hell, this one is really catchy as well.
I have a theory that this was meant to be a theme song to the series...more on that in a bit...
05. Otoko no na wa Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
The second theme song from the series starting on episode twenty-nine and running for the remainder of the series. While Moero! Kamen Rider is an impossible act to follow, I dig this song almost as much as it's predecessor. Yeah, it was baffling that they had the perfect theme song and felt the need to replace it...but this is a really good one as well. So what if Skyrider's new paint job debuted this episode...bah!
The little bits of guitar thrown in almost give it a little more of an 80s feel. Mizuki's vocals are spot-on, but the lack of Koorogi '73 kinda makes the whole song a little hollow.
06. Kagayaki! 8nin Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
Ichiro Mizuki's version of the 8nin Rider theme was used as the second ending song for the series starting on episode twenty-nine. I kinda alluded to it on my reviews of Isao Sasaki's songs, but I prefer this version of the song. Mizuki's vocals just go with the flow a little bit better...even if the man can't hold a note for his life. Haha.
The big question is...why even record two versions? I know multiple versions were a common thing during the early years of Rider, but bringing in Isao Sasaki was such a random thing. Maybe Mizuki wasn't available to record the movie theme...? Mysteries...
07. Oh Oh Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
Skip past the weird intro and this is a pretty average song. It's upbeat, but kinda in a non-offensive bland way. Not bad, but not one I particularly seek out randomly.
08. Chiheisen kara yattekita otoko / Ichiro Mizuki
If you told me that this song was from the Kamen Rider Stronger song collection, I'd probably believe you. Maybe this was a little bit dated sounding for 1979, but it isn't bad. It just doesn't flow with the rest of the synth-lashed tracks that we're used to in this song collection.
09. Are wa Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
I like this one. The funk guitar and background singers are back. It isn't particularly peppy, but it's certainly a catchy tune. In an alternate universe, this could be the theme song. Granted, it isn't as good as the theme songs we have...but it's certainly worth the listen. Miyo!
10. 8nin Rider Medley [Instrumental]
The famous instrumental medley from the series. This is a largely synth and horn-created medley of the Kamen Rider theme songs to date (plus Ima tatakai no hi ga noboru for good measure...which somewhat leads me to believe that it was meant to be the second theme song for the series). A (1980) modern interpretation of the Rider themes, if you will. Of all of the songs here, I probably listen to this one the most. It's a great track to throw on in the background.
11. Henshin! Kamen Rider / Ichiro Mizuki
The intro isn't great, but this is a great action song. It does remind me of Moero! Kamen Rider a little bit, but it is definitely more of an insertion song. It's also the only song here that mentions "Skyrider" by name rather than just Kamen Rider. Way to sneak that in at the very end.
---------------------
This has always been my favorite Kamen Rider song collection. It's in that sweet spot between the 70s schlock and 80s...whatever the 80s were. Ichiro Mizuki is really at his peak on this song collection and the two songs from Isao Sasaki are quite good as well. The balance it perfect here. You don't realize how amazing Ichiro Mizuki's singing is until you listen to the Karaoke version of pretty much any song--Moero! Kamen Rider in particular. The songs are just empty without him.
I feel like this is an unpopular opinion, but yeah...I truly like this song collection the best. Black RX and Black are up there as well, but I think something is missing from both of those soundtracks. When I'm in the mood for Kamen Rider songs, this is where I end up.
---------------------
That does it for Skyrider. Check out my post on Kamen Rider Super-1's song collection while you're here.
See ya!
-CC
Song Collection: Kamen Rider Super-1
That Heisei Feeling
CD Collection / Music Articles
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