Since I was a kid watching Dragonball Z on toonami I used to get so pumped and inspired by Bruce's compositions for DBZ. Every piece fit the scene and really enhanced it. Dragon Ball Kai scenes Ive watched feel flat, and the japan version is just so dull without his score.
Later on in my life I came back and watched all the episodes, got Bruce's soundtrack, man its just amazing. I use some songs when I go running, or weightlift, its great.
I always hated how the movies did not use his music, and how GT did not use his music, and now KAI as well. For me, without Bruces music its not Dragon Ball Z.
Does anyone fell similar?
It's been a long time since I've seen DBZ with Falconer's music--but I am one of those people who love Kikuchi's score. So we might have a bit of disagreement.
In all seriousness, there are two reasons I prefer Kikuchi's score (aside from the principle of not replacing music). The first is probably for the same reason that a lot of people like it--it's hardcore. DBZ may have more action then Dragon Ball, but it's still a goofy adventure at heart, and Falconer's music doesn't convey that.
The second is a more basic problem--the music NEVER STOPS. I can't recall one instance where there wasn't music playing. That seems to be a problem with dub replacement music in general, as though one moment of silence is going to turn off the kids
I do like some of Falconer's tracks purely as music though, particularly all of Boo's themes.
As an aside, you might want to try experiencing original DBZ with the score--it was used pretty much as backup music after the whole Yamamoto scandal, so its placement differs from how it was originally used.
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You do have a good point about there being no silent moments in the show. I have not watched the original show without re-dubbed music.
Will the re-mastered DBZ blu-ray versions have Bruce's music? Will it have the original voice actors (english)?
I think the music was great and do agree that there should have been some quiet time.
Mu favorite themes are Vegeta's theme , Cell's themes (all) ,SSJ3 theme and Buu's theme (all)
And yeah the Dragon Ball Z 1.11 is the original U.S. release.
I love the old Falcouner music a lot, but I too personally prefer the score used in the original Japanese version. On top of the silent moments when they're needed, it also sounds more similar to the music we heard in the original Dragon Ball, so it streamlines the whole franchise together much better.
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I love the Kikuchi score, but I perfer to watch Z with the Faulconer score. There are certain scenes that I love to hear music and no silence like Goku powering up to SSJ3.
One thing though is the Kikuchi score is bad with Kai. I just don't think it works with the pace of that show.
It has the same audio selections contained in the orange bricks:
1. English with Japanese score
2. English with American score
3. Japanese
I disagree, good sir. I find the works of Bruce Faulconer and his group to be unimaginative and unnecessary. It lacks that old shonen spirit that courses through DBZ's veins. It seems to me like the Faulconer music is intended for some bland American action cartoon, not DBZ. Kikuchi's bigger, orchestral score sounds grander.
Also, it's not the intended music to begin with. So it's a mistake to begin with.
super saiyin 3 transformation is the best faulconer track ever....
i watch it with the original score cause its in 5.1 and bruces music doesnt sound very good in 2.0 stereo(especially since i have a 7.1 surround sound system),but when goku is about to transform in ssj3 i change it to dub score cause that music is just so awesome,blows the original score for that particular scene out of the water....
i do really like faulconers music,and i cant wait to get the bluray release cause (im pretty sure) the dub score will be in 5.1 dolby true HD,hahaha awesome...
and i agree with penguintruth ,the original score does sound great ,i really do like it as well ,and one thing i like about my audio/video receiver is that it has a setting you can put it on for movies (or shows) that are musicals or have orchestrated music and it makse kikuchis score just sound so natural and just pleasent to listen to...
but speaking of original scores,i think DBGT original score is better than dbz,thats just the way i feel...
Also, it's not the intended music to begin with. So it's a mistake to begin with.
This times a million.
The dub music is NOT a mistake.