KOEI took a long break from their "Daikoukai Jidai" ("Uncharted Waters") series, but they returned with an MMORPG entitled "Uncharted Waters Online." The game's first expansion was "La Frontera," which received about 30 minutes of new audio from composers Taku Iwasaki and Kazunori Miyake. These new songs are almost entirely area/environment themes, though two high-seas battle themes are included as well.

The album is good in terms of production value, but the compositions simply do not rival those of KOEI veteran Yoko Kanno. I am not surprised that Kanno didn't do the composition, nor am I particularly disappointed. For an expansion to an MMORPG, these ten songs are decent. Not necessarily memorable, but definitely decent. Much of the album uses real instruments recorded for the album, though synth imitations are used at times as well.

Unfortunately, the soundtrack CD for this Asia-Only MMORPG was released as a promotional item for Japanese consumers who bought the expansion. Thus, it's not an easy find. Recommended only for long-time KOEI fans who are willing to try something new (i.e. not Yoko Kanno).

Reviewed by: Patrick Gann