Cobra Kai (Season 4)
Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson
" Cobra Kai divides the winners from the losers "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Cobra Kai is advancing at rapid speed, and season 4 was delivered on Netflix on new year's eve. Surely people said what the hell and just binge watched this whole thing until the new year arrived. Composers Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson are naturally on board as well to help pop the fireworks, since they all made the magic of The Karate Kid alive and well in Cobra Kai. Sadly, it's getting a bit too dark to see the whole picture once you get it all delivered in 2 CD's. Presentation is key, and this feels like ... overkill. Naturally the music is still great, and it's a testament you get to spot all the themes hidden in the many, many cues. But 2 cd's covering a lot of short tracks is making it tough. So we're getting lost in translation.
But let's talk about the good things first. One of the ultimate strengths of Cobrai Kai is its nostalgic vibe. The series continuously makes us aware this is the 80's vs the new generation. And when a new generation is greeted through the bouncy 80's vibe in "Basketball", it's a fun nostalgic trip. When it gets a whole encore in "It's Karate Kid Time", you couldn't get more excited. The other nostalgic trip is when series and music channel the 80's Karate Kid vibe. Through the music of Conti, and "Catch a Fish" is one example. Themes, another good thing. Spotting them, getting to know them through the characters. And one of the ones I really like is Sam's theme. Getting a wonderful version in "My Right Way", or lovely and soft in "Countdown", or cool through rocking guitars in "Cobra Fly", it are the small things that matter in a series or film with lots of characters. Like a soft ethnic Bill Conti vibe in "The Fellowship of the Dojos" or a more prominent Sam's theme statement in "A Final Match for the Ages". And don't forget the Myagi Do Theme and Daniel's theme in "Level 1 Karate". In the end it's all about the themes and the continuation that makes the series so great. Because Johnny's theme couldn't stay behind in "Always Be My Sensei" as well.
And perhaps the one I'm not talking about is a constant returning season theme, it opened the festivities in "It's Karate Time" and crops up multiple times, in various guises. One of the more prominent versions is during the cool "Queen Cobra", followed by the Cobrai Kai statement which is growing all the more during the seasons. The guitar version in "The Fight I Have to Face" using the season's theme is lovely as well. A classical statement announces the baddy of this season, namely Terry Silver in "Like Old Times" at the end of the track. Of course, the real REAL great tracks are those where the 2 composers go for a orchestral tour de force. Though short, "The Only Way Forward" channels the Season 3 swashbuckling style, and "Let's Finish This" alongside "A Storm of Senseis" go for a wonderful rhythmic assault of coolness, 80's Conti coolness.
But then you spot all this, surrounded by many many short tracks. The short tracks aren't bad, not at all. They are meaningful, they state themes and they deliver more Cobra Kai nostalgia. But they are short, and they aren't really necessary. A part of a good album is knowing what is necessary, and what is not. There's a good 1 CD dying to get your attention when you think about it, it would have made the experience so much more rewarding. Because this is overkill and I'm sure they know it. I know nowadays it's all about giving the people everything, so they can't complain of not having this or that. But a neat fluent listening experience is something we score fanatics dig even more. Overall, Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson continue to outdo themselves, scoring the fights with everlasting energy, but it all feels like overkill if you present it all at once.
Don't overkill it guys, leave that to the karate kids on the mat.
Cobra Kai Season 4 has riches, you got to search for them before they are lost amongst the masses.
When they unleash orchestral hell, both composers deserve a top place on the podium as well.
The continuation of using a song continues in cool fashion, though I prefer the original.
Too much of a good thing, 2 CD's is not what's needed. There's a lot of good though unneccesary filler music.
A lot of short tracks is hurting the experience as well, development could have made this a lot smoother.
Track Listing
CD1: 57.44
1. It's Karate Time (3.26) Excellent track
2. Dueling Speeches (1.11)
3. Marching Orders (1.08)
4. The Thrill of Skills (2.59)
5. Dark Miyagi-Do (1.07)
6. We're Just Getting Started (1.03)
7. Passion and Principle (1.14)
8. My Right Way (1.45)
9. Mecha-Robby (1.15)
10. Killer Instinct (1.56)
11. Fangs of Fury (1.56)
12. The High Ground (1.37)
13. Kenny’s Rage (1.52)
14. Semifinal (0.30)
15. Cobra Kai Is Gonna Die (1.22)
16. Countdown (2.13)
17. The Main Event (1.40)
18. SDO (3.26)
19. Give 'em All You Got (0.40)
20. Shirts Off (1.59)
21. Victory (0.46)
22. The Fellowship of the Dojos (2.06)
23. A Final Match for the Ages (2.34)
24. Bonsai Badass (3.34)
25. Illegal Strike (1.25)
26. Queen Cobra (2.17)
27. Defeat (1.12)
28. Streets of Reseda (0.58)
29. Screwed Everything Up (1.14)
30. The Fight I Have to Face (2.13)
31. Too Much at Stake (1.01)
32. The Moment of Truth: Carrie Underwood (3.47)
CD2: 55.54
1. Like Old Times (2.06)
2. Divide and Conquer (0.59)
3. You’re Not Getting What You Want (0.45)
4. Land a Hit (2.11)
5. Rip the Bandaid Off (0.55)
6. Okinawan Sparring Deck (2.31)
7. Basketball (1.37)
8. No Be There (0.56)
9. Balboa Park After Dark (1.45)
10. Catch a Fish (1.50)
11. Sensei Silver (2.03)
12. Cobra Fly (0.59)
13. Our Way Is the Right Way (1.33)
14. Ghost Boy (1.45)
15. Miyaguel (1.16)
16. Terry's Lesson (2.05)
17. Drive In, Stand Off (1.44)
18. Turn Fear Into a Weapon (1.39)
19. Whose Side Are You On? (0.56)
20. The Only Way Forward (1.24) Excellent track
21. Not Here to Fight (0.56)
22. Let's Finish This (1.37) Excellent track
23. A Storm of Senseis (2.24) Excellent track
24. The Price of Mercy (2.17)
25. Committee Meeting (1.24)
26. Twisted Silver (1.51)
27. Weakness (1.09)
28. Level 1 Karate (1.39)
29. Always Be My Sensei (1.55)
30. Remember the Cage (2.07)
31. Breaking and Entering (1.33)
32. Three-Headed Snake (2.49)
33. Prom Punch-out (1.31) Excellent track
34. I Love You (1.43)
But let's talk about the good things first. One of the ultimate strengths of Cobrai Kai is its nostalgic vibe. The series continuously makes us aware this is the 80's vs the new generation. And when a new generation is greeted through the bouncy 80's vibe in "Basketball", it's a fun nostalgic trip. When it gets a whole encore in "It's Karate Kid Time", you couldn't get more excited. The other nostalgic trip is when series and music channel the 80's Karate Kid vibe. Through the music of Conti, and "Catch a Fish" is one example. Themes, another good thing. Spotting them, getting to know them through the characters. And one of the ones I really like is Sam's theme. Getting a wonderful version in "My Right Way", or lovely and soft in "Countdown", or cool through rocking guitars in "Cobra Fly", it are the small things that matter in a series or film with lots of characters. Like a soft ethnic Bill Conti vibe in "The Fellowship of the Dojos" or a more prominent Sam's theme statement in "A Final Match for the Ages". And don't forget the Myagi Do Theme and Daniel's theme in "Level 1 Karate". In the end it's all about the themes and the continuation that makes the series so great. Because Johnny's theme couldn't stay behind in "Always Be My Sensei" as well.
And perhaps the one I'm not talking about is a constant returning season theme, it opened the festivities in "It's Karate Time" and crops up multiple times, in various guises. One of the more prominent versions is during the cool "Queen Cobra", followed by the Cobrai Kai statement which is growing all the more during the seasons. The guitar version in "The Fight I Have to Face" using the season's theme is lovely as well. A classical statement announces the baddy of this season, namely Terry Silver in "Like Old Times" at the end of the track. Of course, the real REAL great tracks are those where the 2 composers go for a orchestral tour de force. Though short, "The Only Way Forward" channels the Season 3 swashbuckling style, and "Let's Finish This" alongside "A Storm of Senseis" go for a wonderful rhythmic assault of coolness, 80's Conti coolness.
But then you spot all this, surrounded by many many short tracks. The short tracks aren't bad, not at all. They are meaningful, they state themes and they deliver more Cobra Kai nostalgia. But they are short, and they aren't really necessary. A part of a good album is knowing what is necessary, and what is not. There's a good 1 CD dying to get your attention when you think about it, it would have made the experience so much more rewarding. Because this is overkill and I'm sure they know it. I know nowadays it's all about giving the people everything, so they can't complain of not having this or that. But a neat fluent listening experience is something we score fanatics dig even more. Overall, Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson continue to outdo themselves, scoring the fights with everlasting energy, but it all feels like overkill if you present it all at once.
Don't overkill it guys, leave that to the karate kids on the mat.
Cobra Kai Season 4 has riches, you got to search for them before they are lost amongst the masses.
When they unleash orchestral hell, both composers deserve a top place on the podium as well.
The continuation of using a song continues in cool fashion, though I prefer the original.
Too much of a good thing, 2 CD's is not what's needed. There's a lot of good though unneccesary filler music.
A lot of short tracks is hurting the experience as well, development could have made this a lot smoother.
Track Listing
CD1: 57.44
1. It's Karate Time (3.26) Excellent track
2. Dueling Speeches (1.11)
3. Marching Orders (1.08)
4. The Thrill of Skills (2.59)
5. Dark Miyagi-Do (1.07)
6. We're Just Getting Started (1.03)
7. Passion and Principle (1.14)
8. My Right Way (1.45)
9. Mecha-Robby (1.15)
10. Killer Instinct (1.56)
11. Fangs of Fury (1.56)
12. The High Ground (1.37)
13. Kenny’s Rage (1.52)
14. Semifinal (0.30)
15. Cobra Kai Is Gonna Die (1.22)
16. Countdown (2.13)
17. The Main Event (1.40)
18. SDO (3.26)
19. Give 'em All You Got (0.40)
20. Shirts Off (1.59)
21. Victory (0.46)
22. The Fellowship of the Dojos (2.06)
23. A Final Match for the Ages (2.34)
24. Bonsai Badass (3.34)
25. Illegal Strike (1.25)
26. Queen Cobra (2.17)
27. Defeat (1.12)
28. Streets of Reseda (0.58)
29. Screwed Everything Up (1.14)
30. The Fight I Have to Face (2.13)
31. Too Much at Stake (1.01)
32. The Moment of Truth: Carrie Underwood (3.47)
CD2: 55.54
1. Like Old Times (2.06)
2. Divide and Conquer (0.59)
3. You’re Not Getting What You Want (0.45)
4. Land a Hit (2.11)
5. Rip the Bandaid Off (0.55)
6. Okinawan Sparring Deck (2.31)
7. Basketball (1.37)
8. No Be There (0.56)
9. Balboa Park After Dark (1.45)
10. Catch a Fish (1.50)
11. Sensei Silver (2.03)
12. Cobra Fly (0.59)
13. Our Way Is the Right Way (1.33)
14. Ghost Boy (1.45)
15. Miyaguel (1.16)
16. Terry's Lesson (2.05)
17. Drive In, Stand Off (1.44)
18. Turn Fear Into a Weapon (1.39)
19. Whose Side Are You On? (0.56)
20. The Only Way Forward (1.24) Excellent track
21. Not Here to Fight (0.56)
22. Let's Finish This (1.37) Excellent track
23. A Storm of Senseis (2.24) Excellent track
24. The Price of Mercy (2.17)
25. Committee Meeting (1.24)
26. Twisted Silver (1.51)
27. Weakness (1.09)
28. Level 1 Karate (1.39)
29. Always Be My Sensei (1.55)
30. Remember the Cage (2.07)
31. Breaking and Entering (1.33)
32. Three-Headed Snake (2.49)
33. Prom Punch-out (1.31) Excellent track
34. I Love You (1.43)