Cobra Kai (Season 5)
Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson
" The 5th Season goes out for many kills "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Cobra Kai Season 5 aired 9 months after the previous season, ready to kick all kinds of trouble. And those 2 musical sensei's following them anywhere are back for the ride. It's amazing to see the musical legacy continues with every path taken, from Mexico down to Silver's own Cobra Kai house. It was a good season, that again covered many fights. It's amazing how you can keep the fight music original and fresh when you've seen them fight over a douzen times. But the same counts for the fights themselves I guess. In the end, its about the passion and the energy you put in. Cobra Kai therefore starts ... quite soft. A bit of Mexican flair for when Miguel visits his father. The first kind of energy erupts in "Enchilados", followed by some energetic creative writing in "White Lightning". What's lovely though is when the composers channel another era, mostly they channeled the 80's vibe, but a sassy sax in that 80's vibe was one we didn't hear yet ("Cleanin' for the Boys"), and during all those fights and theme statements it makes a world of difference. Same for brooding choir and orchestral carnage in "Actions Have Consequences". Furthermore we have some asian vibes in "The Eagle and the Lion" featuring a cool Miyagi Do theme statement, and a lovely soft Conti vibe in "Miyagi's Room". We finish the first CD with then the best unified Miyagi Do theme version in "All of Us".
The second CD features a bunch of other riches, as to be expected. I always liked Sam's theme, hearing it on the first CD lovely in "Pulpo" (which is a lovely counterpart to all that rollicking fight music). But it's even more amazing once you hear that Sam theme in fighting fashion during "The Better Fighter", exploding at the end with a wonderful ubercool statement when she wins the fight. The 80's vibe in "Cobra Hack" only unleashes all kinds of hell in the upcoming tracks, "The Fifth Battle of Kawanakajima" has a lot of ethnic vibes and cool choir, you could be listening to Ghost of Tsushima, "Protect the Egg" has another moment where Sam's theme shines (I know I'm signalling her out but it's fun to discover themes intermixing in rocking music, and the epic fight between Daniel and Silver, finally showcasing Daniel's strength over fear in "The Tree Will Survive". It all ends with a classic, when Cobra Kai man himself escapes from prison in "My Way", and so the song history continues in Cobra Kai. Fun to say the least.
Season 5 has again riches, and yet it's again too much for 2 long hours. As a listening experience it's a bit easier, hence the higher rating. But I would again trim this karate gi to a functional one CD experience. I think it's better this way. But the 2 composers can't do no wrong with me, because somehow they keep bringing music that still sounds so fresh, even though you have seen them fight millions of times by now. Can't wait to see how this amazing series comes to an end in the final 6th season.
The score has again riches, it's fun to still be surprised and amazed after the so maniest karate kid fight piece.
hearing Sam's theme in heroic fashion is really amazing. Ubercool in fact.
Though equally 2 CD's long, somehow it's working better than season 4.
Though it's working better than season 4, it's still a long stretch to listen to it entirely. Give me one CD anytime.
Track Listing
CD1: 76.38
1. Once Upon a Time in the Valley (2.53)
2. Ceuta, Mexico (2.48)
3. Gasoline (1.34)
4. The Legend of Master Kim Sun-Yung (2.25)
5. Welcome to Cobra Kai (1.45)
6. A Coward’s Shortcut (1.28)
7. Enchilados (2.05)
8. Serenade for Silver (3.23)
9. White Lightning (1.14)
10. Karii (1.54)
11. Sensei Joe (2.03)
12. Karate's Bad Boy (2.16)
13. Cleanin' for the Boys (3.01) Excellent track
14. Sensory Deprivation (2.28)
15. Pulpo (3.14) Excellent track
16. Won't Back Down (1.05)
17. Race (1.32)
18. Steiner Family Reunion (0.49)
19. Helping Friend (1.23)
20. Sworn Enemies (3.12)
21. Actions Have Consequences (4.57)
22. Take the Stick (2.10)
23. Ghosts of Kreesemas Past (3.10)
24. The Eagle and the Lion (1.30)
25. Wake and Snake (1.45)
26. Miyagi's Room (2.34)
27. All of Us (2.11) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Miguel in Mexico * (1.14)
29. Silver's Legacy * (2.24)
30. Slither In * (1.27)
31. Techtown * (1.16)
32. Bonsai Auction * (1.12)
33. Enough is Enough * (1.04)
34. Master Toguchi * (3.37)
35. Military Unit * (1.45)
36. Kim Fights * (1.50)
CD2: 76.03
1. Strike First (Extended) (2.07)
2. Terry Silver's Karate (1.47)
3. Pain Does Not Exist (1.29)
4. Silence of the Senseis (1.28)
5. Adapt or Extinct (1.38)
6. Globo-Kai (3.35)
7. Yanbaru Kuina (2.17)
8. Direct Competition (1.07)
9. Silver Bullet (1.25)
10. First to Three (1.01)
11. World of Payne (2.51)
12. The Better Fighter (3.39) Excellent track
13. Reached an Agreement (1.33)
14. Dungeons and Dojos (0.53)
15. Stone Dummy (2.45)
16. Proud and Noble Warrior (3.04)
17. You Ruined My Life (2.37)
18. Head of Snake (1.54)
19. Stranded (1.02)
20. Cobra Hack (0.43)
21. Two Fronts (0.42)
22. Cobra From the Future (0.59)
23. Sins of the Serpent (2.16)
24. Stingrays See Better in the Dark (1.05)
25. The Fifth Battle of Kawanakajima (5.10)
26. Finish Him (3.14)
27. Valley Carnage (1.00)
28. Protect the Egg (2.24)
29. Upload Finished (1.10)
30. Life Isn't a Fairy Tale, It's a Competition (2.37)
31. The Tree Will Survive (2.28) Excellent track
32. Flesh Wound (4.59)
33. My Way: Paul Anka (4.24) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
34. Leaders and Followers * (0.59)
35. Chozen’s Love * (1.32)
36. Central Server * (0.57)
37. Jello * (1.12)
* CD exclusive tracks
The second CD features a bunch of other riches, as to be expected. I always liked Sam's theme, hearing it on the first CD lovely in "Pulpo" (which is a lovely counterpart to all that rollicking fight music). But it's even more amazing once you hear that Sam theme in fighting fashion during "The Better Fighter", exploding at the end with a wonderful ubercool statement when she wins the fight. The 80's vibe in "Cobra Hack" only unleashes all kinds of hell in the upcoming tracks, "The Fifth Battle of Kawanakajima" has a lot of ethnic vibes and cool choir, you could be listening to Ghost of Tsushima, "Protect the Egg" has another moment where Sam's theme shines (I know I'm signalling her out but it's fun to discover themes intermixing in rocking music, and the epic fight between Daniel and Silver, finally showcasing Daniel's strength over fear in "The Tree Will Survive". It all ends with a classic, when Cobra Kai man himself escapes from prison in "My Way", and so the song history continues in Cobra Kai. Fun to say the least.
Season 5 has again riches, and yet it's again too much for 2 long hours. As a listening experience it's a bit easier, hence the higher rating. But I would again trim this karate gi to a functional one CD experience. I think it's better this way. But the 2 composers can't do no wrong with me, because somehow they keep bringing music that still sounds so fresh, even though you have seen them fight millions of times by now. Can't wait to see how this amazing series comes to an end in the final 6th season.
The score has again riches, it's fun to still be surprised and amazed after the so maniest karate kid fight piece.
hearing Sam's theme in heroic fashion is really amazing. Ubercool in fact.
Though equally 2 CD's long, somehow it's working better than season 4.
Though it's working better than season 4, it's still a long stretch to listen to it entirely. Give me one CD anytime.
Track Listing
CD1: 76.38
1. Once Upon a Time in the Valley (2.53)
2. Ceuta, Mexico (2.48)
3. Gasoline (1.34)
4. The Legend of Master Kim Sun-Yung (2.25)
5. Welcome to Cobra Kai (1.45)
6. A Coward’s Shortcut (1.28)
7. Enchilados (2.05)
8. Serenade for Silver (3.23)
9. White Lightning (1.14)
10. Karii (1.54)
11. Sensei Joe (2.03)
12. Karate's Bad Boy (2.16)
13. Cleanin' for the Boys (3.01) Excellent track
14. Sensory Deprivation (2.28)
15. Pulpo (3.14) Excellent track
16. Won't Back Down (1.05)
17. Race (1.32)
18. Steiner Family Reunion (0.49)
19. Helping Friend (1.23)
20. Sworn Enemies (3.12)
21. Actions Have Consequences (4.57)
22. Take the Stick (2.10)
23. Ghosts of Kreesemas Past (3.10)
24. The Eagle and the Lion (1.30)
25. Wake and Snake (1.45)
26. Miyagi's Room (2.34)
27. All of Us (2.11) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Miguel in Mexico * (1.14)
29. Silver's Legacy * (2.24)
30. Slither In * (1.27)
31. Techtown * (1.16)
32. Bonsai Auction * (1.12)
33. Enough is Enough * (1.04)
34. Master Toguchi * (3.37)
35. Military Unit * (1.45)
36. Kim Fights * (1.50)
CD2: 76.03
1. Strike First (Extended) (2.07)
2. Terry Silver's Karate (1.47)
3. Pain Does Not Exist (1.29)
4. Silence of the Senseis (1.28)
5. Adapt or Extinct (1.38)
6. Globo-Kai (3.35)
7. Yanbaru Kuina (2.17)
8. Direct Competition (1.07)
9. Silver Bullet (1.25)
10. First to Three (1.01)
11. World of Payne (2.51)
12. The Better Fighter (3.39) Excellent track
13. Reached an Agreement (1.33)
14. Dungeons and Dojos (0.53)
15. Stone Dummy (2.45)
16. Proud and Noble Warrior (3.04)
17. You Ruined My Life (2.37)
18. Head of Snake (1.54)
19. Stranded (1.02)
20. Cobra Hack (0.43)
21. Two Fronts (0.42)
22. Cobra From the Future (0.59)
23. Sins of the Serpent (2.16)
24. Stingrays See Better in the Dark (1.05)
25. The Fifth Battle of Kawanakajima (5.10)
26. Finish Him (3.14)
27. Valley Carnage (1.00)
28. Protect the Egg (2.24)
29. Upload Finished (1.10)
30. Life Isn't a Fairy Tale, It's a Competition (2.37)
31. The Tree Will Survive (2.28) Excellent track
32. Flesh Wound (4.59)
33. My Way: Paul Anka (4.24) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
34. Leaders and Followers * (0.59)
35. Chozen’s Love * (1.32)
36. Central Server * (0.57)
37. Jello * (1.12)
* CD exclusive tracks