FLCL Original Soundtrack 1: Addict

Gainax, the production team behind this six-episode surrealist slice of life sci-fi coming-of-age classic, eschewed a full original soundtrack in favor of rearranged previously-released songs from Japanese alt rockers The Pillows – and the gamble paid off for all involved, giving the show its own unique flavor while simultaneously breaking the 10-year-old band in the United States. It didn’t hurt that their sound dovetailed with the rising popularity of garage bands like The Strokes and the White Stripes. This first volume covers the first three episodes (which should tell you just how much music they used), including the specially-written ending theme, “Ride on shooting star.” It’s also worth seeking out the second volume for the epic “I think I can,” which escalates the show’s final battle to new levels of intensity.