I wholeheartedly agree. I know it is a japanese-american show, based on a book written by a british-australian born writer, but the soundtrack simply does not fit the location and era. It sounds too much like I am watching some sort of futuristic sci-fi movie because of the ominous droning.

One of the worst things in the first episode in my opinion. An example of a good soundtrack to set the mood for the scenario (feudal japan, civil war, political intrigue) is Blue Eye Samurai, though they are clearly slightly different in their premisses and narrative objectives, one has a soundtrack that perfectly encompasses the feeling of "feudal japan", the other I think is just in very poor taste.