Ami Suzuki – alone in my room May 31, 2008

Track Listing

1. alone in my room
2. love the island (TK ragga mix)
3. alone in my room (club TK mix)
4. alone in my room (Instrumental)

1. alone in my room

Alone in my room starts off with some tambourine then Ami singin with the piano, and comes in a full band.  I must say that this definitly sounds awesome already.  After the chorus synths drive up the song before Ami comes in with the 1st verse.  It’s definitly a feel good song, sadly the lyrics say otherwise…Either way I love this song too much!!!!

2. love the island (TK ragga mix)

Starts off like the original but there’s some guy saying ~DJ~ and something else.  After the beginning the song takes a turn and sounds all reggae-like, which I guess fits the song, I suppose.  Ami comes in with some of the lyrics which is echoed in the song.  She sings the verses a little later after that.  What’s interesting is that backup guy from the original is not featured in this remix either.  Well, I rather listen to the original, cause this was boring at the most.

3. alone in my room (club TK mix)

Starts off with some synths playing in the background.  Seems dark this time which also fits the premise of the song.  Then the synths from the original appear, then Ami starts singin the verse.  I also felt the bridge sound like infamous “Prelude” from the Final Fantasy series!  The chorus was lacking in power unlike the original, which turned me off.  As with the last remix, I got bored of it quickly.

 

 

Well, continuing promoting Guam, Ami’s 2nd single was a bomb….only alone in my room made an impact on me, the remixes were lacking interest all-around…IMO you should pass this single up.  Go for the album.

Rina Aiuchi – It’s crazy for you May 31, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. It’s crazy for you
2. golden moonlight
3. It’s crazy for you -VIVA RINA THE WEST “☆” REMIX-
4. Black eyes, Blue tears -The Spy Who Came In From The Cold In Montparnasse Mix-
5. It’s crazy for you ~Instrumental~

1. It’s crazy for you

Wow, this song is a dance craze bombshell.  She starts off in a high, HIGH note, but it’s not bad really.  She’s sounds real good in this song and the BKGD voices are reall cool to hear.  The only thing I had a problem with was the guy, but then he isn’t the worst I’ve heard.  Rina is definitly squeaky in the chorus but all around she isn’t bad in this song…The ending sounds of the song is sooooo cool.  This is my favorite song of this era!

2. golden moonlight

It starts very mysteriously then Rina starts it up and it’s more laid back than “It’s crazy for you”.  The song does sound great also and Rina sounds great too, though there is no bridges at least that I don’t know of.  The 2nd verse caught my attention because it sounded very animated like taken from a Kirby game or something then again this song would be perfect for Final Fantasy X-2 for some reason.  All in all, a fun track.

 

 

It’s crazy for you, was a great single, even though I haven’t heard the remixes, the main tracks sounded really great.  They both are dance tracks which Rina is mostly known for.  This is by far my favorite single of the “Be Happy” era.

Rina’s Colors: Gold

 

Misono – VS May 31, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. VS
2. Glass no Kutsu
3. VS (Instrumental)
4. Glass no Kutsu (Instrumental)

1. VS

VS is definitly a pop/rock tune.  It starts off with guitar then comes in with Misono singing the chorus of the tune. Then there’s a synth solo after which is definitly nice.  The verses and bridge are very catchy.  She’s showing a lot of enthusiasm in this song which is a good thing considering.  The guitar solo in the middle is really great too.  Overall, a great song from Misono

2. Glass no Kutsu

The song starts out with the piano and guitar playing the same melody which is cool in my book.  It’s a lot slower than “VS”.  Now Misono is kinda using too much vibrato in my opinion, but most of her career she’s been known for that.  Anyway the mood of the song changes when the e. guitar comes in.  I still found myself bored with Glass no Kutsu.

 

 

Actually, Misono’s solo debut wasn’t a bad one at all.  Both songs do appear on her album which is alright.  VS was a great song and well Glass no Kutsu could have been better but they both have a great rock feel carried from day after tomorrow. 

BTW The Never+Land era’s single covers/PV’s have storybook themes and VS was Snow White.

Tommy February6 – ♥KISS♥ ONE MORE TIME May 30, 2008

Track Listing

1. ♥KISS♥ ONE MORE TIME
2. Tommy Feb Latte, Macaron
3. ★CANDY POP IN LOVE★
4. ♥KISS♥ ONE MORE TIME (Sunaga’t Experience’s EURO/SET REMIX)

1. ♥KISS♥ ONE MORE TIME

Computerized vocals start up by saying. Kiss One More Time, I actually like her low toned voice in the song.  It’s definitly one catchy song, dang she’s really good with these quirky yet meaningful songs.  Though she does sound a little bored in the chorus, I couldn’t blame her.  Then again whenever I see TF6 she always seems bored, and a little tipsy….hahah for all you fans that know bout that.  Still, this song was pretty cool for a short song. 

2. Tommy Feb Latte, Macaron.

Well, here we are with the oddest titled song ever.  TFLM, begins with somes beeps sounding like a video game.  She sounds a lot more enthusiastic in this song than the previous, and she’s hitting some higher notes this time around.  I love how she begins the chorus by saying a word and then says it again in a different way.  The guys singing sound a bit drunk too, which was funny as hell.  I think my favorite part of the song where they go back to the v. game bleeps and then she comes back with the chorus which sounded so good.  I’m so happy it made it on the album. Oh yea it ends with a cute v. game bleep too *sigh* lol

3. ★CANDY POP IN LOVE★

This song, by far has the most going on in it.  It’s also one of the uber cute songs.  Which isn’t really bad.  Though I didn’t find this song as memorable as the other two songs.  It does sound like she was straining in the chorus and oddly she sounded a bit different than the other two, which took me by surprise.  Still, Candy Pop In Love sounds alright despite the uber cuteness of the song.

4. ♥KISS♥ ONE MORE TIME (Sunaga’t Experience’s EURO/SET REMIX)

Did they make Kiss One More Time a ballad?  Well that’s how the intro starts off, with some piano, then some beats come in which immediatly make me think of Ami Suzuki’s “all night long”.  The there’s some girl speaking, I thought it was French I could wrong though, wait she does it again at the end too.  Tommy starts singing making this entire song sounding dark and little mysterious which was nice take right there.  Though once again, I thought it didn’t really fit the song altogether.  Maybe if she resang it again and didn’t have the BKGD vocalists it actually would’ve been an alright remake. It ends kind of abrupt too which was kinda odd.

 

 

Tommy’s 2nd single was definitly pleasing to hear.  All of the songs minus the remix made it onto the album which was great.  Though I still think “Candy Pop In Love” was just too cute for the album…The other two were great danceable tracks for sure. Good single I say

Nami Tamaki – Shining Star ☆Wasurenai Kara☆ May 30, 2008

Track Listing

1. Shining Star ☆Wasurenai Kara☆
2. Kanashimi no Valentine
3. High School Queen
4. Shining Star ☆Wasurenai Kara☆ -Inst- 

1. Shining Star ☆Wasurenai Kara☆

So we start off this single with Shining Star, Well it definitly samples “Twinkle. Twinkle Little Star for sure, but the they through different variations of the tune itself also and making it a minor tone, which was a surprise.  It’s even more synthed up this time, but it’s not too much either.  Nami’s voice in this song is alright but it does go south for the chorus.  She’s straining to get heard in the chorus.  Kinda wished she sang more of the chorus, you know use some English!!!  Anywho, what a good song cause it’s definitly catchy too.

2. Kanashimi no Valentine

Obviously a Valentine’s Day song….but wait! ~You break my heart~ wait it’s a depressing Valentine’s song? Dang girl, you don’t like Valentine’s do you? Either way this song is her most ballad-y song of this era.  It Keeps on this slow tempo until she hits the middle where she gets loud in the last chorus, and she sounds the best here. Her feelings come through pretty clear here. and yet she ends the song with Happy Valentines Day. I was like WTF…Ehhh confusing song at the least.

3. High School Queen

Now I dont know who originally did this, but a bunch of people remade this, but it is her most rockin’ song of this era ~I don’t wanna lose my love~ does Nami get jealous easily or what? It’s definitly a new genre tester because she hasn’t done a rock song thus far. I love this song though, very powerful performance, for a remake, this song should have also been on the album for the same reason as i put for “Hot Summer Day”. “variety”. All in all kickass song right here!

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, the final single of the Greeting era surprised me a lot.  Shining Star has probably has the best qualities of a single.  A dance track, a ballad, and a remake or rock song.  Shining Star was an alright song, Kanashimi no Valentine was a good albeit strange Valentine’s song, and High School Queen blew my socks off.  I would have told her to put that as an A-side Xd…Best single from this era!

Perfume – Kareshi Boshuuchuu May 30, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Kareshi Boshuuchuu
2. Kareshi Boshuuchuu (Original Karaoke) 

 

 

1. Kareshi Boshuuchuu

Well, it starts out epic sounding and one of the ladies saying something/adlibbing, but then it goes to an island sounding tune.  I must say I really didn’t like this song much because they sounded way off and once again this song fits more with Morning Musume rather than Perfume. Anyway, the gals sounded like they were stuffed with marshmallows saying the title, which made me laugh.  Maybe, if the song was a little faster, it would’ve stuck on me…but not this time.

 

 

This single was definitly not like “OMAJINAI★Perori”  This song was actually was really bad.  Luckily this was the last of the “Hiroshima-Only singles” I read that it actually is really rare to find too….hmmm I’ll leave it alone XD

Kanon Wakeshima – still doll May 30, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. still doll
2. Kuroi Torikago
3. still doll (Orgel Version)

1. still doll

OMG, this is one creepy song.  It starts out with the Cello that Kanon plays and I must say, she’s really gifted at it too.  Then some xylophone playing comes in.  Then a synth sound and Kanon comes in saying ~Hi, Miss Alice~  That right there sent a shiver down my spine.  Like some of the other reviews I read it’s hard to decipher the chorus…then again who’s really paying attention because after the chorus Kanon shows off her cello skills and wow!  When she plays it on the PV it’s so well done and she’s acting as if her cello is her life support.  Wow, what a good tune and great start.

2. Kuroi Torikago

Wow, this is more faster and yet still keeps the creepiness going on.  There’s a lot more synth this time around too.  Kanon does sound a lot stronger in this song too.  It does have a ballroom sound which is definitly pleasant to my ears.  Kinda bummed that it was shorter than “still doll”.  Either way, I think it was a great B-Side, but not better than the A-Side.

3. still doll (Orgel Version)

Wow, they made the title song even more creepy by erasing the whole song and using a musicbox to use the melody which was totally awesome here.  Funniest thing is when it stops and a person had to turn the knob on the box right before the 1st chorus.  Great ending to a single….BTW it reminds me more of “Marionette -prelude-” from Ayumi Hamasaki…then again, I can see this also being a prelude to “Marionette” also how odd is that?

 

So how was Kanon’s debut?  Wow, creepiest debut if you ask me.  Mana from Malice Mizer produced the single also, which surprised me, I kinda thought…hmmmm I wonder if Gackt likes this single as well also.  Still I was impressed by this single, and it’s not like any other released singles thus far.

Rina Aiuchi – Close To Your Heart May 29, 2008

Track Listing

1. Close To Your Heart
2. Black eyes, Blue tears
3.  Close To Your Heart -VIVA RINA Q MIX-
4. Close To Your Heart (Original Karaoke)

1. Close To Your Heart

Rina’s 1st single starts out quiet with some vocals but then it starts up with synths and becoming a dance tune.  Rina’s voice does sound thin sometimes, but you know Rina’s always had it.  I’m impressed with her wording in the song, she can be quick with them or take her time with them.  It was a bit difficult finding the chorus but she does get strong in the chorus.  I loved the guitar solo.  The 2nd verse is quiet with the low synth backing her up which I totally enjoyed.  I definitly enjoyed this song

2. Black eyes, Blue tears

A very mysterious song indeed.  Starts out feeling icy and cold with the staccato notes.  She has very fast lyrics going through this song.  She’s a lot more stronger in this song than in “Close To Your Heart” which is definitly unusual to have a B-side better than an A-side.  I like when they start saying ~Black Eyes, Blue Tears~ in the middle of the song.  Made it sound more icy and mystical it was definitly the better song.

 

 

Wow, for Rina’s 1st single it was really great, both songs are really catchy in their own right. It’s a very good start to Rina’s career

BTW Black eyes, Blue tears is the first of many, many songs she’s done that has a certain color in it, in this case it’s Black & Blue….

ANNOUNCEMENT May 29, 2008

Ok, so well…..I’ve got all these songs and albums….but you know what, i don’t have all the singles fully, see I’m not a fan of remixes at all

 

So….In my single, I’ll do the main songs and if I already have the remixes I’ll do them but if I dont I wont go out on my way and get them…As it was hard enough to get some of these albums/singles.

This will start with my 1st single review from Rina Aiuchi.

Nami Tamaki – Prayer May 29, 2008

 

Track Listing

1.  Prayer
2. real dreaM
3. NEVER STOP MY HEART -Kimi to iu Kiseki ni-
4. Prayer -Inst-

1. Prayer

The 3rd single starts off with the Wintry dance track.  Prayer explodes with the chorus 1st and then enters the e. guitar which BTW sounds great!  The bridge is probably my favorite part of the entire song.  Still, Prayer I think was her 1st song that wasn’t connected to Gundam in anyway, i could be wrong but eh.  So, all in all a great start to the single

2. real dreaM

You think it’s a rock song, actually it is a pop/rock song.  Seems like she’s a bit uncomfortable, iono why.  Is it an anthem song?  I mean real dreaM is emphasaized with a couple ~oooooo~ a swooping one too.  Through that this song has a beat, thats easy and kinda fun,  Still you got to think, Chorus startup again?  Definitly b-side material

3. NEVER STOP MY HEART -Kimi to iu Kiseki ni-

To end off the single is the ballad.  Which ends on a good note.  Her english here is pretty lackluster.  She sometimes squeaks through the chorus which is not a good thing at all.  Even though it’s a ballad it’s got a steady beat and some R&B flavor and some electric guitar sneaking up in the verses and bridge.  Anyway nice way to end the single.

 

 

Nami’s 3rd single is an alright one, nothing like the previous two but still pretty ok.  This time I think she got a little bored with the b-sides, even though NEVER STOP MY HEART made the cut.  I’d pass this single up but it’s the only way to get “real dreaM”