Utada Hikaru – For You/Time Limit July 28, 2008

Track Listing

1. For You
2. Time Limit
3. For You (Original Karaoke)
4. Time Limit (Original Karaoke)

1. For You

Ahhh, its a new R&B song, but its a little boring comparing with her other the other related songs she’s done.  Utada has some of her soft vocals in the song and it really kinda sounded nice to listen to.  I was ending up bored though with no little changes to the song *sigh* .  It’s a simple track though.

2. Time Limit

Another R&B track as an A-side?  It’s a bit more lively than the previous track and she kinda gives a shoutout to DARKCHILD in the beginning which is a nice thing to do.  Her vocals are better here than in “For You”.  Not the best A-side for the era but it does its job quite nicely. There’s a nice rap interlude also, but it was kinda of useless as it was just the usual whats up, jam to it kind of rap…

 

 

I really don’t know why this single was big, then again I read it was right before her 1st nation-wide concert and I guess this was a promotion single?  Then again, it did go bac to her roots for this which i guess is nice *shrugs*?

Mai Kuraki – Stay by my side July 27, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Stay by my side
2. Just Like You Smile Baby
3. Love, Day After Tomorrow -Day Tripper Drum n’ Bass Mix-
4. Stay by my side ~Instrumental~

1. Stay by my side

A soft pop song, Mai sounds kind of nice with the shuffling R&B beats.  It’s got a nice sound with Mai’s soft-spoken vocals.  Strange thing is that I think the shuffling would’ve been better left off, making it a more ballad-like track.  she does get more apparant later in the song and she sounds nice.

2. Just Like You Smile Baby

Even more R&B than the last track, we get to listen to Mai’s deeper voice which oddly sounds like Utada.  I do like the configuration of the synths in the track.  Mai does mess up saying the title, she mashed them up so you can really decipher ~Smile Baby~. 

 

 

Mai’s 2nd single was alright, not her best but it was pretty good from her.  Stay by my side only goes on to be on “Delicious Way”  The b-side well, I’m not going to miss it at all.

Tommy February6 – Tommy airline* July 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. AttenTion pLEasE
2. je t’aime ★ je t’aime
3. sEpia memory
4. Futari no Seaside
5. CAndY EyEs doLLs
6. ChOOSe mE or Die
7. daNCin’ bABY
8. SwEEt dREAM
9. ThE RoSe fraGranCe
10. MaGic in youR Eyes
11. I still love you boy
12. Love is forever

1. AttenTion pLEasE

The introduction to the album, obviously making it seem like it’s on a plane saying, enjoy your time.  There’s also the T.O.M.Y. heard from her 1st album. Nothing too spectacular

2. je t’aime ★ je t’aime

Yep, our 1st track is also the 1st single and it was placed properly on the album.  Traces of French are on the track which I loved the best in this song.  Tomoko makes good use of all the synth and c’mon the bridge was the coolest I’ve heard in a while.  Oh yea, it was a pretty odd transition from the first track too.  *sigh*

3. sEpia memory

Taking on a more jungle-like feeling song, sEpia memory is a bit more minamalistic then the previous track, but it’s got some pretty nifty synths though.  I was surprised at how good this track was since it is the 1st new track.  What a great track.

4. Futari no Seaside

Another great track is Futari no Seaside the drive-by ocean track.  I love how Tomoko mixes up the English and Jap.  Though I’m still wondering why she said ~Candybar~.  Also, I’m still baffled by all the jingle bells present in here.  Still, impressive track.

5. CAndY EyEs doLLs

Uhm, so here we have a happy happy track.  When I saw the title I was thinkin *Oh no, not another CANDY POP IN LOVE*  I was kind of right and also kind of wrong at the same time.  It’s sugary pop but there’s also some seriousness to it.  The chorus was weird for me because it just didn’t sound like anything like the verses/bridges.  Whatever lol

6. ChOOSe mE or Die

The ever-needed dark song of the album is less going on than the previous song until the chorus where things pickup for a bit.  She chants the title and its minorlly disturbing.  It’s a pretty catchy song albeit an evil one. 

7. daNCin’ bABY

Kinda gettin repititious with the synth, daNCin’ bABY really failed to make an impression on me.  Though the random whistle was kinda nice.  A pop tune still Tomoko sounds a bit more alive than she has been in a few of the earlier tracks.  The after-chorus with the swervy synth was the best part.

8. SwEEt dREAM

I’m not sure what to call this but I think it’s a ballad or at least trying to be.  The drums throws it off for a little bit, but eventually it makes sense.  It does have a different sound compared to the rest of the album, which is a plus.  Tomoko also sounds a bit different to me personally like she’s more airy in her vocals and they sound controlled to.  A memorable track indeed.

9. ThE RoSe fraGranCe

Ahhh, I love the beat to this song, so straightforward and aggressive.  The verses are so catchy and the chorus is just as good.  The back and forth with the beats made a quick dance beat and I just can’t help but bobbing me head to the beat.  It’s probably the best new track here.

10. MaGic in youR Eyes

A magical tune fills our ears next.  It’s a different track because it has a brass instrumentation written into it.  It’s also got the same pulsing beat but its put at a faster pace than “ThE RoSe fraGranCe”.  As it is also the last single, I found its charming well-needed on the album.

11. I still love you boy

An oddly slow tune, I still love you boy is the 2nd ballad of the album and well, it really didn’t leave anything for me to enjoy since I liked “SwEEt dREAM” a lot more.  I think I was better off with one ballad on the album.  Tomoko does sound real strong, I’ll give her that.

12. Love is forever

The 2nd single is our final track?  Definitly surprising, but y’know it did make a good ending to a good album.  It’s your usual synth job here, so I wasn’t too impressed since majority was like this.  I think there so should’ve been a different song to finish up the album than with this pop tune.

Tracks Recommended

• ThE RoSe fraGranCe
• je t’aime ★ je t’aime
• sEpia memory
• ChOOSe mE or Die
• MaGic in youR Eyes

Tommy February6’s sophomore album was definitly an odd album because of how different it compared to her last album.  A lot of people say this paled in comparison, however to me I liked this album just as much as her debut.  Now this is probably her final album though she released two singles after this album and things’ve changed:  Buriguri got back together and her reining assault as her alter-ego Tommy Heavenly6 which I might start reviewing soon.  As for TF6, recently there’s been news she’s doin a track for the Cyndi Lauper Memorial Album, which gives good news that she isn’t gone yet.

Kana – Doubutsu-teki Ningen July 27, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Rainbow -Ningen Shiki-
2. Hebi-Ichigo
3. Kabi
4. Mirukii
5. Toraboruta
6. Chimame
7. Jueki
8. Mori
9. Kuuchuu Buranko
10. Tsuno
11. Daichi
12. Momo -Me ga Haeta Shiki-

1. Rainbow -Ningen Shiki-

Not the nicest way to start the album of, with her kiddy-like voice.  The music is a bit depressing and with the random xylophone moments it kind of made it a melancholic track but with Kana’s extreme vocals it can get weird for the listener.

2. Hebi-Ichigo

1st single really kicks off this album in a good way really.  Kana is really showing at how good she’s capable of and her talent to show how far she can totally destroy it also.  I’m still loving this single, if I’m correct this is her most popular song or most recognizable, and I can see why.  Awesome rock track.

3. Kabi

WTF is she doing at the beginning?  Rolling the lips like that, that totally was random.  It’s a very fast rock track and got’s a nice steady beat to it.  Kana sounds a tad monotone in the verses sadly.  It’s one of the “being chased” tracks, if you know what I mean. 

4. Mirukii

A dark and eerie beginning with the strings and odd percussion.  Overall, it is a strange track but it’s got a nice arrangement and the offbeat guitar makes for a better song.  Kana actually doesn’t sound real bad either.  A nice slow rock track here.

5. Toraboruta

Travolta?  Ok, it might be about the famous actor, but this song is just the two tracks before shoved together.  It’s got the soft sounds from “Mirukii” and the chase sounds of “Kabi”.  This song was just overly creepy.  After the chorus there’s a guitar solo that sounded pretty shweet and Kana coming in after that was so cute. 

6. Chimame

We’re here with the 2nd single of the era and it was gritty, strange and c’mon it’s gotta be rockin’ as well.  I still find it oddly slow and kind of messy for a single.  Then again, why am I complaining?  Not the best track off the album.

7. Jueki

Thr shortest track off the album barely reaching 2 minutes, it acts like an interlude.  It’s got some strange percussion with Kana ad-libbing and that’s all it is, not really much of anything and kinda creepy too.

8. Mori

Mori is the oddest track with it’s soft pop roots written to it.  It’s got such a nice calming atmosphere to it which last time seen was “Tsuki no Tsubasa” from the “Kuuchuu Buranko”.  Kana’s vocals can seem whiney here, but they do compliment the song in a way.

9. Kuuchuu Buranko

The final single shows up in a flurry of guitars and pounding beats.  It’s got such a cool sound to it.  Kana sounds evil in this song as well.  It can be a bit messy in the chorus and Kana can sound off a lot.  When she says the title she really stresses into saying it too, What a cool, crazy song.

10. Tsuno

Whoa, definitly the fastest opening in a Kana song, it slows down back into the usual rock fare.  I do like the beats from the drum.  The bridge gots some of the creepiest undertones found on this CD.  Tsuno wins for darkest track.  She’s a bit messy in the vocals and is monotone again, still it’s catchy for sure.

11. Daichi

Daichi, who’s Kana’s brother, I think she wrote it for him.  It’s so abstract with its screeching parts and obscure beats.  Kana’s voice is layered too which caught me as distracting from the song.  I really don’t what to think of the song, its the strangest track for sure.

12. Momo -Me ga Haeta Shiki-

NO, NO, NO!!!  This song sucks just as much as it did in the “Chimame” single.  I tried to find a difference between the 2 versions and there isn’t any.  It’s got the worst vocals in it with Kana sounding so off everywhere.  Terrible final track.

Tracks Recommended

• Hebi-Ichigo
• Daichi
• Mirukii
• Kuuchuu Buranko

Kana’s debut album was a pretty good start for this gothic lolita.  Every song except Momo was alright, though she could have added a B-side or two.  I’m not sure exactly what her future albums sound like yet, but I think I’m terrified

misono – Zasetsu Chiten July 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. Zasetsu Chiten
2. black & white ~Kuroi Sunglasses Kaketa Hi Kara~
3. Zasetsu Chiten -instrumental-
4. black & white ~Kuroi Sunglasses Kaketa Hi Kara~ -instrumental-

1. Zasetsu Chiten

What can I say about Zasetsu Chiten?  I mean it’s probably one of her best tracks since “VS” I know it’s her debut track, but nothing from her since has made me appreciate female J-Rock until I heard this.  It’s very in-your-face and misono shows perfect emotion.  It’s her best effort thus far.

2. black & white ~Kuroi Sunglasses Kaketa Hi Kara~

Enter the more darker track, black & white is doesn’t have as much force as the A-side but shows a big difference in sound.  With loud bass and strong vocals, but the chorus kind of sounds messy to me.  Still, I think it really made for a good B-side.

 

 

misono’s 3rd single for the “Sei -say-” era was really a ppwerhouse of a single.  Zasetsu Chiten was omfg powerful and wowzers.  So, both do make it on the album which is great!

Rina Aiuchi – Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~ July 26, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~
2. Rosemary
3. Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~ (Jelly Wong Mata Leao Mix)
4. Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~ (Instrumental)

1. Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~

I think it’s her first ballad A-side and actually it’s a pretty one too.  Rina sounds pretty strong singing along with the piano.  Then it goes into a rock ballad and it was a kind of strange thing to do.  Rina sounds great even that super high note.  It’s not something you hear from Rina this early in her career.

2. Rosemary

Rina trying to be BoA again?  Well, she tries with this R&B flavored track.  It’s still very awkward to hear her try this kind of accompainment, the addition of the E. Guitar does make it sound pretty cool.  The sudden strokes of the strings also create a pulse in the song, which took me by surprise for sure.  I actually enjoyed this track a lot!

 

 

Wow, this single was a new turn for Rina since we have a rock ballad and on the other side we have a hard R&B track.  They both carried so much coolness and is probably the 2nd best single of the era “Run up” being the 1st.  Sucks that she never puts her B-sides on her albums *since most of the time they’re better anyway*

Ai Otsuka – Daisuki da yo. July 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. Daisuki da yo.
2. Friends ~Sakaban ver.~
3. Daisuki da yo. (Instrumental)
4. Friends ~Sakaban ver.~ (Instrumental)

1. Daisuki da yo.

Another ballad single, Daisuki da yo. has a little less flare and keeps it in a nice slow tempo.  I kind of thought this was a step down from “Kingyo Hanabi”.  Then again Ai has so many ballads it’s almost crazy.  She does sound stronger however so I guess that’s a good thing.  Strong ballad from Ai.

2. Friends ~Sakaban ver.~

A great strong ballad from Ai, it has a strong guitar following which is a surprise for me.  Since the album version of Friends is orchestrated, this is the rock ballad version and I kinda like it a lot better than the album version.  Ai sounds pretty good though she can get nasal at some notes.  What a nice B-side.

 

 

Daisuki da yo. was a pretty single though the title track isn’t one of her best ballads it’s still good for being one.  Friends however made this single shine with its great rock arrangement!  I’d recommend listening to the single.

dream – reality July 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. reality
2. reality (Dub’s Warp House Mix)
3. send a little love (BEATWAVE REMIX)
4. reality (EUROBEAT MIX)
5. send a little love (Happy Euro 2000 Mix)
6. send a little love
7. reality (Instrumental)
8. send a little love (Instrumental)

1. reality

I actually was surprised at how much it sounds like some of dat’s stuff in this song.  The strong guitar and synth usage.  It’s a bit less memorable as the other singles however because of how similar it is arrangement-wise to them.  It is a happy track though.

2. send a little love

Then comes the B-side and truthfuly, I was liking the more lower sounding synths.  The bridge was kind of cool because it had this twinkling sound.  The girls sound a bit different with the BKGD vocals helping out.  It’s still a dance tune however but a very awesome one at that.

 

 

dream’s 5th single was little disappointing in the A-side since it really didn’t stand out for me but send a little love really ante uped the single with its awesome trance sound.  Thank god both are found on “Dear…”

Ami Suzuki – Don’t leave me behind/Silent Stream July 25, 2008

Track Listing

1. Don’t leave me behind
2. Silent Stream
3. Don’t leave me behind (TV mix)
4. Silent Stream (TV mix)

1. Don’t leave me behind

Ack, I still don’t think this is much of a good song, at least not amongst the other singles.  It’s mainly piano working its magic but it goes into some odd minor tones and doesn’t really compliment Ami’s singing.  The chorus doesn’t sound any better with her swooping the notes however she wants. Ick.

2. Silent Stream

This song could’ve been a fast pop/rock track but it never really levitates to anything, the guitar plays background while this odd pop sound starts up.  I guess it is the better A-side out of this, because Ami isn’t all over the place and actually makes sense and sounds strong. 

 

 

The final single was probably my least favorite, I mean already 6 singles for one album?  That’s completely bad.  Anyways, Silent Stream was a pretty good pop track but, against the other songs this was filler.  Don’t leave me behind was just not needed, and I didn’t enjoy a lot of it.

Hitomi Shimatani – Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER July 24, 2008

Track Listing

1. Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER
2. ANGELUS
3. “Mate ne”
4. Kuon -kuon-
5. Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!
6. Domenica
7. Jewel of Kiss
8. Hatsukoi
9. Viola
10. Hanamuke no Kotoba
11. YUME Biyori
12. Kiraboshi
13. Tenohira wo Taiyou ni (First Press Bonus Track)

 1. Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER

The title track and first is a feel-good pop track.  The start of the song really sounded nice and made it more natural and sort of tribal.  There’s splotches of R&B laid out as well, but it’s still a pop track above all else.  The middle of the track was so beautiful and magical just listening to it.  One of her best of her Album title tracks.

2. ANGELUS

Our latin track ANGELUS leads powerfully with its instrumentation of horns and other such latino flavors.  ANGELUS being used as an opening sequence to “Inuyasha” did make it kinda question it.  Still, as it is a dance track, I’m not surprised.  Hitomi sounded so strong in this song. A real cool mix of cultures here.

3. “Mate ne”

Waves lead us into this nice track from Hitomi.  The acoustic guitar plays the exits when she starts singing this nice ballad.  It’s a simple track of course, but c’mon, Hitomi sounds usually great in ballads.  What a great change in the album already. Beautiful track

4. Kuon -kuon-

Another ballad, Kuon is actually more simplistic than the previous track.  Piano is mostly the instrument being used the most.  The bells kinda made me think this was the winter track.  I kinda ended up bored with this track though since it lacked any followthrough really.  The chorus was nice though.

5. Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!-

This oddly named named track, actually shows off her powerful vocals.  I had to laugh becuase I didn’t think she’d say the title.  It’s a dance track but retains some latin sounds, but isn’t as obvious like in “ANGELUS”  The chorus is where I say she was the best, releasing her inner powerful vocals.  Great track!

6. Domenica

Continuing with the latin sounds, Domenica makes much more of its sound the other two tracks.  Though I thought the chorus was a tad messy even for my taste.  This track seemed to be a hybrid of “ANGELUS & Z!Z!Z!”.  Still it didn’t have a cool guitar solo.  The synths sounded funny, reminded me of Mario Kart 64…^_^

7. Jewel of Kiss

A sparkling pop tune is what Jewel of Kiss is.  When I first saw it I was like, this is a ballad for sure.  I was wrong obviously.  I kinda like the cute sounds of the instrumentation.  Hitomi still sounds great, however it’s like mainstream American Pop though, but this would be pretty cool if I saw it on TV.

8. Hatsukoi

Hatsukoi is a beautiful ballad.  A quiet one at that too.  It does get better when the drums come in.  I feel also that this is a winter track also.  Who cares, if Hitomi can sing it well, I’m good with it.  She does it so well.  Could my favorite ballad from this album.

9. Viola

When I need a wake-me-up, Viola stands out for me.  It opens with a great asian string instrument.  Another of her dance track Viola stands out from majority of the other dance tracks with its Asian influence spread in the song.  The chorus sounds so great mixing with the instrument, an awesome combination of past and present.

10. Hanamuke no Kotoba

Another ballad? After “Viola”?  Well, I found this one to be so boring.  I mean Hitomi sounds great, but the instrumentaion has been like used a bafillion times.  So I wasn’t too impressed with the tune, oh well.

11. YUME Biyori

This had to be the most ethnic track on the album.  Mixing asian instruments and accordion was a surprise.  It’s lively and as such is a standout track.  The new feelings strung out this time had a nice feelgood sound to it.  Hitomi also sound happy too. 

12. Kiraboshi

Our final main track has a sitar in it and has a dance beat to it also?  I found it as a fitting final track, it just has the right stuff to be a final track.  Leaving the listener in a happy mood and able to take on the world, Yea it’s one of those songs.

13. Tenohira wo Taiyou ni

If thats one thing that “Kiraboshi” was happy…Then this track beats it out.  It’s got a more happy sound and has twinkling sounds and OMG a flute???  This is very unorthodox of her.  Hitomi sounds so good though.  Ahhhh…anyway it’s still a *First Press Edition* track, but a good one.

Tracks Recommended

• Viola
• Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!-
• YUME Biyori
• Hatsukoi
• Tenohira no Taiyou ni

Ok, Hitomi’s 4th album, was definitly of high quality and was pretty good too.  A few songs bored me, but majority of them had such fresh sound and great opportunities to go into new and better sounds.  Hitomi, you should be even more popular than Ayu by now.  Your songs have more variety to them!