Kaya – Last Snow December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. Last Snow
2. Barairo no Hibi
3. Perverse rendezvous (Regular only)
4. Last Snow ~Kayaless Version~

1. Last Snow

Knowing Kaya before this probably helps because he is without the usual dance/techno fare we’re usually into.  First off, it’s a winter ballad, which has been done so many times this year already.  Second thing Kaya to me sounds a little different, using a more boyish sound than his usual deep tone.  I do like the fact it’s Kaya singing in it because it’s rare to hear this.  The music is pretty nice and I like the woodwind instrument.  Very pretty. 

2. Barairo no Hibi

Barairo no Hibi on the other hand is more upbeat and jazzy perhaps?  Now this is the Kaya I recognize and he sound really good.  I think there’s transitioning issues from the bridge to chorus because I think of how awkward the rhythm and Kaya’s singing just hit.  Still, I haven’t heard him do a jazzy track and this was otherwise pretty good.

3. Perverse rendezvous

 HERE’s where I’m used to Kaya’s stuff. Why is this only on the limited edition of the single, seriously it’s so good.  There’s tons of repetitive synth present and Kaya’s deeper vocals as well.  It isn’t aggressive as some of his other tracks, but this’ll is nice considering what else is on the single. 

 

Kaya’s winter single was something unexpected from my perspective because I’m used to his techno stuff, but this was a pretty single.  I mean a sweet ballad and a jazzy B-Side.  Even then it doesn’t beat the 2nd B-side which totally won me over.  It’s a good winter single. 

 

 

 

Masami Okui – INSANITY December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. INSANITY
2. TOTAL ECLIPSE
3. INSANITY (Off Vocal)
4. TOTAL ECLIPSE (Off Vocal)

1. INSANITY

Like the track describes, it’s quite insane.  A crazy rock arrangement fluorishes and Masami’s vocals are amazing for a song like this.  It oddly reminds me of Nami Tamaki’s music a little bit, but more focused on the rock side of things rather than the synths.  I really liked the catchy chorus the most.  Definitly impressive.

2. TOTAL ECLIPSE

TOTAL ECLIPSE is a bit slower than the A-side, but in reality it’s way better than “INSANITY”.  The verses have a eerie quality add in a male vocalist singing along with Masami and it just adds on more of this darker sound.  Middle in the song we get to hear how powerful Masami can get and wow, that’s something awesome. 

 

 

Masami Okui’s debut single under the Lantis label was hard rock and powerful.  Both songs were at different tempos, but they both are kickass tracks.  Though I love TOTAL ECLIPSE  a lot more. 

AAA – DRAGON FIRE December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. DRAGON FIRE
2. DRAGON FIRE (Instrumental)

1. DRAGON FIRE

I guess this is better.  I mean with the energy and all the brass found throughout, it’s pretty quirky.  The verses seems to be taken pretty strongly and I like everyone in it this time.  I found it very funny how they end the chorus on a super high note.  I love whoever is singing in the 2nd verse though.  It isn’t Nissy I don’t think.  Yukari perhaps?  I don’t know but she sounds great!

 

 

Ending the ATTACK era with DRAGON FIRE was great.  I love this song, even though it doesn’t surpass “BLOOD on FIRE” at all.  If I want to have a fun party-like atmosphere song, this would totally do it.

Utada Hikaru – Boku wa Kuma December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. Boku wa Kuma
2. Boku wa Kuma (Original Karaoke)

1. Boku wa Kuma

Seriously, this song shouldn’t be taken so seriously. It’s a downright Children’s Song and it’s pretty basic all-around.  It’s what Kuma is and isn’t and what it likes and doesn’t like, so it’s pretty easy to follow along.  A simple melody also occupies the song and it’s pretty cute and Hikki talks in French?  WTF.  I really like this short track for some reason, I get this track and start to hum along. 

 

 

Hikki, I wonder why you released this as an actual single and with the fact that it was mainly for kids.  She’s got some smart planning because I think it sold pretty well.  It’s an ok single but it needed a B-side IMO.

 

Anna Tsuchiya – BUBBLE TRIP/sweet sweet song December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. BUBBLE TRIP
2. sweet sweet song
3. BUBBLE TRIP -STUDIO APARTMENT Remix-

1. BUBBLE TRIP

I guess since reviewing the album BUBBLE TRIP has caught on finally, but I still think it’s one of her weird tracks.  Not only does it strip from the rock, it’s amazingly poppy.  Even the lyrics are a bit questionable and uber strange like…how do bubbles trip?  Seriously…it’s not right.  Anna does sound alright, but doesn’t have the edge like “LUCY” had.

2. sweet sweet song

We do get a little more better with the other A-side, sweet sweet song.  t’s a more acoustically based and it quite calm and nice actually.  It does sound heavily Westernized, but it’s that reason why I like it because it sounds different from the usual punk rock stuff we get.  Awesome track.

3. BUBBLE TRIP -STUDIO APARTMENT Remix-

Wait this is the same group who did Ami Suzuki’s “Bitter…”?  Adding dance beats and 3 extra minutes, the remix I guess does sound cooler once you get int it.  You can really hear the similarities between this and the other track they did.  There more piano presents as well as synths, but the opening is just too long.  If they shaved the instrumental parts, this would’ve been a way better track.

 

 

After the NANA persona wore off we get back to just Anna with this very odd single.  Both A-side were a dropoff and were basically pop tracks which is a little unusual for an artist like Anna.  sweet sweet song is the better one because well, it doesn’t have farfetched lyrics.  BUBBLE TRIP is alright though.  The remix albeit too long IMO was OK.

Shoko Nakagawa – Brilliant Dream December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. Brilliant Dream
2. CAT Life
3. Brilliant Dream (Original Karaoke)
4. Oedo wa Carnival!
5. Oedo wa Carnival! (Original Instrumental)

1. Brilliant Dream

I’m questioning already if the song is anything good.  To be honest, I really love the synths here, but Shoko’s voice is a little less than good.  I wonder why, but her voice is a little nasally to me.  Brilliant Dream though can be good once you get used to it.  Yay for the synths though.

2. CAT Life

I thought it couldn’t get any crazier and yet it does.  The synths are being played at such a fast level and Shoko’s voice is even more nasally than normal.  This was definitly a song that I probably won’t listen to much.  It’s just so kiddy and H!P-ish….it’s pretty sad.

3. Oedo wa Carnival!

I didn’t think it couldnt get weirder, but then there’s this track.  Not because of the obvious Asian sounds conveying all over the track, but Shoko’s not even in it.  Some dude is singing it which is strange to have on a Shoko single.  Sadly, I actually like this track, it’s just that catchy and so unorthodox of her.

 

 

Shokotan’s debut honestly wasn’t that good.  I mean seriously two synth happy tracks with bad vocals and a random track just put in for lulz.  Seriously, I hope she kicks it up a notch for the next single because this was distasteful.

Tommy Heavenly – I♥XMAS December 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. I♥XMAS
2. THE CASE
3. I♥XMAS (Original Instrumental)

1. I♥XMAS

I guess it’s pretty unconventional to have a rock-like Christmas track such as this.  Even then it did fit because of how her last single was tied with Halloween.  As well the track is a bit less hardcore than her last single which is surprising in some ways.  Tomoko sounds pretty good, but she could try to sound more lively IMO.  Good to have a song like this representing a holiday right?

2. THE CASE

THE CASE, however is really dark and quite evil.  Tomoko is utilizing a more deeper tone which is so awesome.  Then the chorus comes in and it’s a little odd because she’s backed up by some BKGD vocals and how she phrases it is strange cuz she warps her notes…It’s quite annoying if you ask me.  The ad-libbing was cool though ^_^

 

 

I♥XMAS wasn’t as good as her last single, but at least it’s a single to listen to.  THE CASE was alright, there were a few issues, but it wasn’t trash.  I♥XMAS was missing something and I can’t put my finger on it.  I wished there was a lot more epicness in it I guess.