LEO Imai – TAXI January 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. TAXI
2. THE SWEETEST DAY

1. TAXI

LEO definitly has something going for him in the vocal areas.  It’s one you have to get used to but for me it’s quite interesting and cool.  The song is definitly upbeat pop/rock and there’s some sort of synths mixed in as well.  LEO hits some deep notes which sounds like he should be in a V-kei band xD.  It’s definitly one to listen.

2. THE SWEETEST DAY

Guessing from the title, I thought this would’ve been a ballad, but there’s a consistant clapping beat and LEO sings a little bit in English which he’s also excelling in.  It’s definitly got a relaxing tone and this was just as good as “TAXI” if not more,  Surprisingly.

 

 

I have to say this, LEO Imai is just like MiChi only male.  First they are of European descent as much as being Japanese.  The other comparison is that they both started with indies release before coming onto a Major label.  TAXI is actually the 3rd major single released and shows off his talents well.  Got to hear this single *RECOMMENDED*

melody. – Lovin’ U January 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. Lovin’ U
2. Our Journey
3. FEEL THE RUSH
4. FEEL THE RUSH (JUNKIE XL REMIX FOR NEED FOR SPEED: CARBON)

1. Lovin’ U

 Lovin’ U is continuing of the oddness of what’s been happening before this era.  There’s just a little bit of R&B in this otherwise pop song.  It’s a pretty tame for melody. and she has enough of those previously.  Her voice though is pretty soothing and isn’t grating.  Her English is superb like Hikki’s as well, but melody. is Hawaiian which is awesome so it works with the song.

2. Our Journey

Did we really have to have a ballad?  This time yes, because it’s nice and simple and melody. is singing in full English.  She’s singing with a moving piano melody and string arrangement.  I found her honest lyrics to be the best part as it’s definitly understandable and easy to hook with.  I’m surprised she hasn’t tried going for the American market.

3. FEEL THE RUSH

Who knew that she was actually capable of something this hard.  It’s also fully in English as well.  The sound is definitly what you’d expect the Need For Speed series to have.  The music really sounds energetic and the smoothness of the bridge has a pretty cool mood.  I’m surprised it isn’t on READY TO GO! because of how different it sounds and the raw and gritty side of her appears in such a cool way.

4. FEEL THE RUSH (JUNKIE XL REMIX FOR NEED FOR SPEED: CARBON)

I guess they needed a more trance-like tune with FEEL THE RUSH.  It’s definitly one that pays attention more to the music rather than melody. which is understandable, but wasn’t enough to keep me interested.  Even then they do cut n’ paste melody. around a bit.  Not a very good remix if you ask me.

 

 

melody.’s surely has gotten better since the last album and this single proves that she can also work with various styles.  Pop, Ballad, and Rock/Dance style it’s amazing.  The remix was the only downfall, but that’s just because there wasn’t enough in it to make it worthwhile.  The main tracks though all good!

Kaori Mochida – Ame no Waltz January 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. Ame no Waltlz
2. Drop
3. Kokoro

1. Ame no Waltz

It has that waltz style down pat, but at the same time, I feel like laughing with the song as it does sound a little clumsy sounding which probably added more fun to the song.  Kaori’s vocals aren’t exactly at high calibur, but against the music is excusable.  The various brass also excited me.  This might be a song for drunks!

2. Drop

Drop is lot more cleaner and with how little the song has to offer, it’s a calm and nice track.  Kaori’s vocals to sound better here, but that’s because there’s BKGD vocalists in it, mostly in the chorus.  The whole acoustic vibe and small western sounds complete this track.  High B-side for me.

3. Kokoro

With a title that means “Heart” it’s no wonder why that it’s a ballad.  Kaori has done ballads before in ELT, but this is simple as it gets.  The problem is, well it’s kind of boring and there’s a long and slow-going acoustic solo which pretty much bored me too death.  Kaori though did sound good in the long run. 

 

 

All the time she’s been with ELT, no one didn’t expect her to go solo for a bit, but continuing with her group.  This single was varied which was nice, but I do miss songs like “JUMP” so I was expecting something more upbeat.  Ame no Waltz was basically just a strange song to debut on, but it was fresh and new.  Kokoro was a warming ballad of course and I’ve heard better from ELT, so it isn’t amazing.  Drop was a little closer to what I want, and the small western country sounds was very nice and wasn’t pressed on hard. Overall, it’s not the best debut single but average.

 

ARTISTS BLOWOUT!!!…wait, didn’t I do one just last week? January 30, 2009

Yep, new artists I crash upon and I swear I’m gonna die from this xD

melody.

Yeah, she did drop out of the music biz to become a designer, luckily the last two eras were really good, besides the other first two.  I’m going to start with the “Ready To Go!” era and continue on.  I might do her past albums, but it might be torturous.

LEO Imai

Well, isn’t this something.  I know I don’t have many male soloists, so I decided to try LEO out and guess what?  I really like his stuff.  I’ll start with his last single “TAXI” and his most recent single “Synchronize” which came out this week as well.

Ayaka Ikio

My last inclusion is definitly Ayaka Ikio who can be considered a J-tek artist as she is under that influence of music, shockingly she is bringing something to the table and that’s a bitchy side as a few o her songs are cussilicious!