Ami Suzuki – Like a Love? March 20, 2009

Track Listing

1. Like a Love?
2. Squall ni Nurete
3. Like a Love? -Instrumental-
4. Squall ni Nurete -Instrumental-

1. Like a Love?

Hold on, haven’t we already had our summer track?  What’s really special about this track is that Ai Otsuka wrote the song and I hear the Ai-ness of the song actually.  I don’t know, it didn’t have as much punch as “Alright!” did, but I’m guessing it’s a ballad because it isn’t really powerful.  I wanna hear Ai’s take on this song so bad though because I think her voice would suit it more.

2. Squall ni Nurete

I always get confused with the B-side.  Like it’s also a ballad but more acoustically driven.  Then there’s the whole synth line that throws the song off its balance.  Other than those awkward moments, it’s a pretty strong B-side given the fact this whole era has been really depressing. 

 

 

Ami and Ai…who would’ve thunk it right?  Well, Like a Love? was a pretty interesting collaboration, but props has to go to Squall ni Nurete because it was the stronger and better track off the single.  I think I like this single a little less than “Fantastic” but it’s still good for a single.

Koda Kumi – Chase

Track Listing

1. Chase
2. HEAT feat. MEGARYU
3. Chase (Instrumental)
4. HEAT feat. MEGARYU (Instrumental)

1. Chase

Out of the “Secret” era, Chase is my favorite song of the era and one of the earliest tracks I first of from her.  I really love the fact that this song is heavy on saxophones which made it sound so classy and fun.  Kuu also sounds lively and shows a lot of sex appeal for a song that’s poppy.  I think she found a great song in Chase and it’s one of my all time favorites.

2. HEAT feat. MEGARYU

If “Chase” was the innocent sexy song, than HEAT was the straight up opposite.  There’s Indian tendencies with the tribal drums and naughty atmosphere written all over this track.  Sadly the track seems a little empty and MEGARYU sounds really bad within this song.  What’s up with Kuu rapping in the song as well?  Thank god it was just prescribed as a B-side.

 

 

Kuu really hit a good spot with Chase.  It’s lightheated, sexy and pretty fun for a pop track.  HEAT on the other hand just felt a little underwhelming, but this is pretty sexed up as her songs have gone by so far in her career so it’s got props on that.

MEG – Amai Zeitaku

Track Listing

1. Amai Zeitaku
2. Koi no Bakudan
3. Amai Zeitaku (Extended Mix)

1. Amai Zeitaku

MEG’s 2nd song with Nakata begins with a rush of sound before we actually hear her come in and at first her voice without the music sounds terrible to my ears.  At least when the synths come in they seem to cover her up pretty well.  I’ve never really connected with this song for some reason, but whatever.  At least it made it on the V.A., “BEAUTIFUL TECHNO” right?

2. Koi no Bakudan

~Rhythm, level 1, listen and try…~  Oh that line amuses me so much whenever this song pops up.  Right from when the instrumentation, I thought of capsule Shibuya-kei style and MEG is not even under vocoder which is rare, especially for Nakata.  Though I don’t like the fact that she’s trying to be girly and cute which turned me off as well.  Still the music is pretty catchy though, so I’ll give Nakata his props.

2. Amai Zeitaku (Extended Version)

Over 8 mintues of Amai Zeitaku?  No way…Like usual techno extended songs, it starts off immediatly with a beat that repeats for like a minute before the actual song starts off.  It’s kind of weird, but it just seemed they stuck on more beats and just called that an extension.  If you like Amai Zeitaku a lot though, this might tickle your fancy.

 

 

MEG’s first single for the “BEAM” era took MEG in a new direction and it’s pretty meh nowadays because she has better Nakata tracks, but at the time this probably would’ve been a good single she started with.  Koi no Bakudan was surprising for the lack of vocoder in the song, but it came off as a little boring, but the music is great. 

Versailles – The Revenant Choir

Track Listing

1. The Revenant Choir
2. The Revenant Choir -Vocal Lesson-
3. The Revenant Choir -Bass Lesson-
4. The Revenant Choir -Drum Lesson-
5. The Revenant Choir -Guitar Lesson-

1. The Revenant Choir

I love the dramatic strings that open up this track.  It just has this epic sound that I really like about it.  Then all hell breaks loose and the song turns into this melodic rock track that’s just epic.  It’s also funny that this is all in English, but I can’t really understand what the hell Kamijo is saying more or less care because the music is overpowering him a lot.  It’s a bit long, it’s 7 minutes long so be prepared for the long ride.  I don’t know why, but rock songs that are this long bore me unlike techno songs…hmmm…

 

 

The lessons, I won’t go through because there all the same but without the said instrument in the song.  The Revenant Choir was a pretty sweet single to kick things off with.  It showed everyone’s ability really well and the whole choir/gracefulness of the song just made it so epic and cool.  Can’t wait to hear more.

AAA – Shalala Kibou no Uta

 

Track Listing

1. Shalala Kibou no Uta
2. Shalala Kibou no Uta (Instrumental)

1. Shalala Kibou no Uta

I wasn’t expecting much for our next single from them, but it’s kind of catchy and with the light R&B sound it actually worked for the group.  I’m actually surprised that I didn’t like Urata’s yelling in this song, but he sounded good everywhere else.  It’s nice to see Nissy and Misako getting some strong parts as well.  There’s no rap here as well which really made me happy. 

 

 

AAA’s 2nd single of the “ALL” era was surprisingly good.  It’s got a whole lively side to it, that they haven’t truly explored yet and all the members harmonized really well in this song.  Still, the lack of a B-side is sad though.