Chihiro Onitsuka – Hotaru September 27, 2009

Track Listing

1. Hotaru
2. HIDE AND SCREAM

1. Hotaru

I think Chihiro by now knows what to do with ballads of course and Hotaru continues this trend pretty nicely with Hotaru.  After “LAS VEGAS”, Hotaru is pretty fresh to me and having a more piano-friendly melody works for her.  Her vocals are feeling so much stronger than it was on “infection/LITTLE BEAT RIFLE”.  It could be said that Hotaru could be a lullaby and it does come off as that as it’s free-flowing and very pretty.

2. HIDE AND SCREAM

HIDE AND SCREAM is such a pretty track as well.  Being an acoustic track, HIDE AND SCREAM feels natural to Chihiro and sounds like she’s just singing along and playing guitar (even though I don’t think she does).  After the first chorus, percussion comes in and fills the song out more and seriously, soothing tune. 

 

 

I actually just wanted to get this single outta the way before “DOROTHY’s” release.  It’s saddening that HIDE AND SCREAN isn’t going to make the album as I think it would’ve benefitted the album moreso than “I Pass By” from the “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite” single.  However, I am pleased that Hotaru made it since it fits with the other ballads she released in the era so I’m happy with that.  Altogether, very pretty single…though would’ve appreciated an instrumental

Chihiro Onitsuka – infection/LITTLE BEAT RIFLE

Track Listing

1. infection
2. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE

1. infection

I’m so surprised at Chihiro for making infection.  It could be on of those heartwrenching ballads that’ll blow your mind.  Chihiro’s vocals are really pretty in this song and they also emit this sadness that made it so much more memorable.  It’s just a beautiful ballad and is up there with “Gekkou” as epic ballad status.  Though there was an issue about it…

2. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE

On the other side of the coin, LITTLE BEAT RIFLE was a bit more upbeat and on a positive note when compared to “infection”.  The arrangement isn’t terribly new to Chihiro as it reminds me of “BACK DOOR” and some of her upbeat songs off of the “INSOMNIA” album.  I did enjoy the feel-good presence and Chihiro’s vocal suited nicely despite sounding familiar.

 

 

The reason the single has problems was because this release came 5 days before 9/11 happened and that kind of backfired on Chihiro.  infection became somewhat less likened because it rather foretold, with some of the lyrical content.  Still, I have to say, infection is one of Chihiro’s best ballads in her career (so far).  LITTLE BEAT RIFLE was an alright upbeat pop/rock tune that does show consistency with her works.  I do hope she does change up a little bit on her next singles.

Mika Nakashima – CANDY GIRL

Track Listing

1. CANDY GIRL
2. SMILEY
3. CANDY GIRL (Instrumental)
4. SMILEY (Instrumental)

1. CANDY GIRL

I really thought Mika was going to improve after “Over Load” and in some cases she sort of did with CANDY GIRL.  CANDY GIRL continues to show Mika rather diverse collection of songs and with the burlesque arrangement and the overall circus theme she kind of hit nicely moreso than other artists that tried it.  Sadly, it becomes really repetitive especially at the end where the BKGD vocals keep repeating the same thing til it fades out.  It might’ve been better rather it didn’t have that issue.

2. SMILEY

Another song with Mika laughing?  SMILEY is rather an appropriate song since it does feel a bit more upbeat and fun.  I actually enjoyed Mika’s vocals in this song as they are more normal sounding when compared to her usual smokey sound.  Then again I can’t protect that high note she clearly fails on.  The song does include the same instruments that were in “CANDY GIRL” but this was a little more better.  BTW, did anyone else get that feeling of deja vu with SMILEY and “Rocking Horse”?

 

 

Mika oddly slips for her 2nd single of this era.  CANDY GIRL and SMILEY were spot-on with what the single was meant for and it was for a clothing company SLY and in that perspective, I think it did well, however for Mika this single kind of lacked the spark most of her singles from the “VOICE” era had.  I just hope she comes back strong for her next A-side.

JERO – covers 2

Track Listing

1. Matteiru Onna
2. Shishuuki
3. Aijin
4. Orizuru
5. Rashoumon
6. Tasogare
7. Yukiguni
8. Hajimete no Machi de

1. Matteiru Onna

I’m pretty sure starting up his second cover album, JERO had to choose an explosive song to open it up right?  Well, it works for me because his vocals are getting even more stronger and while he still loves to use vibrato every chance he has (Enka is known for that problem).  I still enjoyed the fact there were dramatic strings found all over and the music was enough for me to enjoy fully.  Good start.

2. Shishuuki

The next one is an interesting tune.  The beginning had this Persian-like theme to it that sounded like it’d fit in “Aladdin” or something.  Beyond that, the song becomes rather quiet and flows the same throughout.  Now you might be thinking *is this a bad song?* but it’s not bad, though JERO could’ve done a lot more to make the song a bit more stronger.

3. Aijin

Then Aijin pops up and has this really laidback feel to it.  It might be the distant guitar strums or just the arrangement, but it’s oddly calming and JERO isn’t all over the place with his vibrato which is obviously a plus.  I think right now this song is at the top of good enka songs (if that’s what it is).

4. Orizuru

Then Orizuru pops up and it relatively sounds like a fuller version of “Aijin” with that islandy sound beginning it.  Then comes strings, and electric guitar to fill out the other empty spaces.  There’s a little bit of layering going with his vocals and while the arrangement is dramatic, I just thought this was a more profound version of “Aijin”.

5. Rashoumon

The first thing I thought of when I saw the title of the song was Geese Howard’s uber powerful attack he uses in various fighters he’s been in.  Anyway, Rashoumon has a stronger feel and doesn’t sound like enka, but then again JERO’s vocals is the only sure way to really officialize that he’s enka.  It’s a good track all-around

6. Tasogare

Way too many artists are using Tasogare as a title bleh.  Tasogare opens up with a beautiful violin solo and after that quick moment this lonely acoustic guitar plays this melody that sounds sad and depressing.  Then we have to listen to JERO’s vibrato again which isn’t fitting IMO to this kind of song, I think you should let females stick with this. 

7. Yukiguni

I’m not really sure if getting towards the end of the cover album is making me more bored with each track, but Yukiguni is amazingly boring.  It seemed like it was thrown together in like 5 minutes.  I am totally not impressed with this song and JERO really didn’t try with this song.  BORING!

8. Hajimete no Machi de

Our final track, sadly doesn’t exactly fix things up from the previous tunes issues, but the song has a bluesy feel that oddly fits, that it when JERO comes in and mildly ruins the mood.  I guess it if was more of an instrumental, it would’ve worked nicely, but nawwwww.  I’m sorry this song would’ve been better without him.

Tracks Recommended

• Aijin
• Matteiru Onna
• Orizuru

Song of Avoidance

• Yukigumi

Being the second cover album JERO has done (I’ll review the first one eventually).  Back to the sequel, covers 2 was at first a really good album, but then past halfway the songs started to get duller and duller and JERO started to creep back into his Umiyuki vocals which annoyed me.  He needs to go forward not backwards, here’s hoping his sophomore album fixes this.