Seira Kagami – roundabout/Kokoro ni Colorful November 13, 2009

Track Listing

1. roundabout
2. Kokoro ni Colorful
3. FLOW

1. roundabout

Seems we’ve got a winter tune in roundabout.  Also, it’s a rather typical sounding to me.  At least Seira’s vocals are pretty nice given the lackluster arrangement.  Though sometimes she can drag the song into boredom because her vocals don’t really go anywhere and most of the time she’s borderlining yelling here.  I’m not too big of a fan for this song.

2. Kokoro ni Colorful

The other A-side though made up for “roundabout” because it seems more way out of her league.  The mixture of acoustically driven guitars and bubbly inserts gave the song an unusual pop sound to it.  I might actually like this a lot given enough time for me to relisten to it again.  Why, does it sound so western at different points? LOL

3. FLOW

FLOW though was the real surprise of the single.  Instead of being exciting like all her previous songs, FLOW chills Seira down and gives us an acoustic ballad.  I’ll admit that Seira vocals really sound the best under these circumstances and with how smooth and nice it is, this is hands down the best song off the single.  Great song.

 

 

Seira 2nd single is a little bit better than her debut if it wasn’t for roundabout’s terrible way of singing.  Still there’s charm in this single with Kokoro ni Colorful and FLOW being the big hitters here.  Sadly, this also marks as a departure for Seira because from here on out her genre will change, but I think it’s for the better.

Maaya Sakamoto – Magic Number November 13, 2009

Track Listing

1. Magic Number
2. Private Sky
3. Kazamidori -Live Version-
4. Pocket wo Kara ni Shite -Live Version-

1. Magic Number

I haven’t heard too much of Maaya’s stuff so I can’t qualify to say how this compares throughout the “Kazeyomi” era.  Magic Number seems to be a typical anime song with the strings and magical pop feeling that goes on.  What bothered me the most with this song was that Maaya made it sound rather boring and she kept singing in the same 3 notes in the chorus.  I’m not a big fan of monotonous choruses and this didn’t work.  It’s alright, but nothing like “Kazemachi Jet” or anything.

2. Private Sky

Having a little more edge for the singles lone B-side, I kind of liked this a little bit more than “Magic Number” but sadly it does sound rather similar to the last song but with more guitar.  It’s pop/rock which is what Maaya usually excels in and even though it’s once again not good as other B-sides it’s alright.

3. Kazamidori -Live Version-

The next two tracks were performed at the same concert during her “WE ARE KAZEYOMI!” tour.  First off is Kazamidori from the “Kazeyomi” album.  Supposedly from what I read it was changed a bit for this live version.  It’s got such an melancholic feel to it and it being live made it more nicer since Maaya can sing pretty good.  It’s a pretty ballad and I can’t wait to listen to it once I review the album.

4. Pocket wo Kara ni Shite -Live Version-

Then we get into Pocket wo Kara ni Shite from her debut album, “Grapefruit”.  It seems to be a more happier tune since you hear the audience clapping along with song.  Likewise, I haven’t heard the original but if it’s like this then I’m pleasently surprised with the acoustic guitar/choir/and accordion that are present within this rendition.  I actually liked this a lot more than “Kazamidori’s” live version.

 

 

Maaya begins her new era off with an alright single.  It’s nothing we haven’t come to expect from Maaya so that could be interpreted as good or bad.  Magic Number and Private Sky were alright, but not anything that popped out at me like “Kazemachi Jet” did.  The live versions were the better songs this time and makes me want more on her singles.