Koda Kumi – UNIVERSE January 31, 2010

Track Listing

1. Step Into My World
2. Can We Go Back
3. SUPERSTAR
4. You’re So Beautiful
5. Lick me♥
6. Work It Out!
7. No Way
8. Stay
9. Comes Up
10. Physical thing
11. ECSTASY
12. UNIVERSE
13. It’s all Love! feat. misono
14. Alive
15. Moon Crying (Live ver. in Taiwan) (Bonus Track)

1. Step Into My World

Finally, an album without a silly album opening.  We open Kuu’s 8th album with a pretty edgy and thumping beat with Step Into My World.  I kind of enjoy these kind of songs because it shows a lot of Kuu’s emotions and since this sounds more like something I’d hear out in the States, this isn’t bad here.  It does remind me of “Get Up & Move!!” since they’re both songs that make ya get up and get raunchy.  I have to say I love this already!  Also, it’s the full version of TRICK so guess it does fit right?

2. Can We Go Back

Ending off the era, Kuu’s cover of Kelly Clarkson’s song was pretty awesome and still it even though this has only been out for a few weeks.  Unlike the last track which was attitude-prone, Can We Go Back takes that and gives it a rock arrangement and I still kind of like and her English isn’t as bad as like some of those songs off her last album.  Good tune, one of the best of the era.

3. SUPERSTAR

One of the two promotional tracks, SUPERSTAR is surprisingly nice to listen to even though it still screams summer song my way.  It could’ve been the feel-good arrangement and poppy sound the others have.  I kind of like the ~I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be your superstar!~ part in the chorus.  That’s catchy, other than that it kind of fills the pop void. 

4. You’re So Beautiful

In my opinion, the other promotional track doesn’t really fill in the gap because it’s like “SUPERSTAR” but just slowed down.  I mean there’s still acoustic guitar to take account here.  That being said, it also comes across as another…”WIND”, “anytime”, etc.  I rather not get another one of these tracks anymore.  I will say her vocals are quite nice and fits the mood, especially towards the end where she ad-libs, that was nice.

5. Lick me♥

I guess Japan really liked this song a lot and I’m not surprised because the PV was just surprising and out of left field for her.  To me, I’ve gotten used to it and now I like it’s upbeat feel-good sound mixed with the clapping rhythms and the dah-dah parts she pulls off.  Strong A-side, but did it need those interruptions in the song, didn’t think so. 

6. Work It Out!

I kind of like how this album so far has a pretty good flow in it and Work It Out! still has this guitar work going that parallels to “Lick me♥”  It sounds a bit more serious though, but at the same time I’m feeling bored with this song like she didn’t give it all until near the end where she started ad-libbing.  Meh, it’s alright, but it’s not the best.

7. No Way

I think No Way could be Kuu’s more experimental track of the era because while it’s an R&B ballad, it’s arrangement is pretty bizarre and yet quite chilling to listen to.  I love the heavy beats mixed with the synths that splash across the song.  There’s even some underlying strings playing around as well, which definitely makes the song even more better.  Gotta say, definitely a strong track.

8. Stay

I guess we’re now going back in time to the days where Kuu was basically into R&B songs and with Stay, it just seems like Rihanna would’ve easily done because it has that same flow and sound that I’m used to.  It’s been quite a while since I’ve got that same nostalgic feel listening to the song, so it’s good to hear that she hasn’t forgot where she originally started.

9. Comes Up

We have another “SUPERSTAR” on the album?  This actually is probably my least favorite song because it’s well just like said track just without the acoustic guitar and more artificial sounds running around.  Actually listening further it reminds me even more of “Koi no Tsubomi”, but otherwise standard Kuu pop song.

10. Physical thing

So we have the 2nd cover song on the album, and to me…Physical thing just reminds me that “BUT” and “TABOO” are still Kuu’s sexiest songs she’s released here recently.  Kuu’s cover of Nosheen’s tune kind of falls flat for me.  I mean yes, it has pounding beats and a very fierce arrangement, but she just didn’t give it all she does in some of those other songs she’s done.  It’s alright, but I think I rather take the next song.

11. ECSTASY

As part of “3 SPLASH” one of Kuu’s weirdest sounding singles, ECSTASY is such a better song than “Physical thing” because it’s just Kuu just right and doing her thing and it’s fast-paced and is pretty epic.  I kind of enjoyed the vibe here and prolly is the best song of the singles XDDDD  Is that really surprising though when you’re looking at the other songs XD

12. UNIVERSE

As the title track and coming right after two sexed up songs, it’s not surprising that UNIVERSE is just as edgy and showing a lot of Kuu’s sexiiness AGAIN.  I kind of like the strange arrangement as well since it’s nothing like I’ve heard.  Though, the chorus is just kind of meh but the rest of the song is pretty wicked.  Party song for sure

13. It’s all Love! feat. misono

Oh didn’t this strike up a lot of talk.  It’s all Love! was the epic pairing between misono and Kuu and actually as time went by, the song is still a pretty hot mess, but it really suits both of them as sisters because while Kuu dabbles in rock once in a while and misono’s career is all over this, I kind of liked this because both sounded cool together.  After a while we do hear Kuu’s urban sound for a bit (awkward dancing commence). It’s different and it kind of made the flow somewhat easier onto the next two tracks.  I actually still like the song ^_^

14. Alive

Alive still comes out as the Disney ballad of the era and it really does sound like one.  I might an orchestral arrangement with a flute playing in the background with Kuu singing slowly across.  I mean it’s just that obvious!  Even though it’s the only true ballad off the album, it’s still one of the prettiest ones I’ve heard in quite awhile from Kuu.  Definitely ranks up there with her other GOOD ballads.

15. Moon Crying (Live ver. in Taiwan)

I was surprised to see that the bonus track off the album was a live version of Moon Crying and not some other song from “TRICK”.  I love how Kuu opens up the performance with her ad-libbing (albeit shaky as all hell).  As Kuu begins singing Moon Crying, her vocals to me sound deeper and quite full.  I mean the whole performance is like near 8 minutes long, so it’s going to possibly bore you, but it’s not a bad performance and shows Kuu can do well singing to a crowd.

Tracks Recommended

• No Way
• ECSTASY
• Step Into My World
• Alive
• UNIVERSE

Song of Avoidance

• Comes Up

While “TRICK” had good singles, it came with not so good album tracks.  UNIVERSE however was flipped and even then the singles were mostly ones you’d have to eventually enjoy and get used to.  That being said, I do think UNIVERSE was a whole lot better and smoother than “TRICK”, there were a lot more hooks and the music wasn’t as thrown in to random mode as much as the previous.  Now, I don’t know where it’d rank between the previous 7 but I liked this alot.

Buono! – Our Songs

Track Listing

1. Our Songs
2. MIRACLE HAPPY LOVE SONG
3. Our Songs (Instrumental)
4. MIRACLE HAPPY LOVE SONG (Instrumental)

1. Our Songs

Everyone who’s a fan knows that Buono! has has very consisten and pretty good A-sides except for one.  Our Songs feels more raw from the group because there’s just a lot more grit going around here.  Ok, so it might be somewhat like their last few singles, but why mess with something that isn’t broken?  That being said, I still like the song a lot.  We still get an equal amount of Airi, Miyabi, and Momoko and throw in a guitar solo and we get Our Songs.  Pretty cool song though!

2. MIRACLE HAPPY LOVE SONG

Wow, that titled freaked me out at first because I thought it was going to be sickingly cute.  To me, we actually ended up with a more serious sounding song.  It might come as a surprise, but I hear a lot of Airi in this song which is surprisingly not a good thing because she already does it in °C-ute.  Now the other girls of course get their own parts and the chorus feel slower than normal, but it still continues their list of good B-sides.

 

 

As the final single before the “We are Buono!” album, Our Songs is pretty good, it might not be as jaw-dropping as “MY BOY” or even “Bravo☆Bravo”, but at least it’s way better than “Take it Easy!”.  Our Songs is still pretty rockin’ so clearly I’m happy with the A-side.  MIRACLE HAPPY LOVE SONG, while still good, reminds me of Tsunku’s love of shoving the popular member to the forefront and Buono! should not be having this problem…still overall, a solid single.

Maria – Wasuretakunakute January 30, 2010

Track Listing

1. Wasuretakunakute
2. Niji ni Negai wo
3. Wasuretakunakute (Backing Track)
4. Niji ni Negai wo (Backing Track)

1. Wasuretakunakute

I kind of like the melancholic feel to Wasuretakunakute but at the same time I’m getting even more deja vu vibes from YUI and Shion Tsuji with Maria which I guess is the sincerest form flattery.  The only difference is that Maria doesn’t sound bad at all and kind of better than those two other acoustic rock singers.  I do like the electric guitar parts of the song for sure.  Interesting song, I quite like it!

2. Niji ni Negai wo

However, the B-side makes just want to question my previous views for Maria.  Niji ni Negai wo is definitely something childish and I mean that in the nicest way.  I mean when you hear deep synths and maybe to me low tuba noises.  It’s quite the opposite to “Wasuretakunakute”, but it’s not too bad, just so unlike what I’ve heard from such an artist.

 

 

Maria’s 4th and final single for the “WILL” era is pretty good to me.  I do like how both songs are polar opposites to each other.  Wasure’s more serious flow against Niji’s cutesy, arrangement.  While I’m not surprised that Niji ni Negai wo doesn’t make the album cut, it probably wouldn’t have fit period!

AAA – Heart and Soul January 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. Heart and Soul
2. Namida no Kizuna
3. TWO ROADS
4. Heart and Soul (ArmySlick’s bavtronic mix)
5. Heart and Soul (Instrumental)
6. Namida no Kizuna (Instrumental)

1. Heart and Soul

Wow, a full era of nothing but energetic dance tracks.  Heart and Soul continues this awesome thought process and I love the electronica sound Heart and Soul has and with its pumpin’ beat and quick flow.  Even the members sound great (which is the normal four).  Urata though has the best parts of the song though and some cool stuff in the PV.

2. Namida no Kizuna

It’s kind of funny also that on every single in the era, we’ve ended up with a girls-only track but Namida no Kizuna is the ballad of the era.  I think Misako’s vocals kind of rub me the wrong way, but Chiaki’s are perfect for ballads like these.  I also feel some of the sounds that opened up “Hide-away” is present to and I was like…..reused?  It’s not bad, but between the girls, I rather have just Chiaki by herself, leave Misako to do the upbeat stuff.

3. TWO ROADS

For the first time in AAA history, we get a solo track from none other than Hidaka….wait HIDAKA????!?!?!?!  Why would the rapper of the group get a solo song…there’s just something wrong.  To make it worse, the song has a light reggae arrangement, but it’s strange that Hidaka is not rapping at all through this song….he’s singing and it makes me wanna punt puppies.  I don’t know why but his vocals are kind of strange to me and sounds throaty and not right.  Sorry, but this was pretty bad.

4. Heart and Soul (ArmySlick’s bavtronic mix)

ArmySlick’s not a new name in the remix field so I’m surprised to hear them return on a remix for AAA.  I kind of like this remix because it doesn’t try to deviate from the original’s kind of electronic sound and in some cases this sounds a bit more alive than the original.  Iono, it’s like the original is dark and edgy while the remix is the opposite.  It’s not bad at all.

 

 

Ending off the era, Heart and Soul  is probably the worst of the era, but that’s because of how meh Namida no Kizuna and how icky TWO ROADS is.  Both the main track and remix are quite good though so I can give brownie points to that…I just hope this song is on the album.

Aya Kamiki – INDIVIDUAL EMOTION

Track Listing

1. introduction ~INDIVIDUAL EMOTION~
2. The Light
3. TO-THE-ATTACK
4. EMPTY
5. Break my day
6. Dear my…
7. sokubaku LOVE
8. CLAP YOUR HANDS
9. 248 Mile
10. I wish in your dreams
11. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~

1. introduction ~INDIVIDUAL EMOTION~

Aya’s album begins with a little intro that sounds pretty dark and cool.  While I’ve never really paid attention during her GIZA days, I can tell this album is going to be rockin’ because of this edgy opening.  Before it ends a robotic voice opens up the album.

2. The Light

The first new track and promotional tune, The Light opens up with a beautiful strings section before this anime-like arrangement comes in some cool electric guitars to boost things up.  I really do enjoy Aya’s vocals here as there just powerful.  I guess I do like the anime-like sound it has for me.

3. TO-THE-ATTACK

I think with a title like TO-THE-ATTACK, I was definitely wondering what we’d end up listening to and it’s a dark tune.  I kind of like the beat to the song and it reminds me of Nanase Aikawa’s songs because they both have a mix of rock and pop together.  It’s catchy, has a good riff going and shows off Aya nicely.

4. EMPTY

As we enter EMPTY we lose the more anime-like sound with a little more rocker Aya that we know and love with EMPTY.  She’s not sounding too bad here either with the arrangement.  It might not be that memorable of a tune, but it’s pretty strong.

5. Break my day

I kind of like the opening to Break my day because it’s not rock at first.  It’s got a synth opening and Aya singing the opening lines with this beat that comes in and out of the song.  Aya’s vocals are pretty amazing here and get even better when she fully comes into the song for the chorus.  It’s more of a rock ballad, but it came off quite nicely.

6. Dear my…

I guess we get another ballad but at least a formal one with just Aya and piano.  I kind of liked this song since we don’t have a lot of Aya ballads to begin with.  It does grow as time goes along adding more instruments and overall getting louder.  It’s pretty I can tell you that.

7. sokubaku LOVE

I find the opening to sokubaku LOVE to be really weird and kind of shady hahahah.  It’s kind of catchy because of the chorus where she’s kind of yelling throughout.  I love the random amounts of English used in the song for sure and it fits with her soulful vocals.  Another nice one from here.

8. CLAP YOUR HANDS

CLAP YOUR HANDS is such an exciting tune because it’s fun and exciting with a catchy hook.  I don’t know how to explain this in the context of the album, but so far this is her letting herself go and just having fun, which definitely is fitting for a title like CLAP YOUR HANDS.  I gotta say this might be my favorite song off the album.

9. 248 Mile

We back into more of a serious tone with 248 Mile which is nice and all but don’t we already have enough those songs beforehand?  I mean it’s kind of got me repeating what I already said like “her voice is nice” and “the song is pretty cool as a rock tune”.  Besides that, is there really anything else to say?  I don’t think so.

10. I wish in your dreams

The final new song off the album, I wish in your dreams is classified as rock ballad and it’s not that bad of a song.  It’s pretty relaxing to lsiten to since Aya is good in these kind of songs, emotional and nice to listen to. 

11. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~

The only single released for the era, W-Boiled Extreme is actually more like the first few songs rather than the later songs so it comes as a surprise that Aya would decide to end the album with the Kamen Rider single.  Oddly enough it’s probably still one of the coolest songs off the album because of the rock/jazz arrangement and with TAKUYA together as well, they made a pretty kickass team.

Tracks Recommended

• W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~
• CLAP YOUR HANDS
• The Light
• Dear my…

Song of Avoidance

• 248 Mile

Aya’s debut under avex was surprisingly good.  I mean her GIZA works are pretty good don’t get me wrong, but this label change has probably done her good because this album is a good collection of rock tracks.  I can’t wait to hear more from Aya.

abingdon boys school – ABINGDON ROAD January 27, 2010

Track Listing

1. STRENGTH.
2. PINEAPPLE ARMY
3. and I love…
4. JAP
5. SOUEN feat. BASI, Sakkon, FUNKYMIC from Insist
6. Shiosai
7. From Dusk Till Dawn -INCH UP-
8. Siren
9. BLADE CHORD
10. Kimi no Uta
11. Sweetest Coma Again
12. Gold Eclipse
13. Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-
14. nocturne

1. STRENGTH.

Surprised that “BLADE CHORD” didn’t end up beginning the album.  It turns out the 2nd A-side of the era gets to kickstart the album and it was good idea because it’s really amazing.  I mean unlike the other singles that seemed to be dabbling in some kind of experimentation, STRENGTH. is definitely the “HOWLING” of the era, which is abingdon boys school being loud and epic.

2. PINEAPPLE ARMY

Really guys?  You’re gonna name a song PINEAPPLE ARMY?  WTF is this…this is really not such a good thing.  At least the song is refreshing from the group because it does more to show off how powerful they can get with their songs.  I love how there’s synths and some light vocoder going on in the song and Takanori under that is actually not a bad thing.  I like that, the song is just so different from their previous songs.

3. and I love…

OMG, I love how this song just builds itself into such a hard track.  It definitely toned things down after the previous two songs so this is basically a small rest.  Sadly, besides that epic opening, the song just doesn’t really do much for me.  Kind of seemed that they wanted to make it somewhat boring for the listener.

4. JAP

Hahah, JAP is such a silly song for me.  I didn’t expect they’d release something that could be rockin’ and yet have so much fun written through it.  I love Takanori’s vocals in the song because it just sounds strong and emotional.  It might’ve been the 3rd A-side of the era, but damn was it a good one.

5. SOUEN feat. BASI,Sakkon,FUNKYMIC from Insist

Kind of like how “LOST REASON” ended up off the band’s first album, SOUEN kind of runs in the same boat of, rappers shouldn’t be in rock songs.  Especially in a.b.s songs.  The rappers actually make the song sort of messy and kind of unbearable to listen in spots.  If they weren’t in this song it probablt would’ve been a good song because the band sounds great and Takanori is just as good.

6. Shiosai

I really like when they just go on there own and get a pretty normal rock song out and Shiosai kind of reminds me of some of the songs off their last album.  I like the alternative rock in Shiosai since it’s not all edgy and epic like a bunch of other songs, it’s just a.b.s. rocking out.  I think we’ve scored another winner here.

7. From Dusk Till Dawn -INCH UP-

I was surprised that they did such a ballad/rock song for a single and even though I’m not a huge fan of the song, I really liked the acoustics opening the album with Takanori.  It definitely reminded me of T.M.R’s acoustic songs.  After that we get into the main song which might have had some sound tweaks, but still it’s alright, just not my favorite.

8. Siren

We all know that a.b.s can pull off some friggin hard songs and Siren is definitely one of those hard-hitting songs that I like.  I love the guitar riffs and there’s so much edge in this song that it even took me off guard.  I mean some gritty riffs mixed with Takanori sounding maniacal and the pounding drums in the bridge.  I was like hoshit!

9. BLADE CHORD

Such an old song.  BLADE CHORD (originally released in 2007) is still just as great as it was 2 years ago.  Its prolly got the most Asian influence in it and the whole shakuhachi added to spice things up just forced to be that great of a song.  Though like I said it is a pretty old tune on this album, but it’s not that bad and kind of fits…but not after “Siren”…

10. Kimi no Uta

Ok, so I might’ve said I disliked Kimi no Uta back on the single review, but I’ve grown to actually enjoy the song a lot.  It’s one of their more coherent songs if you know what I mean and it has a pretty awesome opening.  However, I still find the transitions in the song beyond awkward and makes me wonder why they decided to do that. 

11. Sweetest Coma Again

Also released in 2007 for a memorial album of Luna Sea songs, Sweetest Coma Again was another one of those tracks that sounded great and was one of a few that stood out to me.  To me it sounds like normal a.b.s music, but with a pretty wicked guitar riff.  On this album, it seems a little too filler, but w/e.

12. Gold Eclipse

The first interlude of the album, Gold Eclipse is surprisingly all synths and little screeches of guitars.  I’m getting a feeling that this and “nocturne” are a part of a much bigger interlude, kind of like “ReBirth + ReVerse” off their debut album.  Gold Eclipse is not bad, but on an album where there’s many rock songs, it seems to be random.

13. Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-

I really like how “Gold Eclipse” opens up for the new version of Valkyrie, the B-side off of “JAP”.  It sounds epic because there’s an equal amount of synths and rock this time and it sounds a whole lot more what I was expecting rather than on the single version.  Definitely made up for “SOUEN” LOL

14. nocturne

And finally, we get the ending interlude for the album and nocturne is totally different from “Gold Eclipse”.  In this one, there’s some piano playing notes and dissonant strings that gradually rise in sound to make sound graceful and dream-like.  Sounds really pretty and ended the album smoothly.

Tracks Recommended

• Valkyrie -Lioleia mix-
• BLADE CHORD
• Siren
• PINEAPPLE ARMY
• Kimi no Uta

Song of Avoidance

• SOUEN feat. BASI,Sakkon,FUNKYMIX from Insist

a.b.s’ second effort definitely proves that they are capable of continuing to make strong ass tracks and ABINGDON ROAD is just as good as their debut.  Even though there’s still some meh tracks going on, it’s definitely worth listening to.

Sayuri Sugawara – First Story

Track Listing

1. Arigatou feat. FEROS
2. Kimi ni Okuru Uta
3. Is This Love?
4. Kimi ga Iru Kara
5. It’s My Life
6. Ano Hi no Yakusoku
7. alone…
8. Thrill
9. Eternal Love
10. Sakura no Michi
11. Koi
12. Superstar☆
13. Destiny feat. FEROS <Haru ver.>
14. ALWAYS

1. Arigatou feat. FEROS

Beginning the album off is the B-side from “Ano Hi no Yakusoku” but now featuring FEROS.  Even though I like Arigatou from the single, the album cut isn’t good because of the new addition.  Besides that, it’s still the same song with it’s upbeat pop nature and she sounds good still. 

2. Kimi ni Okuru Uta

We go back far to her debut song and definitely reminds me of Kana Nishino’s R&B flavored music but with better vocals and stronger beats and pretty good vocals.  I really like the piano line that comes with the music and Sayuri sounds really nice here.  I think that the song came off as unoriginal at first, but it turns out to be one her best tracks.

3. Is This Love?

For our first new track off the album, I was surprised at what Sayuri actually did for this track because it’s so different from what we’re used to since it’s got a synth drive and sounds electropop, but at the same time not because there’s no vocal manipulations.  Sometimes the song doesn’t sound exciting enough, but it’s got such a catchy beat and Sayuri sounds overall nice.

4. Kimi ga Iru Kara

Unfortunately, we have to listen to the song that least impressed me in the era.  Is it really shocking that the FFXIII theme is actually a borefest and is in that same category with “Melodies of Life” and “Why”?  I mean it just sounds like every other drama/ballad song that I’ve heard.  I guess Final Fantasy finally hit that rut of icky songs.

5. It’s My Life

As we get back into another new track, It’s My Life is definitely back to a more upbeat and fun arrangement and I like the guitar in this song.  I don’t know why, but the song reminds me of something, but I can’s place it right now.  Interesting little tune.

6. Ano Hi no Yakusoku

Sayuri’s 2nd A-side comes in quite nicely and is far enough from “Kimi ni Okuru Uta” to sound really bland.  It’s not a full ballad, but it’s neither a full R&B track, either way I kind of liked the song’s flow and Sayuri’s sweet vocals worked quite nicely for her.

7. alone…

That’s kind of why I didn’t like alone… as much because it sounds way too similar to “Ano Hi no Yakusoku”.  It’s even in the same range as the other song this is even worse off on the album because of all that boooooo.  Sorry, this was just tasteless and is overly bland for me.

8. Thrill

We get into a jazzy tune for Thrill and honestly, it s a thrill to listen to because she can pull of jazz very nicely.  It’s also nice to note that she’s using a more deeper set of vocals which added more to the thrill of the song.  Very surprising, but amazing nonetheless.

9. Eternal Love

The other song used for FFXIII, Eternal Love is way better than “Kimi ga Iru Kara” because it doesn’t sound like your standard ballad which is great since it’s these song that work out better than boring ballads.  It’s got a magical quality about it that I like about it and Sayuri isn’t trying to be OMG EMOTIONAL.  I like this song a lot.

10. Sakura no Michi

I instantly got deja vu when I turned this song on.  It reminds me of our next track, “Koi” because it’s a little more westernized than most of the other songs off the album and there’s acoustic guitar present again as well.  At least there’s strings to at least alleviate the two songs from each, not bad, but not memorable.

11. Koi

Coming from the “Kimi ni Okuru Uta” mini-album, Koi like I said previous is an acoustic pop track which reminds me more of “It’s My Life” than the previous song.  I kind of dislike it a little more here than on it’s original placing so that’s not good.  I think it’s something about Sayuri not sounding as interested or into the music as before.

12. Superstar☆

I guess for being bored through the middle of the album, it’s somewhat nice to have something more upbeat and catchy in not just the music but in the lyrics.  I kind of like the twinkly synth sound going on in the background, nifty.  Might be a little slow, but it’s hellishly catchy.

13. Destiny feat. FEROS <Haru ver.>

Ick, do I really need to deal with FEROS for another track?  I guess so, but this is an oldie.  Destiny (back on “Kimi ni Okuru Uta”) is still on my shit list because of FEROS again, his rapping and Sayuri’s singing just do not match at all and process the wrong feelings across.  Not exactly what you would call a good collaboration.  Oh, I guess there were a few changes within the lyrics to make it more spring-like, but to me that just doesn’t do enough for me. 

14. ALWAYS

Ending off the album, ALWAYS is actually kind of cute for a song, even though it’s one of the R&B songs that would be like all over the place and be high on ORICON.  What’s good is that Sayuri sounds really nice once again and just made me smile.  Kind of typical but in a good way and it’s nice to end the album off with something like this.

Tracks Recommended

• Is This Love?
• Kimi ni Okuru Uta
• Thrill
• Eternal Love
• Superstar☆

Song of Avoidance

• alone…

Sayuri’s debut album has the right tools to be great, but sometimes it feels like she’s following whatever is popular now hence all those R&B tracks.  Though the thing that most people was waiting for to make her popular flopped, it didn’t really stop the album from being somewhat good and enjoyable. 

Saori@destiny – Ethnic Planet Survival

Track Listing

1. Ethnic Planet Survival
2. Play
3. chemical soda
4. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

1. Ethnic Planet Survival

Ok so we get the first digital single release from Saori, starting with Ethnic Planet Survival which carries a small torch from “WOW WAR TECHNO” with the howl and the 80′s-ish flow that’s going on.  I kind of like the ethnic feel of the song and with it’s strange lyrics, the song is pretty wacky and I like that the song doesn’t follow a true melody.  Still a pretty cool song to start 2010.

2. Play

Play follows a bit more like some kind of Mortal Kombat song at the start and I thought that was pretty cool.  Play kind od feels a little more tropical than “Ethnic Planet Survival”, but besides that, the music can become a little too tedious in the later parts of the song.  It does kind of get better, but besides that nothing to write home about.

3. chemical soda

I wonder why D-Topia would stoop so low to actually rehash a song from “JAPANESE CHAOS”.  It also kind of messes up the flow of the single since it really doesn’t sound like a Saori song to begin with.  I mean yeah, the 8bit stuff is pretty cool, but Saori’s vocals were definitely not like the vocals heard later in the career.

4. Breathe Breathe Breathing (spring breeze rmx)

The remix that is also found on the “WOW WAR TECHNO” mini-album, Breathe Breathe Breatning’s remix reappearing is a bit of kick in the face face becuase it’s non really .  I’m still not fully equipped to enjoy this song I’kk pass the over for right now.

 

 

Saori begins a new era of songs with EPS which is awesome BTw, but the toher 3 tracks were definitely wacky.  I don’t know but I’d only get the single just for the main track because it was pretty good.

kumi – Kimi ni Tsutaetakute January 26, 2010

Track Listing

1. Kimi ni Tsutaetakute
2. Dokomademo
3. Kimi ni Tsutaetakute (instrumental)
4. Dokomademo (instrumental)

1. Kimi ni Tsutaetakute

At first I noticed the R&B-ness that is going on that many other artists are utilizing here and kumi is kind of got a good voice going here.  Her voice sounds really soothing and pretty.  It might come off as a little generic sounding (considering she’s on a pretty unknown label), she’s not too bad, but it’s like late 90′s R&B if that helps.

2. Dokomademo

I guess the B-side is a little better since it’s not R&B, but more of the pop sound which is kind of cool.  I think that whoever worked on the song likes a lot of bass in the song and making kumi’s vocals sound meh.  I don’t know why, but this song just came off as cheesy.  I mean it still is better, but not to the point where I’d keep the song.

 

 

kumi’s debut single is kind of screwy with Kimi ni Tsutaetakute being really generic and Dokomademo being cheesy.  I’ve said before that her label isn’t that well-known and sounds weird, but it’s a debut.

Hitomi Shimatani – Otoko Uta II ~20 Seiki Nostalgia~

Track Listing

1. GET BACK IN LOVE
2. Kimi ga Iru Dake de
3. You’re the Only…
4. Choushou
5. Shiroi Kumo no You ni
6. Shounen Jidai
7. Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni
8. I LOVE YOU
9. Missing
10. Konomama Kimi Dake wo Ubai Saritai
11. Junko
12. Omoide ga Ippai
13. Time After Time ~Toki no Hate Made~ (CD Only)

1. GET BACK IN LOVE

Beginning this second cover album off, GET BACK IN LOVE is kind of a relaxing lounge song to listen to.  I mean yes, Hitomi’s vocals are pretty awesome still.  I’m surprised it’s this fitting in such a style like that and I’m liking her cover of this.  I think the best was the interlude before getting louder and more better.  I’m impressed with this song.

2. Kimi ga Iru Dake de

One of the promotional tracks, Kimi ga Iru Dake de is a pure strings/piano ballad and while Hitomi’s ballads show off the best vocals from her, Kimi ga Iru Dake de got it right.  It’s got enouigh to not make me bored and Hitomi’s vocals are just amazing in this song.  It definitely makes up for the borefest in “Nakitai Nara” for sure.  Simple ballad, but definitely a strong track from her.

3. You’re the Only…

While I know Hitomi has been releasing these mid-tempo songs since “Flare”, You’re the Only definitely put me back into a dark place at first because the verses were so meh  I guess it got better than the other tracks because Hitomi’s singing a lot more and I don’t think I’ve heard her radiate so much passion in her songs.  Strong song as well.

4. Choushou

We get into an acoustic tune next with Choushou.  It really does pull the heartstrings for sure, Hitomi just sounds so sincere and beautiful and it’s so I don’t know emotional I guess?  Definitely one of those songs you’d have to hear to really understand.  Amazing tune right here.

5. Shiroi Kumo no You ni

Probably the most energetic song, Shiroi Kumo no You ni has a pretty distinct sound from the rest of the album because it sounds more pop/rock.  Problem is is that her vocals are not as good as in the previous tracks, but I guess it’s passable.  Maybe needs a little more oomph.

6. Shounen Jidai

I love how fireworks opens up our next tune.  Other than that the song oddly just flies right by me without anything really positive or negative to say about it.  It’s a ballad of course, but there’s just something that doesn’t quite make it stand out good enough, but I do love the piano, oboe, and strings together.

7. Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni

Strings open up our next song and annoyingly the strings open the song up on one side of my headphones before opening to both…Once again, I’m feeling rather bored with the song since it plays a little too safe.  Sorry to say, but the song is another pass.

8. I LOVE YOU

Oh boy, this title is so ORIGINAAAAAL.  Why are we getting a string of ballads all of a sudden?  I LOVE YOU is a little more R&B like than the others and it’s not too bad of a song really.  It’s still rather plain against other songs so that’s not a good thing, but Hitomi still is sounding really nice.  I think she could’ve done better but w/e.

9. Missing

Another piano/strings ballad appears and Missing is definitely missing something in the song.  It’s maybe a little too slow for me and doesn’t move forward as it should which is pretty bad IMO.  I guess it’s alright, but still not as good as her previous ballad on the album.

10. Konomama Kimi Dake wo Ubai Saritai

I don’t know why but whenever I listen to this song, it really reminds me of something I’d hear in a Charlie Brown special.  It’s just that smooth and has distant everything throughout.  Song flows nicely throughout and made a way better song than that crazy “Missing”. 

11. Junko

I kind of like the weird instrument opening Junko up.  It’s like a more chiller version of “Shiroi Kumo no You ni” with it’s more acoustic pop sound, but it’s definitely kind of right with her.  Junko though does seem to be in between the various songs off the album, like it’s soft…but it’s catchy…it’s that difficult to really explain.

12. Omoide ga Ippai

I actually remember this track because it’s an anime opening so I’ve already listened to other covers.  I think Hitomi’s cover fits nicely on the album it’s on, but otherwise it just seems more of a “Flare” song than anything else.  Especially with the Mediterranean sound going on, it’s nice.  I’m liking the song, but iono I’m just tired of the album.

13. Time After Time ~Toki no Hate Made~

For an album called “Otoko Uta” it confuses me why there’s an “Onna Uta” track on the album.  Covering the famous Cyndi Lauper tune, Hitomi’s is quite different from the others because she is singing a JPN cut of the song.  Her cover of the song is R&B like Sowelu’s, but a whole lot slower with more piano.  Her cover sounds really pretty since it is Hitomi we’re talking about.

Tracks Recommended

• Choushou
• Time After Time ~Toki no Hate Made~
• Kimi ga Iru Dake de

Song of Avoidance

• Kimi ga Omoide ni Naru Mae ni

Hitomi’s 2nd cover album was good at first but then it started to slip once we got further in the album.  I mean I’m up for soft pop songs, but this was just torture.  She really needs to step her game up again because this was just evil.  I really need another “Falco”, “Shinku”, and/or “Perseus”.