Ayaka Hirahara – Smile Smile July 9, 2012

Track Listing

1. Smile Smile
2. Boy, I Wish You Were Here ~Koko ni Itekuretara~
3. Smile Smile (Voice-less Track)
4. Boy, I Wish You Were Here ~Koko ni Itekuretara~ (Voice-less Track)

1. Smile Smile

It just seems lately that Ayaka has gotten into this bright atmosphere with the last couple of releases from her.  Smile Smile from her is peaceful and charming but it’s a bit mundane because I wouldn’t be able to remember it by melody.  Once again though her vocals really stand out and the guitar solo is a nice touch, but it’s not as great as “NOT A LOVE SONG” was.

2. Boy, I Wish You Were Here ~Koko ni Itekuretara~

The B-side of the single is actually a bit more down to earth and has more of a serious light than “Smile Smile”.  I’m surprised the song’s style is more R&B but still Hirahara’s style.  Her vocals are spot on and they sound heavenly with the piano melody and the beats.  Fitting!

 

 

I guess Ayaka wants to be more hip and modern these days (especially after Doki!).  For her first single after that album, Smile Smile isn’t totally her best but it’s not boring either…it’s kind of in the middle of average.  I will say that I do prefer Boy. I Wish You Were Here, but both are acceptable by me lol

chatmonchy – Kirakira Hikare

Track Listing

1. Kirakira Hikare
2. Karisou Method

1. Kirakira Hikare

chatmonchy has been really shoveling these A-sides out haven’t they?  Now I’m not their biggest fan of theirs but they’ve been doing quite good since becoming a duo for some odd reason lol.  Produced by Ajikan member Gotou, Kirakira Hikare is pretty rockin and all but did a lot of it have to be yelled by Eriko?  I mean she kind of makes me squint when the chorus is around.  The other parts are nice though and for being under 4 minutes it’s not bad…just got parts that were off like “Mangetsu ni Hoero”.

2. Karisou Method

Their B-side though is something else but in a good way for some reason.  I mean the guitar riffs have more oomph and Eriko sounds really strong.  I will say, I wasn’t expecting a male vocalist to be in the track too (Goto perhaps?).  I like that line of ~ra ra ra ra ra lu ra la~ that melody is kind of cool and catchy.  It’s different in a good way actually!

 

 

Like I said, chatmonchy has been feveriously releasing singles in 2012 and Kirakira Hikare might be the best of the four so far.  I think Kirakira Hikar as a song, is alright but the usual Eriko problems are here but they aren’t a red flag to the song (plus the PV was funny to me hahaha).  Karisou Method on the other hand was better and the collaboration of the guy vocalist helped and made the song more playful. Is there an album next for the band?

BUCK-TICK – MISS TAKE ~Boku wa Mistake~

Track Listing

1. MISS TAKE ~Boku wa Mistake~
2. ONLY YOU
3. My baby Japanese -type II-

1. MISS TAKE ~Boku wa Mistake~

Going into MISS TAKE, I was curious to what sound they’ll take to and it seems they’re continuing they mix of their band and synthetic elements but more focus on the band.  I do like Atsushi’s deep vocals in the song for some reason…kind of reminds me of GACKT’s vocals.  I will say they did keep it easy and simple since it doesn’t seem like a challenging song for them but it’s good song…but I do like “Elise no Tame ni” a lot more.

2. ONLY YOU

Why is everyone all of a sudden using this title?!?  ONLY YOU is quite different from songs so far released in 2012.  First off, it’s a lot more birghter and upbeat for them and kind of has this summer vibe from them but it’s enjoyable because Atsushi sounds a lot more lively and less brooding.  Catchy song!

3. My baby Japanese -type II-

Just like their last single, they decuded do update on an old song…this time My baba Japanese (the B-side from their 1998 single, “Gessekai”).  Granted, I’ve never backtracked through their discography to catch it, My baby Japanese sounds eerie and kind of cool at the same time.  Atsushi doesn’t seem like he’s singing the verses but rather speaks them…it’s creepy almost haha.  When he actually sings, it’s the chorus and that’s a bit chaotic and messy for me.  Almost comes off as something like a Marilyn Manson song haha

 

 

Quickly released after “Elise no Tame ni”, MISS TAKE is actually slightly better of a release.  While I do think the leading song is a bit safe for the band, it’s not bad and Atsushi’s vocals were good.  Though the best was clearly ONLY YOU with it’s interesting arrangement/style and overall stronger performance.  As for the new version of My baby Japanese, I don’t like it very much but there might be older fans that do so ehhhh for me lol. 

BONNIE PINK – Machi no Namae

Track Listing

1. Machi no Namae
2. My Ever Changing Moods
3. Nagareboshi
4. Machi no Namae (Instrumental)

1. Machi no Namae

After the dramatic “Tsumetai Ame”. Machi no Namae is a more light and relaxed fare which is a nice change since it’s been a while since we’ve gotten a lead song that’s slower but not a ballad.  Kaori’s vocals sound really pleasant with the music even though it’s not the most intriguing arrangement she’s done.  I think this suits her though and makes for a nice A-side.

2. My Ever Changing Moods

This chilled out style follows her into her first B-side which is a cover of a Paul Weller track.  Thing is is that it’s a song sung in all English which sounds intriguing but the fact of the matter is is that half of the time, I didn’t even understand some of the things she was saying…off and on almost.  Also I found myself disliking the echo effect on Kaori because it made it even harder to understand the lyrics.  At least her vocals sound strong…just wish it was handled better.

3. Nagareboshi

The last track on the single, Nagareboshi, isn’t as laidback as “My Ever Changing Moods” but is about at the same pace as “Machi no Namae” but this song has a little more going on like strings and some guitars.  It’s got a unique arrangement at the least, but at the same time…it’s kind of boring.  THEEEEEN I find out that this is the same song from “Dear Diary” and I can’t seem to figure out why it’s found its way on this single…

 

 

Closing the “Chasing Hope”, Machi no Namae is kind of a disappointing single when compared to “Tsumetai Ame”.  I’m not sure but this single was a little too laidback for me to enjoy and she usually has something a bit more upbeat on her singles.  I think I could grow to somewhat to enjoy Machi no Namae.  However when it comes to Nagareboshi, it was too meh for me and the fact it’s a recut of a song that I didn’t really like anyways made it more ugh.  Last but not least, MyEver Changing Moods was just unusual to me in many ways lol.  I hope “Chasing Hope” will be more exciting than this!!!

SUPER☆GIRLS – Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss

Track Listing

1. Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss
2. Minamikaze Payapaya
3. Asu e STEP! (Song by iDOL Street All Members)
4. Hatsukoi Graffiti (Yasuka Saori Special Solo Version) (Yasuka Saori edition only)
5. Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss (Instrumental)
6. Minamikaze Payapaya (Instrumental)
7. Asu e STEP! (Song by iDOL Street All Members) (Instrumental)

1. Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss

I guess we have another summer A-side to deal with.  Of course like most summer songs from idol there’s a clear summer sound to it which might bore people at this point of the year but it’s kind of refreshing but sounds like your typical song which is a bit disappointing as well.  I don’t even find anything remotely memorable about the song and falls off.

2. Minamikaze Payapaya

The B-side is just as beach-vibed as “Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss” but has solo lines and the song has more of an AKB feel to it as well which left me in confusion because this doesn’t sound as fun as “MAX! Otomegokoro”.  The things I do notice is the girls saying ~payapayapaya~ over and over again during the verses but otherwise, this was pretty forgetful too.  Luckily it was short so it didn’t get annoying…

3. Asu e STEP! (Song by iDOL Street All Members)

So I don’t know what’s the full deal of iDOL Street (to me they’re trainees that aren’t in either SUPER GIRLS or Cheeky Parade).  Asu e STEP! doesn’t sound all summery like the previous tracks which is good and that the members get lines despite not knowing who’s who in this rather big group.  Not bad, not bad.

4. Hatsukoi Grafitti (Yasuka Saori Special Solo Version)

It’s weird to see one of the members from the group get a solo…and in this case it’s Saori.  She sings her own version of Hatsukoi Graffiti (which was originally a B-side from their first single, ”Ganbatte Seishun”).  I guess as she’s the leader, it makes sense she’d be the one to get it.  I kind of like it even though it isn’t as filled out like the original version.   

 

 

So we are at their 2nd single for the era and I’m quite disappointed here for the most part.  Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss and Minamikaze Payapaya are a little too bland and typical for me even though the latter is kind of pleasant sometimes.  I just couldn’t get into their summer song this time around.  Asu e STEP! on the other hand is nice though and it’s not even a SUPER☆GIRLS track lol and Saori’s solo isn’t bad actually XD.  Hope they step it up on their next single.