Chihiro Onitsuka – Ken to Kaede April 22, 2011

Track Listing

1. Aoi Tori
2. Yume Kamo Shirenai
3. EVER AFTER
4. IRIS
5. Boku wo Wasurenaide
6. An Fhideag Airgid
7. SUNNY ROSE
8. NEW AGE STRANGER
9. CANDY GIRL
10. Tsumi to Muko Gin no Maku
11. WANNA BE A HAPPY WARRIOR
12. Kohaku no Yuki

1. Aoi Tori

Ahhh, it’s nice to see than Chihiro is opening the album with the lone A-side that was released two weeks ago…It hasn’t really changed my opinion on it and that’s a good thing since it still feels so refreshing and different from anything Chihiro has released previous.  I liked that she went folk for this song and being the opening track, one can wonder where Chihiro was going next.  Her vocals were the best part of the song since they kind of sounded different from A-sides from before.

2. Yume Kamo Shirenai

If you’re into Onii-chan when she was doing her more regular-styled songs in her early days, Yume Kamo Shirenai is for the people that liked her when she did “Insomnia”.  To me, it does seem a little bit much like her older songs…but I kind of enjoy it with the arrangement and random Engrish.  Not as vibrant as “Aoi Tori” was but it’s still good.

3. EVER AFTER

I know Chihiro doesn’t do too many happy songs so EVER AFTER is a nice surprise since it kind of features the same instruments used in “Yume Kamo Shirenai”, but given a lighter atmosphere and faster tempo.  Chihiro’s brighter vocals also impressed me here as she gave a pretty strong performance altogether.  I find this to be already one of the album’s gems.

4. IRIS

Slowing down again, IRIS is another one of those songs that really sound like something that would’ve easily come off of “Insomnia” since it’s kind of a basic track with a mostly acoustic feel.  It isn’t too bad and the mood is kind of laidback compared to the last song so this is pretty good. 

5. Boku wo Wasurenaide

Oh hey, we get strings and piano to open our next song?  While there were no epic ballads heard through the era, we still get a great ballad with Boku wo Wasurenaide which isn’t a heartbreaking one like “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite”.  It’s kind of positive in its chords and such and during some parts has cute parts strewn throughout.  It’s actually pretty amazing has a great waltz-like atmosphere to it to give it a bit more life.

6. An Fhideag Airgid

Interestingly enough, Chihiro actually throws in a giant wrench by actually covering a Scottish-Gaelic tune.  It’s kind of like Chihiro trying to channel KOKIA for a song and it might come off as a little weird to people since she’s in a different language.  I do love the the kind of sad arrangement mixed with the wooden flute to give it a rather interesting sound.  It’s bizarre and I wish I knew wtf Chihiro was singing, but this was pretty good!

7. SUNNY ROSE

I guess to tie-in the whole Gaelic-style of music that’s going on, SUNNY ROSE isn’t much of a surprise coming after “An Fhideag Airgil”.  The biggest change is the tempo and mood which is pretty cool and the fact that Onii-chan is singing in English is tempting to listen to, but she has a hard time pronouncing and saying things clearly so it feels more like random gibberish half the time.  It’s still one of the stronger melodies the album has, but lyrically…what was going on?

8. NEW AGE STRANGER

After hearing the acoustic version that was on “Aoi Tori”, I was curious to what the original would sound like and oddly enough it’s one of the more sillier songs since it took out the serious sound and threw in a summery atmosphere and some vocal filters to give the song even more of a reason to stand out.  I thought this was an interesting change, but the filters bothered me quite a bit since it warped her to some weird notes.  It’s a bit odd on the album, but not as odd as “SUNNY ROSE”.

9. CANDY GIRL

I’m all for Onii-chan trying new things with her style (which I admit is changing pretty quickly).  CANDY GIRL is a mixture of synths and her light pop/rock style and in ways it works since it’s upbeat and lively with Chihiro’s vocals (which once again sounds so different than before).  Think “EVER AFTER” but slightly more cuter and we get this song.

10. Tsumi to Muko Gin no Maku

I’m not sure what to think of our next song here.  It’s another one of those happier ballads that have kept appearing throughout the album so far and I kind of like it because it does have quite a cute flow to it, but it’s also not too demanding on what it’s trying to get at music-wise.  I still don’t know why I get such “BACK DOOR” vibes from this song personally, but whatever it’s not too poor but maybe a little forgettable.

11. WANNA BE A HAPPY WARRIOR

I always find myself lulzing when J-pop artists decide to cuss in English and Onii-chan finds herself doing that here in our next song which is oddly enough all English once again.  She sounds slightly better and clearer here, but she still can’t pronounce very well and there’s places were it sounds like mumbling.  I kind of wished that by the title it was going towards sounding like “DOROTHY’s” “A WHITE WHALE IN MY QUIET DREAM”…but this kind of felt underwhelming altogether.

12. Kohaku no Yuki

As the album’s final track, Kohaku no Yuki sounds like that ballad we needed.  It’s pretty simple as ballads go and since most of the time, she aces these songs.  It does kind of move a bit too slow, but Chihiro’s powerful performance did save the song from becoming purely boring at 6+ minutes.  I wish it built more for a stronger climax like “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite” did, but this’ll do.

Tracks Recommended

• EVER AFTER
• Boku wo Wasurenaide
• Aoi Tori
• An Fhideag Airgid

Song of Avoidance

• WANNA BE A HAPPY WARRIOR

Another switch between labels…damn Onii-chan can you stick with one label for more than one album?  To me, Ken to Kaede gave me dejavu moments to both “Insomnia” (her debut album) and “DOROTHY” (her previous album).  It shows some of what her debut was about with the whole light pop/rock and ballads while showing the crazy amount of experimentation “DOROTHY” had.  Add in the Gaelic and Folk tunes and it’s even more wild…also I’ve noticed Chihiro sounds slightly different…I wonder if it’s better vocal training or her incident that caused it…but it might throw off some people.  As for my opinion, I think it’s a pretty good album, not as good as “DOROTHY”, but it’s still a strong enough release…NOW SIT CHIHIRO…STAY….!

Chihiro Onitsuka – Aoi Tori April 12, 2011

Track Listing

1. Aoi Tori
2. NEW AGE STRANGER (MAD・EYE・MOODY VERSION)

1. Aoi Tori

As the only A-side for this quite short era, Aoi Tori is actually an interesting song since it has this sort of dark and folkish groove to it that sounds rather refreshing from Onii-chan.  Chihiro’s vocals actually sound a lot more interesting and has more emotion than she did in “Kagerou” which was her last A-side.  It’s pretty and she moves gracefully through the song…I will say her voice does sound slightly different…could her incident have something to do with it?

2. NEW AGE STRANGER (MAD・EYE・MOODY VERSION)

I really don’t know what’s with the Harry Potter reference in the title, but whatever, kind of like “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite” we get a stripped version of a song (acoustic-based).  At 6 minutes in length, NEW AGE STRANGER is Chihiro’s second attempt at English and well, she’s doing much better than she did in “I Pass By” since the song is kind of upbeat and happy…but the girl is kind of all over the place and it’s lulzy to listen to.  Her voice though sounds really different here…like it’s someone else…freaky song…I wonder what the album version will be like.

Since next week is the album release, Aoi Tori was a nice tease of a single to hold us for seven days.  The folk atmosphere out of the A-side was a nice change from the ballads and Chihiro has never sounded better.  NEW AGE STRANGER’s acoustic version is definitely not on the normal side of things…and it’s kind of sloppy, but I’m sure that’ll be fixed on “Ken to Kaede”.

Chihiro Onitsuka – This Armor September 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. ROLLIN’
2. Ibara no Umi
3. Shadow
4. everything, in my hands
5. Our Song
6. Ryuuseigun
7. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.)
8. Arrow of Pain
9. infection
10. CROW

1. ROLLIN’

I mean I’m alright with Chihiro beginning her second album with a soft pop tune with ROLLIN’ and all, but I was expecing it to be a little more exciting as he album’s first song.  Chihiro’s vocals of course sound great and even though this song for me sounds a lot like some of the stuff on “Insomnia”, it wasn’t exactly a bad song for me. 

2. Ibara no Umi

I can tell that this album has a little more synth involvement this time especailly with how our next song began.  Then again it get covered up by the main instruments of the song and Chihiro’s soft sounding vocals.  I thought this is a great ballad for Chihiro since it isn’t a boring ballad and has some personality to it.  It’s just a very pleasant song to listen to and the piccolo solo is random but nice in the interlude of the song.  Very nice and still shows that Chihiro is a great balladeer.

3. Shadow

I guess it does worry me now that Shadow (also a ballad) comes right after “Ibara no Umi”.  However, Shadow is more of the depressing and darker ballad because while it has the same instruments sans piccolo, it’s got a longing feeling and with the string bass getting some small parts, it’s like really different.  I also think Chihiro is slightly singing it differently from her normal style, but I loved this change.  Another good ballad ^_^

4. everything, in my hands

Escaping the ballad area of the album, everything, in my hands is a pleasant change of styles from dark and depressing to light and feel-good.  I have to admit that I think it’s her most upbeat song she has had so far in her career and it’s kind of funny since I don’t expect this from her.  It still sounds like the same instruments used in “Insomnia” but I think it’s done professionally and worked for me.  However, it does kind of become white noise after a while since the melody doesn’t fully move around like other songs…it’s just a very straightforward kind of song.

5. Our Song

I guess we just needed one upbeat song huh?  Our Song brings us back down to a ballad state and Our Song is actually Chihiro’s English track on the album.  I know she doesn’t pronounce things nicely, but for the most part, it’s understandable.  Also it’s got the simplest arrangement consisting of piano and acoustic guitar and it has a slight touch of country…It’s a bit too lullaby-like for me so it kind of puts me to sleep, but it’s not bad either.

6. Ryuuseigun

I know that I said that Ryuuseigun wasn’t really much of a memorable ballad coming after the first single of the era, but on the album it’s even more forgettable for me since there’s way better ballads.  I mean there’s not much for me to really pay attention since it’s like a few other ballads she’s done.  At least I really enjoyed the chorus since it brought her voice to the forefront.  I’m not sure, but otherwise the song just flies over my head.

7. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.)

As the only A-side to have been edited…LITTLE BEAT RIFLE like “BACK DOOR” shouldn’t have been touched at all because the new version stripped away everything that was good about the original and left us with a bare piano version of the song.  I do like that Chihiro resang the song and all, but to me it’s one of those songs that’s missing something.  Even then…hi gospel-like lyrics!

8. Arrow of Pain

Wow that’s odd to see Arrow of Pain being included on the album, even though there’s a reason.  It seems that a later released song was supposed to be released, but Arrow of Pain replaced that song because the other song in question, “A Horse and A Queen” didn’t fit the theme of the album it seems.  If you remember this song is from “Gekkou” as a B-side and it’s just unusual to see a B-side make an album that wasn’t in the same era.  Now at this point of the album, I’m starting to really feel the effects of sleep popping up since it’s been ballad after ballad…it’s just so hard to keep paying attention if Chihiro’s ballads are trying to put that feeling into ya…at least it has a bit of synthplay in it like “Ibara no Umi” so it’s not as boring, but it still is at the end of the day.  It sill is best heard by itself and is still one of Chihiro’s better B-sides.

9. infection

If “Gekkou” is too “Insomnia”, then infection is to This Armor.  Both songs are very emotionally driven ballads and pretty popular songs in their own right.  infection might be more simpler but it sure hits hard and Chihiro’s vocals are just perfect for this song.  Though being after “Arrow of Pain” it just seems this came to really wake me up and it did…I love the song more than “Gekkou” to be honest.

10. CROW

I guess to make things end on a lighter note, CROW switches the sad and melancholic mood from “infection” and made it slightly lighter and hopeful.  Once again, I don’t remember the song much because I’m like really tired at this point of the album so I just kind of zone the song out.  I think it should’ve been more closer to “ROLLIN’ and “everything, in my hands” those kind of had a happier touch to em right? XD

Tracks Recommended

• infection
• Shadow
• Arrow of Pain
• Ibara no Umi
• everything, in my hands

Song of Avoidance

• LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.)

Since Chihiro released This Armor and “Sugar High” in the same year, it leaves me wondering what happens since there’s no single in between the albums.  Anyways, This Armor would’ve been great if there wasn’t so many ballads clumped up to each and just leaving us with two upbeat songs (ROLLIN’ and everything, in my hands).  Good thing was this album probably has Chihiro’s best ballads so that saves this album from being amazingly boring.  I guess it is slightly better than “Insomnia” but there’s just too many ballads for me to handle x.x

Chihiro Onitsuka – Ryuuseigun May 2, 2010

Track Listing

1. Ryuuseigun
2. Fly to me
3. Ryuuseigun (Inst.)

1. Ryuuseigun

For the stuff I’ve listened to before from Chihiro, Ryuuseigun at least makes things better since the first era was filled with a bit too many bland ballads.  While it doesn’t provide any real new things that we haven’t heard from the “INSOMNIA” era, it’s a nice piano/strings ballad.  Not bad, but not really amazing like “infection” was.

2. Fly to me

The B-side is also a ballad, but more along the lines of an acoustic one.  I kind of like the night feel this song brings and Chihiro’s vocals are a bit softer as well.  Then again I can’t defend some of Chihiro’s pronunciation in the English lingo.  I do enjoy it though and somehow makes me feel like this was the better song off the single. 

 

 

Chihiro’s 2nd for the “This Armor” era was just a little bit meh compared to “infection/LITTLE BEAT RIFLE”.  I found it hard to remember what Ryuuseigun sounds like and even then it’s B-side ended up being the better song even though it has its own share of problems.

Chihiro Onitsuka – DOROTHY October 28, 2009

Track Listing

1. A WHITE WHALE IN MY QUIET DREAM
2. Kagerou
3. X
4. Storyteller
5. STEAL THIS HEART
6. I Pass By
7. Kaerimichi wo Nakushite
8. Losing a distance
9. Last Melody
10. Hotaru
11. VENUS

1. A WHITE WHALE IN MY QUIET DREAM

I love the tribal opening to this album.  It seems like one of those Native American chants or at least the closest I could compare it to.  The only thing accompanying Chihiro is a pounding drum that has this punch.  Chihiro’s English is pretty hard to understand at intervals of the song, but it’s like a poem and has a nice meaning to it.  I was impressed with this opening actually.

2. Kagerou

As the last A-side released in the era, Kagerou was probably my least favorite for some reason.  I mean it’s a bit like a few other tracks on the album to begin with and it also sounds like a bit of her “INSOMNIA” works that weren’t ballads.  Not to say it’s not horrible or anything because I like the relaxed nature and Chihiro’s vocals are also really nice to listen to.  Still not the best of the era (even I thought “Ai no Serifu” would’ve been a better choice as an A-side.)

3. X

Ahhh, X…It’s Chihiro’s angry tune and I was so damn happy to see her get out of her comfort zone with this track.  At first, it does seem like another sad ballad, but right as you cement the idea, the angry guitar riffs pop up and Chihiro’s vocals get stronger and gain that angst that I enjoyed.  It’s rather one of the odd tracks off the album, but still one of her strongest A-sides in a while.

4. Storyteller

I’m not sure what’s with the flow of the album entirely, but Storyteller is a little bit folkish and also a little bit pop as well.  I love the harmonica solos in the song and I’m noticing that Chihiro is sounding a whole lot fuller here than she was in “X”.  Though the way she says ~storyteller~ is too cute for words hahaha.  This is by far my favorite new track off the album.

5. STEAL THIS HEART

The album’s promotional song, STEAL THIS HEART would be the album’s ultimate weird song.  There’s a whole lot more synth featured in the song and Chihiro is filtered in the song like crazy.  People have complained this song is like the crap that Tommy Heavenly6 did with her last album release…I honestly don’t see the comparison because Chihiro is way into it and her vocals are different to the other songs and it sounds quite refreshing to hear, especially with how Chihiro does songs for her albums.

6. I Pass By

Well, this is a new version of the craptastic track from “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite”.  The Darksmoke Version was basically an acoustic version of the album track we have here.  Instead of acoustic guitar, we get a more broader sound and oddly enough it sounds like a country song.  I’m still not liking the fact I can’t understand what the hell she’s saying since it’s all English.  At least the energy is good and the chorus is so much more catchy.

7. Kaerimichi wo Nakushite

I’m not sure why Kaerimichi wo Nakushite had an extended strings opening on the album, but one the familiar opening comes in we get back into one of Chihiro’s strongest ballads since recent.  I love how the entire song builds itself upon the volume of the strings and Chihiro getting more profound and stronger.  Once it does hit its highest point, it’s just amazing sung and I was stunned by the sheer awesomeness of the person who produced this.  AMAZING BALLAD.

8. Losing a distance

I’m guessing we’re getting into the ballads of the album because Losing a distance is also a ballad.  I’m actually enjoying the piano lines in the song and while it’s not as epic as “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite” it’s got its own thing going on in the song and Chihiro’s calmer vocals make the song flow nicely.  It’s a bit forgetful on the album, but alone it’s a nice track.

9. Last Melody

I’m not why, but Last Melody never really crossed my mind as a song that I’d fully enjoy.  Then again since it’s a bit like later released “Kagerou” it’s quite difficult to really not bag on both of them because of their similarities.  Obviously, there’s differences, but I just can’t help but compare the two like crazy…So I guess it’s not too good for me.

10. Hotaru

Being the oldest A-side on the album (released last year in early August), Hotaru fits in this quite snuggly.  Then again it is in the middle of the ballad section of the album.  I do love how it’s different from the previous ballads because of its lullaby-like arrangement.  Chihiro’s vocals are soft and with the piano backing her up for most of the song.  It’s the most basic ballad, but it’s nice either way.

11. VENUS

Ending the album is a whopper of a track.  VENUS is shockingly over 7 minutes of balladness.  That being said, you know I was moaning and not really wanting to spend time listening to this long song, but honestly it’s like VENUS is wondrous a interesting altogether.  It makes the fantasy-like picture in my head and oddly feels like it’s pertaining to the cover because it’s like when she walked through the door she just sung what she say and/or felt and I loved it.  I think giving it the award of longest track was a smart idea.  One of the best on the album.

Tracks Recommended

• Kaerimichi wo Nakushite
• VENUS
• STEAL THIS HEART
• Storyteller
• X

Song of Avoidance

• Losing a distance

Seriously, I think DOROTHY is Chihiro’s most vivid album she’s released ever since her debut.  There was a lot of different styles played around on the album, but as a whole you could tell the album was split between her more energetic songs and heartwarming/wrenching ballads.  There were a few songs that kind of lacked the more refreshing sounds.  To be honest this is Chihiro’s best album. 

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.

Chihiro Onitsuka – Kagerou September 2, 2009

Track Listing

1. Kagerou
2. Ai no Serifu

1. Kagerou

Well, we do have to have another ballad since this is Chihiro we’re talking about.  Being the 3rd A-side as a ballad, Kagerou does fall up short to both “Hotaru” & “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite”.  It is a bit more uptempo and Chihiro is sounding nice as usual.  It does oddly sound familiar to “Last Melody” which was released earlier in the year, so I have to say it is the weakest A-side of the four.

2. Ai no Serifu

However, Ai no Serifu is rather upbeat which is a nice contrast on the single (then again it’s been like this the whole era).  I actually love her attitude in the song and how she starts off is pretty sexy if you ask me.  It might not be totally original as it sounds like “BACK DOOR” from her debut single and I’m sitting here and enjoying her more raspier vocals here.  Fitting B-side.

 

 

Chihiro’s final single of the “DOROTHY” era, Kagerou oddly disappointed me this time around.  After three great A-sides, Kagerou just doesn’t compare with any of those songs.  It’s just a normal Chihiro ballad.  Ai no Serifu was a great song to hear since we haven’t had an happier upbeat song from her in a while. 

Chihiro Onitsuka – Kaerimichi wo Nakushite July 21, 2009

Track Listing

1. Kaerimichi wo Nakushite
2. I Pass By ~Darksmoke Version~

1. Kaerimichi wo Nakushite

After her last single “X/Last Melody”, we needed to get back into the mainstay with her songs and clearly, Kaerimichi wo Nakushite is another ballad to but in Chihiro’s collection of really nice ballads.  Her voice sounds so nice with the song.  I know it’s not at the same caliber as it was in “Gekkou”, but that’s simply because she had surgery so her voice is a bit different now compared to then.  The arrangement is a bit simple with strings and piano, and then adding percussion in the 2nd verse.  I didn’t think there’d be a punch to it, but the final run through the chorus blew me away and really showed that Chihiro is one of the best balladeers…so much force from Chihiro is a good thing. 

2. I Pass By ~Darksmoke Version~

Oddly enough, our B-side is an acoustic version of an upcoming track.  Also nice to note that it’s all in English and even Chihiro’s more raw vocals are interesting at first, this isn’t a sound that I’d like her to follow with her next single, “Kagerou”.  To me, it shows more problems than it did in “Kaerimichi wo Nakushite”.  Less sound equals to my faults in my opinion and this song is one to really show that idea off.  Chihiro’s English is pretty meh here as well…not the best B-side she’s released as of recent.

 

 

Chihiro’s 3rd single of the era (I’m counting “Hotaru”) is a step down from her last release simply because of the B-side.  Kaerimichi wo Nakushite was a nice A-side, even though “Hotaru” is still the better ballad of the current era, but I do like her voice here….That is until the B-side started up.  If it wasn’t her awkward vocals that threw the song off, the dry arrangement and badly spoken English partook in the fail of the track….I’m sorry, but just get the A-side.

Chihiro Onitsuka – INSOMNIA June 6, 2009

 

Track Listing

1. Gekkou
2. Innocence
3. BACK DOOR (Album Version)
4. edge
5. We can go
6. call
7. Shine (Album Version)
8. Cage
9. Rasen
10. Memai
11. Gekkou (Album Version)

1. Gekkou

I guess it was appropriate to begin the album with Chihiro’s biggest song.  Gekkou is still definitly one of the best ballads she’s done and it shows with how soothing Chihiro’s vocals and the lone piano playing along.  How she tackled the chorus was so soulful and c’mon this is one song not to pass up!  Great track.

2. Innocence

We get into our first new track, I’m starting to sense a little bit og emotional pain with Chihiro because this song is very melancholic in sound and Chihiro’s vocals are a bit more vulnerable sounding.  I love how things get more energetic in the chorus where a band appears and plays along.  It’s definitely a dark song and I praise it.

3. BACK DOOR (Album Version)

There’s a few songs that have been rearranged on “INSOMNIA” starting with BACK DOOR which was originally a B-side from “Shine”.  I clearly noticed the change that went around with the song and I kind of wished they didn’t do it because BACK DOOR was an alright pop track and they just stripped that off and made it into a simple ballad.  I do like how Chihiro asks ~Where is the back door?~  Maybe she’s blind or something?

4.  edge

Representing part of the double A-side that ended the era, edge makes the jump onto the album and it still kind of feels like a filler track more or less.  We do get to hear Chihiro in the higher register, so I really enjoyed her there, but otherwise there’s still nothing that really makes it stand out.

5. We can go

I guess I’m starting to get somewhat bored of the album here because of how calm and yet nothing is standing out from the album yet.  We can go kind of sticks out with it’s more upbeat nature and sounds like something you’d hear on the beach.  At the same time, she sounds like a country singer with everything going on.  That was smart planning to do a song like this and I quite like it alot.

6. call

After the minor boost of energy, call pops in and brought me back down to boredom.  I mean it’s nice enough that it’s calm and stuff, but this is just too calm for me.  Chihiro just drags the song the entire way and doesn’t make anything stand out.  Talk about boring.

7. Shine (Album Version)

Once again, I’m slightly disappointed at the change made with her debut as well.  She stripped whatever made Shine listenable and turned it into a straight-up ballad, which once again fails to make me pay enough attention.  I do love the fact her vocals are amazingly better, but still c’mon….another ballad?!?

8. Cage

3rd single, Cage pops up next and I was so elated that it wasn’t tagged by (Album Version).  We needed another upbeat tune to fill up the album and Cage does it very well.  I mean it’s still pretty calm as Chihiro tracks go, but seriously?  Can we spice things up, you know go electro? xD JUST KIDDING!  Cage is still a great track on the album.

9. Rasen

The final new track, Rasen is a lot like “Innocence” in a way that it’s very melancholic and sad to listen to.  I actually enjoyed this track more because in some places it’s like a gospel track and at other points it just sounds like a hopeful song.  It’s definitly soothing despite the rest of the album is similar.

10. Memai

Memai ended off the era on a good note, but on the album it just doesn’t sound orgasmic as the new tracks have been.  I don’t know why this doesn’t sound as good as the others, but I guess it’s still alright despite the unoriginality hitting this track.  I’ll say the chorus is still the best part though.

11. Gekkou (Album Version)

Can you really make a ballad even more ballady?  I guess so, because Gekkou got this tagged and interestingly took out some important stuff and just left some BKGD vocalists and piano….It’s definitely a lot more simpler and Chihiro resung it as well.  I still enjoyed the original a lot more than this version though. 

Tracks Recommended

• Gekkou
• We can go
• Rasen
• Cage

Song of Avoidance

• call

Chihiro’s debut album isn’t one of the best albums out there, but it does solidify her as a great ballad singer.  I think what made me not enjoy the album fully was in that all but 2 songs were ballads which is a hard listen for me.  Having some of the tracks rearranged was mainly not the smartest idea as well.  Still Chihiro’s vocals are great and I love a few of them, so it’s not an entirely bad album, just a little stale.