Hanako Oku – Hanabi September 26, 2009

Track Listing

1. Hanabi ~Kimi ni Koi Shita Natsu no Hi~ (Piano Version)
2. ta.la.la
3. Hanabi ~Kimi ni Koi Shita Natsu no Hi~ (Arrange Version)

1. Hanabi ~Kimi ni Koi Shita Natsu no Hi~ (Piano Version)

Hardly two months after “BIRTHDAY” we’re treated to Hanabi which was Hanako’s first release as an artist.  Being the oddball indies single A-side, Hanako came back and remastered and resung it in a piano-only version of it.  I’ll admit that her music is easier to take in small doses and her voice doesn’t sound as horrible as some of the songs from her latest album did.  Still pretty simple as Hanako songs go, this was a nice new touch to the single.

2. ta.la.la

I was surprised at the B-side being cute and full of life.  It’s one of those cute songs that’ll get you because of its nature.  Hanako sounds rather nice, giving the song a fun vibe to it.  Ok, the chorus is just the cutest thing I’ve heard in awhile and I love it.  She should really make more of these kind of songs, I’ll definitely appreciate her more if she did ^)^

3. Hanabi ~Kimi ni Koi Shita Natsu no Hi~ (Arrange Version)

Instead of the piano-only of the first track, we get a more filled out song that includes strings.  Then they just oddly disappear for the verse which surprised which left us with Hanako and her piano playing.  When the chorus appears, things return and become once again full.  I thought this was a better cut of Hanabi IMO.

 

 

Hanako quietly (in my opinion) released her indies single all remastered and redone.  I thought this was a pretty nice single from her altogether and showed that Hanako singles > Hanako albums.  I wonder if it’ll be included in her next album, but I doubt it since re-released singles seem to be drowned out.

Hanako Oku – BIRTHDAY July 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. Waratte Waratte
2. Ichiban Hoshi
3. Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto
4. Birthday
5. Tanin no Namida
6. Saigo no Koi
7. Anemone
8. Aoi Heya
9. Chocolate
10. Hotaru Hi
11. Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai (Piano Hiki Katari ver.)
12. Ashita Saku Hana
13. Happy days (Album mix ver.)
14. Tomoshibi

1. Waratte Waratte

We begin Hanako’s album with the A-side that finished up the era.  Waratte Waratte is sitll pretty reminescent of the other A-sides of the era.  It’s does a pretty arrangemnt, that’s a given.  I just still think that since there was already so many ballads, she was getting stale at this state of the era.  It has gotten better since I’ve had time to get used to it, but still way too many ballads were all over the era.

2. Ichiban Hoshi

At least we get a relatively good upbeat track in the form of Ichiban Hoshi.  Right from start, you hear drums, guitar, bass, and Hanako playing the keyboard.  I’m surprised that I’m liking this song a lot more than a lot of tracks I’ve heard.  It’s got a cute hook to it and Hanako’s vocals aren’t too bad, but she’s still nasally and that’s a red flag.  Pretty sweet.

3. Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto

Returning from “Waratte Waratte’s” single.  Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto was the more happier track off the single, but at that price, Hanako’s vocals took a dive in the process.  Like I said with the leading A-side, this was a bad decision to really have on the single because I couldn’t exactly make it a good track for me.  It was boring and even though it is after “Ichiban Hoshi” it still is pretty boring otherwise.

4. Birthday

~Happy birthday to you~.  I knew somehow that line was going to be used for the title track.  It’s just like “Ichiban Hoshi” in the way it carries itself and being pretty bouncy and fun.  Her vocals aren’t too bad here as well which is showing she’s actually trying.  Birthday might come off as a little childish at different points, but this song isn’t half that bad

5. Tanin no Namida

I like the fact that Sanin no Namida is a bit different kind of  ballad.  I mean it’s only just her and the piano and it sounds pretty especially since Hanako’s softer sounding vocals were working for her a lot more.  After a while, bass and drums are added to fill in the more important spots.  Another pretty strong track from the album.

6. Saigo no Koi

I know it’s pretty cynical of me to say it, but I’m getting a little tired of Hanako opening each track with a small piano line.  Of course it’s another ballad, and it oddly reminds me of “Waratte Waratte” which is bad as it was pretty meh as well.  It also brings the worst of her vocals as she cracks bad going for the high notes here.  Nothing special here.

7. Anemone

Anemone is a strange track right from the start.  It starts with an orgel melody and Hanako singing a part of the verse before this light R&B sounds comes in and helps with Hanako’s vocals.  Honestly, this is the nicest I’ve heard Hanako right now and the song’s calm and laidback sound just works.  It even ends off with the orgel melody.  Gotta say, I’m impressed.

8. Aoi Heya

We go back to bland piano music with Aoi Heya.  Like a bunch of other tracks on the album, Aoi Heya is just Hanako and piano working their magic across 5 minutes (pretty long for a track that’s almost like a ballad).  She really shows off her skills in the song so it does make up for the lack of interest in the singing sections. 

9. Chocolate

Why am I not surprised that Chocolate would’ve been a happy-go-lucky track.  It is a bit like the other upbeat tracks but there’s a harmonica solo in the song so that’s what really makes it pop out at me and I really liked it.  I’m happy that she excels at these kind of fun tracks and this isn’t bad at all either.

10. Hotaru Hi

Jeeze, it’s hard to stay awake when the album keeps going back to these overly simple ballads that always seem to make my mind drift off into sleep mode.  Once again Hanako shows off pretty good vocals, but it’s hampered by the vacant arrangement of the song, so it’s doesn’t leave a mark on me.

11. Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai (Piano Hiki Katari ver.)

Instead of the orchestral number of the original, but it was screwed with and erased what made the original pretty good.  Like “Hotaru Hi” it’s just Hanako and piano again and I dislike what they did on the album version of this track.  I really don’t know why they would take out the one thing that made the song listenable out and left it as plain as ever!

12. Ashita Saku Hana

Luckily, the first A-side fills those shoes pretty quickly and it’s a pretty good song to represent the era as well.  Having the things that “Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai” didn’t have, Ashita Saku Hana is a way better ballad of the album and mostly it’s because of how broad the arrangement is with the strings that fill in the song’s empty spaces.  Probably the best ballad of the album.

13. Happy days (Album mix ver.)

Jeeze way to stick the Happy days near the end of the album.  The single version didn’t have a beat like this one did and I loved it because it just added more color to the song.  I do enjoy the new additions to the song and it fits with Hanako’s more joyous vocals here.  Why can’t she have more tracks like this?

14. Tomoshibi

Ending off the album, Tomoshibi once again proves that Hanako can sing really good when she wants to because I find myself enjoying the calmer sound of her vocals.  Sadly, the song isn’t anything to write home to about.  It gradually gets better when other instruments enter in so I guess it’s an easy song to get along with.  What a nice way to end the album (I think.)

Tracks Recommended

• Happy days (Album mix ver.)
• Anemone
• Ashita Saku Hana
• Ichiban Boshi
• Sanin no Namida

I really had a hard time reviewing this album.  I mean a lot of the tracks were ballads and you know how I get with them.  Hanako did a way better singing on the album tracks rather than the songs that were from her singles so that’s a good thing, but it was hard to pay attention with Hanako and her piano being all over her tracks.  I’m for it, she just needs to change it up once in a while….especially if it’s a keyboard….PLAY SOMETHING ELSE ON IT!

Hanako Oku – Waratte Waratte July 16, 2009

Track Listing

1. Waratte Waratte
2. Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto
3. Happy Days

1. Waratte Waratte

Of course, we’d get another ballad from Hanako as an A-side.  Unlike the previous two A-sides, this is more catered to the simple ballad sound.  That’s basically piano, strings and Hanako singing.  Actually it might be a bit too much like her last A-side “Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai” as they are both simple ballads, nothing more, nothing less and that’s probably why I think this song is a bit boring for me. 

2. Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto

Here we go again, we are basically going the same route as we did with the last single.  I’m going to guess that the next song is going to be in an upbeat sort of nature.  I’m honestly even more bored when she sings this B-side.  It sounds emotionally more happier than the previous track, but you can’t really tell with Hanako’s idol-like vocals.  They are a bit of a nuisance really.

3. Happy Days

Yup, I was right when I said the 2nd B-side was going to be an upbeat track.  Including the synth this time around made the song sound so much more eventful.  I’ll say it though, she’s carrying a happy mood here as well and I quite like it…then again it would’ve be better if it was a cover of Ai Otsuka’s A-side.  The version I have skips, so I prolly missed something important, but it’s still a good track.

 

 

Hanako finishes the “BIRTHDAY” era with basically a carbon copy of “Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai”.  I have the exact same feelings that I did with that single so I’ll put it in short…Waratte Waratte = alright, Bokutachi ni Dekiru Koto = boring, Happy Days = fun

Hanako Oku – Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai June 11, 2009

Track Listing

1. Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai
2. Panorama no Kaze
3. Boku no Christmas
4. Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai (Instrumental)

1. Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai

Unlike “Ashita Saku Hana’s” more spring-like sound, Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai is more of a traditional ballad and by the start I’m already hearing Hanako singing better which is an instant plus.  The song also has a lot of orchestration that really worked well again here.  It might be too typical of a ballad, but it’s kind of nice and fills out pretty well.

2. Panorama no Kaze

Another ballad?  Wow, it’s surprising because I was expecting something more vibrant and free-spirited with this track.  There’s a feeling that the song wants to reach epicness, but there’s just not that spark the fuels it more.  I think she would’ve benefitted with some sort of percussion added in as well.  Maybe, it’s just me.  The acoustic solo though was really good though.

3. Boku no Christmas

I guess it’s sort of fitting to actually have a holiday track, but as a B-side is a little odd.  Hearing this little orgel opening reminded me of something Kanon Wakeshima would so since it’s oddly eerie.  Then the jingle bells pop up and the song suddenly becomes upbeat and quite the festive track and I finally like this song a lot.  Hanako’s cutesy voice works in this case since it fits with the giddyness that is Christmas.

 

 

The 2nd single of the “BIRTHDAY” era, Anata ni Suki to Iwaretai is a step up from the last single just because the songs sound pretty sweet to listen to and Hanako’s vocals has gotten better as well.  It’s still screams H!P vocals, but it isn’t as shocking as it was in “Ashita Saku Hana”.  Panorama no Kaze is a bit on the forgetful side of things.  Boku no Christmas was just jolly fun and is a great B-side

Hanako Oku – Ashita Saku Hana June 8, 2009

Track Listing

1. Ashita Saku Hana
2. Ajisai
3. Kawaranai Mono -Live version-
4. Ashita Saku Hana (Instrumental)

1. Ashita Saku Hana

I didn’t expect such a flowery opening to Ashita Saku Hana, but immediatly I knew what was going to lead into and it’s quite simple in sound ala Angela Aki’s piano-induced music.  I have to say though her vocals are the most perfect of them and they actually sound like Mano Erina’s which is quite ironic as they both are piano players.  I do like flute and strings arrangement as they make it sound more romantic and quite nice.  I was overall happy with the A-side.

2. Ajisai

The first B-side, Ajisai continues this ballad sound and it’s quite a different experience from “Ashita Saku Hana” because it’s more soft-spoken and has a lullaby mood going on which I quite adore.  Her vocals are quite nice except for one part at the end of the chorus where she cracks in the worst way possible…talk about embarassing lol.  It’s a pretty nice ballad overall though.

3. Kawaranai Mono -Live version-

I’m going to guess this track was from her last album, “Koi Tegami”, but hearing a live version does have its perks which means that we get to hear more of the artist which no help with the vocals and Hanako sort of fails in this case because she sounds nervous or just stressed out.  I’m not sure why, but I guess it’s alright.  It is just piano so it’s kind of barebones as arrangements go, but I like her powerful playing.  Still the vocals here are just worrysome.

 

 

I guess I can see why Selly wanted me to review her, she’s a fine pianist and being in her 4th era, I can tell she’s a bit underrated, however that can also be to the fact her vocals aren’t that great.  Her voice sounds really young and pitchy making it seem like she’s more similar to Mano Erina, but her piano playing is just as good as Angela Aki’s kind of a hybrid of sorts.  Ashita Saku Hana as a single is nice in both the A & B-sides while the live version is kind of meh.  I guess we’ll see by the next single.