Hitomi Shimatani – Yasashii Kiss no Mitsuke Kata September 18, 2009

Track Listing

1. Yasashii Kiss no Mitsuke Kata
2. farewell
3. Kaihouku (one love remix)
4. Yasashii Kiss no Mitsuke Kata (Instrumental)
5. farewell (Instrumental)

1. Yasashii Kiss no Mitsuke Kata

Oh Hitomi, you weird me out sometimes with your music.  Yasashii Kiss no Mitsuke Kata is a rather light pop tune with light reggae touches to make it sound “fresh”.  That being said, I don’t really find it that memorable because well Hitomi is singing flat I think.  I don’t know it just doesn’t sound like she’s trying to keep it in tune this time.  Though in the middle, there’s a flute solo and talk about odd.

2. farewell

I’m not sure how to describe farewell’s arrangement.  At first it sounds like bhangra…but then it just turns into a mix of R&B and pop.  While it does sound like one of though ethnic tracks that she does sometimes, this one felt a little tacked on about as much as the A-side.  There was a latin guitar solo, but that made things even more off-balance.

3. Kaihouku (one love remix)

If things couldn’t get worse, we get a reggae remix of Kaihouku her 2nd single.  The album version continues to be the best version as the remix is just nasty.  I mean it sounds a bit like “Yasashii Kiss no Mitsukekata” and that right there is just not right.  Add in the mehness already from Kaihouku and you get this song. 

 

 

I’m sorry, but right now this is Hitomi’s worst single right now.  I didn’t exactly enjoy the reggae-ness of the A-side and the remix and farewell was just a hot mess.  Definitely a terrible way to begin the “SHANTY” era.

Hitomi Shimatani – PAPILLON July 17, 2009

Track Listing

1. papillon
2. Fantasista
3. Ichiba ni Ikou
4. Last Shooting Star
5. his rhythm
6. Kaihouku (album version)
7. motto…
8. SPLASH
9. sugary
10. thanksful
11. Zettai Ondo
12. Thinking of you
13. papillon (eastern butterfly) (Bonus Track)

1. papillon

We begin the album with her biggest song at the time and it’s a cover of a Janet Jackson song, “Doesn’t Really Matter”.  Now it was a big change since it was all R&B and a bit futuristic as well.  The thing I liked about it was how fast Hitomi was singing in the song.  I’ll have to say, she done herself well on this song and is one of my favorite Hitomi songs.

2. Fantasista

Our first new track, Fantasista continues the latin trend she started back with her last single “Ichiba ni Ikou”.  There’s also a nice dance style going on here as well carrying Hitomi very well here.  It also helps that her singing is a lot more better here than it was on “papillon”.  I’m still thinking her more ethnic tracks are her forte.

3. Ichiba ni Ikou

Representing the last A-side of the era, Ichiba ni Ikou is one fascinating song since compared to “Fantasista” it’s not as latin-heavy.  Actually when compared to the other songs, it sounds like a mixture of the previous two tracks.  It might not be her strongest song, but it did start off the latin-explosion that Hitomi uses ALOT!

4. Last Shooting Star

I’m surprised our next song comes up next.  It starts with a synth boom and adds some R&B beats to give it that punch.  Sadly, it does sound like a repeat on “papillon” which is a bit unfortunate.  I do think the chorus is catchy as hell though.  So I can forgive that it sounds a but like something else. 

5. his rhythm

his rhythm is the first ballad off the album.  The plucked strings does sound almost like the ones from “Eternity”, but then it becomes more of the typical sounding R&B ballad.  I’m not a big fan of these kind of songs, but Hitomi did a good job trying not to make it drag hard and the extra vocalists were just as equally nice.  It might be too typical, but it’s nice sounding at the least.

6. Kaihouku (album version)

The album version of Kaihouku appears next and it seemed to fix all of the major issues that plagues the original.  I mean it went from a cheesy pop tune into something that’s more edgy.  I mean it still has the cheap 9o’s sound too it, but it’s not all over and messy.  The chorus still feels a bit too empty for me, but this was definitely a lot better than the original mix.

7. motto…

I’m pretty sure she’s doing something right with these latin tracks all over the place on the album.  I initially thought that motto… was going to be more of a ballad, but I was happy that it was another latin-infused track.  It once again shows how good of a singer Hitomi is compared to other artists that debuted, like Ayu. 

8. SPLASH

The only B-side to make it on the album, SPLASH after “motto…” is a bit sketchy since they are so similar to one another, but I have to say that it still is a bit better than said song.  The beginning is a little random, but the relaxing latin/dance tune is catchy and I love the solo parts with the guitar…it just makes the song sounds great.  Once again, continuing to show her strong vocals in the song.

9. sugary

Kind of more aggressive sounding R&B track, sugary was one of the song I was not liking on this album.  Actually, it’s even worse when I have to listen to it since it’s quite boring all-around and nothing to really come out of it.  I do like how there’s a bit of electric guitar looming in the song, but other than that, it should’ve been left on “SHANTI”.

10. thanksful

What?  thanksful?  Is that even a real word.  I doubt it so that right there was the first red flag.  Luckily, it’s a really nice mid-tempo track.  I love how the strings and synth open the track into a pretty cool sounding song.  It might be a little draggy at some spots of the song, but I think this was a nice break from the latin tracks.  Still the name of the song bothers me alot.

11. Zettai Ondo

Returning to our latin songs, Zettai Ondo sounds more serious than the previous tracks which is interesting.  After a while it starts to get a little more energetic, but still is a more serious sounding latin track from her.  Though now the problem is that she’s heavily shoving latin tracks on the album and they are harder to really differentiate from one another.

12. Thinking of you

Then again, her R&B tracks are also getting pretty stale as well.  Thinking of you is another track that I kind of dislike because it sounds kind of disjointed at many places and just sounds like ideas were basically thrown in the song.  I do like how Hitomi sings herself out in the verses more than normal.  Still, I’m not a big fan of this song.

13. papillon (eastern butterfly)

As a bonus to the album, papillon (biggest song so far in her career), gets rearranged for the final track off the album.  Instead if the futuristic tones “papillon” had.  The song gets an Eastern flavor and sounds more traditional altogether.  The vocals weren’t redone and that disappoints me, but the new arrangement is kind of cleaner and makes the song sound a bit further different than the original mix.

Tracks Recommended

• Fantasista
• papillon
• SPLASH
• thanksful

Well, on the debut side of things Hitomi debuted above average for me.  Unlike a few other artists, the quality of the tracks was great on the most part, despite a few trip-ups on the R&B songs.  Also, there was one too many latin tracks on the album which was hard to seperate which one was which.  I still think she should’ve put “Eternity” and “Kaze no Machi” on the album, but whatever LOL.  It’s an alright album

Hitomi Shimatani – Ichiba ni Ikou June 29, 2009

Track Listing

1. Ichiba ni Ikou
2. SPLASH
3. Ichiba ni Ikou (Instrumental)
4. SPLASH (Instrumental)

1. Ichiba ni Ikou

Well, we finally get something new and original from Hitomi and it also becomes one of the styles Hitomi gets to be known for a lot.  Ichiba ni Ikou and a Spanish flavor to it and it’s quite ethnic and quite cool for her.  There could be some Asian influences as well, but this song has a nice summery feel to it that would make anyone sway their hips to it.  It’s a catchy track I’ll say and I like it.

2. SPLASH

SPLASH is also Spanish-influenced as well but features a vivid cast of brass within the songs entirety.  I actually prefer this track over “Ichiba ni Ikou” since it sounds more together and Hitomi’s vocals shine better in the song.  I don’t know why, but this song is definitly a strong ass B-side, can’t help but love it.

 

 

Oh wow avex….who knew you’d get it right on the 3rd single of the “PAPILLON” era.  Unlike the awkward “Kaihouku” or cover “papillon”, this time Hitomi went all out latin on us and I loved this single good.  Both Ichiba ni Ikou and SPLASH took the fun in latin tracks and made em her own and it worked very well.  I’m even more elated that both tracks appear on the album, that made me happy!!!!

Hitomi Shimatani – papillon June 6, 2009

Track Listing

1. papillon
2. Boys don’t cry
3. papillon (instrumental)
4. Boys don’t cry (instrumental)

1. papillon

Does this song sound vaguely familiar to you?  It should because it’s a cover of Janet Jackson’s “Doesn’t Really Matter”.  It’s surprisingly fitting for Hitomi despite the freaky fast lyrics in the verses and chorus.  I know this is a hard track to sing along with and Hitomi actually did a superb job and it garnered Ayu to duet with Hitomi on this song HOW AMAZING.  Now if you don’t know Janet’s version both songs are definitly R&B tracks but with added synths and the like.  It’s really good and another one of those tracks that is memorable enough to tie to the artist. 

2. Boys don’t cry

I kind of got a similar feeling from Boys don’t cry except there’s a bigger influence of brass.  It’s quite interesting we went from a smooth dance track to something that sounds Ayu-ish because it’s all brass and stuff.  Problem is though is that it’s just a too boring and sameish for me.  I’d have to classify it as a pop song gone awry. 

 

 

Hitomi struck right with “papillon”.  After the disappointment of “Kaihouku” avex probably thought something along the lines of, OMG LETS CASH COW HITOMI!   They did it by releasing a cover to a pretty recent song and it sounds pretty good, not as smooth as Janet’s but still pretty good.  They were also smart enough to put the bad song as the B-side because that’s what Boys don’t cry was.  Pretty good.

Hitomi Shimatani – Kaihouku March 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. Kaihouku
2. Eternity
3. Kaihouku (instrumental)
4. Eternity (instrumental)

1. Kaihouku

Our actual 1st single to begin “PAPILLON’s” era starts with Kaihouku which is a pretty big departure from “Osaka no Onna”.  Right from start, her vocals are pretty different sounding, like it’s filtered a lot.  That right there showed that avex didn’t exactly care because Hitomi has powerful vocals.  The other thing I noticed that it sounded pretty urban with the 90’s synth and beats.  I’m never really liked this song from her and I continue to dispise it because of all the alterations with Hitomi.

2. Eternity

I actually connected with Eternity from first listen.  It starts out with some plucked strings and keyboard notes and then this loud keyboarded sound just made the song so epic and powerful.  I’m also happy that her voice isn’t filtered here as well.  The chorus was done so amazingly and the synths don’t overtake her singing which made this song a better listen.

 

 

Honestly, Eternity should’ve been the A-side because Kaihouku downright sucks for me.  Eternity showed a lot of promise to Hitomi and is still one of my favorite B-sides from her.  Still, this was a farcry from what her last single brought which is surprising because of the genre twist from enka to pop.  It’s an ok single, but topsy-turvy.

Hitomi Shimatani – SMILES March 5, 2009

Track Listing

1. SMILES
2. Stay with me
3. SMILES -Instrumental-
4. Stay with me -Instrumental-

1. SMILES

Oh good, we’ve returned back to Hitomi’s latin love or at least that’s what it seems like to me.  There’s a lot of acoustic guitar present and some brass as well.  As usual, she sounds good singing, but I miss her dance tracks so much.  So that kind of disappoints me, but going from the title I wasn’t expecting this to be it either.  It’s good for casual listening for sure.

2. Stay with me

Why are we channeling Kuu?  Instead of being a boring ballad, Hitomi has got it in an upbeat mood.  I’m not feeling much for this song because it just lacks a certain kind of punch that she usually has with her releases.  This just came out a little boring for me, but just like “SMILES”, it’s nice for casual listeners. 

 

 

At least Hitomi stepped up a little after “Flare”.  Both songs are nice upbeat songs, but maybe not enough risks taken to make them extraordinary.  I’m unsure but it this is the only single to represent her Best-of album, then this is going to be a sad single.

Hitomi Shimatani – Osaka no Onna February 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. Osaka no Onna
2. Kaze no Michi
3. Osaka no Onna (Instrumental)
4. Kaze no Michi (Instrumental)

1. Osaka no Onna

Yeah, hard to believe Hitomi originally started out as an Enka artist.  Even then, she’s had an amazing vocal ability.  There is some issues pertaining to the fact her vibrato was just a little bit shaky, but she has a powerful voice back then.  There’s a lot of electric guitar and strings playing which isn’t surprising and it’s reminding me of “Umiyuki” just a bit. 

2. Kaze no Michi

Kaze no Michi seems to erase the enka style.  There might be some of it in it, but it isn’t as hardcore and obvious.  As such, it’s a ballad and even though it might not be memorable as “Osaka no Onna”, it has a lullaby-like quality, but Hitomi is louuud.  I just love the guitar solo in it, it just made it a bit more powerful in meaning perhaps.

 

 

In similarites, Ayu and Hitomi had an odd choice of a debut.  Ayu with urban sounds and Hitomi with Enka.  The main difference was that Ayu was on a different label and Hitomi was with avex when this came out.  Supposedly the single won awards, but was a flop in the mainstream charts so avex decided “Hey, let’s dump this style and make her just go pop”  Look where that got her, she’s so varied in her music now!  I’m not sure Hitomi acknowledges this single either, but it has never been on an album or even a Best-of….how disappointing.

Hitomi Shimatani – GATE ~scena III~ November 8, 2008

Track Listing

1. overture~Perseus
2. Taiyou no Wana
3. C’est la vie!
4. Thrace no Onna
5. Akai Sabaku no Densetsu (GATE Version)
6. HARVEST MOON
7. Mirage~BOY,I am a girl~
8. bella flor
9. Take me home
10. Genki wo Dashite
11. Tsukikage no Eden he
12. J.U.M.P
13. Itsu no Hi ni Ka…(GATE Version)
14. Perseus (HEAVENS WiRE vs TRI-HEDGE RMX) (First Press Bonus Track)

1. overture~Perseus

Honestly, the opening with Hitomi at an airport probably wasn’t needed.  I guess it has to follow with the whole theme of the album.  Anyways the song enters a ehtereal area before the initial song starts.  The song itself hasn’t changed from the single which is fortunate, because this has to be her best song (next to Destiny -Taiyou no Hana-) of course.  It’s trance-like music mixed with Hitomi’s strong vocals created this awesome track.  Her English in her is alright, but isn’t too important and it only comes in one word per sentance.

2. Taiyou no Wana

Next, is our latin-influenced song.  She always excels in these tracks and this one doesn’t disappoint.  There’s a lot of energy in this song and there’s a guy saying stuff in Spanish as well, which is fine, but the main focus is on Hitomi’s sexed up vocals.  You can really hear the fun in the song and it’s good enough for me.

3. C’est la vie!

I guess I have to say this song is still carries the upbeat style still and there’s traces of brass in the song as well.  It’s a little more reserved than a lot of the other tracks.  Perfect song to hear in the Katamari series of games for sure.  It has that interesting sound all over.  It’s a pretty good song.

4. Thrace no Onna

Continuing on, another of her “Onna” songs introduces us into some traditional Japanese sounds and add it to her dance stuff, it does come out to me sounding like Hikki’s “Can You Keep A Secret?” but a slower track.  Hitomi’s soothing vocals shine through and it’s an early favorite for me. 

5. Akai Sabaku no Densetsu (GATE Version)

All this means is that the airport theme reappears, but it doesn’t change the track at hand.  Now, that being said, Akai Sabaku no Densetsu is another latin-infused or maybe arabic-infused dance track.  Sadly, her voice to me is a little strange with the music especially the first lines from her.  I do love the energy once again, but that chorus was not really good.  Everything else was cool and mysterious which is one thing I really liked about it.

6. HARVEST MOON

I wasn’t unsure, but dang she has a lot of these latin tracks, but this one is really nice to listen because of the acoustic guitar.  Other than that, there’s nothing really special about and sounds kinda filler to the album.  Definitly a forgettable song right here.

7. Mirage~BOY,I am a girl~

I hate the sounds tat start up this track.  After the intro when Hitomi comes in the song becomes almost acappella with minimal sounds helping out.  That hooting sound reappears every so often, but I love the mysteriousness of the song.  It brings new life onto the album and sounds like you can hear it on the beach. 

8. bella flor

Another latin/dance track enters in and to be honest, I’m kind of getting uninterested in the amount of latin songs on the album.  Luckily, it is one of the better ones with it’s fantastic energy and dance style.  Hitomi’s singing reminds me of “Perseus” because she’s controlling it pretty well and it’s still has the fun I want in it.

9. Take me home

The beautiful sounds of crickets and the nightlife opens up our first true ballad.  Hitomi’s vocals are very soft-spoken until she hits the chorus where she get’s loud and wow, her voice is pretty when she does ballads and it didn’t bore me to death.  A nice piano and guitar arrangement and quiet drum playing was the entire song. 

10. Genki wo Dashite

Why does this always remind me of Earthbound everytime I start this?  Anyways it’s her 2nd pop-like tracks and it was a single track as well.  Then there’s this synth line in the song which was like definitly WTF for me, but this pop song is a nice listen either way around.

11. Tsukikage no Eden e

Another track thats also reminding me of something.  The steel drum opening this time is very reminescent to “SHANTI” and c’mon it practically is the song but better and more powerful.  The chorus is definitly a high-mark for the song showing off Hitomi’s vocal range and power.  Definitly the best of the new tracks. 

12. J.U.M.P

Was this supposed to be like 50’s diner music?  I mean the energy is there all right and the rock n’ roll does count, but Japanese artists doing this is a little strange for me.  I’m surprised at how random everything is and it does come out a little too messy.  There’s also some chanting as well giving it a more wild atmosphere.  Let’s just say this was the weirdest song.

13. Itsu no Hi ni Ka…(GATE Version)

You guessed it, nothing too dramatic was changed for the song.  It still is one long track and has the longest instrumentals of the album.  I do love the feeling of Autumn that was originally intended by the song (looks at cover of single).  It’s got some dance beats, but it’s not “Perseus” by any means.  i’m also hearing traditional Japanese sounds within this one and it worked in my opinion as well.  Good way to end the album.

14. Perseus (HEAVENS WiRE vs TRI-HEDGE RMX)

The bonus track is of her most popular track at the time.  They gave it a hard trance sound to it and it was fine the way it was.  I mean this was making the song more aggressive and lifeless.  Like the beats didn’t exactly change pitches throughout which is not such a good thing.  Yea, not the best bonus track.

Tracks Recommended

•  overture~Perseus
• Tsukikage no Eden e
• bella flor
• Thrace no Onna
• Itsu no Hi ni Ka…(GATE Version)

Third time’s a charm right?  Well, it holds true to the fact that this is my favorite album of Hitomi’s.  The initial thought was the Airport theme hence why most of the single tracks had added airport “moments”.  A lot of the songs were diffently worldly, like songs having latin sounds, traditional asian sounds, and then there was J.U.M.P….Still, a lot of the songs were nice songs for sure.

 

 

Hitomi Shimatani – PRIMA ROSA September 18, 2008

Track Listing

1. Ramblin’
2. Kimi no Koe
3. Hareta Hi wa…
4. Dragonfly
5. Psychedelic Future
6. Camellia (PRIMA ROSA version)
7. Destiny -Taiyou no Hana-
8. Prague no Onna
9. Koimizu -tears of love-
10. PASIO
11. El Dorado
12. Haru Machibito
13. Brand new Dream (CD+DVD only)
14. Futari de Iijanai feat. Masayuki Suzuki (CD only)

1. Ramblin’

We start PRIMA ROSA with a bang.  Though the start doesn’t really sound like.  We get this very cool pop track.  It has a kind of happiness found in many of her songs, but I found that this track was more different from her other pop tracks.  The use of an actual drummer and guitarist put the song in a better place.  Hitomi sounds pretty good even if some of her vocals sound computerized.  Definitly a good opener.

2. Kimi no Koe

We enter our next track and I felt it was a continuation of “Ramblin’”  Its still got happiness written in it.  There’s some synth here and mostly the band sound is still intact.  Hitomi still sounds very much alive and sounds like she’s enjoying this track.  I actually think with the strings she’s also including the whole “crossover” process as well.  Actually I prefer this over the first track. 

3. Hareta Hi wa…

Even more evident in the “crossover” phase this song has some beautiful strings.  Sadly, I found this to be a little on the boring side.  I mean it’s kind of just there for random reasons.  I still like the strings throughout most of the song.  Hitomi sounds a bit weird here, but it’s not bad…It’s just the music.

4. Dragonfly

Wow, what a change of pace.  Dragonfly is a great combination of synths and garage band sounds.  It’s very in your face and just a strong performance from Hitomi.  Her vocals can be weird with this style, but I thought she gave the song justice and was a great idea to put this as a single of the era. 

5. Psychedelic Future

Uhm, another WTF track and it’s so 70’s.  I mean it’s got your hippie flair of sound.  It’s got fun and some funk also.  There’s just something always about Hitomi that surprises me with each album she’s done and this song clearly showcases originality.  I don’t enjoy how Hitomi says the title in the chorus, it was just cut-and-hacked…And did she say ~Tasty Night?~

6. Camellia (PRIMA ROSA Version)

Camellia is our 1st hybrid/ballad of the album and is very soothing to listen to at the start.  It’s a little bit of a melancholic ballad.  There’s some beautiful strings playing to the song and Hitomi’s voice just fits perfectly.  After the chorus time speeds up and the song goes into a dance tune.  Another one of the “crossover” tracks.  She actually hits a good spot with this track.  I really enjoyed this song, though I haven’t heard the original to comapare it to.

7. Destiny -Taiyou no Hana-

Another “crossover” track again?  Well, this was by far better than “Camellia” for reasons.  The whole song had a pretty exciting sound to it and with it came a steady beat.  Hitomi sounds so strong going from quiet to the loud chorus.  There’s also a full orchestra and to be honest couldnt have been any better than this.  I mean this song was just epic from start to end.  My favorite track from this album.

8. Prague no Onna

She keeps popping out more of these interesting songs.  This one is European influenced and actually its once of her more standout songs of her discography.  She sounds strong here also and the music is definitly a high point.  The strings make the song complete with some very good sounds and rhythms.  Another high quality track.

9. Koimizu -tears of love-

Finally our first full-fledged ballad of the album.  It flows very beautifully throughout and Hitomi once again shows her strength in her voice.  Though I don’t think it ranks up with her other ballads.  Though it did make the single pretty good, I just thought it was more of (it’s there) kind of track.  Nice to know it was.

10. PASIO

Now, I don’t think PASIO is really spanish-influenced for some reason.  I’d find this song somewhere on a “Cirque du Soleil” show.  I don’t know why, but there’s so much excitement to this song and it’s vivid and much everywhere in sound.  I kind of like this track for it.  Ok, the middle of the song has Spanish written all over it.  As it was another single, it was awesome to me!

11. El Dorado

Another Spanish-influenced track.  I found it to be less flashy than “PASIO” and yet it contains as much interest to me as “ANGELUS”.  I don’t know why, but El Dorado was definitly another strong world-influenced track.  Hitomi always gets these kind of tracks down so well.  I’m shocked though that this was put after a song similar in style.

12. Haru Machibito

Going back to pop for a little bit, I thought this was a bit more on odd side.  I mean it’s another track that was on single, but I just wasn’t taken at all by this.  The music was borderline boring and even after Hitomi tries to make the song exciting, there was just nothing to this song.  Next song please?

13. Brand new Dream

Are we trying something new again?  It’s another pop track, but it has acoustic guitar mostly featured.  I kind of thought “Haru Machibito” again which is a terrible way to end the “CD+DVD” version of the album.  Though strings save the song from being it.  I still found it to be odd and just boring I guess.

15. Futari de Iijanai feat. Masayuki Suzuki

Oh man, I love the beginning of this track.  So much livelier than the other track.  Masayuki sounds pretty shexxi singing along with Hitomi so it works, but singing together Hitomi overpowers Masayuki which can be a blessing or not.  I thought this collaboration was pretty good otherwise.

Tracks Recommended

• Destiny -Taiyou no Hana-
• Prague no Onna
• PASIO
• Futari de Iijanai
• Dragonfly

I love this album because Hitomi is dabbling with new areas of sound.  I mean each of her songs have a different influence to them and gives her a more original sound to work with.  If there was an underrated artist Hitomi would fit it perfect.  I actually wished she was as famous as Ayu… 

Hitomi Shimatani – Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER July 24, 2008

Track Listing

1. Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER
2. ANGELUS
3. “Mate ne”
4. Kuon -kuon-
5. Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!
6. Domenica
7. Jewel of Kiss
8. Hatsukoi
9. Viola
10. Hanamuke no Kotoba
11. YUME Biyori
12. Kiraboshi
13. Tenohira wo Taiyou ni (First Press Bonus Track)

 1. Tsuioku+LOVE LETTER

The title track and first is a feel-good pop track.  The start of the song really sounded nice and made it more natural and sort of tribal.  There’s splotches of R&B laid out as well, but it’s still a pop track above all else.  The middle of the track was so beautiful and magical just listening to it.  One of her best of her Album title tracks.

2. ANGELUS

Our latin track ANGELUS leads powerfully with its instrumentation of horns and other such latino flavors.  ANGELUS being used as an opening sequence to “Inuyasha” did make it kinda question it.  Still, as it is a dance track, I’m not surprised.  Hitomi sounded so strong in this song. A real cool mix of cultures here.

3. “Mate ne”

Waves lead us into this nice track from Hitomi.  The acoustic guitar plays the exits when she starts singing this nice ballad.  It’s a simple track of course, but c’mon, Hitomi sounds usually great in ballads.  What a great change in the album already. Beautiful track

4. Kuon -kuon-

Another ballad, Kuon is actually more simplistic than the previous track.  Piano is mostly the instrument being used the most.  The bells kinda made me think this was the winter track.  I kinda ended up bored with this track though since it lacked any followthrough really.  The chorus was nice though.

5. Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!-

This oddly named named track, actually shows off her powerful vocals.  I had to laugh becuase I didn’t think she’d say the title.  It’s a dance track but retains some latin sounds, but isn’t as obvious like in “ANGELUS”  The chorus is where I say she was the best, releasing her inner powerful vocals.  Great track!

6. Domenica

Continuing with the latin sounds, Domenica makes much more of its sound the other two tracks.  Though I thought the chorus was a tad messy even for my taste.  This track seemed to be a hybrid of “ANGELUS & Z!Z!Z!”.  Still it didn’t have a cool guitar solo.  The synths sounded funny, reminded me of Mario Kart 64…^_^

7. Jewel of Kiss

A sparkling pop tune is what Jewel of Kiss is.  When I first saw it I was like, this is a ballad for sure.  I was wrong obviously.  I kinda like the cute sounds of the instrumentation.  Hitomi still sounds great, however it’s like mainstream American Pop though, but this would be pretty cool if I saw it on TV.

8. Hatsukoi

Hatsukoi is a beautiful ballad.  A quiet one at that too.  It does get better when the drums come in.  I feel also that this is a winter track also.  Who cares, if Hitomi can sing it well, I’m good with it.  She does it so well.  Could my favorite ballad from this album.

9. Viola

When I need a wake-me-up, Viola stands out for me.  It opens with a great asian string instrument.  Another of her dance track Viola stands out from majority of the other dance tracks with its Asian influence spread in the song.  The chorus sounds so great mixing with the instrument, an awesome combination of past and present.

10. Hanamuke no Kotoba

Another ballad? After “Viola”?  Well, I found this one to be so boring.  I mean Hitomi sounds great, but the instrumentaion has been like used a bafillion times.  So I wasn’t too impressed with the tune, oh well.

11. YUME Biyori

This had to be the most ethnic track on the album.  Mixing asian instruments and accordion was a surprise.  It’s lively and as such is a standout track.  The new feelings strung out this time had a nice feelgood sound to it.  Hitomi also sound happy too. 

12. Kiraboshi

Our final main track has a sitar in it and has a dance beat to it also?  I found it as a fitting final track, it just has the right stuff to be a final track.  Leaving the listener in a happy mood and able to take on the world, Yea it’s one of those songs.

13. Tenohira wo Taiyou ni

If thats one thing that “Kiraboshi” was happy…Then this track beats it out.  It’s got a more happy sound and has twinkling sounds and OMG a flute???  This is very unorthodox of her.  Hitomi sounds so good though.  Ahhhh…anyway it’s still a *First Press Edition* track, but a good one.

Tracks Recommended

• Viola
• Z!Z!Z!-Zip!-Zap!-Zipangu!-
• YUME Biyori
• Hatsukoi
• Tenohira no Taiyou ni

Ok, Hitomi’s 4th album, was definitly of high quality and was pretty good too.  A few songs bored me, but majority of them had such fresh sound and great opportunities to go into new and better sounds.  Hitomi, you should be even more popular than Ayu by now.  Your songs have more variety to them!