Track Listing
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Jikan no Tomekata
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Ice Cream Syndrome (album ver.)
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Ishikoro Days
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L to R
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Song Liar
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Sentimental Hometown
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Saigo no Hi (album ver.)
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Andersen
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Smokin’ Rainy Blue
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Hare Tokidoki Kumori
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Mata ne.
1. Jikan no Tomekata
Jikan no Tomekata does a good job to kick things off in this album and well I was kind of surprised at how awkward Takuya’s vocals were in such a light arrangement. Luckily, it grows into something nice when the percussion, the strings and of course once Shinatarou joins him in the chorus. It’s got this hopeful kind of mood in it that I like. Besides the opening, this was pretty good.
2. Ice Cream Syndrome (album ver.)
As the duo’s first A-side of the era, Ice Cream Syndrome is my favorite of the era and to see that it got a new version was something I wanted to hear. Being about 30 seconds longer than the single version not much has really changed about the song, but it feels like Takuya resung the song and there’s more presence of certain instruments like strings in the arrangement. I still enjoy the tunes breezy atmosphere and since it was tied to the Pokemon movie, I felt so happy with this tune.
3. Ishikoro Days
Surprised that out of the B-sides they chose to include this one from “Hare Tokidoki Kumori”. I actually liked this and while I much preferred a complete version of “Gareponku”, this will do and I found myself enjoying the light pop/rock nature of the song and it worked with Takuya’s vocals (then again he didn’t sound weird like he did in “Jikan no Tomekata”). It’s pretty simple but done in a good way.
4. L to R
Back to new songs, L to R has this bouncy feel to it with the repetitive piano chords played as the song’s melody. Once more instruments appear the song keeps on this so-called cute side. Just like “Ishikoro Days” however, the song is also simple and kind of drifts your mind into a sleepy state (especially since they’re next to each other). Ehh, if this was someplace else on the album I don’t think I’d be complaining as much but it is what it is.
5. Song Liar
Hey synths! I know it’s not that much of it, but it’s a nice change after the last song. I also like that the song has a more serious glow to it which changes the field up a little bit. I don’t really like the way that Takuya is singing here since here’s doing a little mumbling and his nasal tones appear once again. Not that there’s too much else wrong here, but this isn’t my kind of song.
6. Sentimental Hometown
Just like a couple of other songs on this album, Sentimental Hometown is quite breezy and it’s the main reason I’m paying attention more to this song than the others. It isn’t as dramatic like “Ice Cream Syndrome” so it doesn’t really scream out to remember it, but it’s nice, soft, and just easy listening lol.
7. Saigo no Hi (album ver.)
Ehhhh my least favorite of the A-sides appear next and just like “Ice Cream Syndrome” was also slightly changed for the album. The changes aren’t all that big which is weird but the main change is that Shintarou’s vocals were taken out of the song for the album cut which is a bit rude if you ask me. Otherwise, Saigo no Hi is still the same slow and boring song it has been since the single was released.
8. Andersen
Now this is something quite unusual on this album. It’s upbeat yes, but the surprise use of brass in the song gave the song a jazzier vibe which is something that impressed me a bit. Yeah, this might be the biggest surprise to the album and it stands out the most against the other songs. Great and spicy lil tune hahaha
9. Smokin’ Rainy Blue
It just seems the album is getting more exciting towards the end of the album. “Andersen” showed off a lot of brass, but Smokin’ Rainy Blue shows saxes and more piano that it feels like something that’s unique to the duo and it worked and it’s funny to hear Takuya say the title in the chorus. It’s an interesting song but “Andersen” was more surprising but these two tracks are clear favorites haha.
10. Hare Tokidoki Kumori
It didn’t feel like the 3rd A-side released in the era has been out long enough and funny enough is the only one to not have had any changes. I will say after the previous two tracks it’s a little disappointing we’re going back to what the album sounded like with the whole acoustic/strings mixture. I’m not sure why I’m disappointed otherwise in the song since I liked it as an A-side.
11. Mata ne.
Closing this album is one of the more pure ballads in Mata ne. I mean it’s simplistic in the fact that it’s just acoustic guitar and Takuya singing with a bit of keyboard playing far in the background. Sadly, that’s all it is and it’s just a waste of time even though it’s a good final track. Let’s just get this album done with haha.
Tracks Recommended
Song of Avoidance
I’m not sure why but I don’t think Sukima Switch has grown on me enough yet to warrant a full time positioning of paying attention to their music. They have blips of something great like the tracks I recommended but otherwise their music is kind sleep-inducing and just doesn’t have the spark of interest for me. Might for other people though…if you like acoustic pop/rock with a little bit other things they might be your thing…but it’s not mine haha.
