Tomato n’ Pine – Tabidachi Transfer May 2, 2012

Track Listing

1. Tabidachi Transfer
2. 10 Gatsu no Indian
3. Life is so beautiful
4. Captain wa Kimi da! (dancefloor will never die remix)
5. Tabidachi Transfer -Instrumental-
6. 10 Gatsu no Indian -Instrumental-
7. Life is so beautiful -Instrumental-

1. Tabidachi Transfer

Tomapai’s first major single, Tabidachi Transfer is kind of cool and at the same time a little unoriginal but not to the point of badness.  It does feel like it needs to be done at a faster speed but I like the sort-of synth-based sound here.  It doesn’t feel like there’s much in solo lines in the song either but it’s cute and a good place to start.

2. 10 Gatsu no Indian

The next track is quite something but also like “Tabidachi Transfer” still a song that’s too to the books.  I like the island-y intro for sure but after that and the trio starts to sing, it gets rather typical sounding and the chorus doesn’t cure the rather boring feel the track has. 

3. Life is so beautiful

The next song is interesting because I wonder if it’s an update on “Life is beautiful” which was when Tomapai was merely just Jun and YUI.  So I’m guessing this is an update since YUI, HINA, and WADA are singing this song.  To be frank, it sounds a bit like “Tabidachi Transfer” but a bit more cuter.  It’s still feels like it shouldn’t be as slow as it is but I like the vocals for the song (despite that I hear one girl more prominently than the others).  It’s not bad and I do think it’s the best of the main three songs.

4. Captain wa Kimi da! (dancefloor will never die remix)

Last but not least, Captain wa Kimi da! got a remix.  Since it was their first A-side (though merely an indies release) the remix is kind of giving this chill pop sound (given I haven’t listened to the original so unsure how different it is).  The vocals though are so quiet against the music for some reason and it was hard to hear what the ladies were saying.  The chorus is better…but damn work on leveling the verses so that the voices are heard better!

 

 

Tomapai’s first major label single, is a good start for the group (who hasn’t been together as a trio for too long) so they’re getting their stepping down.  Tabidachi Transfer and Life is so beautiful sound very similar to one another but it’s pleasant enough to not be terrible.  10 Gatsu no Indian isn’t great and the remix for Captain wa Kimi da! weren’t all that great…Like I said, stepping stone of a single.

Tomato n’ Pine – Jingle Girl Joui Jidai January 4, 2012

Track Listing

1. Jingle Girl Joui Jidai
2. Yuki ga Furu Kara…
3. Wanna Dance!
4. Nanairo☆Namida -snow bossa remix-
5. Jingle Girl Joui Jidai -Instrumental-
6. Yuki ga Furu Kara… -Instrumental-
7. Wanna Dance! -Instrumental-

1. Jingle Girl Joui Jidai

As this is the traditional christmas A-side, Jingle Girl Joui Jidai kind of sounds like an oldies tune with the way it was handled.  It doesn’t seem there’s solos to be found here which is a little disappointing but I do like the catchy sound of the song which was quite calming and fun.  Though as a christmas song, it’s a little meh. 

2. Yuki ga Furu Kara…

Another winter song?  Yuki ga Furu Kara… is almost similar to “Jingle Girl Joui Jidai” since it’s more along the lines of those oldies songs.  At least this one sounds like there was more effort put into this.  There’s a lot of beats in it which keeps things interesting that’s for sure but still rather underneath the last single.

3. Wanna Dance!

At least we get something different in the 2nd B-side of the single.  Wanna Dance! is a bit more danceable and kind of has a groovy feel to it that I love.  Plus it seems the members of Tomapai sound more into it here which is funny I think.  It’s lively and the brass give it a great sound throughout.  It’s my favorite off the single!

4. Nanairo☆Namida -snow bossa remix-

Like the last singles, we close the single off with a remix of the previous A-side.  The new version of Nanairo☆Namida fits the theme of the single and turns our upbeat dance tune into a much lighter affair.  I love the original and the new version kind of strips what was good.  It’s alright and the wintry feel is nice…but the other two winter tunes are better.

 

 

Oh Tomapai…this single really kind of sucked XD.  I mean from the awesomeness that I heard from “Nanairo☆Namida”, this was a big drop and it’s a Christmas-themed single which is right there kind of meh as it is.  I’d say that Wanna Dance! is the best since it was pretty catchy and done well on all accounts.  Next OK song is Yuki ga Furu Kara… since it’s wintry done kind of nicely and it does have a catchy beat.  Jingle Girl Joui Jidai and the remix of Nanairo☆Namida were just kind of boring and not very memorable to be honest.

Tomato n’ Pine – Nanairo☆Namida December 4, 2011

Track Listing

1. Nanairo☆Namida
2. Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera
3. FAB (Free As a Bird)
4. Tabidachi Transfer -Supersonic Hydro Guitar Remix-
5. Nanairo☆Namida -Instrumental-
6. Nagisa ni Matsuware Etcetera -Instrumental-
7. FAB (Free As a Bird) -Instrumental-

1. Nanairo☆Namida

I was curious to how Nanairo☆Namida would sound since it is a trio ido group (like Buono!).  However, unlike said group Tomapai takes it more towards Perfume by having light dance and slight synthed vocals.  I kind of like this breezy sound coming from the group and it’s a little unfortunate that the song features no solos between them.  It’s got a nice spring to the beat and the girls together sound quite good (even if the vocoder is evident).

2. Nagisa ni Matsuware Etcetera

The second song on the single is actually a cover of PUFFY’s 4th A-side ever released.  That was so long ago but hearing Tomapai giving it an update was a nice choice for them to do.  I actually get some weird dejavu from this because the vocals kind of remind me of how cosmeticROBOT’s vocals sounded in their songs.  A lot of autotune present but it works with this sparkly pop tune.  I don’t think it’s as memorable as “Nanairo☆Namida” but it’s still quite good.

3. FAB (Free As a Bird)

FAB is prolly the nearest song to the style of electropop which is quite awesome for an idol group to dabble in.  I actually love the arrangement of the song since it sounds like some 80′s New Wave pop song which I love.  It might just be me but I hear more of the gals natural vocals through this one which might be good or bad depending.  The chorus though was a little disappointing but nothing failish!  It’s still my favorite from the single.

4. Tabidachi Transfer -Supersonic Hydro Guitar Remix-

The last major song on the single is a remix of Tabidachi Transfer (which was their major label debut A-side).  I’ve not heard the original but I’m sure it was as poppy as the tracks above.  The remix like it’s titled features a lot of guitar and more synths…kind of like electro-rock.  It’s kind of catchy and the rhythm really gets you pumped up.  However, in the context of the song’s melody and the girl’s singing…it’s an awkward mix.  I guess it does get better by the time when we hit the chorus which is a godsend.  Good remix overall

 

 

Since this is Tomapai’s second single of their first major era, I thought Nanairo☆Namida was a pretty nice single.  I can see why they’re getting popular and that’s because they aren’t as electro-like Perfume but they aren’t as super cute poppy like….well anything that’s idol-like.  Both the leading track and FAB were great songs while their cover song was ok but nothing special.  As for the remix, I was quite surprised at how well it turned out…Definitely going to pay attention to them in the future…but I was there was a download for their first single “Tabidachi Transfer”.