Vanilla Beans – Non-Section September 3, 2012

Track Listing

1. Non-Section
2. Himitsu
3. Kimi ga Boku wo Shiteru (Limited only)
4. Non-Section (Instrumental)
5. Himitsu (Instrumental)

1. Non-Section

I wasn’t sure what we were getting next after “Choco Mint Flavor Time” but it seems Vanilla Beans has decided to go more for a pop/rock route with Non-Section.  The first thing I noticed was that their vocals were a bit more cuter vibed which is a bit surprise to me.  I don’t know this song has a good arrangement and melody, but those vocals have got to go!

2. Himitsu

At least they fixed that up with Himitsu which might be their most impressive song since they joined T.Palette.  Unlike the pop/rock vibes out of the A-side, Himitsu is jazzy and light and OH SO PERFECT for their light vocals.  This is just so unique and fun to listen to…yeah, I LOVE IT!

3. Kimi ga Boku wo Shiteru

The we get the limited exclusive with Kimi ga Boku wo Shiteru and it kind reminds me of “Toki no Kakera” but with electric guitars in use.  I feel like it’s a bit of a sentimental kind of song because of the way it flows and how the duo are singing it which by the way lies in between the previous two.  It’s light but not eerily high-pitched either.  I like it, but it’s not as jaw-dropping good like “Himitsu”.

 

 

I’m not sure what happened, but I don’t find myself enjoying Non-Section as much as I did with their last A-side.  The vocals are a bit too tight and they sound squeaky like crazy.  At least they fixed that quite nicely with Himitsu which is their best song since they switched labels.  Kimi ga Boku wo Shiteru kind of lies in the middle, nat bad, but not great either.  I wonder if an album is in the works now…

Vanilla Beans – Choco Mint Flavor Time

Track Listing

1. Choco Mint Flavor Time
2. Hitotsu no Uta
3. 1969nen no Drag Race (Limited only)
4. Toki no Kakera -Midnight flavor remix- (Limited only)
5. Choco Mint Flavor Time (Instrumental)
6. Hitotsu no Uta (Instrumental)

1. Choco Mint Flavor Time

Beyond the silly title (which is funny since they’re eating Baskin Robbins in the PV), Choco Mint Flavor Time kind of reminds me of the songs from “Vanilla Beans II” since it’s peppy and kind of random at the same time.  I kind of enjoy the song and even better is that guitar solo which makes it sound old and classic which is always good to hear!  Definitely a better track than “Toki no Kakera”. 

2. Hitotsu no Uta

The B-side though is a bit surprising and kind of out of nowhere, especially that buzzing synth intro haha.  I kind of like the ladies’ vocals in the song since it gives a little bit of cute excitement in the song but keeping with their light pop vibes.  I do think the synth solo is a bit overbearing, but overall this song is GOOD!

3. 1969nen no Drag Race

As the extra song from the limited edition, 1969nen no Drag Race is keeping up with the duo’s premise of the olden times which is pretty awesome because this song kind of fill my mind with those old pop songs that would be heard around race tracks.  I don’t know how to feel about the ladies in the song because I actually paid attention WAY more to the music than the vocals which were kind of there but nothing that stood out.

4. Toki no Kakera -Midnight flavor remix-

Then they close it out with a remix of Toki no Kakera and I am already finding myself enjoying the remix MUCH more than the original version because the synths are an interesting twist as well as the sitar!  Their light vocals give this air of mystery and the added auto-tune was a nice touch as well!  Definitely awesome!

 

 

As their 2nd single after “Vanilla Beans II”, I think they did a much better job with this single than they did with “Toki no Kakera”.  Choco Mint Flavor Time and it’s strange ice cream-ness actually sounds solid and pretty memorable for them.  Hitotsu no Uta sounds good too but that snyth line is a bit harsh on the ears and 1969nen no Drag Race while the worst of the three…sounds good if it had an instrumental.  The remix of Toki no Kakera though was the best thing…kind of sets them back to “D&D” and the electro songs.  Good single overall!

Vanilla Beans – Toki no Kakera March 12, 2012

Track Listing

1. Toki no Kakera
2. Yes? No?
3. Stop Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (Rena ver. only)
4. Hoshi ni Natta Uso (Risa ver. only)
5. Toki no Kakera (Instrumental)
6. Yes? No? (Innstrumental)

1. Toki no Kakera

As the leading A-side, I actually thought Toki no Kakera was a rather simple but effective track.  Taking a more acoustic direction and mixing with the duo’s soft vocals to make a rather safe and retro sounding track.  It doesn’t seem to really get out and surprise me like the last few A-sides have but this is kind of nice.

2. Yes? No?

If you thought “Toki no Kakera” was a bit too relaxing, the main B-side might do a good job waking you up.  Instead of keeping at the same pace, this song introduces more synths and builds upon its acoustic arrangement.  I found this to be better than the leading song for some reason…one of their better songs since the label change.

3. Stop Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll

Then splitting the single off into it’s respective versions, the first is Stop Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll from the Rena version.  I love that it’s even more happier and quicker-paced than the previous two tracks.  Add in that it’s a lot cuter and kind of has this diner feeling and I’m just enjoying this song all over.  The thing though is that both ladies are singing in their cute vocals which is a little odd to me but doesn’t take away my enjoyment of the song.  Interesting song.

4. Hoshi ni Natta Uso

Oh Risa’s version, Hoshi ni Natta Uso (which I heard is a cover but not entirely sure) is a much lighter and different assault on the ears.  I’m surprised that while “Stop Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” is peppy and cute, this song is laidback and that is for the vocals as well.  It’s kind of like “Toki no Kakera” but has electric guitar in it…meh.

 

 

Starting their 3rd era, Toki no Kakera is kind of unmemorable for me oddly enough.  Toki no Kakera isn’t a bad A-side but they’ve had so much better IMHO.  Most of the B-sides aren’t very memorable either because it sounds a lot like leftover “Vanilla Beans II” stuff that just happened to find their way on this single.  I will say that Yes? No? is the best song but once again not their best haha.  Hopefully their next single will be better.

Vanilla Beans – Vanilla Beans II

Track Listing

1. VanillaBeans
2. Älskar Dig
3. Nakaji Time
4. Doctor, Onegai
5. Summer vacation
6. ?
7. Oosumi Time
8. Musunde Hiraite
9. C Ba-san no Uta
10. Oppai
11. Takami Time
12. Södermalm
13. Yumemiru Shippo
14. Oyasumi
15. Tengoku e no Kaidan

1. VanillaBeans

Opening the album, VanillaBeans is essentially the introduction to the album but all it is is the girls spelling their name out repeatedly against a happy arrangement and in the later half gets another melody added across.  It’s definitely the duo’s sound so it’s pretty cool!

2. Älskar Dig

Our first full vocal track, Älskar Dig is interesting because it has a lot of strings present in it.  It kind of harkens back to their first era since it has that old nostalgic sound going on.  Light and bright but flows so nicely along the song that it doesn’t feel like it gets too boring.  Though I will say that there is a lot of other better VB songs.

3. Nakaji Time

So the songs that have a ____ Time to their title are actually interludes for the album which is kind of meh for me.  Only being 30 seconds long, Nakaji Time really doesn’t do a lot for the album but the electric guitar addition kind of bridges the gap in between “Älskar Dig” and “Doctor, Onegai”. 

4. Doctor, Onegai

Makes sense that it moves into this song which ups on the excitement by feeling like those old Beatles songs/hippie music xD.  Of course after the interlude, Doctor, Onegai has a lot more electric guitar and some solo lines between Rena and Risa and they sound different from what I’m used to…it’s like they went for more of a cuter tone than their normal laidback sound.  While I do have to get used to the vocals, it’s a pretty good song overall haha.

5. Summer vacation

I really like the next song though because it suits the summer feel and kind of has this relaxing jazzy vibe to it which surprises me since I don’t think they’ve done this kind of style yet.  Add in the small quirks with the arrangement like like the glockenspiel and it’s like gloriously pretty and it definitely worked for their advantage.  Great song here!

6. ?

So we have a song titled ? huh?  Besides the rather unusual title of the song, this song kind of meshes the previous two tracks into one since it has the whole summer vibe but with a lot of electric guitar present as well so likewise it is the two tracks mixed together.  It’s fun and kind of just gives me this good feeling inside ^_^

7. Oosumi Time

Our next interlude isn’t as exciting as “Takaji Time” since this one is a lot slower, the ladies vocals are muffled, and sounds like a slow cowboyish kind of song.  Not really making sense to me at the moment but I’m sure it will eventually XD.

8. Musunde Hiraite

Well the interlude didn’t really mean anything except our next song is more relaxing and a bit more dependent on the synthetic sounds.  Musunde Hiraite definitely would’ve fit nicely on their first album since it’s cute and retro but not overly so on either side of the spectrum.  It kind of feels like a normal idol song but with the soft vocals from the two ladies. 

9. C Ba-san no Uta

Now this one is definitely a song that reminds me of their first album but less focused on their regular sound.  Like “Musunde Hiraite”, this has a cutesy sound to it and it’s pretty much obvious with how the ladies are singing the song.  It kind of makes me confused because I’m usually assuming they would sing with their kind of emotion-less tone but hear it’s a different story.  It’s likeable but I consider the previous song much better.

10. Oppai

Breasts?  Oh that’s kind of shady and double meaning (perhaps?).  I will say the arrangement kind of made me giggle because it has some interesting chords and notes like the song is inducing a little bit of a stoned feeling LOL.  The ladies are back to their droning and light vocals and it kind of works in the setting.  It’s so laidback and oddball…but I kind of liked this track.

11. Takami Time

The last interlude of the album is 20 second longer than the previous interludes but this one is unusual.  It’s like “VanillaBeans” in the fact that they’re back to spelling their names out but with light percussion/tambourine and harmonica.  Interesting but I don’t think it’s useful here either.

12. Södermalm

Kind of like “Älskar Dig”, Sodermalm focuses on strings leading the song but it interesting that Sodermalm is a part of Stockholm which is also nothing new to Vanilla Beans because they also have a song called “Gamla stan” which is also a section of Stockholm.  Makes me curious to why they have such a connection to the city.  As for the song, it’s pretty pleasant and and moves smoothly…to be honest I think this might be my favorite from the album.

13. Yumemiru Shippo

After the last track, I wasn’t expecting a sort of folkish song (at least I feel like it sounds like that…or just a basic acoustic ballad), Yumemiru Shippo is surprisingly quiet and relaxed when compared to the rest of the album.  At first I thought it was a solo because I hear only one voice through the first part but it could be that the two girls sung apart which makes a bit more sense.  Not bad, but I felt like there could be more to it.

14. Oyasumi

I would’ve thought Oyasumi would’ve closed the album because of the way it’s represented here.  I mean it’s even softer than “Yumemiru Shippo” and has less of an arrangement.  The rather sparse sound makes the song feel sleepy and lullaby-like.  I think it works for them as a ballad but I still feel that when it comes to this song, I’m ending up dozing off.

15. Tengoku e no Kaidan

However since “Oyasumi” doesn’t close the album I was wondering what would and then I saw the final track and was rather not surprised they’d go out with a bang.  The only A-side for the era, Tengoku e no Kaidan (a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” decides to show up and close).  Now this song is pretty damn long at a little over 8 minutes.  Now I haven’t gotten used to it since I found it not that long ago but I still kind of find this cover a bit humorous.  Of course it’s also the only English track on the album but it’s pretty difficult to figure what both Rena and Risa are actually saying…but this is kind of cute in a very freaky way.

Tracks Recommended

• Södermalm
• Oppai
• Summer vacation
• Musunde Hiraite
• Tengoku e no Kaidan

Song of Avoidance

• Yumemiru Shippo

Finally at the duo’s sophomore album, I have to say overall I did like it…but it doesn’t have the uber memorable songs that their debut album did so I felt like it wasn’t as amazing but still very nice.  I think it could’ve benefitted having “LOVE & HATE” and “D&D” on it without having the best-of album being released but it’s whatever.  Still not bad of a album overall.

Vanilla Beans – Tengoku e no Kaidan March 8, 2012

Track Listing

1. Tengoku e no Kaidan
2. Baby Portable Rock
3. Nicola
4. a little crying

1. Tengoku e no Kaidan

If the you look at the title and translate it actually is Stairway to Heaven and YES it is a cover of that Led Zeppelin song.  I found this to be shocking the system and quite sacriligious for sure.  Add the fact that Rena and Risa are singing it in Engrish and you got a potential hot trainwreck which is true.  Unlike the original’s rock format, it’s turned into this sort of folkish atmospheric version which is interesting but ODD.  Also it’s the full song so it’s pretty damn long past 8 minutes XD.  It’s an interesting cover no doubt but as an A-side?  Strange.

3. Nicola

As this was a special limited release, the second half of the single features two old songs first is Nicola which was the duo’s second A-side.  I used to think it was boring as hell and while it’s still not amongst their best songs, it’s got charm and the acoustic guitar arrangement has got me smiling.  Sweet song.

4. a little crying

I’m surprised they put the B-side from the duo’s first single, “U ♡ Me” on here and I’m not sure if it’s the original or the new version (the original had original member Rika and not Risa).  It’s a bit more relaxing than “Nicola” that’s for sure and they keep with the acoustic guitar as well.  Breezy song overall and it moves smoothly but it’s good background music nothing above that though.

 

 

FINALLY and will review the missing cover track as well.  While this is the only single that represents the “Vanilla Beans II” era, Tengoku e no Kaidan is a very oddball single.  I mean the A-side is a cover of Led Zeppelin’s biggest song word by word!  Also the first B-side is a cover of Pizzicato Five’s recognizable song.  Then the second half is songs the duo have already released.  I just didn’t understand this single at all!

Vanilla Beans – Def & Def June 9, 2010

Track Listing

1. D&D
2. DANZEN! Futari wa Precure (Ver. Max Heart)
3. Happy☆Material
4. D&D (Doki Doki Mix)
5. Fushigi Iro Happiness
6. LALALA ~Kuchibiru ni Negai wo Komete~

1. D&D

I’m surprised this is the only original track off the mini-album.  D&D starts off with a pretty cute opening before getting into this light and fluffy techno-pop song.  Coming from “Vanilla Beans”, this song is a bit different but yet at the same time pretty familiar in the way that Rena & Risa’s vocals are soft and fluffy.  It ended up sounding pretty nice.

2. DANZEN! Futari wa Precure (Ver. Max Heart)

For the rest of the mini-album, the song coming up are covers of various anime themes (minus the D&D remix).  The first of them, DANZEN! takes the duo into new lands with an 8bit arrangement which oddly fits them because of their soft vocals and I do enjoy they are showing a little more life in the song.  I wonder who was the arranger for the song because it reminds me of YMCK…I really wouldn’t be surprised it that’s who it was.  Pretty good experimentation, for a cover song.

3. Happy☆Material

I’m wondering why the tracks covered are under 8bit because it once again sounds like an amazing video game tune and it actually sounds more lively.  Now the vocals from the girls are once again showing a little more effort but keeping that relaxed harmonization they’ve been keeping at.  While I think Momoi Halko’s recent cover is a bit better, thos wasn’t too bad.

4. D&D (Doki Doki Mix)

I can’t believe there’s a remix of D&D on the mini-album.  Changed from the light poppyness into more of a weird amalgation of techno and fun and whatever else, the remix doesn’t exactly make sense for me.  It does sound like it belongs in a Bomberman game since those songs and this tune are so similar.  It’s an alright remix, but I quite like the original version more.

5. Fushigi Iro Happiness

I’m surprised at how Fushigi Iro Happiness has an oddly dark arrangement compared to the other songs off the mini-album.  Also replacing the 8bit-ness with strings, a repetitive guitar pluck and some odd percussion.  I honestly don’t remember Shoko Nakagawa’s version, but Vanilla Beans are doing really well with this cover. 

6. LALALA ~Kuchibiru ni Negai wo Komete~

The final song off the album is also 8bit crazy and actually sounds like it was produced by SEXY-SYNTHESIZER since it really reminds me of their music.  Behind the multitude of Galaga sounds, Rena and Risa are both under auto-tune, but it fits almost perfectly.  Sadly, I’m overly distracted with the arrangement rather than the vocals and such.  It’s still pretty outrageous XD

 

 

After “Vanilla Beans”, they did release “LOVE&HATE” which kind of bridged the gap nicely since the title track was a little bit of electropop.  With Def & Def they went into the 8bit side of things for the most part and it came out right.  D&D is a little bit of nostalgia to the fans that enjoyed their stuff from their debut era.  Not bad, but does make me wonder what they’ll do next.

Vanilla Beans – Vanilla Beans May 31, 2010

Track Listing

1. Opening ~Instrumental~
2. Sakasaka Circus
3. U ♡ Me (Rena & Risa Ver.)
4. happy merry-go-round
5. Kimagure na Palette Type
6. Winter Has Come
7. Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru (Album Ver.)
8. Afternoon a Go-Go (Album Ver.)
9. Shopping☆Kirari (Album Ver.)
10. Nicola
11. Vanillade
12. Ending ~Instrumental~
13. Afternoon a Go-Go -We Love You MIX- (Remastering Ver.) (bonus track)
14. Shopping☆Kirari ~Okite Porsche + Dr. USUI Waterfront Mix~ (Remastering Ver.) (bonus track)
15. Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru ~Okite Porsche + Dr. USUI Death Techno Mix~ (Remastering Ver.) (bonus track)

1. Opening ~Instrumental~

I’m kind of surprised that the album begins with a breezy acoustic opener.  Not that I didn’t find that exactly out of left field, just a little odd…especially since the songs I’ve heard aren’t exactly like that hahaha.

2. Sakasaka Circus

As it is the duo’s final single of the era, Sakasaka Circus is pretty freaky if you ask me!  I can’t exactly describe the exact sound of the song, but it’s cute and has this light jazzy circus feel to it.  It’s a song on its own and the fun atmosphere that came with the accordion arrangement is just so cool and right refreshing to hear almost.  It’s almost a giddy song to listen to…I am definitely a fan of this tune.  Rena and Risa sound soft and fluffy in the song as well BTW

2. U ♡ Me (Rena & Risa Ver.)

As it’s the duo’s debut A-side, U ♡ Me on the album confused me because of why it was tagged with the whole Rena/Risa ver.  Well from what it seems there was a member named Rika in the group, but she left to join Idoling!! and by album’s release, she was replaced by Rena.  I’ll admit that Risa is getting more lines than Rena, but I don’t mind.  The light 60′s pop sound is rather sweet and syrupy and I once again found myself smiling at this sound coming from the group.

4. happy merry-go-round

Our first new song off the album, happy merry-go-round is a bit like the last song in the way it’s fluffy pop.  It’s however a bit more relaxed and calm as well which gives it a more nostalgic and light flow.  I do like the muted trumpet solo in the song.  No real solos to account for, but still vocally together.

5. Kimagure na Palette Type

I’m not sure what to classify our next new track, but Kimagure na Palette Type has a strange sound going for it.  It’s a bit more upbeat and arrangement-wise more enticing and there’s a weird instrumental hook to it that links the lyrics in the chorus together.  So far this is their cutest song and I kind of loved the flow of the song!

6. Winter Has Come

I think I would classify Winter Has Come as a ballad because so far the song is slower than all the songs and is just Rena and Risa with acoustic guitar and very light instruments…like bass and percussion.  This is probably the first time I start to notice the girls aren’t together a lot and while that creates some awkward mixing of notes, the chorus fixes things up since it musically opens up and adds strings to the mix.  It’s nice to listen to, but it’s not all that memorable otherwise.

7. Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru (Album Ver.)

The next three songs were previously released as digital singles prior to the album’s release and starting with the last one released.  It sounds like an indian summer song.  I was so lost with the sitar, accordion, and other weird stuff that was added.  After the opening, Rena & Risa come in with this rather relaxing beach sound and I swear…it’s almost perfect with the song.  However why was their male vocals in the song as well?  I didn’t expect that at all.  Good song after all hehe.

8. Afternoon a Go-Go (Album Ver.)

The first digital single released, Afternoon a Go-Go continues this retro sound that most of the album has been supplying us and while it’s got the most retro sound I’ve heard so far, this song is just cute.  I do like the guitar melody and with it’s pop sound it’s kind of exciting.  Vocally could be more louder, but Rena and Risa aren’t strong singers though.

9. Shopping☆Kirari (Album Ver.)

A song about shopping?  Well, whatever works for them because it kind of did for me.  The arrangement is a whole lot faster and so are the lyrics coming from the duo.  It does kind of remind me of “Afternoon a Go-Go” just a little bit.  So far, this isn’t really bringing anything to the table so I’m kind of letting it fly by my head a little bit.

10. Nicola

As the 2nd single released in the era, Nicola sounds like the previous two songs but with a more apparant acoustic sound to it and while I do like that it has a bit more energy to it, the girls kind of sound boring in it.  I’m not sure why I’m all of a sudden feeling the boredom with the girls but it was just so hard not to comment about.  Sorry, but I’ll pass and it’s prolly my lease favorite A-side of the era as well.

11. Vanillade

As the final new track, Vanillade is a 2 minute ending vocal tune.  I’m not sure why but it’s muffled up with just acoustic guitar and Rena and Risa singing together.  I don’t like the fact that it’s amazingly short and sounds really old and muffled.  Still it’s a pretty nice little tune and the whistling behind the singing was kind of a nice addition as well.

12. Ending ~Instrumental~

Kind of the same way the album opened up, we get a very similar breezy outro and while there’s a little bit of ad-libbing going on with the two members as the song fades away.  Kind of an odd way to finish the album up but w/e.

13. Afternoon a Go-Go -We Love You MIX- (Remastering Ver.)

Then we get into bonus tracks which is unsurprisingly remixes of the digital singles that were also released digitally after said song.  The first of them, Afternoon a Go-Go’s seems a little more upbeat and exciting with a the vocals a little quieter than the regular cut.  It’s a bit different but not too much.  Well, there’s extra vocal parts but not from the girls…strange…

14. Shopping☆Kirari ~Okite Porsche + Dr. USUI Waterfront Mix~ (Remastering Version)

I actually approved of this remix because it actually turned the song into a new wave kind of song.  While vocally it might not be as right as it should, the synths and fun rhythms kind of took over…that is until they hit the bridge where things got uncomfortable but the chorus was great.  It’s an unusual remix, but still cool nonetheless.

15. Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru ~Okite Porsche + Dr. USUI Death Techno Mix~ (Remastering Ver.)

And finally we get a remix for the one with the long title and Death Techno wouldn’t have been at the top of the list on how this song should’ve been remixed.  It’s actually kind of like the oddest song off the album because it is the most energetic, but also the most awkward one as well because Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru just seems lifeless as a song when there’s a darker tinge thrown at it.  Give the arrangement a melody, then we’ll talk.

Tracks Recommended

• Sakasaka Circus
• Kimagure na Palette Type
• Ashita wa Ashita no Natsu ga Kuru (Album Ver.)
• U ♡ Me (Rena & Risa Ver.)

Song of Avoidance

• Shopping☆Kirari (Album Ver.)

Vanilla Beans’ debut album was a nice surprise for me.  I mean despite the duo taking their music in a retro kind-of fashion, it’s not that bad.  There are a few problems like the songs being a little too similar and the girls being too soft or not vocally together but as a debut album, this is a good start and I’m surprised they haven’t gotten noticed by Japan yet since they don’t have anyone that sounds like they do. 

Vanilla Beans – LOVE & HATE September 13, 2009

Track Listing

1. LOVE & HATE
2. Gamla stan
3. Koi no Theory
4. Gamla stan (Rena Solo Ver.) (LOVE version only)
5. Gamla stan (Risa Solo Ver.) (HATE version only)
6. LOVE & HATE (Instrumental)
7. Gamla stan (Instrumental)
8. Koi no Theory (Instrumental)

1. LOVE & HATE

Vanila Beans really do know their opposites right?  LOVE & HATE is rather one of those songs that’ll get stuck in your head.  I love how they split the chorus in half with love & hate being on each side.  The song does have a strong idol sound to it and Rena and Risa doesn’t have the most exciting vocals, but it’s rather fitting and once again to the point where you’ll be humming the song for quite a while.  See the PV as well…it’s so random and yet hypnotizing…

2. Gamla stan

The first B-side sounds definitely like something that’s from the Beatles’s era of music.  I think I really like the whole retro sound going on.  Sadly, the song seems like it’s dragging along and the girls are sounding wacky, harmonization wise.  At least it’s nice their singing about a city that used to be Stockholm…I thought that was quite cool.

3. Koi no Theory

Koi no Theory is probably the cutest song off the single.  Released previously as a digital single, I think it didn’t fit with the single at all since it was giggly cute.  I’ll say they did a way better job harmonizing than they did on “Gamla stan”.  It’s just as catchy as “LOVE & HATE” if not more, so I’m happy they put this here.

4. Gamla stan (Rena Solo Ver.)

So going by the title, the first B-side is the big shiner off the single since Rena and Risa gets solos of it.  Rena’s version sounds right since her vocals are quite right, but if I’m correct…Risa is still there but she’s muted alot, but to the point where she’s barely audible.  Now that I think about it, Gamla stan is more psychedelic pop, but still retro in a good way.

5. Gamla stan (Risa Solo Ver.)

I thought Risa’s take on it was a little more varied and nice when compared to Rena’s.  Though the ideas switched where Rena’s is barely audible while Risa takes over.  I’m not sure who I’m more into in the solo versions since both still have vocal issues with the BKGD singers and stuff.

 

 

Vanilla Beans begin their sophomore era with a pretty nice single.  They might not be vocally as good as other idol two-somes, but they are nice and having a different sound helps out.  LOVE & HATE is probably going to be my guilty pleasure for a while.  Gamla stan is good, if it wasn’t for the harmonization problems…luckily the solo versions fixed it.  Koi no Theory was pretty good too…I hope that gets on the album.