Yui Sakakibara (PHANTASM) – ~PHANTASM~ Revival Prophecy March 29, 2012

Track Listing

1. Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku
2. Sora to Chijou no Creation
3. Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni
4. Masquerade ~Noah Daisanshou Retsu-ou Shinseiki-hen Yori~
5. Innocence  ~Satsuriku no Souseikishi-hen Saishuushou Yori~
6. Inori no Violet
7. EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~
8. Uruwashiki Seduce
9. Shinen no Lumière
10. Hisui no Cavalier
11. Zaika ni Keiyaku no Chi wo (Album Limited Version)
12. Prophecy ~Gate of Steiner~
13. Unmei no Farfalla

1. Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku

Starting off the second PHANTASM album, Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku (third A-side of the era), I like the rather creepy atmosphere we got from this song.  I love the power of Yui’s voice in the chorus too even when she does start to somewhat squeak but it goew hand in hand with the verses which are so unsettling and cool to listen to ^^.  Like I said, best A-side of the era hahaha.

2. Sora to Chijou no Creation

Only four new songs?  Talk about depressing…then again “End Prophecy” had like what two new songs amongst the amount it had (though it was a smaller album too).  Back to the song at hand, Sora to Chijou no Creation is pretty hard hitting with an amazing guitar solo opening the song before becoming this heavy goth-rock track with chanting in the background…so cool!  Yui is singing deeper but the arrangement does manage to overcome here because I can’t really hear her in the verses but everywhere else it’s good!  Not bad though but I could use less of the pounding drums tbh.

3. Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni

The fourth and final A-side representing the era, Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni still somehow impresses me as well and sounds a lot more powerful than a lot of the PHANTASM songs I know.  Yui’s vocals are amazing in the song for me and while I keep tossing between best A-side between this and “Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku” I have to say it was great competition but I like the latter just a smidge more.  Still epic song here!

4. Masquerade ~Noah Daisanshou Retsu-ou Shinseiki-hen Yori~

I will admit that I didn’t like how the tracklist squished ALL of the old songs together but it’s whatever…what else could you really do with just only four new songs.  Masquerade (B-side from “Unmei no Farfalla”) is kind of the oddball song for me because unlike most of the other tracks on the album, it’s more poppy and less dreary and hard like the others.  Sadly, I felt this was a weak song after listening to it more.  I will say that Yui’s vocals are alright but nothing amazing.

5. Innocence  ~Satsuriku no Souseikishi-hen Saishuushou Yori~

Innocence on the other hand is a little more fitting towards the album.  Beginning with a metronome clicking it really instills that creepy vibe quite nicely.  Coming from “Inori no Violet”, Innocence was nice and I definitely preferred it to its A-side which is a suprise for me.  While it’s a little more darker than “Masquerade” it’s still considered light when compared but that’s alright since it’s an anime theme (well all of them are but still).

6. Inori no Violet

Talking about Inori no Violet, the second A-side appears and remains my least favorite of the four.  I will say though that it’s not even bad so it’s a song to keep tabs on too.  The reason why I wasn’t too big of a fan were once again too much percussion involved.  Lighten that shit up please!  Beyond that, Inori no Violet was mysterious and kind of foreboding which is good to have that feeling.  Not bad.

7. EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~

Moving to the B-side from “Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni”, EUPHORIA is pretty much considered the ballad of the album and is also the longest song of the bunch passing over 6 minutes (only a couple seconds longer than “Inori no Violet” though).  I like the gloomy and melancholic feel of the song but it doesn’t go anywhere until the end where other instruments get added.  It’s just kind of boring to me unfortuantely.

8. Uruwashiki Seduce

If there was one song that was better than “Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku” I’d easily pick this song (and it was the B-side of that single, mind you).  I mean it was fierce and just full of personality and energy which made me all giddy on the inside!  Plus the additional synths added along the rock style pulled me in further.  Definitely my favorite song on the album! (well out of the old songs)

9. Shinen no Lumière

After trudging along the amount of old songs on the album, we finally get to the area with new stuff starting with Shinen no Lumière!  I felt like this was “EUPHORIA” done right because it’s a ballad but has orchestration and the rockin’ atmosphere boosting it which left a better and powerful song behind.  I actually really enjoyed this tune as well!

10. Hisui no Cavalier

Ooo I like the string intro to Hisui no Cavelier.  It does give this rather adventurous medieval feel to it which is a little different against other songs.  However, I feel for this the same way I do with “Sora to Chijou no Creation” in where if not for the meh drums, this would’ve been a better experience.  Luckily, I could forgive this one because it’s pretty good as well!  Dramatic but awesome!

11. Zaika ni Keiyaku no Chi wo (Album Limited Version)

Of course this would be the third version of this song!  First one was the original of course and that was Yui’s debut under the PHANTASM moniker and the second was found on the “Inori no Violet” single.  The difference between the Album Limited and the Single Limited (not the original) is that the arrangement was cleared up a little more and some of the singular guitar lines are more pronounced and I’m pretty sure Yui did resing this so it’s a little more cleaner as well and maybe slightly deeper?  I don’t know but otherwise the song remained the same and my feelings towards it hasn’t changed a lot since I last reviewed it.  Great verses but a little much with the chorus…Not terrible in the least but not one of the best either.

12. Prophecy ~Gate of Steiner~

OIC, the last new track is merely an interlude before “Unmei no Farfalla” it seems.  Under 2 minutes, Prophecy doesn’t seem like it suits this whole PHANTASM thing (you know since “End Prophecy” didn’t have one).  However, it does suit it because it’s heavy, dark and VERY furious (which could also say it doesn’t fit).  You hear some ad-libbing but that’s about it…weird…

13. Unmei no Farfalla

I can see why Unmei no Farfalla would be at the end because it has a slight Arabian intro which hasn’t been the sound of the album.  The A-side that kicked off the era, I feel it still does leave a good mark even though it’s a lot lighter than most of the songs.  Makes for a good song to wrap up the album with though but meh

Tracks Recommended

• Uruwashiki Seduce
• Hisui no Cavalier
• Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku
• Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni
• Shinen no Lumière

Song of Avoidance

• EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~

PHANTASM’s 2nd album, a bit more fleshed out than “End Prophecy” was for sure is still quite good.  While I’m currently unsure if it ranks better than the first one, Revival Prophecy is a great collection of goth-rock and slower stuff.  Though there were some misses (in which I don’t think the first album did) but it doesn’t deter away from what’s good.  Still a pretty great album nonetheless.

Yui Sakakibara – Mujuuryoku Aria March 2, 2012

Track Listing

1. Mujuuryoku Aria
2. Hane Saita Aozora
3. Mujuuryoku Aria (off vocal)
4. Hane Saita Aozora (off vocal)

1. Mujuuryoku Aria

I was surprised hearing the A-side because it’s not like anything I’ve heard from Yui before which is a good thing.  I really like the arrangement since it sounds a lot like something from a video game with a mix of Elements Garden as well which might be who produced this actually.  Yui’s vocals are still a bit pitchy but she has a lot control in the song which helps this rather DDR-like song works its wonders.  I’m pretty impressed with this and loving it more for the music!

2. Hane Saita Aozora

As the B-side of the single, Hane Saita Aozora is totally the opposite to “Mujuuroyku Aria” since it has more of strings/pop/rock kind of style to counter the A-side’s love of synths.  I’m not too much of a fan for her vocals here since they’re more apparant to be cuter than it should be and it’s not a good thing.  Luckily this isn’t as tragic as “Manatsu no Cielo”. 

 

 

As usual it just seems that I only like half of Yui’s singles as in the case for Mujuuryoku Aria.  The leading song was quite different and the way it flowed felt refreshing and worked with Yui’s vocals very well.  Hane Saita Aozora though sounds like it could be from an album since it’s a song that has an ok arrangement but is kind of messed up by Yui’s pitchy vocals.  I wonder when she’ll have another single were both songs are great!

Yui Sakakibara / Yui Ogura – Manatsu no Cielo/Samurai Girl February 19, 2012

Track Listing

1. Manatsu no Cielo
2. Samurai Girl
3. Manatsu no Cielo (instrumental version)
4. Samurai Girl (instrumental version)

1. Manatsu no Cielo

As it is a split single, I was curious to what we got since both vocalists are really pitchy singers.  However it seems it’s true for this single because Yui S. is singing in a very squeaky tone (which is something I’m not too big of a fan of).  It’s got an all right arrangement being cutesy pop/rock and all but I just couldn’t really take Yui’s vocals here.  Pass…

2. Samurai Girl

On the flip side we get Yui Ogura who’s also well-known for her squeaky vocals.  Now for a title as Samurai Girl I was expecting a bit more punch but it felt weak and kind of held back when compared to “Manatsu no Cielo”.  I’m still quite sure that I don’t like Yui Ogura very well unlike Sakakibara because she does have the ability to sing lower…I just didn’t enjoy this song.

 

 

As a split single and idea I thought it was nice to get Sakakibara and Ogura together since they both have that squeaky cute voice going.  However, neither song did much for either singer moreso for Ogura because the arrangement was rather super weak for her!  Not very good of a release IMO.

Yui Sakakibara – Change for you!! January 1, 2012

Track Listing

1. Change for you!!
2. Change for you!! (off vocal)

1. Change for you!!

I kind of thought by looking at the single’s cover that this would be a rather cute and I was right when it comes to Change for you!!.  What I didn’t expect it was that the song was a bit catchy despite Yui’s rather pitchy cute tone we have.  Also the nice arrangement was an interesting change of pace (anime-ish but using a lot of natural instruments, but with little speckles of synths).  Not bad, but still not the best she’s done!

 

 

It is a little disappointing to see that there’s no B-side to the single but I thought Change for you!! wasn’t all that bad but it kind of ranks at the top of the low tier of her cute seiyuu-y songs.  Then again I wonder why it took so long for this single to leak >.<

Yui Sakakibara – Ringing August 24, 2011

Track Listing

1. Decoration
2. Change&Chance!
3. Nai・i・shou no Koi
4. Hare Nochi Hare Nochi Hare
5. Comfort
6. my only prince
7. Blue Horizon
8. Moonlight ~Romeo.number~
9. Personal Space
10. TREUE ~Aoi Urara no Senkou~
11. chuchu×2
12. HIGHVISION
13. Sparkle!
14. Realythm ~dance remix~

1. Decoration

Just by going off the cover art for the album, I’m sensing this album is going to be mostly cuter than “BLOODY TUNE” was and the opening song for the album is definitely bright and cute.  What’s even a little more disappointing is that Yui’s seiyuu-cute vocals return as well and while it isn’t too bad here it’s a giant drop from her last few releases.  Decoration isn’t too bad of a song and the clapping does get catchy later in the song but this is a start of something I’m worried about for the rest of the album.

2. Change&Chance!

I thought the orchestral opening of the album’s second song was really pretty but it felt random when it slid into more of the anison style with synths and guitars playing all over.  If it wasn’t for Yui’s cringing vocals in this song I know it could’ve been loads better than what we ended up. 

3. Nai・i・shou no Koi

Now I’m feeling like this album is going to full of cute songs like in the case of Naishou no Koi for sure.  It’s like taking “Decoration” and making it more genki and making Yui sound even worse.  Is it too much to ask for a song where I don’t really cringe at this point?!?

4. Hare Nochi Hare Nochi Hare

I know I’m complaining a lot already and it’s only up to the fourth song on the album but seriously there has to be a break from high-pitched Yui for once!  It is the fastest and the most energetic track so far on the album but this seriously is tough to listen to because there’s a lot of ~YEAH!~ and ~GO GO!~ like it’s some S/mileage song.  In other words why is this sounding like an idol song?

5. Comfort

After all those genki tracks it’s finally nice enough to throw a ballad in our direction and quite a simple on at that.  At first it’s really only piano and Yui who’s somewhat in a higher pitch but it’s not as offensive here.  Strings do play a role later on in the song and Yui does slightly get off-pitch here and there but this is the first song where I did somewhat enjoy the song.

6. my only prince

I actually kind of like the synthy feel of our next song but it was more interesting hearing a vocodered Yui and sitars in the song. Sadly, it’s another song with pretty poor vocals which is bad juju.  I will say the arrangement was a bit more fitting and it’s catchy and energetic…Love/Hate relationship here.

7. Blue Horizon

This kind of reminds me of some of the stuff that was on “EVERGREEN” with the synths and while once again I find myself being entranced by the arrangement, the vocals are just under average even though she’s hitting the right notes but it’s just too cute.  I don’t think the song was able to save itself with such yikes vocals.

8. Moonlight ~Romeo.number~

At first, Moonlight felt like something that would’ve fit nicely on “BLOODY TUNE” since it’s such a depressing tune to listen to and it’s also one of the few songs that Yui sings in her deeper tone and I love it.  The buildup to the chorus was actually quite exciting and the song transforms from a slower ballad-like tune to an energetic eurotrance tune. 

9. Personal Space

Ok, of the songs on the album, Personal Space has to be the oddest of the bunch.  I mean it feels like easy listening and Yui’s vocals are once again not terrible this time around.  It’s just the music doesn’t sound like anything else the album has to offer so it stands out in a pretty good way.  An album gem perhaps.

10. TREUE ~Aoi Urara no Senkou~

Then comes TREUE which is kind of interesting because it seriously fits on her last album A WHOLE LOT more than on here.  I like the animu-rock arrangement found here and Yui sounds amazing going through the song.  I mean if it was found on some other album I would’ve said this sounds a bit bland but considering on what this album this stands out even further than “Personal Space”. 

11. chuchu×2

Is this a sequel to “Chu×Chu!!” from her earlier album, “princess”?  If so it means I’m gonna have to listen that tune then.  I was expecting an exceptionally uber cute song and I found out that I was right to the extreme sense.  Musically it’s animu with guitars but Yui’s vocals are very sugary sweet and that’s a turnoff tbh.  Yeah, I take back the earlier statement now LOL

12. HIGHVISION

What a pretty sketchy opening Yui does singing by her lonesome self.  For such a song titled as such, I didn’t think it’d be like some of the stuff on the first half of the album.  The vocals are tolerable in this song but it’s still kind of the song I kinda want to avoid!

13. Sparkle!

Synths and strings for our next song?  Is this Nana Mizuki?  Nah kidding aside, Sparkle! has a pretty long intro if you ask me but this Mizuki-inspired song kind of works for Yui and his high vocals and I actually enjoyed listening to this for some reason despite me usually calling this style bland nowadays.  I liked this for some reason xD

14. Realythm ~dance remix~

So I learned that Realythm was actually a song off of Yui’s debut album, “yuithm”.  I have never heard the original take but it seems that the remix of Realythm is more funkier and has more of an urban feel which is something that I haven’t ran across in Yui’s discography really.  Oddly enough there’s no lyrics to be found so it’s kind of an extended outro to be exact. 

Tracks Recommended

• Moonlight ~Romeo.number~
• TREUE ~Aoi Urara no Senkou~
• Personal Space
• Sparkle!

Song of Avoidance

• Blue Horizon

Ack, I can’t believe Yui went a full step backwards with this album.  After “BLOODY TUNE” I was hoping she’d stick to something along the way that album was put up with awesome deep songs with awesome vocals and a few cute songs but Ringing is the total opposite and I just hated it.  I’d say it’s comparable to “JOKER” almost that they both kind of ended up in the same place, biggest difference was the placement of the better songs.  Not a good album here IMO.

Yui Sakakibara – Blue mind August 4, 2011

Track Listing

1. Blue mind
2. eternity
3. Blue mind (Instrumental)
4. eternity (Instrumental)

1. Blue mind

I’m surprised that Yui would actually go into a synth-based track for her next single, but I must admit that I love this track.  Yui’s vocals are alright, nothing that’s jaw-dropping like her PHANTASM vocals but this sounds really good and the arrangement is very reminescent of old Nami Tamaki and that comes off as a good thing.  I still don’t know if I fully am into this, but this is one of Sakakibara’s better A-sides she’s released.

2. eternity

As eternity is the ending theme to the same thing “Blue mind” is tied to, eternity is obviously the lighter and ballad-like tune for the single.  I kind of like the flow of this track and Yui doesn’t sound bad either which is another good sign for the song.  It’s simple and features piano and light pop stuff to make it move.  Different but nice!

 

 

 

Blue mind from Yui Sakakibara is quite a good single (especially if you look at her track record of her singles as it is).  I love the fact that she went synth animu for the main track and took things lighter for eternity.  It’s a good single overall and I hope the other single she released will leak soon too XD

Yui Sakakibara (PHANTASM) – Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni June 26, 2011

Track Listing

1. Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni
2. EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~
3. Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni (off vocal)
4. EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~ (off vocal)

1. Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni

What a creepy opening Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni has.  Even better is how awesome this song is for sure.  Very powerful, very loud, and in your face with the blast of electric guitars.  Of course once the verses come in everything gets quiet and Yui starts to sing.  Unlike the last few PHANTASM singles, this one is pretty dramatic and I really love how Yui is bringing such a nice vocal performance along…seriously…she needs to sing like this more often outside of PHANTASM singles.

2. EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~

Being 2 minutes longer than the A-side, EUPHORIA is more of the ballad on the single and the arrangement feels cold and lonesome which is a surprise for me since it’s just unusual.  Yui’s vocals are lighter but they are also at a higher pitch as well.  Luckily, this isn’t that bad because it’s not that shrilly.  It doesn’t feel like it goes anywhere in the song, but after a while it does get stronger when percussion enters near the end.  It’s alright, but I much prefer “Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni”.

Wow the 4th PHANTASM single released by Yui Sakakibara is actually quite strong and I’m kind of surprised that these singles have been consistent for the most part.  Preghiera no Tsukiyo ni might be the best of the four singles but that’s because it’s rockin and EUPHORIA was a nice ballad but might need a lil more direction.

Yui Sakakibara (PHANTASM) – Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku May 24, 2011

Track Listing

1. Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku
2. Uruwashiki Seduce
3. Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku (off vocal)
4. Uruwashiki Seduce (off vocal)

1. Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku

Dang, the opening to the main track is creepy as hell.  It’s not like “BLOODY TUNE” creepy but it’s close.  Since we’re back in Yui’s PHANTASM moniker, I must say this is quite an epic song once again.  I love how the verses are very unsettling and then the chorus rushes in on full blast and turns into this powerful and dark track.  It’s pretty awesome and I think this is prolly the best of the PHANTASM A-sides yet.

2. Uruwashiki Seduce

Even the B-side of this single is as rockin’.  I love Yui’s deep vocals in settings like this because she can hit notes a whole lot better and she gives us a nice creepy vibe.  Even when the chorus calls for her being in a higher tone, she doesn’t overdo it and it sounds quite cool.  It’s also a little cleaner in execution when compared with “Tokitsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku” as well…so it’s pretty much the better track.

By the looks of it, we’ll have another PHANTASM album after the next single’s release and I’m happy because I haven’t been totally disappointed with the era.  Yui should definitely strive to make her music more along the lines of this.  Both songs are pretty awesome in their own rights and makes me wonder how “Pregheria no Tsukiyo/EUPHORIA ~Tsugunai no Requiem~” will turn out.

Yui Sakakibara – LOVE×Quartet 2010 January 14, 2011

Track Listing

1. Again (Quartet Ver.)
2. Kono Hanasaku Koro (Quartet Ver.)
3. Katayoku no Icarus (Quartet Ver.)
4. Again (violin Ver.)
5. Kono Hanasaku Koro (violin Ver.)
6. Katayoku no Icarus (violin Ver.)
7. Again (Quartet Instrumental)
8. Kono Hanasaku Koro (Quartet Instrumental)
9. Katayoku no Icarus (Quartet Instrumental)

1. Again (Quartet Ver.)

While it’s easy to see that this single is actually more or less recut or remixed…iono how to describe but it’s new versions of past A-sides from Yui.  First up is Yui’s 5th A-side and while I’ve never heard the originals of these songs, but I’m guessing they were poppy enough.  Anyways Quartet version means the song’s original arrangement is replaced by an orchestra so it’s definitely different.  Yui also resang the song and her voice fits Again’s arrangement here.  I’m surprised she had such control over her voice (cept in a certain few places).  It’s still an interesting new take on the original.

2. Kono Hanasaku Koro (Quartet Ver.)

Going even further back to her 2nd A-side of her career, Kono Hanasaku Koro sounds so much like a ballad by guessing from this take, but it’s a lot more interesting since there’s piano and tambourine added to the strings for a more powerful performance.  I also found Yui’s vocals to be more pleasant here than in “Again”.  I was definitely much more impressed with this new version.

3. Katayoku no Icarus (Quartet Ver.)

Ending the main part of the single with a Quartet version of her 10th A-side, I remember Katayoku no Icarus being a very interesting song originally, but this took the song and made it more grand and sweeter than the original which is nice.  Saying it’s graceful is definitely fitting and the arrangement so fits Super Mario Galaxy 2 for some reason.

While I don’t see why she released this in the first place, it’s definitely one of the more impressive things she released in 2010.  I think going back and giving three A-sides a revisit but with a new theme was a good idea and for the most part she did very well.  I just hope she has more of these kind of singles in the future.

Yui Sakakibara – BLOODY TUNE August 26, 2010

Track Listing

1. BLOODY TUNE
2. Gregorio (L×T mix)
3. Gensou no Shiro
4. Refrain
5. Miss.Brand-new day
6. Fairchild
7. Idol Revolution
8. My Dear HERO
9. = Suki
10. Love☆Jet!
11. summer day
12. STAR LEGEND
13. Tsuki Tenshi
14. ONENESS!
15. HONEY ~dance remix~

1. BLOODY TUNE

LOL at the opening to the album.  I wasn’t expecting a pretty creepy intro like this one.  At least once the conversation goes away the song becomes this mix of pop/rock, synthy, and brass-like instrumentation.  I like the excitement of the song and it does keep its dark roots intact for a lot of the song.  As for Yui’s vocals, they aren’t her darkside vocals, but it’s in the middle and it sound rather like she’s being sexy and it worked for me. 

2. Gregorio (L×T mix)

I wonder where the original version of Gregorio is because this song is kickass and especially is immensely darker than “BLOODY TUNE”.  I was surprised at how energetic the song was and how loud everything was.  Yui is using her deeper set of vocals and I was blown away by her power in the song.  I have to admit that I never really expected to get this way without being under her “PHANTASM” moniker, but I was happy with this song!

3. Gensou no Shiro

I was wondering what we were gonna get next after such a hard track and it seems we switch styles around for Gensou no Shiro.  I like that it toned things down and paid more attention to the use of synths with the electric guitar.  It might come off as an anime-like kind of song, but it’s kind of vocally better and more easier on the ears.  It’s better than the average Yui song at least ^_^

4. Refrain

As fast as it’s gone through the album so far, we end up listening to our first ballad from the album.  I did feel that things felt a bit odd after going through three energetic songs and completely taking a breather in this song.  I think it would’ve fared better without the percussion used in the song, but for the most part, it’s not a bad ballad, but could use some tinkering and some vocal enhancing.

5. Miss.Brand-new day

I was wondering when we were going to start to hear some vocal oddities and with Miss.Brand-new day Yui starts off the song kind of vocally shrill.  At least the arrangement saves the day since it’s like “Gensou no Shiro” in the way that it mixes guitars and synths together.  If it wasn’t for her squeakyness, I would have enjoyed the song a whole lot, but it’s just kind of OK.

6. Fairchild

Man, it seems Yui’s album is faring a whole lot better already because the arrangements have so much more effort put into them.  Fairchild might not stand out (especially since it’s after “Miss.Brand-new day”).  Sadly, the chorus just went nowhere for me and sounded a little plain, but damn I love the guitar solos throughout this song.

7. Idol Revolution

Oh boy, the inside of my stomach started to twist when I saw the title because only one thing is for certain in a song like this.  Yui overloads her genki-style and taps into her seiyuu voice which kills me in a lot of ways.  At least the vocals match the style of the song which is a plus because it’s fun, cute, and filled with pop/rock goodness.  It’s just her vocals are impossible to swallow in one listen.

8. My Dear HERO

The same thing applies with this song except it’s more focused on the guitars than the synths.  It’s hard to take Yui serious as a singer when she slaps on these uber cute songs on albums (even moreso since…c’mon just look at the art cover!).  There’s just something wrong when these songs kind of ruin the initial thought process on the album.  They don’t fit and they don’t sound real good vocally.

9. = Suki

There is a limit to when things start to get horrific for Yui and = Suki would be that song.  I mean it’s a bit lighter than “My Dear HERO”, but her vocals really hit rock bottom and I can barely keep myself from punching things listening to it.  Not even the music could save this easily deletable song.

10. Love☆Jet!

I was expecting another failure of a song out of this, but I was surprised it’s one of the better songs off the album since Yui’s vocals aren’t pitchy and it’s kind of rockin’ in a good way, but not like “Gregorio” rockin’.  I feel like after all that failing, there’s some sliver of hope left for Yui’s album XD

11. summer day

At least she is going back to sounding rather normal.  summer day is a mid-tempo summer tune and it sounds good, even though it’s one of the more simpler songs in the arrangement department.  Her vocals are at the right amount of cute which is great too.  Maybe she excels at these songs perhaps?

12. STAR LEGEND

I wonder why Yui is trying to sing cute but then becomes epic again.  It’s really just like how “Unmei no Revolution” began with a slow start and then getting extremely quiet to loud in 3 seconds before the main arrangement begins.  It’s just a happier version sounding “Miss.Brand-new day”.  Nothing new hear, but it’s a nice song.

13. Tsuki Tenshi

Oh hey, another ballad…sweet.  I liked the fact this sounded like a full-on ballad with piano, strings, and guitars.  It gets even better at the chorus since things open up and more instrumentation is added.  It’s definitely the better of the two ballads on the album which is good because she hasn’t done very well in her singles!

14. ONENESS!

Is oneness even a word in the dictionary?  I don’t know why but it just looks wrong to me.  Anywho, I was really surprised that after the ballad, ONENESS! is an electro-like tune with most of the song’s arrangement under synth.  It also sounds like a fun song to perform live since there’s places to shout with the song.  Random song to have finish to main part of the album, but it’s good to hear she’s keeping it good.

15. HONEY ~dance remix~

So ending the album altogether is a remix of HONEY which was her title track to her second studio album.  I’ve never really gotten around to hear the original so I can’t compare.  It’s also the longest song off the album being near 7 minutes.  I’m not sure what to think since it clearly doesn’t fit on the album, but at least the energy is good.  Sadly, I don’t hear any true Yui lyrics in this one, but the mix has a lot of different areas to it which is cool…but was it really needed?

Tracks Recommended

• Gregorio (L×T mix)
• Love☆Jet!
• Tsuki Tenshi
• BLOODY TUNE
• Gensou no Shiro

Song of Avoidance

• = Suki

Wow, Out of all the albums I’ve reviewed from Yui Sakakibara (minus “END PROPHECY”) this is her best album yet.  I think 5pb. actually put some effort into this album and it shows even though I was hoping they’d stick to the covers theme and all.  My problem with the album is all in the middle of the album, tracks 7 through 10 were terrible!  I mean Yui’s sickingly cute songs never fit on her albums and it shows, but there’s less which is godly.  All the other songs had something really nice about them.  Can she keep this up?