It’s really sad that this year, the J-pop review podcast, Gaijin Kanpai ended because they were the voice of what we do as reviewers and critics.

Hopefully there’ll be a surge of reviewers once again, I love reading reviews and while I don’t comment too much, it really gives me a fun look into what people love (and hate) about Japanese music.

I can’t promise another 5 years, but I’ll try to take this road a bit longer!!!

(if you readers have some interesting idea, let me know…I’ll think about it!!)

THANK YOU, READERS OF KURAYAMI MONOGATARI

(btw this post is two days before the 5 year, but I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow soooo… doing this early ^^)

Track Listing

1. Invader Invader
2. Point of view
3. Fashion Monster -extended mix-

1. Invader Invader

At first, I really did think this was going to be the B-side for “Ninjari Ban Ban given that this song came out before that single released, but nope!  Invader Invader, is honestly the first time I personally think Kyary did something a bit more electro in her work and less technopop (but it still has its moments).  This song though is my favorite in the era because it’s just so ridiculously catchy and Kyary sounds like she’s having fun here.  Though Nakata…you fell into the dubstep love just a bit late and while the drop into it is a bit odd…it kind of works because it’s not too distracting in the song.  Yeah this is a pretty damn good song!

2. Point of view

I totally forgot there was a B-side XD.  Point of view brings the cute idolly technopop back and there’s toy piano (which I am starting to loathe, despite being in a lot of her songs of recent).  The song though takes repetition to a rather annoying level…but some of this song is quite adorable, but the chorus is annoying.  Even the woodwind solo (whatever that instrument was, was refreshing).  It’s ok…not as good as “Unite Unite” was, but what can you do?

3. Fashion Monster -extended mix-

Nakata needs to learn what extended means because 10 added seconds is not enough to be called that!  I still love Fashion Monster so this mix is kind of just reaffirming my love for the song.  There are a lot of new sounds in the song which is cool, but the only thing I hated was the slight dubstep thrown in because it just didn’t work in the area it was used honestly.  I liked the other extra beats thrown in so this wasn’t a bad mix, but this is definitely not much of an extension >.>

Kyary must be close to an album because this is her 4th single.  I will say this era has a lot of awesome A-sides so Invader Invader fits right in because it’s fast and edgy and catchy as all hell!  Point of view musically is charming, but the chorus just grates on me for some reason and the Fashion Monster extension is good, but definitely should’ve added a couple more minutes to it.  Wonder what she’ll bring next!

• The land of where X&Y is called “Kalos” and is based off of France!
• Customization is possible now, there wasn’t much about what we can customize fully…but it seems like hairstyle and and face…and accessories is on it xD
• Running in diagonal now and sitting on benches!!!
• You can ride your Pokémon (though the extent of it, is still in question since we really only see Gogoat being used).

Since that’s all we really got, lets dive in the new Pokémon!

Sylveon

So the first one to be shown after the legendaries English name is a new Eeveelution (because we haven’t had enough of those already >.<).  Sylveon is quite cute, but the strange thing is that there’s no official type yet for this new PKMN which is led to believe by many that we might get a new type for this generation (which would be interesting since we haven’t had any since Dark & Steel were introduced back in Gen 2).  If it’s the “Fairy” type…awesome!  If it’s something like Flying or something…then well…ehhh…

“Awakened Mewtwo”

After that there were rumors that there was going to be a Mewthree…but it turns out by information that it’s just a new form for Mewtwo (or as I and friends aptly call it, Majin Mew because of the similarities to Majin Buu from DBZ.  To me, this feels a little strange considering it’s Mewtwo and all and there really hasn’t been anything important tied to him since his inclusion in Smash Melee lol.  This new form does look interesting, but was it really necessary?

Pancham

Then came Corocoro’s release this week and we get 4 new Pokémon to talk about!  The first one is Pancham who is a pure Fighting type (which leads me to believe this will be like a Machop / Timburr line of PANDAAAAAA!  JFC Gamefreak, it took you long enough to get a Panda Pokémon in the game (and Spinda doesn’t count).  We do learn that it learns a new move called Parting Shot, which is like a better version of U-Turn since it lowers stats before force switching to another Pokémon.

Fletchling

Our next new Pokémon is Fletchling which is a Normal/Flying type and presumably the Early Bird selection like Pidgey and Taillow and etc. were to every generation.  So far this doesn’t seem to impress me too much since we all know it’s going to evolve into something better, but it does learn Flame Charge….(could it’s type switch to Fire/Flying perhaps?).

Helioptile

The next one is the strange looking Pokémon of the four and it’s Helioptile.  I’m not even sure what it’s supposed to be based off of because it seems like it can go anywhere (plus it doesn’t help that it shares the same color scheme with Mawile, which could make sense…but I highly doubt it because this guy has the unique dual type of Electric/Normal).  We’ll see where this turns out and see his evolutions (hopefully).  It also learns the new move Parabolic Charge which is like the Electric version of Giga / Mega Drain.  Cool…

Gogoat

The last of the 4 new ones, Gogoat to me looks like it’s evolved from something and that’s pretty cool because I like the guys design atm.  Being a pure Grass type also seems to suit him.  He also learns Horn Leech (which if I remember correctly was only unique to Sawsbuck in Gen 5).  Though Black 2 / White 2 could’ve gave it out to more xD. Gogoat is pretty cool and would love to see how he works in game ^_^

Welp, I’ll do another post when we get another batch or I’ll reedit the post with the English names of the PKMN…since that could happen soon!

Track Listing

1. al fine
2. consolation
3. moonfesta
4. Door
5. Mirai
6. Hanataba
7. Signal
8. obbligato
9. Kiichigo no Shigemi ni
10. Manten
11. to the beginning
12. Hikari Furu
13. Yume no Daichi

1. al fine

The album opens with a two minute intro with al fine which starts off very mystically with some ethereal and shadowy sounds with Kalafia singing far away.  Once this short passage is over, the vocals start to come out a bit more into the open and it’s just really beautiful alongside the added strings to give it some backbone.  Then it quietly ends…not bad for an intro!

2. consolation

Then we are thrown into the title track of the album and instantly the song pulls you into this really cool chanting intro, then the song opens up into this heavy rockin’ song like “Magia” was and I was blown away because of the awesomeness from HIKARU and KEIKO together but more of the former in the song in the song.  It’s just a really powerful and edgy song and I was quite surprised this is the first full track of the album!  I was blown away…what a great way to kick things off!

3. moonfesta

Which is a VERY strange contrast moving from the angry and powerful song into the Children’s song from Kalafina…moonfesta still amazes me with its light and playful nature, but when you put that after “consolation” you’re bound to get some very STRANGE looks from your fans.  This is definitely a very unique song that kind of is in the vein of like “Natsu no Ringo” and “Hikari no Senritsu”, but there’s something magical about this track.  I think WAKANA (or KEIKO) led this one and I liked that about it…one of the more interesting A-sides in Kalafina’s career!

4. Door

Our next new track on the album, Door kind of reminded me of “al fine” with that ethereal opening which stays in the song for most of it (makes me wonder if they were originally planning this song to be the first vocal track >.>).  WAKANA gave a pretty performance for most of the time she was singing.  It does remind of past ballads, but there’s something really sweet about it (especially the little electric guitar melodies in the solo).  Good song!

5. Mirai

When I reviewed this B-side back on “Hikari Furu”, I felt this song was a more progressive “Eden” and that still stands as I review the album.  It still kind of gives me that feeling of flight and the movement song just adds more to that ideal I had.  I will say that it’s one of the more weaker songs especially after the last couple of tracks, but I can’t really say why it’s forgettable…

6. Hanataba

Oh that accordion opening the song was just icky at first and you can hear the buttons being pressed too >.>.  Of course HIKARU leads this track and it’s really nice since her voice just sounds perfect.  I thought it was going to be a dead ballad, but the song grows into this mid-tempo affair with band instruments and accordion thrown here and there.  I quite like this track overall!

7. Signal

I just love that Kajiura always puts on at least one awesome dance track on the album and for Consolation, that song is Signal.  It opens with a very ominous intro with deep drums before whooshing into a electro beat with Kalafina singing along it.  I will say that I love that it sounds so tribal and mysterious all rolled up in a ball!  They were definitely going for an epic track and they really pulled it off (even if “consolation” still kicks its ass).  Though the random accordion/keyboard solo was a bit weird…but Signal is a great song nonetheless!

8. obbligato

Moving into the longest track off the album, obbligato is a really another one of the unsettling songs on the album that really catch your attention.  This song is technically another rock track but this has a bit more in common with “Mata Kaze ga Tsuyoku Natta” from their debut album.  I do like they stuck to the term of obbligato because there’s a lot of repeated melodies to be found here as well.  Though I will say that this song just goes on for too long and for a song that’s made the way it is…that’s not a good thing to do IMO.  Not bad, but too long for its own good.

9. Kiichigo no Shigemi ni

I’m happy that this album contains a bit less ballads from “After Eden” and with that being said, we’re on our next ballad.  It’s got this regal kind of feel about it and I love the orchestration about this song since it’s so dramatic and it flows so smoothly.  I found it surprising that it’s only a little over 3 minutes in length so you could see my shock come in (especially after “obbligato”).  The harmonizations though were great too…short but sweet, I like that.

10. Manten

Getting into the tracks from the singles, the first is Manten (B-side from “to the beginning”).  If I took the previous track and leveled it out more riggedly and added some drums and guitars, we’d get this track.  Back on the single review, I really enjoyed this song.  Here, it’s not the best track…but we get to hear KEIKO a lot more than before next to HIKARU who leads the track.  Kind of reminds of “Kizuato” from their debut single actually…not bad of a song though ^^

11. to the beginning

Yeah, moving to the single that started the era, to the beginning still has a hard time cementing its place on me.  I know Kajiura leads FictionJunction, but this song was more suited for them rather than Kalafina because like “obbligato” it kind of lacks something about it.  I will say that the high notes throughout are impressive and the ladies give a great performance, but iono…this song just didn’t do it for me.

12. Hikari Furu

Which is the same way I feel about the 3rd and final single released for the album.  Though it has slightly grown on me because it reminds me of “seventh heaven” with that empty spaced arrangement.  I love the vocals though, they’re probably at their best in this song (ballad-wise).  However, it does sound like a couple of previous ballads, so it’s definitely not a grand-slammer of a song…but it’s pretty strong!

13. Yume no Daichi

Ending the album, we get the song that actually promoted the album and while it’s not a dramatic ballad like “symphonia” was, Yume no Daichi kind of sounds like what if “Mirai” and “Natsu no Ringo” had babies.  It really does have closing theme in its style though and I appreciate that quite a bit…but it does become background fodder as the song kind of sounds one way throughout (as in like the melody is never changing really).

Tracks Recommended

• consolation
• Signal
• Kiichigo no Shigemi ni
• moonfesta
• Hanataba

Song of Avoidance

• Mirai

Kalafina’s 4th album did actually impress me more than what “After Eden” did.  The strangest thing is how the album songs stomped all over the singles (and respective B-sides).  Kajiura must’ve had a brainstorming session and came out with this and it really worked for the most part.  I really had worries because of how disappointing the singles were but Kajiura saved her ass with this one…another great album from Kalafina!

Track Listing

1. What’s my name?
2. Ireumi Mwoyeyo?
3. Whatever
4. Gimme That
5. Domino

1. What’s my name?

Opening the mini-album is a short minute and 30 second intro and it reminds of when they opened up “Hit My Heart” with something quite in your face and powerful.  I do love the vocals here because all the members have that attitude (most coming from HyunA)…still the short feel led into the promo track!

2. Ireumi Mwoyeyo?

Moving into the first track, I was kind of shocked that 4minute somehow became f(x) for this song because it seriously could be sung by them.  It does kind of is the opposite to the intro which is cool, but honestly, this song is could of the black sheep song from 4minute because of the weird shit happening.  I do think that whooping synth is annoying and the whole auto-tuning the title of the song was BAD, but the descending synth line is kind of cool in the bridges.  I don’t this just was weird…and didn’t have that good of an arrangement…

3. Whatever

Moving on, Whatever comes next in and it’s also another f(x)-like song with much of that kind of urban/K-pop feel which is a bit strange to listen to.  I do hear a lot of HyunA in this song so this is quite strange to listen to.  Then after the first chorus, the song stops and there’s like a cheerleading-like section with her as well.  It’s a bit strange of a song, but it’s not bad.

4. Gimme That

Remember saying something about urban?  Gimme That sounds a bit like the current hip-hop style that’s going on here which might interest some people, but this is a bit late to the party and I feel like they’re trying to recapture the fire from “HUH”, but this kind of falls flat.  It just felt a bit congested of a song and really nothing stood out.

5. Domino

The final track to worry about, Domino is probably the closest thing to actually sounding like something 4minute which is pretty sassy and sexy to listen to!  It just really has the flair and gusto that really brought me in the fandom.  To say that it’s the only song that really sounds like 4minute is strange…but this is really the only track I would listen to regularly.

This was definitely what I’d call an identity crisis here!  I mean 4minute has done songs that really are aggressive and sexy but nothing that makes them look like f(x) clones.  Name is 4minute, is just an awkward mini-album for me because it didn’t feel like a 4minute piece of work (cept for Domino).  I just didn’t like this…at least Volume Up was more of their style, this was a bit too try hard for me.

Track Listing

1. ONE STEP
2. Strobe
3. ONE STEP -TV edit-
4. Strobe -TV edit-

1. ONE STEP

Even though this isn’t their first song as a group, it is their first A-side so I was kind of interested.  ONE STEP really sounds something different even though they’re from the same label as Kyary and Yun*chi.  ONE STEP is definitely a technopop song and it has the usual things going on like a bunch of synths and auto-tune vocals from….someone who I assume is P→★ (who is the only male and lead of the group).  The other 4 members don’t seem to do anything in the singing area.  I really do love the Japanese breakdown and this song is incredibly catchy and is better handled than “CIDER CIDER”.

2. Strobe

Released two months prior as a digital single, Strobe was chosen as the B-side of the single and funny enough it sounds like a clone of “ONE STEP” (or the other way around).  I mean the synths sound similar and some of the melodies are just as.  At least the vocal melody is different but the members singing sound a bit more high-pitched on the auto-tune/vocoder.  The problem here is that it doesn’t have a strong hook like “ONE STEP” does so I feel this was definitely a much weaker track!

Being ex-dancers to Kyarypamyupamyu, I was surprised they formed a music unit on their own and especially making the youngest member (a guy) their leader was even stranger.  Luckily, they are under ASOBISYSTEM so it shows they’ll get a good push and become popular maybe.  ONE STEP was a great debut and showed off their dance style (fierce as hell!).  Strobe wasn’t as good, but it’s a good B-side for them!  Hope to see more from them in the future!

Track Listing

1. Sky Believe
2. Unison
3. Sky Believe (Instrumental)
4. Unison (Instrumental)

1. Sky Believe

For being in more of edgy costumes, I kind of thought the group was going to releasing something more epic than Sky Believe, but this kind of ethereal technopop song also works and kind of makes sense with the title of the track.  They did tone down the amount of auto-tune that’s present, but it’s still there…still compared to “Kirameki Miraizu”, this is actually a decent A-side!

2. Unison

The B-side of the single, Unison is kind a strange combination of their synths and idol tone with an R&B track and it was a bit of a stretch to combine.  The vocal filters are a bit more apparent, but they seem to make the trio actually have different tones against each other which is a nice touch.  When they sing in unison (OHHHHH)…they sound really good which is a bit unheard of in idol groups (but I’m sure it’s help from the computers).  Still this isn’t a bad song, but something you gotta get used to.

Whoever produced this single had a clear view of panache! and their sound and I really was surprised by it all!  Sky Believe was a much better single than “Kirameki Miraizu” on all counts for being more clean and the vocals treated MUCH better.  I can’t wait to review “Reincarnation” and see what their album holds!

Track Listing

1. Kioku no Hikari
2. Where to go my love? (single ver.)
3. Kioku no Hikari (instrumental ver.)

1. Kioku no Hikari

After the last GUNDAM theme, “Memorial days” failed to really impress me, Kioku no Hikari comes into play and I already feel like she put more effort into this single than in the single before.  Her angelic and beautiful voice really spoke colors in the song and she just gave this EPIC kind of glow!  This definitely fits the series to a T and definitely was what I expected the first time around!  Mysterious, yet profound…great song!

2. Where to go my love? (single ver.)

So the B-side is a new version of the title track of her most recent album (though the album was pretty much a bore like “moment” was).  I will say that the album version was the song I most remember from the album so seeing it get a single version was exciting.  After “Kioku no Hikari”, this song is really a bit of a struggle to care about because of the slow tempo and drawl it has because it’s really KOKIA holding the song up with her voice.  Not bad of a version but I like the original more!

Even though KOKIA is going through some tragedy in her life, she did put out this single which really did fix the things that I didn’t like about “Battle of destiny” and that was there was no silly song as a B-side and instead gave us a solid revisioned version of Where to go my love?  Kioku no Hikari though is the GUNDAM theme I was waiting for and I was definitely happy about it!  Good single overall!

Track Listing

1. Bye Bye Happy Days!
2. My Boy
3. Bye Bye Happy Days! (Instrumental)
4. My Boy (Instrumental)
5. Beautiful Night (CD only First Press)

1. Bye Bye Happy Days!

I guess they must’ve heard I really liked “GO GO Summer!” so much that they had to replicate it once again for their A-side here.  That being said, the song is totally sparkly cute J-pop, but there’s something about the song that also kind of reminds me of Weather Girls for some reason!  The song isn’t totally bad, but there’s just something missing here this time around.  It just didn’t have that hook!

2. My Boy

So the main B-side is actually a Japanese version of “Date (My Boy)” which was originally from their Korean album, “STEP”.  Back on the album, it was my least favorite of them…so seeing it return and being sung in Japanese made me worried.  Honestly, compared to “Bye Bye Happy Days!”, this is actually kind of better LOL.  It still is a song that I’m not too fond of and doesn’t really stick to me, but at least I can say this is better than the A-side (not by much though).

3. Beautiful Night

So on first presses of the CD only, we get an extra track sung in Korean and Beautiful Night is actually quite catchy to listen to.  It’s got a solid beat and the guitar licks in the back gave the song a really cool KARA sound!  Plus, I was surprised at the amount of English in the song (simply because this song is tied to their anime series).  Actually I think the song is a bit of that and Korean…either way this song definitely trumps the other two!

After “Girls Forever”, they took a short break before returning with Bye Bye Happy Days! and this single was a bit disappointing.  The leading track felt so overly placid and gross idol stuff and it just didn’t sound like KARA.  Then making matters worse, they brought back My Boy which even though was slightly better than the A-side…it still was kind of meh…and then Beautiful Night came along and it’s the best thing on the disc (unfortunately, it’s a first press bonus >.>).  Meh at this single!

Track Listing

1. Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru
2. Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru (Instrumental)

1. Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru

At the second single for our new H!P group and we enter Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru and instead of the beautifully inputted saxes, we get a lot of brass and trumpets in the son which gave the song a bit more of a youthful tone, but still totally Juice=Juice.  The lines of the song seem like to be even between Sayuki, Karin, Tomoko, and Aina…but Yuka and Akari really have the same treatment they had in their debut.  Hopefully that’s fixed soon!  To be honest, I’m not as hooked as I was with “Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne”, then again that song was just badass xD.

As their 2nd indies, Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru wasn’t as good as their debut, but it makes for a great follow-up and I was more impressed with Sayubee’s and Kanatomo’s vocals a LOT more here.  I wonder when their major debut will happen now!