Utada Hikaru – ULTRA BLUE November 30, 2008

Track Listing

1. This Is Love
2. Keep Tryin’
3. BLUE
4. Nichiyou no Asa
5. Making Love
6. Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro
7. COLORS
8. One Night Magic feat. Yamada Masashi
9. Kairo
10. WINGS
11. Be My Last
12. Eclipse
13. Passion

1. This Is Love

I’ve liked Hikki’s album openers and this is one for the ages.  For one, it’s pretty piano heavy and quite soothing too, strange eh?  It’s definitly a good thing to hear something so upbeat after all the slower songs of the era.  I really love the verses where she sings something and then backups say something, I loved it.

2. Keep Tryin’

Our last single for this era continues on this fun ride and c’mon if there was anyone who didn’t like this song.  Then you are horrible.  This song is definitly an interesting listen because of all of the lyrics about pushing forward.  I’m definitly liking the wintry etherealness this song brings.  It is a winter song right?  Still the orgel in the interlude of the song was a nice touch for the song.

3. BLUE

OMG, what a beautiful opening to BLUE, the title track of the album.  Hikki’s ad-libbing is quite nice and the verses sound very powerful.  The problem though occurs with the spaz that’s called the chorus.  Her high notes are pretty piercing and then it just ends up back into the soothing verses again.  I wonder if the crazy chorus has a meaning behind it, but it was pretty strange and painful IMO

4. Nichiyou no Asa

I do know the song is about a specific Christmas on Sunday so I can say this was a winter tune.  This would be the only new song that has a definite R&B rhythm to it.  I do love how Hikki whispers ~Christmas morning~ I mean jeeze it’s quite hot.  There’s also some obvious synth usage here and it sounds really cool against the calpping beats.  Strange though because Hikki hasn’t really had a holiday song.

5. Making Love

I thought this track was going to be a ballad hence the piano opening.  What I got instead was a pretty cool dance track.  Love the whole tribal sound with the synths and all.  What was weird for me was how she said ~Making Love~ at the end of the chorus being all minor and such.  It did hamper the experience, but it’s not all terrible. 

6. Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro

Then we enter our ballad which to me still sounds boring on the album.  Hikki is singing at a deeper register than normal and even though the song is very minimal in sound with just piano and a cello backing Hikki up, it just kind of was there and not being so astounding as I thought it would be.  Good to hear if your sleepy.

7. COLORS

As with “Dareka no Negai Kanau Koro”, COLORS is definitly REALLY OLD.  I’m actually surprised it fits with the album’s overall sound.  Definitly having a certain element hope and sadness, COLORS is still one of her best songs.  The whole using colors as metaphors of emotion couldn’t have been done any better.  Beautiful song

8. One Night Magic feat. Yamada Masashi

I’m wondering why this was put here.  I mean it’s between ballad central, I guess it was supposed to split it because seriously who wants to sit through that many ballads right?  One Night Magic marks the first in her Japanese career where she’s collaborated and Yamada sounds pretty cool.  I always envision this song as having a Las Vegas kind of musicality.  Like driving through town and seeing all the lights of the casinos and such.  It’s vivid I know, but it so has it.  Hikki and Yamada do sound alright together except when Hikki tries for the high register because she’s sounding really thin.  Yes, I do love the ~motto, motto, motto~ parts.

9. Kairo

Kairo is pretty with a nice strings opening.  Hikki ad-libbing against it as well.  The weird thing is how she transitions from the ad-libbing into actual wording.  It’s kind of strange how she does it.  After a little bit, it quiets down before Hikki sings again.  It’s a standout song for sure, but I was left wanting more of this song.

10. WINGS

Surprised to see WINGS appear?  I am as well. I guess it’s another R&B influenced track added onto the album.  Now, I love how Hikki’s is breezing through the song without many problems and her held notes aren’t terrible.  I still like the flute lines and I’m actually fine even if it doesn’t totally fit the mood of the album…or does it?  To be honest, this sounds like a SONY Ami Suzuki song, how strange.

11. Be My Last

Be My Last kind of just pops up here and still what’s up with Hikki here.  It’s like she’s possessed into the song which I guess is a good thing or not?  The acoustic guitar added to the dreamy atmosphere was nice to hear, but her ad-libbing is so farfetched and quite off as well.  I always get stuck on which is my least favorite ballad of the album…Dareka or this one. 

12. Eclipse

I’m always surprised at her interludes.  Like Eclipse sounds like something you’d hear at a club or something.  I really don’t know how it ties into our last track of the album, but it’s definitly a sweet listen. 

13. Passion

One of the more recognizable tracks from this era ends the album.  They really made a good choice because Passion does end right and sounds like a final song or sorts.  I have to say that Passion is her best offering to the Kingdom Hearts series even though literally it’s “Simple and Clean” that took it.  I love the BKGD yell in the chorus of the song.  Even then this track has so many different things going on.  The ethereal sound, the tribal beats, Hikki’s singing, and them backwards lyrics.  It’s definitly a concept song that worked in her favor.

Tracks Recommended

• Passion
• COLORS
• One Night Magic
• This Is Love
• Keep Tryin’

Song of Avoidance

• Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro

Wow, this was a pretty nice album.  I mean this is where her transformation from R&B to pop etherealism happens.  I must say though she’s kind of iffy on this album because some of the tracks were ballads as well, and she’s kind of half/half on them.  Songs like COLORS comparing to Be My Last is relevant.  The upbeat stuff beat out the slow stuff actually.

Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version: CD1 1/2

Track Listing

1. Happy Adventure, Delightful Adventure
2. Let’s Try
3. In the Flower Garden
4. Bowser’s Castle (First Time)
5. Fight Against Bowser
6. The Sword Descends and the Stars Scatter
7. Super Pipe House
8. Where Am I Going?
9. The Road is Full of Dangers
10. Fight Against Monsters
11. Victory!!
12. Hello, Happy Kingdom
13. Explanation
14. A New Partner
15. Still, the Road is Full of Dangers
16. Invincible Star
17. Fight Against a Somewhat Stronger Monster
18. Here’s Some Weapons
19. Fight Against an Armed Boss
20. Got a Star Piece

1. Happy Adventure, Delightful Adventure

Well, we start off with the entry track as it isn’t exactly the first song the plays whe you start the game.  It’s quite peppy and the whole hero sound is actually quite noticeable from first listen.  Now granted that the whole OST is keyboarded, I do liek the strings played even though they aren’t really strings…. After a while it ends on a gloomy kind of feeling which doesn’t add up to our next track.

2. Let’s Try

Which is our menu screen music.  So it’s a little strange to go back to happy stuff.  Anyways, it’s the Mario theme givin an SNES touch.  It’s not very long and it loops pretty quickly.

3. In the Flower Garden

Now, it starts off quite serene and then you hear some dark gloomy sounds which is actually Bowser kidnapping Peach uhhhhhgain.  Then this little marching pace happens and finishes up the track.  Seem’s like Mario’s on the case uhhhhhhgain…So much for being interesting LOL.

4. Bowser’s Castle (First Time)

Got to love his castle.  Now the song is very short for some reason…Anyway there’s definitly some organ present playing the main melody, which isn’t much of one in the first place.  At the same time there’s some notes that are bouncing and it doesn’t quite sound right in my opinion.  It’s probably because of the short playtime it has.

5. Fight Against Bowser

We come to our first of the Boss theme’s and surprisingly Bowser isn’t the main boss this time.  His theme is pretty quick as well.  I do love the melody playing against the beat causing a chaotic sound.  Sad that it loops so soon though. 

6. The Sword Descends and the Stars Scatter

Twinkly sounds begin this otherwise dark tune.  The organ introduces us into what basically starts the story.  The loudest part is probably when the sword actually sets itself in Bowser’s Castle.  Doesn’t that the sword is a homewrecker?  I suppose it does ^_^

7. Super Pipe House

Yep, you guessed it Mario’s home is smaller than Peach’s home, what a bitch…Anyway this area is definitly Mario’s home because of it’s accompanying music which is obviously the theme that’s so well-known through his legacy.  If you didn’t recognize it then shame on you!

8. Where Am I Going?

The world map music is definitly a little disappointing.  All it really is is a woodwind instrument playing staccato notes and there’s like bits of other sounds, but they aren’t important enough for me to care about it.  You’ll be hearing this a lot.

9. The Road is Full of Dangers

The first of many area theme’s, is surprisingly cute and full of life.  Even though the word “Danger” doesn’t quite make a meaning to this piece at all, It’s definitly a nice listen.  I mean you got woodwinds playing and some percussion…Marimba maybe?  It’s so nice to hear it whenever I’m in one of the places that plays this tune.

10. Fight Against Monsters

You’ll also be hearing this a lot as well.  Sadly, that’s where it gets bad.  You’ll hear it aloooot.  The song is very repetitive at the start, but it changes into a quiet flute section before its loop back into the main part.  What bothers me is that it’s a little too happy-go-lucky for a battle track IMO.  Probably could’ve made it more serious.

11. Victory!!

Even the victory theme is so happy and sooooo short too.  I guess staying on this song would bother you because it doesn’t lead anywhere interesting.  As with the battle theme you’ll get tired of this one pretty quickly as well.

12. Hello, Happy Kingdom

Mushroom Kingdom’s town theme is definitly surprising at the least.  It’s marching style definitly encases the whole kingdom feel to it and packs a good punch at the same time.  There’s actually something to the song that doesn’t overkill the mind and wants you to shut it off.  Weird to hear a metronome going off at the quietest part.  Still, good town theme.

13. Explanation

I have no idea why they had to include this empty track.  All it is is a shuffle and dang played over and over.  Talk about absurd.  I guess it’s known as the song where Toad comes in and explains (hence the title).

14. A New Partner

Even worse is that the track is only 8 seconds of uselessness.  It’s the jingle when you get a new partner…WOOOOOW….

15. Still, the Road is Full of Dangers

I actually like this area tune a lot more than the first one.  There’s a little more oomph to it and continuing with I’m guessing is a shuffle sound it definitly has its perks to it.  It could be those fast xylophone parts or the woodwinds playing.  This definitly sounds like adventure music right here.

16. Invincible Star

Yea, yea, it’s the invincible song played again.  Funny that it sounds like Super Mario Galaxy’s version of it which is a great nod right?  Shockingly, this actually isn’t played a lot, as the item isn’t available as much as let’s say SMW…or mainly the others.

17. Fight Against a Somewhat Stronger Monster

Surprisingly, the boss battle theme is very serious.  The most intriguing feature is the choice of sounds and the use of a minor disc scratch which makes the track standout from the other ones pretty quickly.  It also seems sneaky almost with the 2nd part of the tune.  Pretty cool if you ask me.

18. Here’s Some Weapons

Here’s Some Weapons is very sneaky almost to the point where it seems like it’s a bad thing.  It seems the instrument of choice playing a good portion of the melody is an accordian which basically adds to the whole mysterious vibe of the piece.  Nothing too fancy though.

19. Fight Against an Armed Boss

The 2nd boss tune pop after and it still a serious battle tune, even angry almost.  I liked the fact that the bassoon plays a major role as the main melody.  Sadly it doesn’t really change as much as the previous boss theme does.  It did it’s job so that’s all that matters at this point.

20 Got a Star Piece

Yep, after you beat an important boss, you get a star piece which is the most important thing in the game.  Now, it’s also split into two part one being where you see the star and the 2nd being the part where Mario actually gains it.  In other words a slow twinkling and then the whole celebritory fanfare of getting it. 

Tracks Recommended

• Hello, Happy Kingdom
• Super Pipe House
• Fight Against a Somewhat Stronger Monster
• Still, the Road is Full of Dangers

The first half of this OST was a little boring and not much to it really.  It’s your basic first tracks of a RPG, battle theme, boss theme, intros….etc.  Still, the best is yet to come actually. 

SAWA – COLORS November 28, 2008

Track Listing

1. ManyColors
2. blue
3. yellow
4. pink
5. green

1. ManyColors

The lead track from the mini-album welcomes us with a repitionious synth line which pretty much is the song XD.  Anyway, there’s more sounds that do come in and it’s very 80’s like in sound, maybe New Wave perhaps.  Sadly that’s where the good stuff stops.  SAWA’s vocal’s are so bad it even puts MEG to shame.  Like I really despise the high squeaks in the chorus and how she says ~COLORS~ is so damn annoying.  She does have pretty good English skills which is good….most of the time. 

2. blue

This would be the first I actually want the beats to be more aggressive in a song.  There’s definitly some potential in the song because SAWA does sound pretty good and how happy sounding the synths are.  It’s just that the beat sounds too subdued to make an opinion in the song.  So far this song is one of the better tracks.

3. yellow

yellow to me is the one with the most pop-influence on here.  Now to say that the song is very cute, it’s destroyed by SAWA’s ear-piercing vocals.  I mean it’s pretty bad here as well.  Like I don’t wanna hear you wailing out of tune majority of the song.  Even worse is how minimal the song really is especially in sound.  It’s quite a borefest and a bit painful to listen to.

4. pink

pink has a nice piano line and the beat seems pretty cool.  We actually hear SAWA singing in English again and a lot more clearly which she shows off a lot more skills and she doesn’t sound terrible.  I actually love the chorus here as well because she’s controlling her voice more better than in “ManyColors”.  Loving the fantasy sound as well.

5. green

Ending us, is SAWA ad-libbing into our final track here.  She does it a little too much, but I do love the latin feel the song gives off.  Maybe the song does come off a pretty forgettable, but at least it doesn’t make me cringe.

 

 

SAWA’s debut kinda was shadowed by how bad ManyColors was.  There’s a good selection of tracks and to know that she does English well also adds the interest factor for me.  Sadly, I don’t want her to go near the the higher register anymore…it’s terrible.

BONNIE PINK – CHAIN

Track Listing

1. CHAIN
2. Wonderful Christmas Time
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
4. Let It Snow
5. CHAIN ~The Birth Cry~
6. The Christmas Song

1. CHAIN

I’m not a big fan of christmas songs as you all may know, so I was despising this whole album.  CHAIN is actually an original track from Bonnie and even though it is holiday-themed, it was pretty good, because it’s also a little jazzy in my opinion.  You still get your usual fare of strings and jingle bells, but other than that, it was an alright.

2. Wonderful Christmas Time

Since the original was sung by a man and in English, I was wondering what this would have ended up.  Now granted that Bonnie Pink isn’t fully aware of her skills to sing in such a language, she tries her best but it just kinda of ended up being boring because the original has synths, so I missed that the most.

3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I think everyone heard this song at least once and made fun of it one way or another.  I actually think Bonnie made a better performance out of this cover than the last one.  So far this is the most upbeat out of the bunch and just gives off such a jolly feeling throughout.

4. Let It Snow

We return to the jazzy side of things with our next cover, Let It Snow.  I definitly remember hearing this track all the time in the winter season.  Now, I’m pretty sure we didn’t need the solos throughout, but I guess it gives off a more warming feeling listening to everything and such.  Got to love the song either way.

5. CHAIN ~The Birth Cry~

I really wonder the reasoning to put another version of CHAIN on the album.  It’s definitly more wintry and totally devoid of the jazzy style that was present in the first song.  We got Bonnie singing along to piano and some chords from the organ as well.  I like this more than the original.

6. The Christmas Song

Talk about bland titles right?  This song is also a cover and immediatly would be recognized by many.  Now there’s very little to the song with just only guitar being the main instrument and such.  Luckily, Bonnie’s voice speaks out so much from the song which is great, but I elt the song was going at weird intervals against each other…It’s pretty good though.

 

 

BONNIE PINK’s mini-album is definitly holiday-theme and even though there’s only one original song “CHAIN/CHAIN ~The Birth Cry~, the rest are covers of real famous christmas tune.  She did a fine job covering em and making them her own.  Sadly, she was taking some of them into a jazz-like territory and I didn’t like it much.  Christmas albums usually suck and this was in the middle.

day after tomorrow – moon gate November 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. Starry Heavens
2. Neverland
3. These Days

1. Starry Heavens

I guess for gamers, this is dat’s most memorable track.  It was the theme for Tales of Symphonia and well you guessed it it’s full of energy.  Now, it isn’t as catchy as other tracks, but how the song sounded overall was great.  I mean I’m still wondering why this was the most memorable track from them, it isn’t exactly anything to brag about.  misono sounds quite nasally throughout and it definitly isn’t at the top of favorites.

2. Neverland

So that’s how misono came up with the title of her debut album.  It starts out with quite an impace and sounds pretty regal than the song turns into a track were the synths are more in front than the other sounds.  The sad thing is that the song is pretty monotonous with misono doing the vocals.  The chorus just seemed to drag on by.  The verses were definitly better and after a while the chorus does become catchy.

3. These Days

Ugh, this song definitly the worst on the single.  I mean it’s the slowest of the three but is the most boring of them as well.  misono tries hard to be exciting, but with everything coming at a slow pace, it just wasn’t enough.  The ~whoa’s~ were also too much for the song and it annoyed me to no end.

 

 

Wow, after hearing all that praise for Starry Heavens, I thought I would’ve liked it.  Instead, the song isn’t a song people should be raving about because it just wasn’t as memorable as last single’s “DAY STAR” was.  Neverland is the best of the three, but not too high on my favorites.  It also is another track that doesn’t make it on “Primary Colors” and only is seen on there “Complete best”.  These Days will also baffle me and in not a good way…I’d pass this single up

Ami Suzuki – Negaigoto

Track Listing

1. Negaigoto
2. Times
3. Negaigoto -Electronic Remix-
4. Negaigoto -Dub’s The Wish Was Fulfilled Remix-
5. Negaigoto -instrumental-
6. Times -instrumental-

1. Negaigoto

After two trance A-sides, Negaigoto comes in pretty surprisingly as a ballad.  Another great thing is that there is guitar that is present as well, which helped it from being like “Kagami”.  Actually, I don’t think she’s had many good ballads up until now which finally made Ami found her niche in ballads.  There was a little controversy with the PV for this song because of how close it looked like to Ayumi Hamasaki’s “alterna” PV.  Though both had similar videos the meaning of the songs were totally different topics.  Ami’s was pretty much on her career while Ayu was bashing the music industry.  Still a beautiful ballad finally.

2. Times

We can’t have a single without something exciting right?  Well, Times is pretty aggressive and is more focused on the hard guitars but keeping that trance style intact.  Ami sings pretty quickly through most of the song, but the chorus is strong for her.  I mean they could’ve done this to “Delightful” and it would’ve been better, but still then, this track beats it out for sure. 

3. Negaigoto -Electronic Remix-

I guess someone wanted to do a remix on a ballad…those usually don’t work out because of the drastic changes made to the song.  There’s low synths throughout the song which makes the song sound very interesting.  Now, the major thing I heard was the added echo effect on her voice.  I can actually see this being on “DOLCE” because of the synth happy stuff, oh and there’s strings here as well.  Pretty good remix.

4. Negaigoto -Dub’s The Wish Was Fulfilled Remix-

Sadly, the next remix was pretty bad.  It’s kind of sounded really stupid against the 1st remix.  I think they slowed her vocals for this one and the quick beats didn’t help it out.  After a while the synths come in and even though they sounded good.  Ami kind of got covered by them.  So much for being consistant right?

 

 

Ami’s 3rd avex single was a surprise to many, mainly because the fans were expecting a trance-like track.  After all that I thought Negaigoto and Times easily complimented each other one being a heartfelt ballad and one being another trance track, it’s was a perfect duo.  The first remix was really good and definitly made it seem original while the 2nd was a little bleh, but this single is one of my favorites.

Morning Musume – COVER YOU November 24, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Nagisa no Sinbad
2. Dou ni mo Tomaranai
3. Izakaya
4. Pepper Keibu (Album ver.)
5. Shiroi Chou no Samba
6. Seishun Jidai
7. Ringo Satsujin Jiken
8. Romance (Album ver.)
9. Machi no Akari
10. Koi no Dial 6700
11. Pinponpan Taisou
12. Watashi no Aoi Tori
13. Johnny e no Dengon
14. UFO

1. Nagisa no Sinbad

We begin this cover album with Nagisa no Sinbad, now before I delve into the album, I have not heard any of the originals so this is just going to based on what I hear now.  Nagisa no Sinbad is the shortest track on the album which is not surprising.  The music is kind of cheesy and perhaps too happy for me, but the girls do sound get and they say ~SEKUSHII~.  I think Ai hits a really low note and it sounds baaaaad.  Not the best way to start the album.

2. Dou ni mo Tomaranai

It starts with a pretty cool beat and the synths sound great.  The solo parts through the verses are a little strange sounding, I’m mostly blaming Ai again for this mishap.  Yeah Ai sounds terrible saying the title of the song as well.  I guess the only saving grace is the other girls and the music.

3. Izakaya

Izakaya can easily be heard as Weather Channel music.  Interesting to note is that the girls aren’t alone in the song.  There’s a male presence at first and I wonder if that is Tsunku who’s singing the first verse.  Another thing noticeably missing is the rest of the girls.  There’s only one girl singing in the song and I can’t pinpoint who’s really singing, but this was a good male/female collaboration. Oh wait, no surprise that Ai Takahashi has the solo

4. Pepper Keibu (Album ver.)

To be honest, this song has been getting better with each listen.  I don’t really find it much cheesy and annoying as it used to be.  I still think it’s a Western kind of song, but the synth lines do make it stand out more.  So you are all probably wondering why it’s called the album version right?  There’s isn’t anything too obvious in the music, but the song ends a bit differently like a prolonged ending.

5. Shiroi Chou no Samba

I thought it was actually going to be a ballad, but it turns into a laidback pop song.  Not that I’m a fan of it, but there’s something about it that I don’t like it.  Someone has a mature voice in the group and sounds really good though.  Still a pretty forgetable track.

6. Seishun Jidai

It’s nice to have a piano opening but then it become a hybrid pop/rock song.  Even the piano plays a major role playing the melody of the song.  I actually like this kind of upbeat song and the chorus sounds pretty sweet.  If there was a problem I think there could’ve been a better guitar presence, but other than that it’s my favorite so far.

7. Ringo Satsujin Jiken

Somehow this song sounds very tropical to me, maybe a little on the latin side as well.  This time though one of the girls sound very bad soing the verses alone and the chorus was even worse.  It’s like they’re basically trying to be uber cute, but their vocals say otherwise.

8. Romance (Album ver.)

Unlike “Pepper Keibu” which had the extended ending, Romance’s change was definitly being resung.  That was the problem with the original because they were a little off on time and the chorus was a hot mess.  It’s definitly nice that they cleaned it up for the album.  I really love the synths through the song and the girls are in sync which is better.

9. Machi no Akari

Machi no Akari is the album’s ballad and while I fear that Mosumu doing ballads are quite scary, they seemed to be the background stuff which is the safest thing to do.  The song has sounds of water dripping with tambourine.  So it means it really doesn’t go anywhere specific, but I do love the music-box interlude.

10. Koi no Dial 6700 

Pick up your damn phone girls.  Now this was the only trck I knew off prior to the album, because misono did a little bit of the song in “Finger 5 Medley”.  Now I definitly sense the meaning of fun, but the most annoying thing has to be the ~Ring~ part.  So much brass and the girls screaming ~6700~.  It’s kind of scary actually.

11. Pinponpan Taisou

This cute song definitly reminds of “Tan Tan Taan!”.  I mean it’s faster for sure, but the random yelling and the uberly cute atmosphere of the song just put that image in my head.  I’m pretty sure I could live without this song.  Just so strange all-around.

12. Watashi no Aoi Tori

I think the girls were thinking R&B opening this song up, but the song becomes another relaxing track and it isn’t really bad.  The R&B synth sounds are very apparant and the snapping also helped.  The chorus is little quick sounds and I liked that and it did help that the girls sounded nice. 

13. Johnny e no Dengon

Talk about a nice strings opening.  Now Mosumu kind of made the song in between a pop song and a ballad.  Now with the inclusion of strings backing them, it showed more substance than at least have the songs I’ve heard.  Sadly it’s a little boring for me and I skipped to the last track.

14. UFO

I had a feeling that this song would feature the most synth in it.  It’s also probably the coolest of the new tracks as well.  The faster swing like sound just went crazy because it’s kind of how UFO’s are.  Even though it isn’t all fancy with the synth it worked so well and I hope it goes onto their next major album.

Tracks Recommended

• Pepper Keibu (Album ver.)
• UFO
• Izakaya
• Romance (Album ver.)
• Seishun Jidai

Song of Avoidance

• Nagisa no Sinbad

Well, I’m still waiting for their 9th entry because they are leaving some songs behind like “Kanashimi Twilight”.  So we get a cover album and it wasn’t too good because some of the songs did lack punch and while there were a few standouts, the rest was just useless to me.  It’s definilty not one of their best efforts.

Mai Kuraki – 24 Xmas time November 23, 2008

Track Listing

1. 24 Xmas time
2. All I want
3. 24 Xmas time (Remix)
4. 24 Xmas time -instrumental-
5. All I want -instrumental-

1. 24 Xmas time

Mai-K and christmas tunes go hand in hand, because her last winter A-side “Winter Bells” was definitly one of my favorite J-pop Christmas songs and to see that she did it again made me happy.  24 Xmas time is upbeat and carries a more apparant R&B sound.  The problem is that she actually returns to this R&B that she’s been trying to get away of somewhat.  There’s a rapper as well in the song, and he’s alright but not the best.

2. All I want

All I want is the winter ballad of the single.  The lack of anything except piano and acoustics does seem pretty bland, but Mai’s voice is so sweet and lovely to hear.  She doesn’t get too crazy with the vocals which she has done before.  I’ve said this to many artists, but I also feel Mai-K has pushed with too many ballads.  So they start to become less memorable by each release, so I’m fearing this’ll also be forgotten.

3. 24 Xmas time (Remix)

I’m not sure why you’d need to remix a christmas tune, but I guess this track has been done.  The remix has a heavier R&B atmosphere, but it’s still basically the same track as above.  I did find the beats to be a little overbearing and it kind of messed up the holiday feeling the song was supposed to bring.  I guess my hopes weren’t too high for this.

 

 

Mai’s holiday single is alright, but it doesn’t hold a candle to “Winter Bells” for sure.  I guess it’s kind of strange to see Mai-K going back to her roots for the single because the song has such an R&B sound to it.  The B-side is alright, but it’ll get old pretty quickly.  Remix wasn’t needed, but I guess it’s needed. 

Gackt – Jesus

Track Listing

1. Jesus
2. Sayonara -ЯR II ver.-
3. Jesus (Instrumental)
4. Sayonara -ЯR II ver.- (Instrumental)

1. Jesus

We actually get a pretty hardcore track from Gackt which is nice and all the yelling is pretty cool.  Gackt sounds pretty good and even though the chorus is a little repetitive, it still comes out pretty well.  Gackt’s yelling of ~Maria~ and ~Jesus~ is so hot and sexy and I don’t think I ever heard him yell like that.  The only downside is that the song is pretty short…

2. Sayonara -ЯR II ver.-

Sayonara is one of Gackt’s older tracks being from his 2nd album “Rebirth”.  I’m not sure what the original sounds like so don’t mind me not knowing real old stuff from him, but this version is very close to being very boring.  I mean his voice sounds kind of empty and with just the piano playing it starts to bore me.  Later in the song, a pretty strong Cello pops in and surprises me with some very intricate playing.  Quite the thing Sayonara needed at this point.  Still, the first half is so boring.

 

 

So, we finally get a new release from him.  It’s been at least a year since last single “RETURNER ~Yami no Shuuen~” and people were definitly waiting on something new.  Jesus finally brings back hard-rocker Gackt in full force.  Sayonara however kind of got boring for the single, but it does have a great instrumental middle.  Stronge how that works.

HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR – STYLE ~get glory in this hand~ November 22, 2008

Track Listing

1. STYLE ~get glory in this hand~
2. energy

1. STYLE ~get glory in this hand~

There’s something wrong with the song here.  Maaki really sounds flat to me for some reason.  I’m not sure why, but it just bothers me.  The beat of the music is a little off as well because it’s like in a different rhythm pattern than usual.  Yuusuke doesn’t exactly appear either, being the supporting member, but not having much lines.  When he does come in, it’s all English and growly.  Not the best IMO.

2. energy

I didn’t expect energy to start off soft with a piano melody and some distant guitars.  Then the song goes dark as Yuusuke talks/sings for a little bit as it returns to the quiet stuff.  I thought the song would’ve actually had some energy like “PRIDE” or even “OVER”.  For being misnamed, this is a good track.  They can actually incorporate piano and get away with it. 

 

 

STYLE to me was definitly another crap A-side to me.  They just seem to lose it because Maaki’s flat singing as well as no major parts for Yuusuke.  It didn’t help the music was a little off as well.  energy though was clearly the better track for me, definitly one of their key songs.  STYLE is on “Gouon Progressive” but energy is on the fan-picked best-of which is super great.