Kanako Ito – Topology March 12, 2013

Track Listing

1. Topology
2. Kizuna no Kesshou
3. Topology (Anime ver)
4. Topology (off Vocal)
5. Kizuna no Kesshou (off Vocal)

1. Topology

After the energy from her last single “Chaos Logic” she once again pushes the brakes and releases Topology which is another ballad like “Hisenkai Jeniakku”.  This song does take time to grow because it starts off quite bare and boring but grows into this dramatic chorus which is quite a nice way to treat the song (especially with electric guitar thrown in).  It’s nice and pleasant overall, though nothing that really pulls out the epic factor.  I think she could do better and the song does sound like stuff from “spark!”.

2. Kizuna no Kesshou

Though I would be lying if I was shocked with the B-side of the single.  I was expecting another light song like “Topology” but when I started Kizuna no Kesshou, the song is heavy and would have suited the “Chaos Logic” single a lot better than here…it’s a total opposite basically.  I love the energy and Kanako sounds great in this song!

After how much I liked “Chaos Logic” I wasn’t surprised that Topology would less liked.  Topology is a nice ballad, but not something I probably will remember once her album is announced, just kind of those background songs.  At least Kizuna no Kesshou brighten things up with its loud arrangement and energetic tone from Kanako…with two singles announced coming up, this girl is definitely working her butt off lol.

Kanako Ito – Chaos Logic March 10, 2013

Track Listing

1. Chaos Logic
2. D.P.
3. Chaos Logic (off Vocal)
4. D.P. (off Vocal)

1. Chaos Logic

I was waiting for an epic Kanako A-side and it seems that it’s answered with Chaos Logic!  There’s just something about this song that just really fits her kind of like “Sky Clad no Kansokusha”.  It’s got an aggressive tone but doesn’t really fall into the whole sameish anime-ish drive like other songs tend to do.  I actually think it’s better than “Sora no Shita no Sokanzu” oddly enough and I liked that song too hahah.

2. D.P.

I really loved the intro to D.P. because it was so ethereal so kind of different.  Once Kanako starts singing, the song gets a bit more futuristic with synth lines and bloop and swerves mixed with the light and breezy tone of Kanako’s voice.  For being a bit slower than “Chaos Logic”, this song really works for me as well.

I can’t believe I forgot about this single x.x, anyways, Kanako’s 3rd of the era, Chaos Logic is definitely her best single she’s had in quite a while.  The leading track is aggressive and very cool and while similar to some other songs, I think it stands out just fine.  D.P. is also a really cool mid-tempo song though, one of the nice surprises to be honest ^_^.  Overall, this is a pretty solid single!

Kanako Ito – Sora no Shita no Sokanzu August 2, 2012

Track Listing

1. Sora no Shita no Sokanzu
2. zero hour
3. Sora no Shita no Sokanzu (off Vocal)
4. zero hour (off Vocal)

1. Sora no Shita no Sokanzu

It’s nice to hear that Kanako’s new A-side is a ballad which is a change of pace after the last couple of singles.  I actually liked this song quite a bit because her voice was solid and the melody is really strong…a lot more than “Amaranthine”.  Also, I seemed to enjoy the space-like atmosphere in the background too…really good song here.

2. zero hour

For the fans that wanted a little more edge, we have zero hour which kind is at the same tempo but heavier with gutiars.  I’m kind of disappointed by it for some reason, it’s missing a lot of bass and the chorus really felt weak to me for some reason.  I hear sparkly sounds as well (kind of like the ones in the A-side).  It’s unusual and I kind of liked that but it could’ve been handled better.

 

 

Second single after “VECTOR” and Sora no Shita no Sokanzu really worked as a ballad for some reason…it’s a lot more demanding and really powerful.  zero hour tries for a harder sound and while it’s a good try, it feels like it lacks the backbone to keep it afloat…but it’s not a terrible song, just executed pooly.

Kanako Ito – Hisenkei Jeniakku May 31, 2012

Track Listing

1. Hisenkei Jeniakku
2. Geometric space
3. Another Heaven (2012 Remix Ver.)
4. Hisenkei Jeniakku (off vocal)
5. Geometric space (off vocal)

1. Hisenkei Jeniakku

I have to say, Hisenkei Jeniakku was something I wasn’t expecting from Kanako for some reason.  I mean I know it’s pretty anison and all that but the guitars were cool and the synths as well.  The song kind of reminds me of “Sky Clad no Kansokusha” but a little less powerful.  Not bad to be honest.

2. Geometric space

The B-side of the single, Geometic space is a little bit of a surprise because at first it starts slow and quiet, but the song grows and gets a bit more louder and the arrangement grows as well.  The song does feel like it’s missing throughout for me…but I feel like that if more was added the song would be worse…kind of on the fence for this tune.

3. Another Heaven (2012 Remix Ver.)

Talking about “Sky Clad no Kansokusha”, we get a new version of it’s B-side, Another Heaven!  I don’t get the whole remix tag because it probably should be classified as an acoustic version because that’s what it really is.  Unfortunately, listening to this kind of takes me back to her last album, “spark!” and I REALLY didn’t like that album so this was kind of like ewww.

 

 

After the failure of “spark!” (though granted it was released under a different label, her first single under 5pb. after “VECTOR” is alright for the most part but nothing exceedingly great.  Hisenkei Jeniakku is quite good and does good as an A-side for sure.  Geometric space is alright, but something is missing from making it great but I’m not sure what that is.  The new version of Another Heaven is just kind of not worth the time to listen to, stick to the original.

Kanako Ito – spark! April 18, 2012

Track Listing

1. Yume no Arika
2. spark!
3. Break Beats
4. Kaze Machi Tsuki
5. Imbalance
6. Taiyou to Futari
7. Murasaki no Koro
8. Nigaoe Nyoubou
9. Lullaby
10. Niji ga Deru Made
11. Sayonara Ginga Tetsudou 999 – SAYONARA

Bonus CD Tracklist

1. Shiny Shower
2. Sweet Sunset
3. Soul for the Sword
4. Dramatique?
5. Dramatique? (bonus track)

1. Yume no Arika

I didn’t think I was listening to the same Kanako that was in the “VECTOR” era when I begun this album’s first song, Yume no Arika.  I mean unlike the abundance of synths, this tune is pretty basic and relaxing and has a certain forte of acoustic guitars.  It’s relaxing like I said and Kanako’s vocals are good for the most part but she does have places where her nasal vocals do create a rather odd sound but it’s still a good song to kick things off with.

2. spark!

Our next song is clearly the title track and it keeps its acoustic guitar love going but adds a little more oomph to the sound.  Being more pop/rock is a nice touch to Kanako’s vocals and it’s weird because her vocals seem like she singing with an acoustic-able background giving a little more of a broader sound to it.  There’s places where I thought it got weird like the numerous solos in the song were a bit random and not enough Kanako parts.  Weird song overall.

3. Break Beats

I wonder why Kanako is being all acoustic on this album, it just doesn’t seem right to me (then again a different company is handling this release and not 5pb.).  Break Beats goes backwards and leans more on the softer acoustic pop like “Yume no Arika”.  I’m just no really into the song nor did it leave much of an impression on me.

4. Kaze Machi Tsuki

Getting even slower and more in a ballad setting is Kaze Machi Tsuki, I would’ve thought she’d do somehing better here but the whole time I felt sleepy and bored listening to this track.  Plus the song felt like it was stuck on one note (mostly in the chorus).  It just didn’t do anything for me.

5. Imbalance

I definitely get folkish vibes when I listen to our next tune, Imbalance which is an interesting change but it doesn’t fully scream interesting because of the lack of different instrumentation.  It’s slightly cuter in places and hearing accordion in various places do make it pop out in a nice way from the rest of the album. 

6. Taiyou to Futari

I like that Taiyou to Futari brightens things up for the album for me since it sounds cute and a little more effort was put into this song.  Kanako’s vocals seem to fit very well with the arrangement and she sounds as pleasant as it can get.  Cute track here and the sax solo was tasteful lol.

7. Murasaki no Koro

Remember how I described Kanako’s vocals back in “spark!”?  Well, they’re back again for this song but they’re back in full-form in a ballad which is probably the SLOWEST song on the album.  It even feels that way because the arrangement is moving at a snail’s pace and when Kanako sings I feel like it needs to be faster.  I just can’t listen to this song because of it’s uberly slow movement.

8. Nigaoe Nyoubou

At least this one tries to be somewhat different on the album right?  I hear a lot of keyboard and more of a pop/rock sound once again but I like Kanako here.  I feel like it can be a really catchy song because the chorus is mostly just ~itsumademo, itsumademo~ on repeat.  I like it a lot even though it’s a repetitive song.

9. Lullaby

Meh, it just keeps getting slower and quieter with each ballad it seems.  Light acoustic guitar and Kanako’s voice are really only powering the song for the most part (and light keyboards and percussion).  It gets a lot better towards the end though since a lot more instrumentaion is added and it gets dramatic sounding.  I didn’t enjoy the beginning but it got better.

10. Niji ga Deru Made

I heard that this song was performed a lot because it was for the earthquake victims so it’s nice to see that it got a studio release.  Like majority of the ballads, it’s pretty much led by acoustic guitar.  It actually sounds nice though and heartfelt but would it have killed her to not have acoustic guitar?

11. Sayonara Ginga Tetsudou 999 – SAYONARA

Closing the first disc is a cover song and funny enough the longest track of the bunch.  At first I thought it was cute to hear the music being a little more space-like and ethereal.  However, it does turn out to be another ballad and supposedly it’s entirely in English which is surprising (minus Kanako saying ~sayonara~).  Her English hasn’t really gotten better since “Amaranthine”.  It’s still pretty sketchy but I can understand a good portion.  Still, why 6 minutes?  At least it fades out and closes the album quite nicely.

CD2

1. Shiny Shower

The second disc is actually full of songs that were used on PC stuff so it’s nice to see she included some.  Shiny Shower is a good way to start things off because it’s a little more funky and the saxophone parts are interesting since they play a bigger role than in “Taiyou to Futari”.  It’s poppy and interesting and kind of fun of song to listen to.  I like it!

2. Sweet Sunset

I would’ve guessed that Sweet Sunset would’ve been a ballad and it is but at least this one doesn’t seem to really bore me like the ones from the first disc funny enough.  It could be the fact the synths are pleasant and Kanako doesn’t sound too awkward.  It’s an interesting song but my least favorite from the second disc.

3. Soul for the Sword

I’m not even sure why the rest of the second disc is even a part of this release because they don’t sound like ANYTHING on this album.  Soul for the Sword has synths people!  This would’ve been perfect on “VECTOR” for some reason but it’s that anime-like tone for the song plus Kanako’s vocals has more punch as well.  Would it kill me to say this was my favorite song on the album? XD

4. Dramatique?

Funny enough the next song also ranks up there as my favorite XD.  Dramatique? is a bit more trance-themed but it feels like it mixed in the acoustic feel from the first disc.  I love Kanako’s vocals being filtered and auto-tuned together…it gives this almost cybernetic tone and I’m loving it hahaha. 

5. Dramatique?

Closing the second disc is a bonus track and yeah it shares the same name because it is the chorus of Dramatique? but with less of the synth arrangement and less filtering (but keeping the auto-tune effect).  It really is only a minute long though but he arrangement is a bit darker and I kind of wish the long version was this arrangement (despite me liking what we have anyways XD).

Tracks Recommended

• Soul for the Sword
• Dramatique?
• Nigaoe Nyoubou
• Lullaby

Song of Avoidance

• Murasaki no Koro

Wow, this album is just epic fail!  I didn’t even know she was going to release spark! with no singles to promote it or anything it really left me wondering what it’d be like (better than “VECTOR” maybe?).  WELL, it wasn’t…that first disc was simply bland as all hell and using acoustic guitar for every song but the last track on the first disc was simply BAD and a jump-off from “VECTOR’s” variety.  The second disc was loads better since it did have the synthy stuff I love from her…but it shouldn’t have been a part of this release…the company could’ve saved that for a different release and let this BOMB.  I just can’t with this album right now…T.T

Kanako Ito – VECTOR December 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. Hacking to the Gate
2. Fetishism Ark
3. Kono Sora no Kanata ni
4. A.R.
5. Star-Crossed
6. Kizuna no Mirai
7. Hateshinai Soukyuu e
8. Eien no Vector
9. Uchuu Engineer
10. Reliance
11. Fly to the sky
12. Sky Clad no Kansokusha -Remix-
13. Amaranthine
14. Sugao no Mama de

1. Hacking to the Gate

Kanako’s album begins with the 4th A-side, Hacking to the Gate which didn’t really stand out to me when it was first released.  Even though it’s once again the first track, it somehow suits the placing quite nicely.  To me, the song is alright but it’s kind of awkward in the chorus at first and it seems pretty basic to me when compared to most of the other A-sides in the era.

2. Fetishism Ark

Moving on to the first single representing the era, I haven’t listened to Fetishism Ark in a long time and coming back around to it was a new experience.  I love that it starts out quietly with piano and then opens to a more mid-tempo kind of song.  It isn’t as epic as I once thought it was but Kanako sounds much better and the song has a cool vibe throughout.

3. Kono Sora no Kanata ni

Fitting that the next track was actually the B-side to “Fetishism Ark”.  I still do think the song is weaker than a couple of songs in the era but I just think it’s from the rather lackluster arrangement with acoustic guitar and strings (with a mix of anison).  At least Kanako’s vocals sound great in the context of the song so that’s a plus.  It does strike me as a ballad but with a little more spark…iono but this wasn’t my kind of song.

4. A.R.

The next two songs were both A-sides on her second single released in the era starting with A.R. which is actually the first great song on the album in my opinion.  Like “Hacking to the Gate”, it has a lot of synths and has a pretty quick-paced style to it that worked a lot better here than in said other song.  It’s just powerful in a good way.

5. Star-Crossed

The other A-side, Star-Crossed is the album’s first ballad and to be honest I don’t like this song very much because of the fact that Kanako sung this song entirely in English and most of the time I’m not sure what she’s exactly saying.  I actually wished she stuck on the “Ryuusei no Tameiki wo” version of the song since she sounded more comfortable in her natural language.  The melody and arrangement though was pretty solid though, but perhaps a bit more could’ve been done here as well.

6. Kizuna no Mirai

Now I’m sure the non-bolded tracks aren’t brand spankin’ new, but they are un-bolded because they weren’t represented on singles.  It’s a little surprising that the first of them, Kizuna no Mirai sounds bright and not like anything like the singles.  Kanako’s vocals are quite nasally not gonna lie here and it just doesn’t seem like this song really fits her much.  At least she tried and it’s something different.

7. Hateshinai Soukyuu e

Which is weird that our next song is just the same song but a different melody.  What I mean it’s the same ole strings-based anison tune.  It’s a little unusual to see them two one after another but it’s whatever.  I guess I like the strings and Kanako’s vocals are a little better here…but this might be the song that I should’ve heard before “Kizuna no Mirai”.

8. Eien no Vector

Seeing that the B-side from “Uchuu Engineer” was before the lead the A-side in the album is interesting but it makes a nice bridge from the happier anison songs to well more serious stuff.  The mood is quite different from the last two tracks so that’s good, but there’s just something about the song that still hasn’t pleased me.  It’s like “Kono Sora no Kanata ni” but less guitar-based.

9. Uchuu Engineer

Like I said, “Eien no Vector” does a nice job moving away from the bright stuff to Uchuu Engineer which was pretty dark (at least in the intro).  It does move into a faster arrangement which is a good move for the song since it’s a lot more stronger of a song.  It’s definitely my favorite amongst the A-sides for such a fast arrangement yet strong vocals from Kanako.

10. Reliance

“Hacking to the Gate’s” B-side comes up next and I feel that for the most part I enjoy this more than both “Star-Crossed” and “Amaranthine” which are both A-side funny enough.  I like the dark movement with the song and Kanako is singing this pretty smoothly.  Luckily the chorus really made the song listenable since it’s loud and powerful!  Good song overall and unlike the other two ballads, this one is sung in Japanese.

11. Fly to the sky

I will say that of the four new tracks, I think I was the most impressed with Fly to the sky which sounds nothing like any of the other songs of the album and didn’t feel jarring coming after “Reliance”.  It does seem to follow a similar route with quiet verses and the bridge/chorus being powerful.  I hear a synths being used as well which is such a plus as well.  Yeah my favorite of the new ones though strange as I’ve been told it was the B-side from “F.D.D”…random seeing this song here. >.<

12. Sky Clad no Kansokusha -Remix-

Moving from the best new song to the best song on the damn album, it’s the remix of Sky Clad no Kansokusha (which was the A-side before “Fetishism Ark”).  It’s just took the already awesome song and just added another layer of it.  The beats are heavy, the tempo is pretty fast and Kanako’s vocals/melody fits with the new arrangement.  Yeah, it’s definitely a song that’ll leave mark on you (especially with this album is turning out).

13. Amaranthine

While this is the 3rd A-side released, it was really hard listening to Amaranthine simply because it shares the same problem with “Star-Crossed” in being all English.  However, it gets another problem with it’s 6 minute length which might kill some listeners.  The good thing about the song though is that the arrangement is really pretty and has this ending theme style that would seriously capture my attention.  Now if only we shortened it and have Kanako resing it in Japanese, then we’re set. 

14. Sugao no Mama de

Closing the album up, Sugao no Mama de kind of places itself like both “Kizuna no Mirai” and “Hateshinai Soukyuu e” in the fact that it’s a brighter tune but this one has acoustic guitar and strings.  That being said, I kind of just shrugged this one off since it didn’t leave a mark (kind of like the mentioned tracks above).  “Amaranthine” would’ve made for a better closing.

Tracks Recommended

• Sky Clad no Kansokusha -Remix-
• Fly to the sky
• A.R.
• Uchuu Engineer
• Reliance

Song of Avoidance

• Kizuna no Mirai

It’s hard to call this album mostly a best-of because all the songs have tie-ins and 11/14 were songs previously found on the era’s singles so it’s kind of bummer that there wasn’t more new songs.  For the most part the album is kind of average at best.  There were good songs and there were some stinkers.  Fact is, is that she doesn’t need to do English (especially in ballads) it just sounds icky.

Kanako Ito – Uchuu Engineer June 25, 2011

Track Listing

1. Uchuu Engineer
2. Eien no Vector
3. Sky Clad no Kansokusha -Remix-
4. Uchuu Engineer (off Vocal)
5. Eien no Vector (off Vocal)

1. Uchuu Engineer

I don’t know why but I like this slow opening for Uchuu Engineer.  Loving Kanako’s voice as well since it’s full and broad this time around.  After Kanako’s intro the song maneuvers into a more speedier anime track and I thought that made things even better for me since it’s a most synth-based tune.  I actually enjoyed this song since it’s like a much stronger version of her last A-side, “Hacking to the Gate”.

2. Eien no Vector

Toning things down a little bit for the B-side which is also an ending theme, Eien no Vector places more natural instruments like acoustic guitars and strings in the mix instead of all those synths from the last track.  To me, the amount of sound in the song makes the song feel a bit cluttered and quite busy when compared to “Uchuu Engineer”, but it’s one of the more nicer songs in the era.

3. Sky Clad no Kansokusha -Remix-

I must say, Sky Clad no Kansokusha was one of my favorite Kanako songs before reviewing her current era (funny enough this was the A-side released before “Fetishism Ark”).  Of course since this is a remix of the song, there’s going to be a lot more synths involved and I actually don’t mind it because the song is kind of turned into this euro mix of the song and it oddly works with the song.  There isn’t much change in the melody which is great but the energy was amped up….ok I’m liking this quite a bit!!!

 

 

5 singles in and no album in site yet?  I hope Kanako doesn’t go further on singles because I’d like to hear an album with new stuffs.  Anyways, Uchuu Engineer is a pretty strong single and an upgrade after her last one by a longshot.  Uchuu Engineer is a great anime tune to listen to if you like synths and a GUNDAM-like atmosphere and the remix of Sky Clad no Kansokusha is also much appreciated as well.  The only slight meh song was Eien no Vector just because it felt so busy and kind of messy at times.  Still, great single!

Kanako Ito – Hacking to the Gate April 26, 2011

Track Listing

1. Hacking to the Gate
2. Reliance
3. Hacking to the Gate (off vocal)
4. Reliance (off vocal)

1. Hacking to the Gate

I like Kanako’s songs so for for the most part and while Hacking to the Gate sounds like typical anime fare, it’s not too bad and the energy from the arrangement keeps it afloat.  Kanako’s vocals are alright though, but it’s not as good as it was in “A.R.”.  I think it’ll take time to get used to this track, but it’s not that bad to be honest.

2. Reliance

Of course for having an upbeat track as the A-side, it comes as not surprise that the B-side is slower and more of a ballad.  Reliance is more catered for Kanako’s vocals as they take a lighter route with the mostly piano-based arrangement that changes into a rock setting in the choruses.  It’s a bit more interesting than “Star-crossed” that’s for sure.

As this is Kanako’s fourth single in the era (prolly album time soon), Hacking to the Gate isn’t a bad effort from her and it kind of sits in the middle of where I like it fully or not.  Both songs do sound nice, but sound safe when compared to the previous three singles she released.  I guess it’s alright otherwise.

Kanako Ito – Amaranthine January 5, 2011

Track Listing

1. Amaranthine
2. Star-Crossed Game Ver.
3. Star-Crossed ~Ryuusei no Tameiki wo~ Game Ver.
4. Amaranthine (off Vocal)
5. Star-Crossed Game Ver. (off Vocal)
6. Star-Crossed ~Ryuusei no Tameiki wo~ Game Ver. (off Vocal)

1. Amaranthine

While I’m not surprised that the single is full of ending themes, Amaranthine really does kind of sound like an ending theme.  The first thing I noticed besides the fact it’s a ballad is that Kanako sang this in full English, not the most clear, but passable at the least.  It’s a song that kind of doesn’t fully stick like her previous three A-sides of the era, but it’s alright for the most part. 

2. Star-Crossed Game Ver.

As for the rest of the single, it’s basically shorter versions of the A-side of the last single which was also an ending theme in itself.  The thing that gets me is that all they really did was shave off two minutes and left us with a shorter version.  I mean I still feel the same about the song since the arrangement hasn’t changed so it’s kind of an odd reason to have on this single when it could’ve easily been on “A.R./Star-Crossed”.

3. Star-Crossed ~Ryuusei ni Tameiki wo~ Game Ver.

Though I wouldn’t have minded seeing this here since this basically the Japanese version of the song and while once again the song doesn’t fully change anything, but her vocals sound a lot more stronger and easier to listen to than the English cuts.  I really don’t know why, but Star-Crossed just sounds better in JPN than in ENG. 

I really didn’t understand why she had to release Amaranthine like the way it was because I was expecting the B-sides to be short version of a song off the last single.  Amaranthine is an alright ballad, but is overshadowed by the previous singles.  Of course the new versions of Star-Crossed was a bit unneeded, but I was admit the Japanese version sounds so much cleaner and better in this case.

Kanako Ito – A.R./Star-Crossed September 1, 2010

Track Listing

1. A.R.
2. Star-Crossed
3. A.R. (off Vocal)
4. Star-Crossed (off Vocal)

1. A.R.

So I know for sure that I like Kanako’s more epic guitar-ladened tracks and A.R. started off with a kickass guitar blast and I loved that.  I was surprised though she ditched it completely right when the first verse begins.  Though it still isn’t bad because it’s covered with synths and such and the guitar returns to fill the song up moreso.  Kanako’s voice is nice to listen to as well and doesn’t sound like it’d hurt to listen to.  Reminds me of faylan’s vocals actually. 

2. Star-Crossed

As for the other A-side it’s not surprising that it’s a ballad from Kanako.  I found it interesting that the song was sung in English, but it’s pretty clear she doesn’t have a total grasp on the language since she slurred heavily in various areas.  It still is a pleasant and soft song and besides her nasally tone in the chorus, it makes for a good ballad.

 

 

Since it was released quite shortly after “Fetishism Ark”, I actually enjoyed A.R./Star-Crossed a bit more.  I mean A.R. is what Kanako excels at all the time so it wasn’t surprising that I fell in love with it pretty quickly.  Star-Crossed is nice, but def needs to work on her English to not make it sound like she’s inebriated XD