MiChi – ChaNge the WoRLd February 18, 2009

Track Listing

1. ChaNge the WoRLD
2. One of a Kind
3. PROMiSE (Smart Sports ver.)
4. HEy GirL (XB remix)

1. ChaNge the WoRLd

At first, I was turned off by the PV that accompanied this track, because it was almost a replica of “PROMiSE” but with paint.  MiChi does sound a lot more better than her last single, thank god.  I actually liked the chorus more than the bridge and how she mixes the English here is more clearer this time around.  I still rather listen to “PROMiSE” though, just cuz it was that good, but this was a nice follow-up A-side.

2. One of a Kind

Yeah, One of a Kind finally brings this punk rock style instead of what “PROMiSE” and the previous track did.  MiChi sounds OMG pissed off, totally awesome if you ask me.  Also the song is all in English which every B-side has been in her career so far and this track is just so cool and showing off some British attitude. 

3. PROMiSE (Smart Sports ver.)

Hey, PROMiSE got some work done to it.  Basically it’s just a more easier listening version because it took out some major sounds, but kept the form.  Like the guitar has a lesser importance than the other stuff.  Maybe there isn’t enough happening in this version…I think the only + side about it is how much clearer the vocals are.  There’s a new part also included which is interesting because synths take over that part and it seems to be cut n’ pasted ad-libbing though…I guess it’s alright though.

4. HEy GirL (XB remix)

Yep the last B-side gets a remix as well and it’s a more dance-friendly remix with not that many vocals.  A lot of bubbly synth and a hard beat to go along which does make it really awesome. I did think the beginning was too long, but surprisingly, this is an awesome dance remix.

 

 

MiChi really did well for herself this single.  All the songs had good hooks and even the remixes were just as good as the originals which is good for me.  One of a Kind is my preferred track, just because it’s more rock than she usually does.  ChaNge the WoRLd was good, just not as good as the previous A-side.

MiChi – PROMiSE December 7, 2008

Track Listing

1. PROMiSE
2. HEy GirL
3. Sk8er Boi
4. Fuck You and Your Money (ED BANGER ALL STARS remix)

1. PROMiSE

For being a a Japanese debut track, it’s really catchy.  Anywho, it starts with an acoustic opening and then we get a pretty cool beat as well as MiChi singing in both English and for the first time Japanese.  She sounds actually quite good at both.  What really got me was the long bridge as it was pretty cool especially when she says ~Can’t trust life~ talk about sweeet.  One of the best A-sides this year.

2. HEy GirL

I’m not going to question her, but this song’s Americanized sound really brought this to life with its aggressive beat and MiChi attitude-prone lyrics.  She’s actually using more English than Japanese, but it doesn’t really matter.  In honesty this could be a song Kumi could cover hahaha. 

3. Sk8er Boi

I’m sorry but this cover of Avril Lavigne’s big hit of the same name, was definitly the singles downfall.  I mean it just lacked the badass sound that Avril’s had.  Not only that the music was even lamer as I like to dub it “dumbed down”.  Why oh why did you have to destroy it MiChi?

4. Fuck You and Your Money (ED BANGER ALL STARS remix)

I was scratching my when the remix of a past song from her indies mini-album “MiChi MaDnesS” started up because of all the distortions happening to MiChi’s vocals and it’s not in a good way.  It’s like someone was having a seizure when they were remixing the song.  The whole electronic feel does work and the music was quite cool but what they did to MiChi was less than likable.

 

 

I was definitly having high hopes for the single because it is a debut and such, but after hearing PROMiSE, I was actually happy of the transition.  Both the A-Side and B-side were good.  The cover and the remix however sucked in comparison.  It’s definitly worth getting it for the first two tracks.

MiChi – MiChi MadNesS November 5, 2008

Track Listing

1. Fuck You and Your Money
2. We Will Rock You
3. London Bridge
4. Spread Your Wings
5. Wannabe
6. ReaL
7. Madness Vol.2
8. Surrender
9. You Gotta Be
10. Spread Your Wings (Remix)
11. Madness Vol.2 (D.O.I. Remix)

1. Fuck You and Your Money

At least the title is being brutally honest right?  Anyway, like the title implies MiChi is pissed off and damn it she should be.  The lyrics has her shooting off her lover for not treating her right.  Put this to a dance beat and you’ve got a great equation.  As for MiChi’s vocal’s they are pretty cool and have the right amount of attitude.  I wish she actually said the title line…Still cool way to start it this album off.

2. We Will Rock You

A cover of the famous Queen song.  I actually felt awkward having a female, more or less MiChi singing it, since it’s usually a male-infused song.  I do like how she gave the performance and musically changed it a little bit.  Like it’s more hi-octane and danceable.  I think she added some new lyrics as well, but I’m not certain.

3. London Bridge

Another cover appears and it’s the most recent as it is Fergie’s track.  This would be the first full time I actually hear MiChi cuss like a sailor and it’s quite the hot thing.  Sadly, it doesn’t beat the original and felt slow to me, but I love how she’s tackling the cover tracks so far.  Definitly cool.

4. Spread Your Wings

A bit more aggressive than I thought it would be originally, this sounds pretty angry and quite hot.  Though the songs lyrics is quite hopeful and pretty mysterious at the same time.  I love the 2nd verse….so hot.  Since this is her 2nd MiChi original, I was quite impressed overall.

5. Wannabe

I’m pretty sure that I didn’t really ask for a cover of Spice Girl’s most famous track.  This would be the first time to hear MiChi in vocoder and she sounds pretty cool under it, but you still can’t shake off the corniness of the entire song and was probably a bad idea, but I’m uncertain if I like it more than the original, which is sad because I used to be a fan of theirs.  Odd that the song has a long ending….

6. ReaL

Quite funky.  Actually it starts with ~MiChi Madness~ before getting down and funky.  This actually reminds me of “TABOO” a little bit, with its glamorous sex appeal.  I got lost to the music and the vocals seemed to be drowned out by the music.  At least she’s talking about herself comparing to them “fakes”.  I thought that was a pretty cool topic and it’s hot.

7. Madness Vol.2

I love the instrumental to the song.  It’s quite fragmented in sound and all the warping when they say ~MiChi Madness~ and ~Are You Ready~.  I think they decided to make this the interlude of the album, even though it could be counted as a full track.  There’s not enough vocals and repetition is all-around.  MiChi does sing a small part here and there, but it’s only for music purposes.

8. Surrender

Our last MiChi original comes up and I actually am fond of this one.  It’s like a nice synth drive and MiChi smooth vocals really helped it out.  I’d compare this to “Hotel Lobby” but a lot more calmer and with a brass section.  It’s definitly R&B and she’s does this style well in my opinion.  Best original track.

9. You Gotta Be

I get really annoyed at the ~You gotta be ____~ *enters dirty thought*.  That’s the problem with the original, so it isn’t MiChi’s fault, but it does get quite repetitive.  I think she actually captured the beauty of Des’ree’s original performance.  I think MiChi’s high notes are quite nice, even if they are a little thin. 

10. Spread Your Wings (Remix)

Talk about vocoder-heavy.  The music is actually quite reminescent of something Nakata would do, did he have anything to do with this?  It’s a little on the slower side, but I actually enjoyed this remix a lot more than the original and that’s not such a good thing right? 

11. Madness Vol.2 (D.O.I. Remix)

I really do not understand why this needed a remix, but I guess it needed to be more danceable.  It’s still pretty vacant on the lyrical side of things and it’s very repetitive to my ears this time.  Definitly not a good remix sadly

Tracks Recommended

•  Surrender
• Fuck You and Your Money
• ReaL
• Wannabe
• Spread Your Wings (Remix)

Song of Avoidance

• MadnessVol.2 (D.O.I. Remix)

Wait, this was an indies release?  Damn, for being one it’s really good.  She brings something fresh to the J-pop world and I’m quite happy that she’s catching on with the crowd.  Though the album is split on original and covers, I think she did a great job with this release *RECOMMEND*