TABOO
October 21, 2008 at 10:29 pm | In Kumi Koda | 2 CommentsTags: 2008, Always, Avex, J-Pop, Japanese, Koda Kumi, Kumi Koda, single, TABOO
- TABOO
- Always
- TABOO -HOUSE NATION Sunset In Ibiza Remix-
- TABOO (Instrumental)
- Always (Instrumental)
Listening to TABOO after it just came out was like going back to my first couple of epiphany moments with Kuu’s music. She’s ditched the attempt at a more mature show, and honestly I have no feelings towards the Moon single. TABOO was an immediate favourite for me and I love that Kumi’s back to being sexy after a brief hiccup. The song’s a club song, perfect for a party and just generally a lot of fun to listen to. I can’t help but tap my feet right now as I’m listening to it. And when you watch the video, if you’re not reminded of BUT I know you haven’t been on Planet J-pop for quite some time.
Track Rating; A*
Always is the most polar opposite song you could thing of. It’s like Himitsu, Anytime and Koi no Mahou from her Kingdom album suddenly became one song. Chimes, laidback vocals, saccharine sweetness? Check, check, check. Does it sound like I don’t like this song? Because I actually rather love it. I don’t really have anything more to add. If you know the three songs mentioned above then you can probably score this song in your head. Ultimately this single sums up the two sides of Kuu’s personality. The sexy (TABOO) which she can exploit like nobody’s business, and the cute (Always) which make you think she’d be a wonderful friend to have. Dunno, it just strikes me that way.
Track Rating; A
Can I just forget about the remix pleeeease??? I hate it. It totally ruins the original and I don’t know why they insist on doing these. And anyway will it ever be heard outside of this single again?
Track Rating; Nevaaa!
Single Rating; A+
Ignoring the remix of course.
Kirei a la Mode
October 21, 2008 at 10:11 pm | In Nakagawa Shoko | Leave a CommentTags: single, 2008, Japanese, Shoko Nakagawa, Nakagawa Shoko, Shokotan, Kirei a la Mode, Kamitsure, Yakusoku, Jpop
- Kirei a la Mode
- Kamitsure
- Yakusoku
- Kirei a la Mode (Instrumental)
Kirei a la Mode has become something of an obssession since I downloaded it yesterday. I have constantly felt an inexplicable draw to download Shokotan’s releases every time I see them, sometimes even when I don’t like them that much. But anyway, Kirei a la Mode is a soft mid-tempo song, but it’s very sweet and honest at the same time. It’s almost too normal in some respects. The chorus really stands out as a focal point, even with Shoko’s voice being very endearing from the very beginning. Upon the first couple of listens you’ll think that this song is more simple than it actually is. You initially miss, or just don’t pay attention to, the soaring strings in the background during the chorus and the lovely pace of the verses, but when you have listened to it as much as I have you kinda pick up on those.
Track Rating; A+
Kamitsure is along the same lines as the other tracks on the single. It has a light, game-y, techno-y feel for the most part and Shoko sounds really good. I love the strings in the chorus and the melody but ultimately I’m still distracted by Kirei a la Mode when I listen to this. It’s nice and the fact that it follows the same… pattern as the previous track yet is still different is very nice and well executed. I still prefer Kirei a la Mode.
Track Rating; B
Yakusoku has a really nice opening which sounds a little like Kirei a la Mode’s. But then it changes. Noticably, Shokotan’s voice is ever so slightly lower here. A bit stronger and richer, which really strengthens the track. I, personally, think that Yakusoku is better than Kamitsure. It feels rather Disney and just backs up my theory that Shoko can make just about anything sound like it would be a great theme tune. This is my second favourite track on the single, and I suddenly find myself motivated to purchase her entire discography… hmm, someone still owes me from my birthday.
Track Rating; A
Single Rating; A/A+
P.S; Don’t you just love that cover?
Polls?
October 18, 2008 at 7:46 pm | In 0A. Announcements | Leave a CommentYes, Polls.
So a lot of the time, people can’t find it in themselves to post a comment.
Fair enough, I don’t comment on other people’s blogs as much as I should. But a poll is easy enough right?
Point, click, vote, done.
Simple.
So at the end of my reviews I’ll ask you how you would rate the single/album/compilation/mini-album using the handy-dandy new polldaddy.com feature.
Please Use It!
Rock U
October 18, 2008 at 7:43 pm | In KARA | Leave a CommentTags: Good Day, KARA, Rock U
- Rock U
- Baby Boy
- Igemwoya
- Good Day
- Wait
KARA came back with two new members and an all new image. Rock U is a cutesy, cheery and altogether inoffensive song. It took me a while to really start liking this song – when I first heard it I just couldn’t find it in myself to care. The vocals are less than spectacular and, while they’re not out of tune of anything, the girls lack some attack. That said, after a while it does start to grow on you. The catchy ‘Rock your BAH-SAY’ lines get stuck in your head quickly, even though it’s technically supposed to be Rock your body, I say.
Track Rating; B+
Baby Boy got my attention pretty quickly it’s as cutesy as the lead track, if not more so, and that’s what I love about it. The chorus reminds me of all sorts of 90s girl’band’ songs that I get a blast of nostalgia, but I don’t like it just because of that. KARA apply themselves more in terms of vocal and the overall effect is much more lasting. Plus the English is pretty catchy. Probably my favourite out of all three songs.
Track Rating; A
Igemwoya is a bit synthy and worth listening to at least to the chorus. The verses are a bit flat in comparison and again the vocal’s a bit lacking in most places, but the chorus really makes up for it in my opinion. It’s quite surprising how similar yet different each of these songs are. They manage to offer the same kind of goodies but they don’t blur into one.
Track Rating; B+
Good Day is almost on the same level as Baby Boy in my ranking. The introduction is all sorts of cute, and the speak/”rap” sections are full of personality. The chorus doesn’t quite match that, but it has a nice melody. It’s the most grounded of all the cute songs and won’t come across as sickeningly cute, but gets the message across. It’s a beautiful day. Makes you all tingly inside XD
Track Rating; A
Wait is the only ballad on the mini-album and honestly I could care less about it. After all the sugary, happy feelings in the last four tracks this wasn’t such a good idea to finish the CD with. It’s pleasant but I would rather it not be here. Though it is nice to hear all their voices properly.
Track Rating; C+/B-
Mini-Album Rating; B+
Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~
October 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm | In Angela Aki | Leave a CommentTags: 2008, Angela Aki, Ben Folds, single, Still Fighting It, Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~
- Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~
- Final Destination
- Still Fighting It
- Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~ strings version
If this is the kind of music Angela produces every time she takes such a long haitus, I say ‘Girl, keep taking ‘em’. Tegami ~Haikei Juugo no Kimi e~ can only be described as an Angela Aki song. It’s probably one of her simpler singles with there being much less orchestral/band features than songs like Sakurairo and This Love. The song focuses mainly on Angela’s voice and lyrics, both being equally beautiful, and the overall message of the song which is to ‘Keep on believing’ . I fell in love with this song as quickly as I have for every other single she’s releases and I cannot wait for another album!
Track Rating; A*
Final Destination is a bit more upbeat in comparison with a band providing some drive alongside the piano. The chorus has a melody that I wasn’t quite expecting and I’m ultimately a little bit underwhelmed by the whole song… Maybe that’s just because the a-side is so strong, but it does feel a bit dull in comparison. To me at least.
Track Rating; B+
Still Fighting It is a cover of Ben Folds’ song of the same name. Angela does her usual writing of the Japanese lyrics and incorporating the English lyrics in as well. I have only heard the original song once and can’t remember a lot of it but I do know that by a small margin I prefer this version. All that you hear in this song is Angela and her piano and that really emphasises how beautiful her voice is. Still Fighting It is the most played song on my iPod out of the four tracks on this single and I just keep loving it more.
Track Rating; A*
Last but definitely not least is the strings version of the title track. God, do I love the inclusion of the stringed instruments. They make the song much more epic and even more of a delight to listen to. The way they flow in, out and around the main melody is just gorgeous and adds an extra level to the song. The song was pretty much perfect anyway but I think there’s another level of perfect added here, especially during the Keep on believing sectionl
Is this too honestly hyperbolic?
Track Rating; A*
Single Rating; A*
can’t stop the DISCO
October 12, 2008 at 1:54 pm | In Ami Suzuki | Leave a CommentTags: 2008, Ami Suzuki, Avex, can't stop the DISCO, single, Suzuki Ami
- can’t stop the DISCO
- climb up to the top
- Super Music Maker 08 mix
can’t stop the DISCO is the first Suzuki Ami release that immediately grabbed me in ever. Of course her voice is computerised to hell but the tune is still insanely catchy and danceable. A major point to compliment is that the song is pretty straight to the point. The introduction is relatively short and so are the verses etc. It’s still a five and a half minute song, but the chorus was allowed to take over rather than long streams of pointless computerised sounds. This track gives me hope for the standard of her new album
Track Rating; A+
Climb up to the top starts directly after can’t stop the DISCO and is far too long for it’s own good. At six minutes and thirty something seconds, where the chorus is just Climb up to the top! and then extremely long instrumentals, I’m bored before the song has barely began. All Ami really contributes to this is a few oh s and that’s about it. And here I am, at two minutes and about to switch the track.
Track Rating; C
Super Music Maker is one of my favourite Ami tracks and I was a little apprehensive to here this remix. Honestly, it’s not much of a remix, it’s more of a repackaging. The vocal is still completely intact and the music has been changed. It’s much less of a dance track and more of a genuine song. There are a few more features included and I’m glad to see them… it mixes it up a bit. All my reservations were proved unfounded when I listened to this.
Track Rating; A
Single Rating; B
Color Change
October 2, 2008 at 4:51 pm | In Crystal Kay | Leave a CommentTags: 2008, album, Color Change, Crystal Kay
- Namida no Saki ni
- ONE
- Good Times
- Help Me Out
- ITOSHIIHITO
- Kaerimichi
- Toki no Kakera
- TIME GOES BY
- I Can’t
- Shining
- It’s a crime
- History
Namida no Saki ni restored my faith in Kuri’s music. It’s a catchy pop-rock tune with lots of English here and there and I believe this is one of her best songs, if not actually the best. It’s a dynamic track with all its various instrumentation. Synth, drums and guitars abound and Crystal sings over the top sounding like she’s fun. Namida no Saki ni was the perfect choice to open the album, a strong, memorable track that has a lot of replay value.
Track Rating; A+
ONE. Conversely to Namida no Saki ni this is actually a pretty usual Crystal Kay type song. A bounce-clap/click beat plays over the verses, a little orchestra is included, especially over the chorus, but all in all this is not the most impressive track. It’s a little too normal and comes off a tiny bit boring. Crystal has a great voice, but it feels wasted on a mediocre track. She sounds bored which is a common side-effect of this type of music.
Track Rating; B-
From the opening I was expecting more from Good Times than I think I got. Crystal sounds a bit dull – there’s no real energy to her performance. The backing is intriguing just because it’s so odd, it’s loud and the choice of sounds is interesting at times it feels as if it might overpower the vocal. I’m of the opinion that this song is a bit too easy to zone out to and for all four minutes nothing particularly interesting happens but I like it more than ONE.
Track Rating; B
I like the use of the guitar in Help Me Out it gives the song a new dimension. The opening is incredibly cheesy and stereotypical… I’m not even going to explain it. The chorus is much better than the rest of the song, it has more of a dance-able feel and the vocal is way better. There’s more attack to Crystal’s performance and it pulls you in much more. I really like the use of the English lyrics throughout and the change of backing in the last couple of choruses sounds really great and ends the song perfectly.
Track Rating; A
ITOSHIIHITO, is pretty unremarkable to begin with. The most standout thing about it is the synth in the opening. I’m not particularly impressed by the vocals through most of the song as they lack energy, and ITOSHIIHITO is totally boring for me. I don’t even care that the adlibbing’s good, the rest of the track is too boring for me to listen to to get to that point.
Track Rating; C
I was really hoping that Kaerimichi would be more interesting than the previous track, and it is. It’s a ballad that is the least “R’n'B” track on the album. Actual ballad, not fake click/clap boring-ness – It sounds very traditional and quite Christmassy, or maybe I’m just in that mood. Kuri has exactly the right amount of emotion and she sounds awesome with the higher notes in the chorus.
Track Rating; A+
The beginning of Toki no Kakera is orchestral and very pretty. It’s another actual ballad-thing and it follows Kaerimichi nicely as it’s a lot more contemporary and it just goes to show that when Crystal has some good material she can run with it. I wasn’t expecting the synth in the chorus so it came as a nice surprise and mixed things up a bit. The only problem is that I was kind of bored of Toki no Kakera by the second verse, so four and a half minutes long is probably a bit lengthy.
Track Rating; A-
TIME GOES BY draws us back to the click/clap beat style. At least the chorus has some energy and a pretty dynamic melody. The only problem is that the composition sounds half there, like they threw some sounds over the drum machine and left it there.
Track Rating; C+
I Can’t Wait begins with a little English and then some really weird experimental beaty things. It’s hard to explain, suffice to say that it’s certainly irregular. It sounds a bit like it should be reggae, which is unusual, but in the good way. The chorus of ‘Uh, I like it’s’ is catchy and most of the song is in English. It’s memorable and dancable and a track full of fun, but again, just a bit too long because it sort of peters out feeling abit lost at the end.
Track Rating; A-
Shining may have been the first song I heard by Crystal Kay, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it all the way through. It’s got an interesting synth-”R’n'B” thing going on but I’m not so keen on the melody throughout. I lose interest in this song really quickly because not enough appeals to me to keep me listening.
Track Rating; C+
I love It’s A Crime. It’s a brilliant mesh of techno and dance music with Crystal’s voice being thrown through a computer. The song is all in English and, while the lyrics are kind of blah, it’s still catchy. It’s the perfect dance song. This song is probably my most recomended album track because it’s fun and it’s a display of doing something different.
Track Rating; A*
History has an ever so slight melodic similarity to It’s A Crime during the opening… unless I’m the only one who sees this. I like the chorus but I think that more could have been done with the verses because they fall a little flat. Overall, not a bad final track but It’s A Crime blows it out of the water. But the bridge is awesome.
Track Rating; B
Overall… I have literally been trying to write this review since the album came out, but I kept getting distracted. Which really didn’t bode well for the outcome of the review. It’s probably pretty clear that most of the tracks bore me but there were more songs I like than I thought there’d be. Standouts include It’s A Crime, Kaerimichi and Namida no Saki ni, each of them displays Crystal doing something different from what she usually does.
Overall Rating; B-
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
