Ai Otsuka – バイバイ Review

November 10, 2009 at 10:01 am · Filed under Ai Otsuka ·Tagged , , ,

coverバイバイ by Ai Otsuka

1.) バイバイ
2.) バイバイ (Instrumental)

Released: February 25th, 2009 ~ Highest Chart Position: #8 ~ First Week Sales: 17,485 ~ Total Sales: 20,536

バイバイ is Ai’s 19th Single and 2nd re-cut single. The title track was used in a beer commercial. This release was also limited.

バイバイ has a very energetic and fun start. Ai’s vocals sound a lot better than her other upbeat songs in this song, and she sounds energized and ready (: Something I look for in Upbeat songs. If the singer is bored, so am I (*cough*alan*cough*). The chorus is catchy to some extent, only because of how Ai ends it off with Bye Byeeee~ It’s cute. Not a terrible song, but not like, super super awesome. It’s worth a listen though (:

バイバイ (Instrumental) is fast-paced and a nice listen. Gives you a feeling of driving down a long road (as seen in the cover of course).

バイバイ was such a step-down for being a re-cut.黒毛和牛上塩タン焼680円 had a rearranged song with two B-sides. Now that’s how re-cut singles should work. This just had the A-side and an instrumental. But the A-side was a good listen.

B

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JASMINE – No More Review

November 1, 2009 at 9:30 am · Filed under JASMINE ·Tagged , , ,

JASMINENo_MoreNo More by JASMINE

1.) No More
2.) CLUBBIN’
3.) what you want?

Released: October 28th, 2009 ~ No Chart Data Yet

No More is JASMINE’s 2nd single released.

No More starts with JASMINE’s vocals sounding quiet, which I thought the mp3 that I downloaded was bad or something xD After that section JASMINE shouts “NO MOAR CRY” and the volume is Looooud. JASMINE’s vocals are really nice in this song, and I don’t hear any similarities to sad to say that people are getting. The ending has this music box sound that gives you a feeling of eternal loneliness. It’s just gives me goosebumps. Really nice song, I think I enjoy this and sad to say both equally.

And the lowest point of this single are the B-sides. Judging from the title CLUBBIN’ you think you’d be getting a hot club song. But nope, we get this rock track with JASMINE rapping to it. This is a really boring track though. JASMINE sounds really monotone and doesn’t really bring anything interesting.

what you want? is more of a smooth R&B song. JASMINE sounds different in this track o_0 Anyway, she sounds great. But it gets boring after a while…maybe I’m not used to these types of tracks lol.

No More is great, The B-sides just kinda ruined the single altogether though. I hope the next single has better B-sides >( AND NO MORE BAD COVERS JASMINE, GET RID OF THOSE UGLY WIGS EW.

C

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Mika Nakashima – 朧月夜～祈り Review

October 25, 2009 at 9:35 am · Filed under Mika Nakashima ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Oborozukiyo~inori朧月夜～祈り by Mika Nakashima

1.) 朧月夜～祈り
2.) 沙羅
3.) 月の砂漠
4.) 雪の華 (Silent version)
5.) 朧月夜～祈り (Acoustic mix)
6.) 沙羅 (Jazztronik remix)
7.) 朧月夜～祈り (Instrumental)

Released: September 15th, 2004 ~ Highest Chart Position: #3 ~ Total Sales: 110,892

朧月夜～祈り is Mika’s 2nd Mini-Album. The title A-side was put onto the MUSIC album. The title track was recorded with a famous violin player.

朧月夜～祈り in short, is a masterpiece. The song starts out with that string strumming thing you’d hear that stereotypes “Traditional Japanese” stuff. After that a nice bassline kicks in with a violin. Then this water droplet sound (I don’t know how to describe it, all I know is that it is fucking pretty). Mika ad-libs and then BAM. Violin solo. This violinist knows how to fucking play, because it’s a gorgeous song. Mika’s voice is fragile, and rings throughout the whole song. The acoustic guitar is nicely played, and the synth-like instrument in the background is nice support. Mika hits the notes with NO trouble at all, she just hits them like that XD The chorus is soooo pretty, but I wished that Mika’s voice just sounded a lot louder or something. The instrumentation is sooo pretty that I don’t even really notice anyway XD The song does get kinda hetic near the end with the addition of this electric guitar and stuff. But this track is amazing, and any Japanese Music fan CANNOT miss out on this.

While 朧月夜～祈り was more melancholy, 沙羅 takes an Arabian influence. Most notable with those jingles and the strings playing. Mika’s voice has a playful tone in them, and she’s singing out with full energy. The chorus is so catchy, even if there isn’t any English present xD The Japanese will get stuck in your head. The instrumentation is awesome in this song, it’s really awesome and gives you a vibe of hot Arabian days.

Mika comes in with a nice, jazzy, and lounge-ish song. 月の砂漠 is so relaxing to listen to. Mika does sound a bit bored at times, but still provides nice vocals. I LOVE the saxophone solo, it was pretty damn awesome <3

Take 雪の華, give it only a piano and a violin, and you get 雪の華 (Silent version). This is a gorgeous rearrangement of the original. Her belting section is soooo nice to hear. Great rearrangement. LOVE the piano work.

朧月夜～祈り (Acoustic mix) is a more simpler version. At first I thought this was going to be just all acoustic guitar. But I was surprised that it just removes all that synth stuff. I wish the bassline wasn’t there, but it compliments Mika’s voice nicely. The violin is still really pretty.

The lowest point of this single, sadly is 沙羅 (Jazztronik remix). This remix turns it into a long, and dragged out remix that I just can’t get into. I don’t really like it when Mika’s voice is filtered. Overall an annoying remix. I would have liked an Acoustic version rather than this crap.

朧月夜～祈り (Instrumental) is honestly a really nice listen. I love everything about it. No vocals are present AT ALL. So you get to hear everything in its beautiful glory. The acoustic guitar playing is perfect, the violin is perfect, everything is perfect.

Favorite Tracks:
1.) 朧月夜～祈り
2.) 雪の華 (Silent version)
3.) 沙羅

Why 朧月夜～祈り did not reach #1 I will never know, but this mini-album is a HUGE step-up from RESISTANCE. This was a pretty mini-album (minus that remix ew). If you’re gonna start listening to Mika, I suggest you give her a try with this mini-album, you might just become addicted.

A

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Mika Nakashima – 火の鳥 Review

October 25, 2009 at 9:00 am · Filed under Mika Nakashima ·Tagged , , ,

Hi no tori火の鳥 by Mika Nakashima

1.) 火の鳥
2.) Missing
3.) 火の鳥 (Instrumental)

Released: June 2nd, 2006 ~ Highest Chart Position: #9 ~ Total Sales: 40,155

火の鳥 is Mika’s 12th single and the 2nd single in the MUSIC era. The title track was used in an anime also titled 火の鳥.

hinotoribonusWhen 火の鳥 first starts you’d think it’d be some fast-paced track. After that strange introduction it turns into a ballad. The instrumentation reminds me of STARS, but Mika doesn’t sound bored :D Mika has no trouble with the chorus, and it is catchy to some extent. She hits those notes with no trouble ;D Although I do get tired of the song after a while since it kinda stays the same throughout the whole thing.

Missing on the other hand is a peaceful and very lovely ballad. Mika’s voice is very nice sounding, although at times she sounds like she’s just mumbling everything. I love it when Mika goes “I miss you…” because her voice is fragile sounding and breaks my heart </3 Pretty song anyway.

The 火の鳥 (Instrumental) is sooo nice sounding. Gives you a feeling of loneliness and strength.

火の鳥 was an alright single. I can’t say anything bad about any of the songs, very nice single ;D

B

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Chihiro Onitsuka – Sugar High Review

October 25, 2009 at 8:46 am · Filed under Chihiro Onitsuka ·Tagged , ,

CDSugar High by Chihiro Onitsuka

1.) NOT YOUR GOD
2.) 声
3.) Rebel Luck
4.) Tiger in my Love
5.) Castle・imitation (album version)
6.) 漂流の羽根
7.) 砂の盾
8.) King of Solitude
9.) BORDERLINE
-8cm Tracklisting (First Press Disk)-
1.) Castle・imitation
2.) Castle・imitation (Instrumental)

Released: December 11th, 2002 ~ Highest Chart Position: #2 ~ Total Sales: 294,952

Sugar High is Chihiro’s 3rd album. No singles were released beforehand, but that didn’t stop this album from having tie-ins. 声, Tiger in my Love, 漂流の羽根, and Castle・imitation were all used in some sort of video game, movie, TV show, or CM. If a listener were to buy the album in first press, you’d get an 8cm disk with the original version of Castle・imitation and it’s instrumental.

NOT YOUR GOD is strangely in all English, yet I really love this song. It’s a really short and simple song, clocking in at 2:57 and having only a piano playing over and over. But after a minute some other instruments join it. Anyway I find this song to be really catchy though D: I dunno why either XD It’s just so nice and relaxing. It’s not the strongest opener for an album, but I think that it is very pretty. Chihiro’s English is actually pretty good, but she obviously does have a thick accent xP

The piano that starts in 声 reminds me of other songs here in the states for some reason. Chihiro’s voice is so soothing in this song. She doesn’t try too hard to sound powerful because it just comes out naturally. I like the climax because of the added jingles and strings. Not a bad song, although it might bore a few people.

Rebel Luck starts out nicely, love the up-beat-ish piano playing. This song didn’t really bring anything interesting though. Very unmemorable next to these other tracks.

Tiger in my Love starts with such an awesome introduction! I love the piano playing with that bass in the background. Chihiro’s voice is energetic and I like it <3 The song does feel like it goes on forever though D: I do love how Chihiro sings out the title though. Alright song.

Castle・imitation (album version) has a VERY pretty introduction that I like. Pianos and bells are nice together. Chihiro’s voice rings in this song and sounds lovely. Although there isn’t anything interesting happening in it.

漂流の羽根 flew by me, but at the same time kinda stuck out. Chihior’s vocals are a lot more powerful in this song and she sounds like she’s ready to shed a few tears. The instrumentation is dramatic and pretty.

砂の盾 does sound a bit different from everything else that has been present on this album at least. The drums are so haunting being in the background. Chihiro’s voice sounds a bit quieter in this song, or maybe that’s just the instrumentation drowning her out XD Very pretty song once again.

I love this title, King of Solitude. Sooooo pretty. The beginning of the song reminds me of a simple waltz. But yeah, nothing else after that.

BORDERLINE is fucking amazing. At first it’s all boring and stuff. But then you get near the end and HOLY SHIT you go insane. There is a choir singing, Chihiro singing (and she goes off-pitch for a few seconds XDDD) and then violins playing crazily. I LOVE the ending, wish it was like that the whole song (minus the fact Chihiro goes off-pitch).

While the beginning of the album version of Castle・imitation was more peaceful, Castle・imitation is a bit more energetic sounding. But yeah, flew by me.

Castle・imitation (Instrumental) is so pretty o3O that’s about it XD

Favorite Tracks:
1.) NOT YOUR GOD
2.) BORDERLINE
3.) 砂の盾

Sugar High kinda bombed. All the songs just weren’t interesting enough (save for my favorite tracks) IMO. I can’t say much about the album other than the fact this album just didn’t live up to my exceptions after インソムニア and This Armor. Maybe next time Chihiro, Maybe next time.

C

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Mika Nakashima – SEVEN Review

October 16, 2009 at 6:51 am · Filed under Mika Nakashima ·Tagged , , ,

coverSEVEN by Mika Nakashima

1.) SEVEN
2.) SEVEN (COLDFEET Remix)
3.) Venus in The Dark (COLDFEET Remix)
4.) SEVEN (Instrumental)

Released: April 7th, 2004 ~ Highest Chart Position: #3 ~ Total Sales: 53,207

SEVEN is Mika’s 11th single and the first single in her new era, the MUSIC era. SEVEN was used in the KATE make-up products advertisements (which Mika is a spokesperson for. She has like, so many songs in those ads XD).

SEVEN starts unexpectedly. I love the little “Dum, Dum, DUMDUDUDMDUM” XD they are so cute. The instrumentation is jazzy and fast-paced. But I thought it was gonna be something electronic influenced due to the cover. But this track ain’t bad. I love the “I Shout, I Shout, I Shout, I Shout for You!”. Her background vocalists are so nice in their little scat-singing sections. Overall a very nice song.

I find it funny the same person who arranged this song (Lori Fine, a.k.a COLDFEET) also remixed it XD The arrangement has a funky thing going on here. This remix is a bit slower than the original now that I think about it. No background vocalists are apparent here from what I hear. Although the remix does drag on after a while.

Why if it isn’t Venus in The Dark again ;D This remix is funkier than the original, and I love the background vocalists with their ad-libbing sections. Mika sounds nice against this new beat o: It’s alright.

The SEVEN (Instrumental) was nice to listen to ;D Fun and energetic sounding. Lori Fine did a nice job on arranging the song.

SEVEN was a really nice way to start this era. I have nothing bad to say about anything on this single to be honest. I do with the SEVEN remix was a bit shorter though xD other than that a nice single!

B+

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Chihiro Onitsuka – This Armor Review

October 4, 2009 at 6:42 am · Filed under Chihiro Onitsuka ·Tagged , , , , , ,

This_ArmorThis Armor by Chihiro Onitsuka

1.) ROLLIN’
2.) 茨の海
3.) シャドウ
4.) everything, in my hands
5.) Our song
6.) 流星群
7.) LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.)
8.) Arrow of Pain
9.) infection
10.) CROW

Released: March 6th, 2002 ~ Highest Chart Position: #3 ~ Total Sales: 510,000

This Armor is Chihiro’s 2nd album. Only two singles were released beforehand, infection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE and 流星群. A song named A Horse and Queen was originally gonna be on this album, but Chihiro felt it didn’t match the theme so it was shelved until her 2007 album LAS VEGAS came out. Arrow of Pain took it’s place (the B-side from 月光). Three songs were used to promote their respective movie/CM/whatever. ROLLIN’, 茨の海, and Our Song.

ROLLIN’ starts off with some nice acoustic guitar playing. This track did fly by me the first time I listened because it was a bit unmemorable. But I think that this track is alright. Not as good as an opener as 月光 was, and I honestly wished that infection was used as the opening for this album. But ROLLIN’ ain’t bad.

茨の海 is a very peaceful ballad. Chihiro sadly sounds kinda bored in this song, which is strange because she usually has a lot of emotion and life in her ballads :/ The title of the song is at least interesting? It’s called “Thorn Sea”. I do like that woodwind instrument that plays in the song, it’s soooo pretty.

シャドウ finally has me interested in this album again. The chorus in this song is so pretty, and Chihiro sounds wonderful. I love how the piano is being played in this song, very heartfelt sounding. This song is really nice, I’m happy this started to pick up things. From what I’ve heard so far.

everything, in my hands flew by me again. The song has some nice electric guitars and strings. Chihiro sounds alright, but the song came out as unmemorable in the final run. I do think this track is alright, just unmemorable.

Is Our Song in full English? I think it is. The instrumentation is simple and very pretty. Nothing too interesting to note, but nice and relaxing song.

流星群 is another ballad. Chihiro sounds nice in it though at least.

I’m astonished. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE turned into a pure piano song. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.) starts out the same as LITTLE BEAT RIFLE would, but with only piano. It’s really strange, since the original was all happy and stuff xD I guess this happened to fit with the album. I do say this version is really good.

Is it sad I don’t remember Arrow of Pain? Even though I just listened to it like, one hour ago? This track is ambient and very nice, Chihiro sounds great as ever =3

Yes, finally. infection is next. The powerful, emotional, groundbreaking, sad, and gorgeous ballad. Nothing will ever beat this song, THIS is the best J-Music ballad out there. IMO anyway.

CROW is really nice. It ends the album off on a nice note. Although it felt like the song went on forever, even though it’s only 5:15 long. The bells are really nice sounding, and the choir that sings at the end is great. Nice way to end the album.

Favorite Tracks:
1.) infection
2.) LITTLE BEAT RIFLE (album ver.)
3.) シャドウ

This Armor is sadly a step-down from インソムニア. Chihiro was a little off at the beginning of the album, but regained her strength near the end. Some of the songs on here actually had me bored rather than interested. At least infection is on this album xD It proved to be the best song like, ever. Not a terrible album, just it wasn’t as good as her debut.

B

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Chihiro Onitsuka – 流星群 Review

October 4, 2009 at 6:13 am · Filed under Chihiro Onitsuka ·Tagged , , ,

CD流星群 by Chihiro Onitsuka

1.) 流星群
2.) Fly to me
3.) 流星群 (Instrumental)

Released: February 6th, 2002 ~ Highest Chart Position: #7 ~ Total Sales: 100,000

100,000 is Chihiro’s 5th single and final single in the This Armor era. 流星群 was used as TRICK 2’s theme song.

流星群 is like all her other ballads. Although there seems to be a tint of up-beat sounds in it. Chihiro’s vocals are full of life in this song, and really make this song sound great. But the instrumentation didn’t really bring anything new (unlike infection, with all those gorgeous piano and strings <3 hehehe). But this song ain’t terrible. I still liked it.

Fly to me takes that acoustic country sound it seems. Chihiro’s vocals are relaxed and around in her comfort zone. I like the chorus when Chihiro and some back-up vocalists go “Fly to me…”. It sounds so nice~ Near the 3 minute mark this strange sound starts to come out of nowhere. It’s really strange and was kinda cool to hear it in this song. Not a bad B-side at all.

oooo 流星群 (Instrumental) is nice. Maybe I only like it because I can actually truly hear the piano in this song more xD

流星群 was another tiny step-down from the epic infection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE. The B-side was honestly more interesting than 流星群. But these songs aren’t bad.

B+

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Chihiro Onitsuka – infection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE Review

October 4, 2009 at 6:03 am · Filed under Chihiro Onitsuka ·Tagged , , , ,

CDinfection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE by Chihiro Onitsuka

1.) infection
2.) LITTLE BEAT RIFLE

Released: September 7th, 2001 ~ Highest Chart Position: #5 ~ Total Sales: 172,000

infection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE is Chihiro’s 5th single and the 1st single in the This Armor era. infection was used as the theme song for a dorama, while LITTLE BEAT RIFLE was used as a ending theme song for a movie (I think it’s a movie, J-Pop Stop! didn’t really explain what it was).

Back when I downloaded SINGLES 2000-2003 to give Chihiro a try, this was the song that stuck out to me. Like this ballad was just way too fucking epic for human ears. The piano is really REALLY nice in this song. The bells, twinkles, and strings are gorgeous and fit in so well. Don’t get me started on Chihiro’s emotional vocals. She portrayed so much emotion for this song. But when the climax comes rolling around I gasm a waterfall. It is amazing. Chihiro’s tone is heartbreaking and it sounds like she is ready to cry her heart out. The instrumentation gets more dramatic and the song gives you a feeling of being alone forever, stuck with the “infection” of no love left. The song ends faintly, as Chihiro ends the song with the last few lyrics. This song, is my most played Chihiro song (according to last.fm, 89 plays so far, going to be a lot more soon xD). Chihiro pulled this off, this song is earth-shattering. I can’t express my love for infection.

LITTLE BEAT RIFLE, on the other hand is a bit more happier than infection. Chihiro sounds happy and energetic in this song, and the background vocalists are great to. They really help bring out Chihiro’s vocals. The instrumentation is a huge change from what she has been coming out with. I love it.

infection / LITTLE BEAT RIFLE is in the dictionary, it’s next to the word Perfection. infection is the painful, heart-wrenching, gorgeous ballad that Chihiro pulled off with flying colors. LITTLE BEAT RIFLE on the other hand is a happy song with energetic vocals. Both which equal perfection xD

A+++++ (j/k ;D A+)

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Chihiro Onitsuka – インソムニア Review

October 4, 2009 at 5:47 am · Filed under Chihiro Onitsuka ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CDインソムニア by Chihiro Onitsuka

1.) 月光
2.) イノセンス
3.) BACK DOOR (album version)
4.) edge
5.) We can go
6.) call
7.) シャイン (album version)
8.) Cage
9.) 螺旋
10.) 眩暈
11.) 月光 (album version)

Released: March 7th, 2001 ~ Highest Chart Position: #1 ~ First Week Sales: 440,000 ~ Total Sales: 1,345,000

インソムニア is Chihiro’s debut album. The album proved to be very successful, selling over a million copies. This however is Chihiro’s only album to reach #1. The tracks イノセンス, BACK DOOR (album version), and 螺旋 all got tie-ins with something. While シャイン, 月光, Cage and 眩暈 / edge were released beforehand as singles. 螺旋 was originally gonna be on Cage and titled My Fragile Life. But was shelved until this album was released.

月光 is still haunting as ever. And it does make sense to start this album off with the big seller. Chihiro’s voice just rings throughout the speakers of the listener, you just can’t resist how powerful it is. Chihiro doesn’t really sing the English out that good, but I still love it dearly. And while being a painful ballad, this song was catchy xD

イノセンス is very simplistic, but at the same time very pretty. However after a minute the whole song changes into a blaring rock song. Chihiro’s voice go excellently with this new instrumentation and the background vocalists harmonize well with Chihiro. This is an excellent rock song by Chihiro that I love, it’s just great.

Wow, I love how Chihiro actually changes up her album version songs, unlike some artists who add a tweak here and there or add a new ending or introduction. BACK DOOR was originally up-beat and fun sounding. But BACK DOOR (album version) is a more melancholy version of it. I still find the chorus to be insanely catchy because of the “Where is the back door?” lyrics. This is such a cool and new re-imaging to BACK DOOR. I love it.

edge is still kinda there to be honest. But I still really like this song. The congo’s and the sound made from the keyboards are a nice change for Chihiro.

We can go starts with some guitar playing that is played excellently. The chorus is catchy because Chihiro and a choir goes “We can go to the praceplace” Nice song, can’t say much about it though xD

After all those upbeat fun tracks, we get call. A lovely ballad. I like how it sounds like Chihiro’s voice is echoing. Lyrically, call is a very dark and painful song. So I don’t know how Chihiro made something so pretty, so damn dark xD Nice song.

Holy. Fucking. Shit. Those were my first words when I heard シャイン (album version) for the first time. シャイン was originally up-beat and fun sounding. But this album version turned into into a haunting song. The beginning piano is fucking gorgeous as hell. It’s really creepy sounding and I love every second of it. This new rearrangement is excellent. I love it. Especially Chihiro’s vocals.

Cage barges right in with that up-beat piano playing at the beginning. This song is still one of my favorites to. The electric guitar was a nice and small addition in the background that I liked.

Chihiro, when will you ever have a piano introduction I DON’T like? The beginning of 螺旋 is fucking gorgeous, and when that cello comes in, I just pretty much gasm. It’s nice. I love it when Chihiro sings “My Fragile Life”. She sounds so sad ;-; This is another very pretty song, and I just adore it.

眩暈 now sounds boring next to all those epic ballads we already heard. I do like how it sounds like a song that can be played on a windy, sunny day. It’s very nice :3 I also love that harmonica thing, it reminds me of Celtic Music.

I find it kinda strange to have 月光 (album version) at the end of the album. But this version is more, ballady? I like the fake choir in the background (it sounds like something produced from the keyboard XD). Chihiro’s voice is so strong in this version to. I love both versions respectively.

Favorite Tracks:
1.) シャイン (album version)
2.) 月光
3.) call

インソムニア is a great debut album! Chihiro obviously excels at those ballads. Which is what the album is mainly built around on. So if you don’t like ballads or slow songs, please GTFO and don’t listen to the awesomeness that is Chihiro. You can tell I enjoyed this album a lot since I love anything with pianos and strings and an awesome voice ;D But anyway, the ballad sound does get a little tiring after a bit. And the single 眩暈, which was released beforehand now sounded boring on here! Maybe if it were used early in the album I wouldn’t have minded it as much. But other than that, solid debut album that deserved the #1 spot on the ORICON charts wholeheartedly.

A

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