Startin’/Born To Be…
November 8, 2009 at 1:54 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: March 8, 2006
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
1. Startin’ (original mix)
2. Born To Be… (original mix)
3. teens (acoustic version)
4. Startin’ (original mix Instrumental)
5. Born To Be… (original mix Instrumental)
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The Startin’ (original mix) is pretty upbeat for my taste. The introduction has a little hip in the beats that sounds a little out of place in the song since the vocals has a touch of agressive pop in it. This was probably the first A-side that Ayu’s vocals began to sound more mature but even so, I got pretty boredof this song quickly.
Born To Be… (original mix) begins with a choir singing “Born to be” until Ayu’s vocals enters in not soon after. Now, this is new Ayu material since her songs aren’t normally oriented this way. Plus, her vocals were flawless but the arrangement still didn’t go up a notch.
Finally, the teens (acoustic version) has more stings elements instead of the traditional guitar and piano. The overall melody was great since it’s claming to the ears but now I’m wondering, was there even an original version of this song?
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
Whew…(cont.)
November 5, 2009 at 9:15 PM | In ~News | Leave a CommentI also forgot to mention that the updates will be slowing down be cause of Nanowrimo. (National Novel writing month.) I’m not sure whether to define this “slower pace of things” as a hiatus though. (since I’ll still be around.)
These past few weeks have been hectic! There are so many tests to study for, rehersals to attend and club events to participate in! I know I usually write and post tons of reviews during a month’s time but for now, I’ll write a few a week. I’m thinking it would probably be like this until a week after Thanksgiving. (Since the dance recital is during Thanksgiving week.)
Thank you for visiting the blog once in a while and I will continue crossing off the to-do lists….slowly…
~Eve
hellcat
November 5, 2009 at 7:31 PM | In Kuroki Meisa | 1 Comment
Artist: Kuroki Meisa
Release Date: April 8, 2009
Label: Studioseven Recordings
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
1. Hear the alarm?
2. Like This
3. Bad Girl
4. Criminal
5. No, no, no
6. SEX
7. Lost
8. THIS IS CRAZY
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I’ve actually listened to Kuroki Meisa’s music for about a few months already (thanks to Minna star), I was just too lazy to feature her on the site.
Followed by the strange but interesting instrumental segment that’s played at the beginning of Hear the alarm?, Meisa’s strong vocals come into the song, displaying her debut greatness. Unlike most artists, her vocals were smooth. The song is great-and-all at first but it gets a bit repetitive and boring after a while.
Like This has weird rapping at the start of the song with a messy arrangment. Her vocals may have the personality that most J-pop artists don’t give out but the instrumentals doesn’t really support it. I thought that the majority of the song sounded pretty random and annoying with all of the rapping.
The vocals in Bad Girl were just like they were in Hear the alarm? It becomes noticeable how Meisa sings with more energy during the chorus and her vocals tend to stand out more.
At least Criminal begins with awesome instrumentals! I have to admit that the instrumentals owned the song but a song with nmemorable vocals gives off a really bad after taste.
A personal favorite song from the album is No, no, no which has some cool jingles of some sort at the beginning. This time, Meisa’s vocals are supported by the arrangement and could easily transition from the lower to higher notes throughout the song.
SEX doesn’t come out as aggressive enough plus the arrangement does not clearly match with her vocals. Once again, there’s a random rapper that comes out of nowhere. (that’s getting really annoying.)
The least agressive song on the album is Lost since there wasn’t much going on. Meisa seems to be having trouble reaching some of the higher notes and her vocals performance wasn’t as good as usual.
THIS IS CRAZY is another dance track with distorted vocals. Unlike the vocals displayed in her other songs, THIS IS CRAZY lacks energy and personality.
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
Shock: Unmei
November 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM | In Kuroki Meisa | Leave a Comment
Artist: Kuroki Meisa
Release Date: July 22, 2009
Label: Studioseven Recordings
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
1. Shock: Unmei
2. Wasted
3. Bad Girl (Bachlogic Remix)
4. Shock: Unmei (Instrumental)
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I thought that the instrumentals in Shock: Unmei were cool, with the aggressive pop beats and fragements of classical parts being mended into the arrangement. And then all of the sudden, “ready for the shock.” I like how the energy of the song can really get the listener’s attention and get really addicting.
Waster was definitely a waster for the single. There’s not much going on and the arrangement doesn’t go well with Kuroki’s vocals. And it doesn’t hold a candle to Shock: Unmei. (Okay, maybe I over exaggerated there.)
Kuroki Meisa’s album, hellcat was released a few months before this release so the original version of Bad Girl could be found there. The Bad Girl (Bachlogic Remix) isn’t totally different from the original, the beats are the only “different” elements in the song.
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~
November 5, 2009 at 6:30 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: August 12, 2009
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
1. Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ (Original mix)
2. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL ~ (Original mix)
3. fairyland-glitter-BLUE BIRD-Greatful days-July 1st (Mega-Mash-Up-Mix)
4. Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ (Original mix Instrumental)
5. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Original mix Instrumental)
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When I first heard about this ayu release, I was like “what’s with the ‘~LOVE is ALL~” at the end of every song? And the cover; Ayu looks like she went to a tanning place.
The Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ (Original mix) brings us all the way back to her last album NEXT LEVEL with all of the new hardcore electronica elements with a hint of Summery influence. At least Ayu gives off a positive touch to her vocals.
Oh, so that’s why there’s ~LOVE is ALL~ in the titles. The Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ (Original mix) is the upbeat version of Sunset ~LOVE is ALL ~ (Original mix), which is the ballad version. The only down side is that some songs can’t really me made to a ballad once it’s already heard as a hardcore track. The elements that worked for Sunrise just doesn’t cut it for Sunset.
The fairyland-glitter-BLUE BIRD-Greatful days-July 1st (Mega-Mash-Up-Mix) is literally a mashed-up version of all five of Ayu’s summer songs put together into one song. I don’t think that this was the first time that she has done something like this…
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Whew…
November 5, 2009 at 6:14 PM | In ~News | Leave a CommentThese past few weeks have been hectic! There are so many tests to study for, rehersals to attend and club events to participate in! I know I usually write and post tons of reviews during a month’s time but for now, I’ll write a few a week. I’m thinking it would probably be like this until a week after Thanksgiving. (Since the dance recital is during Thanksgiving week.)
Thank you for visiting the blog once in a while and I will continue crossing off the to-do lists….slowly…
Girl
November 5, 2009 at 6:03 PM | In Younha | Leave a Comment
Artist: Younha
Release Date: July 22, 2009
Label: Geneon Entertainment
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. Girl
2. Okuri Sobireta Kotoba
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Since Younha has moved onto a new label (Geneon Entertainment) Girl sounded quite different than her usual music. (Which is okay since it’s been like, two years already.) I love how the mixture of piano, pop and beats could really blend in well with Younha’s vocals. In a way, it reminds me of Jyongri. (In a good way.)
Okuri Sobireta Kotoba is more dance-like than her usualy pop oriented style. At least, the kick-ass piano is still in her arrangements. But for me, this is good for a B-side.
I’m surprised to see how Geneon didn’t even bother adding the instrumental versions. I totally wanted to hear what Girl sounded like without the vocals…
Personal Rating: 4/5
Bold & Delicious/Pride
November 1, 2009 at 7:57 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: November 30, 2005
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. Bold & Delicious (Original Mix)
2. Pride (Original Mix)
3. HEAVEN (House Mix)
4. Will (Wall5 Remix)
5. Bold & Delicious (Original Mix Instrumental)
6. Pride (Original Mix Instrumental)
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I was definitely taken by surprise upon hearing the sudden “Yayayayaya gagagaga dadadada wowowowo” at the beginning of the Bold & Delicious (Original Mix). Sure it’s a little weird so during my first listen, I immediately changed the song to a more interesting Ayu track. But when I finally came back to listening to the song (this time the WHOLE song), I actually changed my impression. Well, I’ll say that it wasn’t really a stunning Ayu song but I really love how we could feel Ayu’s joy as she happily sang the delicious lyrics with a bold chorus. Quite a new arrangement wouldn’t you say?
The Pride (Original Mix) took a major contrast compared to it’s first A-side. At least with Pride, it’s a lovely ballad. I’m not going to lie but the arrangement isn’t incredibly special but Ayu could really synch her voice with the background chorus could easily manipulate the emotion that she puts into the song. There’s just something about this song that makes me want to listen to it over and over.
Personal Rating: 4/5
Fairyland
October 29, 2009 at 6:06 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | 2 Comments
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: August 3, 2005
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
1. Fairyland (Original mix)
2. alterna (Original mix)
3. STEP you (DJ TAKI-SHIT More Step Up Remix)
4. Fairyland (Bright Field mix)
5. Fairyland (Original mix Instrumental)
6. alterna (Original mix Instrumental)
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Wow. Rumors state that the PV for “Fairyland” is one of the most expensive music videos.
To be honest, the Fairyland (Original mix) was one of the first Ayu songs that I’ve listened to. (Aside from Dearest and Endless Sorrow.) The begining is a bit quiet with fast beats but with Ayu singing with a little distortion. Soon, the instrumentals explode into a Summer-pop oriented song, returning Ayu’s voice back to normal and singing at loud volume. The development of the chorus really made the song memorable but with a mixture of happiness and sadness. (You’ll understand when you watch the PV.) Probably one of my favorite Ayu songs.
The alterna (Original mix) has a similar opening but with a more agressive feel while singing the “heys.” The only downside of the song is that verses are the majority of the arrangement and doesn’t show much of a chorus builder.
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
talkin’ 2 myself
October 29, 2009 at 5:49 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: September 19, 2007
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. talkin’ 2 myself (Original mix)
2. decision (Original mix)
3. fated (Orchestra version)
4. talkin’ 2 myself (Original mix Instrumental)
5. decision (Original mix Instrumental)
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I think that this was the single when Ayu began to add drastic changes to her style. (From pop to hardcore electronica)
The talkin’ 2 myself (Original mix) had a pretty cool introduction with all of the quick guitar instrumenals being played and a quick jump into the song. Ayu’s vocals take on the lower register but then it suits the mood of the song with all of the electricity flowing within the song. Perrsonally, I think it totally beats her last release, glitter/fated.
decision (Original mix) also jumps into the fast and aggressive mood of the song since the guitars still blares and Ayu still sings in a lower pitch. The genre still falls into the same category as talkin’ 2 myself but Ayu seems to sing with even more power here. (Possibly even more electrifying than the A-side?)
The fated (Orchestra version) sounded much more serene and gave off a graceful touch to Ayu’s style. Definitely worth a listen.
Personal Rating: 4/5
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