25 posts tagged “single”
I don't tend to listen to Japanese boybands. I don't mind them or have some kind of hate for them I've just never really been able to get in to their music. Tohoshinki is the only Japanese boyabnd I like and technically they are korean. And shh..but sometimes I listen to KAT TUN. XD HOWEVER I sat down to watch Maou the other day and well, I fell in love with the opening. It's not a perfect song but damnit it's so catchy! I also like about Japanese boybands is how well packed their singles come- you get so many songs and instrumentals! This single has not one nor two but three songs on it! This is my first Arashi single I'm listening to in full too. Here I go eh? This is their 23rd single released 2008.08.20.
1: truth
2: 風の向こうへ
3: スマイル
4: truth (Original Karaoke)
5: 風の向こうへ (Original Karaoke)
6: スマイル (Original Karaoke)
Truth is a fastpaced pop song with a darker edge.
Truth starts pretty strangely, and it kinda puts me off but then it builds up to sound pretty cool. I like the dark atmosphere to it. There's heavy use of synth, I also really like the piano/keyboard part and the strings are pretty cool. I think there's an electric guitar too. The instrumentation is really fitting to the darker theme and creates a fitting atmosphere. The vocals are not the best, sometimes they sound a little flat (in the verse where they need to relax more in order to get a smooth lower note) but overall they are passable and they sing the song well. I like the bit at the end of the chorus where they reach to the higher notes, it's very light and quite pretty: not to mention interesting contrast to the lower notes of the verse. I also like the part where they overlap the vocal parts. I won't call this amazing but it's catchy and it sounds so good. I find it amusing the engrish though- "I'll take your life forever". Well you can't take the life and give it back. :P This is a good song with a rather nice, darker atmoshpere and an interesting composition. Lastly, This sort of song is rather fitting to the drama maou- even the lyrics reflect the storyline which is rather cool.風の向こうへ was the NTV Beijing Olympics theme song. It's an upbeat pop song, totally contrasting to truth. There's something incredibly cheesy about it but hey this is a johnnys group. The vocals aren't good but they are decent and appropriate to the song. The rythmn of the chorus is pretty cool and I like the ad-libbing. The speaking fits in nicely too, and I like how it's overlayed over the repetetion of that one line. I really do like the overall feel to it, and it's pretty infectious with it's happy hopeful ness. Overrall it's happy happy catchy catchy pop fun. I can tell this will get stuck in my head (and refuse to leave). I think it could get annoying if you listen too much to it though!
The last song is スマイル (smile). The opening is very strange and once the song gets going it's more a chilled out sort of pop number. It's about the same standard as the A-sides. The song is very cute and upbeat and still just as catchy. There's no real interest though- nothing that stands out or you can say "hey! that's pretty cool". It's standard pop fare but it still sounds very nice. It's very upbeat with sweet vocals, nice rythmns, a romantic feeling and decent instrumentation.
I... I really like this! There. I got it over and done with. truth is the dark one, and 風の向こうへ is very happy happy hopeful one, and smile is the more relaxed but still sunny and happy pop song. The vocals aren't the best but fit the songs well. I'd say this is a pretty cool single. I'm definitly interested in Arashi now.
Rather threatening title neh? XD Miura Daichi, and this song, is someone I discovered through Himitsu. The song Inside Your Head is pretty catchy and I grew to like it rather alot. Now I find the full single! Released on 2008.07.23 this is his 6th single. This was produced by the guy who produces Namie Amuro's stuff.
Tracklist:
1: Inside Your Head
2: Magic
3: Inside Your Head -DJ KENT REMIX-
Inside Your Head is an addictive dance track with a bit of an RnB beat. The song is fast with lots of synth, and good vocals from Miura Daichi. It's got a nice beat and it's pretty sexy (the bridge is very sexy... ). Either way it's a great track that is really catchy. The use of synth and electronic sounds gives the song a good feel. Miura Daichi's vocals are stunning. It's got good instrumentation, a nice beat and alot of variation to keep it interesting. A really good track. Did I mention addictive? :P
Magic is a much more prominent RnB number. The whistling opening is a little strange, but once the beat comes in it proves to be quite a smooth RnB number with nice expressive vocals from Miura Daichi and hints of pop. I like the ballad feel given to it by Daichi's vocals, and the accoustic guitar is quite pretty. There's something a little annoying about it, it's certainly not the standard of Inside Your Head however it's still got quite a nice feel and is decent to listen to. Rather relaxing and laid-back and I really like Miura's vocals. Take away the whistling though!!
Wait? Is this....a good remix? Woa!! The remix of Inside Your Head gives it a heavier RnB feel to it, the dance feel it very subdued instead the remix focuses alot more of Miura's gorgeous vocals. There's an annoying background instrument that gives the beat, but otherwise it's a decent remix and is rather toned down compared to the original. I think I still prefer the original though.
Overall? Inside Your Head is the strongest track on the single, it's quite sexy and is wonderfully addictive. Magic has a few weird bits, but is decent to listen too. Magic is let down by the wierd bits though. The remix of Inside Your Head is not as aweful as I'd imagine, but that too has some wierd bits. Stil, it's a good song and a decent remix. It brings out another side of the song, and is alot more focused on Miura's vocals which is never a bad thing. I'm rather impressed by this single. Miura has rather nice vocals, and I like the RnB feel to his music, as well as the synth. This is a good single and I would reccomend it!!
I'd obviously heard of Chemistry, they are a massive duo (one of Japans biggest)... however I'd never really bothered to actually listen to their music (yeah, pretty bad right?). That changed when I was watching Antique Bakery, and I immediatly got hooked on the opening song. The PV then came out, and I was even more impressed with the full version. Now the whole single is out and I can hear the D side- which though personally I think the K side is better, is still pretty nice and relaxing. This is Chemistry's 24th single released on 2008.08.20 (I'm reviewing the promotional single). Wierdly the single doesn't come out in a million different versions :P
Tracklist:
1: Life goes on ~Side K~
2: Life goes on ~Side D~
2: Life goes on ~Side K~ [Less Vocal]
2: Life goes on ~Side D~ [Less Vocal]
Life goes on ~Side K~ has a rather offputting opening, with some kinda of electronic slide and some speaking, but once the song gets going it's got quirky electronic instrumentation. The use of electronic instruments, and effects creates a really cool, really catchy song. My favourite bit is the chorus, which has a very uplifting feel. The whole song feels very hopeful, got a "life goes on" feeling to it aka appropriate to what it's trying to say. The duo sound amazing, their english is good and I like being able to understand the song just a little. The bridge is kinda cool too, a little darker than the rest of the song but definitly adds to the overall atmosphere. This is a fantastic, uplifiting song. It's quite unique, but rather catchy and the different effects make it very interesting to listen to. I really adore it, and it's totally worthy of putting on repeat for a few days. (Not that I have or anything :P)
The Life goes on ~Side D~ is a more relaxing, laid-back version of the K side- well, it's like an accoustic version. It still has a rather nice feel to it, and it's all soft and relaxing with beautiful and sincere vocals however I think the electronic version I prefer, perhaps having listened to it more or because I like the feel of the song more. The D side is not bad, it's very relaxing and beautiful to listen to. The soft instrumentation is very pretty. The D side presents a new side of the song, a more subdued and perhaps more bittersweet version of it and it's absolutly lovely.
Despite being only two version of the same song, I adore this single. The A side is a catchy and upbeat electronic pop tune, and the B side is a softer and more laid-back accoustic version. The K side has a wonderful feel to it and is totally catchy. The D side is very beautiful and rather relaxing to listen to. Overall I prefer the K side, but both songs are amazing. This really is great to listen to and I would totally reccomend it!
alice nine. is the band I always hear about but have never bothered with much. Then I read Rockerica's review of their latest single and decided I might as well give it a try. So here I am sampling alice nine with their latest single Rainbows. I last listened to them many months ago, I think their alpha album. all I remember is the vocalists deep voice. Haha. This single was released on 2008.08.06 and came, like most singles do, in many wierd versions (well, three :P)
Tracklist:
1: Rainbows
2: ストロベリー ファズ (Strawberry Fuzz)
3: 胡蝶蘭 (Kouchouran)
Rainbows is upbeat and fast but with a darker feel. The instrumentation is pretty cool, especially the guitar part(s-the bass sounds kinda cool too) and the use of...was it a keyboard or some synth? Either way the overall composition of the song is really good, gives it a dark and almost sexy feel. And the vocalist sounds good; he really belts it out, lending a certain power to the song. It's pretty catchy and rather cool. Once again I'm reminded of how deep the vocalists voice is! Beautiful voice though. This song reminds me of a song I cannot think of right now... either way it's really good! Quite a powerful and catchy song.
The first B-side is ストロベリー ファズ and yeah wierd title and another upbeat song which actually has more of a pop-rock feel to it, leaning towards the rock of course. It's got decent instrumentation, once again really cool guitar and good vocals too. A nice B-side and though it's not as strong as Rainbows it's not bad- it's got a good feel too it and is good to listen to. Can't help but feel it's nothing special though, especially after a track like Rainbows.
胡蝶蘭 is the track only available on regular edition. It's a laid back song with a more gentle feel to it- like a ballad. The song is quite relaxing, with good instrumentation and wonderful, emotional vocals. It's very pretty. It sounds like it's aiming for a certain power, and I don't think it achieves that really. It's more relaxing kinda hypnotic feel to it than powerful and in your face type ballad. That still doesn't mean it's bad, it's a great song to listen to. Just doesn't move you in the way certain songs do (see: Despairs Ray or 12012 ballads : ) ). It's a very beautiful song though, and as I said it's so laid-back and relaxing to listen to with some very beautiful and sincere vocals.
This was quite good. Rainbows is a really cool song and Kouchouran is a nice laid back ballad like song, Strawberry Fuzz I think is the weaker track made for putting on in the background and nothing more. I also think that the look, the promo pictures for the single are reallly cool. It's quite creative how they incorporated the rainbows in there and it looks awesome. No doubt that no matter what I think of their music, alice nine. all look really good just about always XD This was quite a nice single with a couple of strong tracks, and overall the composition and vocals were clearly very good. I rate is low as I don't feel that's it's something I will put on repeat or listen to obssesivly.. so thus it's not something I would reccomend. I don't think I'm hooked on this band yet, though I may try mirrorball still. :D
what is it with the massacring of the english language by Japanese bands? This one's called Veltpunch, whatever that is or means (it doesn't sound like it means anything to me, though I could be wrong). Seems they a resonably well known with a few singles and albums already. I don't know what single of theirs this is, though I do know it was released on May 21, 2007 and was used as the opening to Nabari no Ou.
1: CRAWL
2: BANANA to BUTTERFLY (lol)
CRAWL is an awesome pop-rock song. I'ts upbeat with a dark and rebelious feel. The vocalist has a good voice, the instrumentation is very good- and surprisingly the english in the song makes sense and is pronounced quite perfectly. The two vocalists, the girl and the guy, when they sing together it works well. This is a really good track, and it's quite catchy too.
BANANA to BUTTERFLY has an odd name. It's another soft rock song wich is a bit more downtempo, a little more ballad like than CRAWL. The instrumentation is still really good, especially the guitar part, as are the good vocals. I love how it varies throughout the song, going through like phases almost, segments with different feel and emotions. The guitar really drives the song forward for this one, and Taisuke Endo has a chance to do his "screams" (that's actually what he's listed as doing, as well as drums). The song is pretty powerful with alot of emotion and technically it's brilliant. Ignore the strange title and it's a good song!
Overall Veltpunch have a sound reminscent of the styles of LAST ALLIANCE, pigstar and perhaps ELLEGARDEN. Their music is technically good, as well as being good to listen to. Both songs hold a certain power to them. Furthermore, The two vocalists work well together, and both songs have some very nice guitar solos. This is a good single from an obviously talented band.
Despite debuting in 2007, this is only ON/OFF's second single- released on 2008.06.0. The title track, ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪 was used as the vampire knight ending theme. It has a very cheesy title but is a nice gothic/rock/pop fusion piece. Then it's the required upbeat pop piece in the form of シグナル followed by the ballad 朝焼け and a nice laid back pop rock piece, サガシモノ.
The single was released in three version. A normal first press and a normal edition, then a vampire edition featuring Kaname and Zero on the cover and coming with a Vampire Knight version of the song (presumbly a TV size).
Tracklist:
1: ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪 (Two beats and the Red sin)
2: シグナル (signal)
3: 朝焼け (morning glow)
4: サガシモノ (searching ones)
After the dissapointing Still Doll, I wasn't really willing to give the Vampire Knight ending theme a try. However- ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪 is really good! It blends a gothic sound with rock pop- it's pretty decent. Ignore the cheesy, overall angsty/serious title and the laughable *this is a serious song that has to do with vampires* organ opening, and just listen to this song. As soon as the first verse comes the song transform. The blend gothic organ, and pop rock makes for great instrumentation. The duo don't have very strong voices, but it really works for the song. I love the repetetion of the chorus bit, and they harmonize well. It all blends really well to make a great, nice to listen to and not to mention catchy song. It doesn't have alot of emotion, but it does have a nice dark and heavy sound to it. The guitar solo near the end is pretty awesome too.
Unfortunatly, the rest of the single isn't as strong. Track two シグナル is an annoying pop tune with disco like instrumentation. I didn't get past the introduction.
朝焼け is a mundane, very average ballad. It opens with some strange synth, before the beat and the vocals come in over some soft instrumentation. The Duo's weak, pretty emotionless vocals let them down though- though they do harmonize well. It's a very average song, average vocals, pretty but expected instrumentation: OK to listen to know and then but nothing spectacular.
サガシモノ is a nice laid-back, pop rock tinged song to end the single off. It's reliant on the upbeat, happy little guitar part and light, joyful vocals from the duo. Once again their vocals are weak, a bit nasally- but it kinda works in this song. I quite like the overall laid-back feel too the song, and the use of the echo on their voices. It's a very nice song.
Overall? ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪 is the only song that really caught my attention, and maybe サガシモノ. It's clear these boys aren't that cute, and their voices are a little nasaly too. It's pretty cool how they are twins though ^_^ Anyway, back to their voices. It's very average singing, pretty nasally monotone and not the strongest .On ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪 it works for the track, and it kinda works for the last track but they can't pull of a ballad well. Track 2 had stupid, riduculous instrumentation so I didn't even bother. It's decent. The first track is amazing, but the rest bar track 4 falls short.
Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草; pulling weeds) is Onitsuka's 11th single and her first after switching labels. It was released on 2004.10.27 and was her last single before going on hiatus. Unofrtunatly the song never made an album, though the B-side was remade and put on her album LAS VEGAS released later on.
Tracklist:
1: Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草; Pulling Weeds)
2: Rainman
3: Sodatsu Zassou (backing track) (育つ雑草; Pulling Weeds)
育つ雑草 is perhaps the most unique thing Onitsuka Chihiro has ever done. It's a full blown rock track with a dark sound and rebelious, pessimistic lyrics. Though she has dabbled in rock with tracks like Innocence and later Amphibious this is probably the heaviest she's ever gotten. Even the cover is beautiful, but dark and her expression angry. The song opens with the sound of wind blowing (?) before breaking out into the fast, gritty rock part. Onitsuka's voice is deep and bitter sounding. The lyrics are dark, contemplating the hypocrisy of the world and the feeling of being numb to everything, feelings of unsatisfaction with life: "I'm free, and yet not free in the least" and "Feelin' like a stray dog, I'm dead right now" It's a powerful rock track. I love the adlibbing, like her comparison to a stray dog it's like a desperate howl. The song is so angry, so emotional. Fucking awesome. There's a part of me that wants her to make something more like it, but there's part of me that realises this is probably gonna be a one-off and that perhaps it's better that way.
Rainman sounds very out of place after such a track as 育つ雑草, however it isn't bad. The song is simple piano and voice, and it is etirely in english. It's a quirky and cheerful song, totally contrasting to the dark and bitter song before it. It's a nice wind down, but pales in comparison to 育つ雑草.
Overall? 育つ雑草 is one of my favourite Onitsuka Chihiro songs. It's a powerful, angry song but it still remains beautiful. Onitsuka Chihiro has a wonderful voice and she proves how versatile she is by doing such a track as 育つ雑草 is and doing it so well. The lyrics really stand out to me as well. They are incredibly powerful. Rainman is not a favourite of mine, it's actually a very bland track for me. The single is worth listening to for 育つ雑草 alone and for that reason I will give it the mark I do : )
As promised I'm here with Tohoshinki's latest, "Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?" or why did I end up falling for you? (another translation being why did I fall in love with you? etc). This single hit one on the oricon, sending Tohoshinki into the record books (evidence). I'm happy to hear this, as this is one amazing amazing single. The A-side leaked very early, but the actual single was released on the 16/07/08.
Tracklisting: (combining the versions together)
1: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?
2: Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep)
3: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (accapella)
4: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (less vocal)
5: Box in the Ship (less vocal)
Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? is an amazing track. It's a beautiful ballad with a steady RnB beat. It opens with a pretty ethereal little part before introducing the vocal and the main beat. All members sing with so much emotion, enough to move (even) me to tears (at first, I have become immune now :P ). The song is incredibly sad, about two childhood friends. In a typical manga situation the guy hasn't been able to confess, and now the woman is getting married. The lyrics are absolutly stunning. This song is just perfect, coming together so well. Everything just sounds so beautiful and sad.
Two versions of the PV were made for this- a drama version which did not feat Tohoshinki and another version which included scenes of Tohoshinki. The drama version is excuted well, with scenes fitting the lyrics and pretty decent acting. The Tohoshinki version slides in scenes of each band member, and then a group shot. Their faces can be a ltitle overacted, but otherwise they look very pretty in white.
Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep) takes a 360 from Doushite etc and is a fun, upbeat summery tune. It's complete with Island like instrumentals and happy vocals. I love the adlibbing little thing they do- the "ahoy" thingies. It's very typical little pop tune, but I'm a sucker for their vocals and the "boxing the sheep" is pretty amusing (if slighlty strange... they should really tell them how to say these things! Pronounce your engrish properly!). The instrumental break is a little dark sounding for the song but still adds a little bit of variation. The bit just before the ending, where they overlay their vocals, is very nice.
Lastly there is an Accapella version of Doushite etc on the CD only version. Accapella pretty much annoys me, but this one is quite pretty. Apart from the overly pronounced "ohs" the vocals are still beautiful and emotional. They keep good rythmn and the dynamics are good. The accapella version certainly captures the emotion of the song. To be honest I love the song, so another version is quite appreciated.
I'll also note that I like both the instrumentals for Doushite etc and Boxing the Sheep. It does bring to light how repetetive both isntrumentals are, and how Tohoshinki drive the song forward by themselves for the most part.
The single balances a heart-breaking and beautiful ballad, with an upbeat and fun little summer number. This contrast works rather well, if it was too ballads or "sad tracks" it would be down right depressing right? Tohoshinki showed a very mature side of them with their last single, beautiful you and they continue to improve and show this mature side with Doushite etc. It's a beautiful, and memorable track filled with alot of emotion. Box in the Ship is cute without being annoyingly so, and their engrish is lol worthy. It's nice to listen to and very catchy. Overall this single is a must listen. It's amazing. Tohoshinki are clearly a talented and mature boyband. (atleast now...)
I couldn't resist reviewing this. It's a great song. I first heard it as the opening of Junjou Romantica, and kinda fell for it after a few listens. The song continues to amuse me because listening to it reminds me of the opening to Junjou Romantica, which is very pink, very flowery and just throughly amusing in it's Shoujo-ness/Bl stereotype (you can tell it's playing it up for the fangirls). The B-side is also really good. So here is pigstar Kimi-hana. No idea when it was released. This band ain't well known.
Tracklisting:
1: Kimi=Hana
2: gore
3: Kimi=Hana (instrumental)
4: Gore (instrumental)
Kimi=Hana is an upbeat pop-rock song. It's fast with aggressive vocal parts and romantic lyrics. I like it. The instrumentation is really good, and the vocalist sounds really good too. His voice is beautiful, and he puts enough emotion into it. The song is pretty long, but thankfully got enough variation to keep it interesting. After a while the verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus gets old then the bridge comes in. The guitar solo is decent and the repetetion of the vocals gives a good feeling. I really like the ending too. It's a pretty good, and fun song.
gore has a very strange name, but is a beautiful rock ballad. The instrumentation is beautiful, as is the use of strings. The guitar part is really good too. The vocalist sounds beautiful, and his voice carries alot of emotion. The way the song builds up the chorus is wonderful. I love the emotion in the song. The use of different dynamics also helps add to the emotion. It's very beautiful, emotional and powerful ballad. (I used the word beautiful alot but it's a fitting word for the song)
Overall once again I'm thankful to anime for introducing me to new, and excellent music. This single is amazing! OK, I might be tiny bit fangirling right now and maybe I'll grow bored but right now I'm in love. The vocalist (or vocalists...not sure) has a nice voice, similiar to the vocalist of LAST ALLIANCE. Kimi=Hana is a fun and upbeat pop-rock number, and gore totally surprised me by being a beautiful and heartfelt rock ballad. You should check it out! You know they really remind me of LAST ALLIANCE- and that can never be a bad thing. Hopefully because of the tie-in with Junjou they'll get more attention, and I'll be able to find more of their stuff (or later releases)
It's finally out!! I'm so happy. Released on this is Suzuki Ami's 29th single, her 14th on Avex and her second produced by that awesome dude from capsule. Then again I only like his Suzuki Ami productions, as well as perfume's secret secret. Otherwise both meg and perfume are rubbish. Suzuki Ami though really suits the genre- and she can actually sing. And she looks really hot on the single covers, somehow not sl^tty at all.
Tracklisting:
1: ONE
2: A token of love
3: ONE (instrumental)
4: A token of love (FM88 mix)
ONE kicks off with the distorted vocal part before coming in with the electronic instrumentation. Ami's voice is distorted, especially on the longer notes, but it don't sound bad. The song builds up the very catchy chorus. Again her voice is distorted but it works really well in the context of the song. For sure it meets the specification of "upbeat" and "sparkly". It's an amazing song, comparable to the awesome FREE FREE. It's got great electronic instrumentation, effects and variation. I love Suzuki Ami's voice, emotionless or distorted or just as she is. I love the repetetion of "number one" and also the meaning of the song, which is I think about "the one" and "only one in this world". It's cute. But it's also quite sexy, especially with the whispering voices and stuff.
The PV for ONE is also very sexy, with bad dance moves but cute outfits and pretty face makeup. Suzuki ami looks great and though the lights are blinding, it fits the song well.
ONE is cute and sparkly with a sexy edge. It is AWESOME.
The single takes a slight downfall with A token of love as the B-side. It's still great, but it's very very long. Like ONE it's all very electronic, and it's great with lots of varioations and effects. This one has a much more spacey feel though. Suzuki ami comes in with her "oh" and she sounds really good. It's all very techy and quite nice. She sounds a bit robotic in the verse though- like she's trying to be cute but the distortion means she sounds like some sort of alien. The pre chorus continues to be irritatiing, before the plain and dragged out chorus. The you and me is like some creepy alien coming after a human... "hehehe. You and me~~~~~"
Can you imagine that? XD sorry... bad joke...
There are good parts of the song, and they are very good, sprinkled with some bad parts of the song, and they are pretty irritating. It's all very cutesy (more creepy) and techy. Not bad but it may have to grow on me.
Overall? ONE is so awesome, and A token of love despite my taking the mick out of it is also quite good. I do think that Yasutaka brings out the best in Suzuki Ami, and I'm glad that there's also gonna be a full album of this standard. It's not a bad single, on the contrary it's pretty damn good. ONE is up there with my favourite electronic songs. A token of love will continue to make me giggle, but will probably still linger on my playlist.
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J-rock music reviews Updated: Oct 19, 2009
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