MUSIC: VOICE (2008)

VOICE
2008
Nakashima Mika

Life, It’s Too Late, Eien no Uta, Sakura Hanagasumi (Dashi Dance), Confusion, I Don’t Know, Shut Up, Orion and Focus.

Was anything left out?

Mika’s latest album contains a total of sixteen tracks. Minus previously released singles and a couple of b-sides, she offers us five new songs.

Life, although dated, is a good song and would have set a good mood for the album if Sakura Hanagasumi didn’t follow it immediately. Even with a different Daishi Dance version, I still prefer skipping this song. The cover for its single may have something to do with it but it is just dull.

Focus gets a slight rearrangement but is still a generally OK song. ConFusion still sounds like a rather good upbeat song reminiscent of Mika’s Nana days unlike I Don’t Know and Shut Up. I don’t think the Mica3Chu songs should have been in the album. They sound way, way out of place.

Orion is still the same (which is sadly, rather bland).

I am glad that It’s Too Late is here. It’s a good reminder of why I liked Mika in the first place. It’s a good pseudo-jazz pop song. In line with that, Trust Your Voice (see Mika’s right wrist) is quite a catchy track. It’s less jazz and more produced pop but it has the right amount of thought in it.

Anata Ga Iru Kara , previously released as a digital single, is similar to Joy. Simple chords, simple happy thought to leave you smiling. My Gentle Men also has a simple melody but it’s a rather so-so ballad. I don’t get anything from it. The same goes with Flower of Time.

The album closes with Koe, which I think is meant to highlight Mika’s voice. If you liked Oborozukiyo~Inori, you might find this OK. It’s an oddly arranged ballad which, again, does nothing for me.

The sad thing about Voice is that it contains too many recycled material. That’s not really a bad thing but the five new songs are too weak. She’s been in this business long enough and sadly, she has not created a voice of her own to listen to. She actually seems to be losing it.

I personally like Mika as an artist and I’ve always enjoyed her music. Which is probably why (although I still like listening to this album) I’m truly saddened by her slow slip into mediocrity.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MUSIC: Orion [SINGLE] (2008)

ORION
2008
Nakashima Mika

It seems that Nakashima Mika got herself inked. That’s the first thing I noticed about this single.

Orion is Nakashima Mika’s return to ballads after her act as Mica3Chuu. For her older fans (the people who loved her before Nana), this release is quite pleasing.

There’s really nothing new about the arrangement and the lyrics doesn’t stick to one’s head very easily but it is quite nice to hear Mika’s voice again. It isn’t as interesting as Sakurairo Mau Koro or even I Love You. As a huge fan of MUSIC and YES, I know that she can do better than this.

The b-side, Focus, is two steps more interesting than Orion. It’s more like Carrot & Whip. Happy beat, more instruments backing her up.

Since I love Mika, I’m going to say that she’s entitled to a few weak songs. The fact that she got a tattoo makes me overlook that anyway…

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MUSIC: Somaru Yo [SINGLE] (2008)

Somaru Yo
Chatmonchy
2008

There are actually three songs in this single. It ends with the very upbeat RPG which encourages rocking, passionate girls to laugh like an idiot (which, I suppose should be taken positively). RPG follows Ai Suteta which is obviously a love song. However, these two songs are completely overshadowed by the first track.

The true, true reason to want to listen to this release by Chatmonchy is the a-side, Somaru Yo. I fell in love with this song right after watching its PV. Usually, I prefer Chatmonchy’s quirky, happy songs but Somaru Yo is just beautiful.

The melody sets this melancholy mood and Eriko Hashimoto’s voice is not too high and is actually pleasant to listen to. It captures a very, very empty feeling and expresses it quite eloquently. That is, if my Japanese is correct.

If you’re a not a smoker and not a social smoker but you smoke a cigarette every now and then not to impress anyone, not to look cool but to fill a certain, nameless void in your life – this song will touch your nicotine tainted organs. Somaru Yo is a pretty song about someone who finds comfort in a little white stick. It’s not patronizing, it’s not encouraging. It’s very matter of fact and I do believe it now ranks among my favorite songs.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

Post script: an English translation of the song that I made is available HERE

SPECIAL: Juno + Soundtracks

Juno
2007
Direction: Reitman, J.
Screenplay: Cody, D.

quickie:
You really should have heard about this movie by now…

general impression:
Impressive

lows:
It’s happy?

highs:
Amazing characterization, pro-choice theme, people supporting people, dynamic relationships

notes:
I didn’t even hear of Juno until everyone else had watched it. Yes, I don’t have a lot of friends. Anyway, there was a copy of it lying on the coffee table so I figured I’d check it out.

To this day, I’m amazed that Ellen Page didn’t win Best Actress. Juno MacGuff is probably one of the most memorable characters in recent cinema history. I don’t care what other people say, Juno is a thought out, well written character. Fleshed out really well too. Actually, everyone in the movie was.

What I love most about Juno (the movie) is that I find myself caring about the characters more than the situation. They feel like people.

Some people have said that the movie is a little too positive, too sweet or too unrealistic but I disagree. I think that the characters were motivated enough towards the actions they took.

I don’t what more to say because a lot has already been said about this movie. It’s just really, really good story.

FINAL RATING:
[5] out of [5]

Juno Soundtrack
Juno B-Sides: Almost Adopted Songs

The Juno soundtracks are a perfect complement to Juno quirky nature. Much like the movie, the soundtrack is simple albeit odd yet catchy. Kimya Dawson and her former band Moldy Peaches (plus a few Antsy Pants) make up most of the track so if you’re not a big fan of her style, then the songs won’t stick to your head. As for me, I found it hard not to sing a long with lines like “And if you want to kill yourself, remember that I love you”

Velvet Underground’s I’m Sticking with You might push people to look them up (if they don’t know them yet…). Kimya Dawson’s Loose Lips is also one of the more interesting songs in the album. There’s also a voiceless track of her song Rollercoaster which I always find myself humming along to. Sonic Youth’s cover of Superstar is a must hear.

The B-sides isn’t as happy-fun-interesting as the main soundtrack but the first two tracks (Me & You and My Wandering Days) are great enough to make it iPod worthy. B-sides also include Kimya Dawson’s version of All I Want Is You which might interest some.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

MOVIE: Smart People (2008)

Smart People
2008
Direction: Murro, N.
Screenplay: Poirier, M.

quickie:
One of them uneventful movies that I adore much

general impression:
Wry. The nice kind.

lows:
Subtlety might translate to boring for some folks, Sarah Jessica Parker, the ending felt a little too sugared up

highs:
Makes you think of things (sort of), pretty good cast

notes:
Yes, I did watch this movie because Ellen Page is in it. The good thing is the characters (with the exception of Sarah Jessica Parker) are quite endearing enough to make you sit though the movie. I think maybe I just like these screwed up people.

Basically, it’s about this grouchy literature professor (Quaid) who is rather miserable. He thinks very highly of himself and cannot get it in his head that other people know about literature the way he does.

Perhaps it’s because I used to study under the literature department that I find the depiction of Quaid’s character funny. He doesn’t think other people are as good as him and as a professor, he does not seem to have an interest in actually educating people. It’s almost sad to see him seeking comfort on the fact that he is an intellectual. Without being smart, he’d just be another miserable creep. I suppose if you’ve never met or have never found these grouchy people interesting and funny, you’d just be kind of annoyed and a little bored while watching Smart People.

The strained atmosphere between the characters is highly amusing. I enjoyed looking at how unsure and uneasy everyone seems to be. It feels real that way.

As for Ellen Page, I’d say that despite the fact that she’s yet again playing a kid too smart / mature for her age, she’s not Juno here. Tomas Haden Church plays the ‘bum’ character very well too. I think his character has a good mix of laziness and contentment. I won’t say I like who he is but I think it’s good to see he’s happy.

However, I find myself in disbelief at the romance between Janet (Parker) and Professor Wetherhold (Quaid). It doesn’t feel like it will work out in real life since Quaid’s character is portrayed as this complete misanthrope. I think there wasn’t enough build up or motivation for the epic change in his character towards the end. I say “epic” here because I just don’t find it believable that a person who is as big as an asshole as Wetherhold can suddenly become accommodating “because he’s sad”. There just wasn’t enough about Janet to make me believe that she can push Wetherhold towards a certain direction.

FINAL RATING:
[2.5] out of [5]