MUSIC: Riff Rain (2008)

Riff Rain
2008
School Food Punishment

If I hadn’t heard their song Futuristic Imagination for the anime Eden of the East, I would never have thought of checking out School Food Punishment. Because they’re called School Food Punishment. It makes me think of a scattered and noisy band.

I really, really wish they had picked a better name because it definitely does not suit their sound which is the beautiful mix of pop-rock and a dash of electronica resulting in post-rock.

Riff Rain is their third mini-album and all the tracks are neatly done and arranged. The piano and drum mix plus the “effects” is interesting and melodic. Coupled with Yumi Uchimura’s vocals, the songs become very easy to listen to.

The second track, Feedback, feels like an attempt at a very big arrangement but it falls short. This along with Killer are a bit on the heavy side which drifts towards pop-rock and this makes them feel a bit uninspired or uninspiring.

The more light or upbeat songs like Flow and Egoist bring out the better side of School Food Punishment. The music is better, complementing the vocals.

The song Futari Umi no Soko is a highly recommended track. It has a fairly simple arrangement, rather light, bordering on slow but is ultimately very catchy and the vocals just flows with the music very well.

FINAL RATING
[4] out of [5]

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

MUSIC: The Return of the Chlorophyll Bunny (2003)

The Return of the Chlorophyll Bunny
2003
OLIVIA

In this (mini) album, Olivia opens with more ambience and less rock. The first two tracks, Dreamcamp and Skip to a Little, are slower than her previous works. This gives us the opportunity to actually hear Olivia’s voice with minimal production. It’s actually heavier and deeper, less annoying than the usual high-pitched JPop voice. But then again, Olivia’s not very usual.

The Return of the Chlorophyll Bunny sounds different from Olivia’s previous releases because you can actually hear the musical instrument in the background. I don’t actually usually pay attention to these things so when I notice them, I’m pretty sure something is up.

I wouldn’t say that this release is better but it does deviate. The sound is more solid (yet still accessible) rock rather than an eccentric, experimental, trip hop style.

In terms of song title and song style, this is Olivia’s most accessible album yet. There are no quirks and the songs are actually easy to sing along to. She’s beginning to sound like Evanescence way back when they released Origin.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MUSIC: Merry & Hell Go Round (2003)

Merry & Hell Go Round
2003
OLIVIA

I’d describe Merry & Hell Go Round as ‘ambient gothic’ but then again, even I don’t know what exactly that means. The first two tracks, SpidER Spins and Denial, feel like they belong to a film about vampires. Not the Nosferatu, disfigured vamps but the hot vampires that this generation might associate with Stephanie Mayer. I haven’t actually read her books but I do love vampires so the fact that Olivia’s music can be associated with bloodsuckers is quite good.

While Blind Unicorn continues with a rock sound, Olivia breaks the monotony with Cupid. The track throws in her dark trip hop style that I have become quite fond of.

The album closes with a lot of noise. Sugarbloodsuckers is the experimental rock side of Olivia and I won’t say I like it. I actually cringe at the track. But if you listen carefully, you’ll hear Olivia singing these aria-like bits. The mix is not that bad but I don’t think I’ll ever be a fan of this style.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MUSIC: Internal Bleeding Strawberry (2003)

Internal Bleeding Strawberry
2003
OLIVIA

You do have to at least love Olivia for using these quirky album titles. Thankfully, it matches her music.

Internal Bleeding Strawberry contains seven tracks of pretty solid music work. The opening track, Sea Me, carries a heavy pop rock sound which continues on to Solarhalfbreed. The lyrics melt into the sound which is, to me, a good thing. At least it doesn’t clash with it.

The lyrics can be a little strange e.g. Color of Your Spoon. I have no idea what Color of Your Spoon means and sue me for wondering if it’s something sexual. I actually like this song most (out of all Olivia’s work) because it’s catchy. The beat is slow and the way she sings is very soothing. It makes me feel very light.

This (mini) album is interesting enough. Olivia’s voice in Into the Stars is a little high but it’s something you can overlook if you manage to appreciate her style. Dress Me Up will test your like for her as she sings: “Don’t dress me up. I’m already dressed. Do you like my shoes?”

I suppose the reason why I find listening to Olivia pleasant is because it’s a bit different. If you like a splash of color… on your spoon, you’ll like this.

FINAL RATING
[4] out of [5]

MUSIC: Comatose Bunny Butcher (2003)

Comatose Bunny Butcher
2003
OLIVIA

I never really thought of checking out Olivia. If you don’t know her yet, she’s more famous for providing the music of Reira from the Nana anime.

First of, she’s really pretty. When dressed up in loli-like clothing anyways. I had no idea what her music is like and easily dismissed her as being a cutesy, same-old-same-old artist.

Occasionally, being proven wrong is good.

Comatose Bunny Butcher is Olivia’s third mini-album. I will be doing a review of her discography (albums + minis) and I thought it’s fun to start with this one. Why? Because the title is fricking “Comatose Bunny Butcher”. I’m sure the morbid is already interested.

I don’t really have all that much knowledge about music but I like what I like. Strangely enough, this is how Olivia defines her music. One minute she can be slightly pop and the next, she’s experimental rock.

The mini is an introductory course to where Olivia’s music trips can lead. It opens with Celestial Delinquent which has this Mario Brothers beep music which might put people off but get past that, you’ll start appreciating Olivia’s… shall we say, eclectic style.

She sings English here and there and for those who are not big fans of Japanese Engrish, fret not. English is her first language and I think she sings best in it. Her voice is just below the typical high-pitched Hamasaki Ayumi-ish, idol-type voice and I can actually honestly say that it’s pleasant. She even belts out a few ‘screamo’ lines as illustrated in the second track, 026unconscious333.

Her style is still within pop rock here but in a different way that Anna Tsuchiya is. Olivia’s sound is heavier, more Ben Gibbard-ish marries Amanda Palmer-ish. That is to say, a bit of trip hop mixed with punk cabaret (or perhaps, rock cabaret?). But still quite pop enough not to completely fall in experimental rock.

The sound mixes soft melodies with fast beats. I’m not describing it very well but I can say that it’s absolutely entertaining to listen to. It’s outside what I usually hear.

As far as Comatose Bunny Butcher goes, I like its pace. Quick and heavy with fascinating beats and interesting style.

I suppose that if by listening to this, you find a mild liking for her, then you’ll like most of her work.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

MUSIC: Heart Station (2008)

Heart Station
2008
Utada Hikaru

Following three hugely successful singles, Utada Hikaru released Heart Station. By now, you probably noticed that I am one of her many fans. But that doesn’t prevent me from saying that there’s something missing in Heart Station.

It’s not a bad album. Aside from the singles Flavor of Life and Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry, it contains solid tracks like Stay Gold and Celebrate. Prisoner of Love makes me iffy because it sounds so darn cheesy. The opening track Fight the Blues is another strong track and hearing it always makes me feel light.

It’s just that Ultra Blue was a really dynamic album. From the opening This is Love to Passion, the album felt like there was so much effort and thought and feelings inside it. Heart Station has good songs but no kick.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MUSIC: Ultra Blue (2006)

Ultra Blue
2006
Utada Hikaru

My initial reaction to Ultra Blue was: why is it called Ultra Blue? Utada Hikaru actually addresses that issue but we’re not here to discuss that.

As an album, I like Ultra Blue. It contains six previously released singles and seven new songs, including the Japanese theme from Kingdom Hearts II, Passion.

Admittedly, the six singles are the strongest tracks. Keep Tryin’ is on top of my list because it is so darn catchy plus the music video makes it all the more fun. Be My Last is a beautiful song and Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro is almost moving.

Maybe I have a certain bias towards Utada Hikaru but I really like her later efforts. She sings with more feelings and the songs aren’t altogether generic. Her voice is very easy on the ears too. Her sound has become more dynamic than the average popstar.

Ultra Blue has the right amount of accessibility and quirk. Her music and style has become more solid (I think) and this album shows the better changes that has happened to her as an artist.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]