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: Say I Am You (2005)

Say I Am You
2005
The Weepies

Like folk? You’ll like The Weepies. Say I Am You is their second album, following their first independent release Happiness (which contains the very beautiful Somebody Loved) and it is a pretty darn good collection of songs.

The album opens with three strong tracks. Very folk, very catchy. Gotta Have You is a particularly wonderful bittersweet folkish-popish song. I have to say that I’m fonder of Deb Talan’s tracks than Steve Tannen’s (like Riga Girl or Suicide Blonde).

Tracks like Painting by Chagall and Not Your Year have a tune that’s easier to appreciate. The melodies are charming to sway or sing to and Deb Talan’s voice is interesting.

I think The Weepies is a pretty strong folk band and they do manage to produce five or six songs that are likeable which safely keep them out of the self-indulgent music category. I like them.

FINAL RATING:
[3.5] out of [5]

MUSIC: This is the One (2009)

2009
UTADA

I can immediately say one thing: this might be the one.

The undeniably famous Utada Hikaru boldly ventures once more as Utada and it seems like she means it this time. This is the One sounds completely different from Exodus and for that matter, it almost sounds nothing like the JPop artist Hikki.

Of course, the album does feel familiar. The first track, On and On, sets the mood of the album the way We Fight the Blues eases you into the Heart Station. The difference, however, can be seen in the entire production. Utada is very American RnB with lyrics to match.

While Hikki sings about staying gold and celebrating, Utada is kind of flirty and bold. Perhaps Utada Hikaru realized that there is little connection with the audience if she keeps singing songs like Kremlin Dusk.

Tracks like Devil Inside have been replaced with the likes of Apple and Cinnamon. The beats are simpler (but not dumb and repetitive) and the lyrics are definitely catchier.

Automatic Part II immediately caught my attention mostly because I wanted to see how different it was from the unofficial part I. Utada clearly wants to set herself apart. She even immediately follows it with Dirty Desire and Poppin‘ to drill the idea into your head.

There is a lot of effort in this album and while Exodus has been criticized as self-indulgent, I feel the urge to call this album almost superficial. But it is an album that is aiming for the mainstream. It is pop and it is superficial. If I were to judge it as that, it succeeds. It is a good record. Fun to listen to.

With proper promotion, this album will go places Exodus couldn’t.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

SPECIAL – Paramore

Artist: PARAMORE
Albums:
All We Know is Falling (2005)
RIOT! (2007)
More Information:OFFICIAL WEBSITE
-

Upbeat, surprisingly positive, loud but not angry or whiny. They’re young and proving that young does not equate to stupid or green.

Admittedly, their debut album All We Know is Falling sounds less polished or perhaps less produced but it is a great album. They avoid being whiny and generic or perhaps I’m completely blinded by how catchy their songs are. Songs to keep an ear out are Let This Go, My Heart, and my personal favorite, Here We Go Again. All We Know is Falling shows off the potential the band has in terms of their music and lyrics.

RIOT! on the other hand, is better produced and the band has found comfort in their sound. It beats All We Know is Falling in terms of catchy-ness. Their hit singles Misery Business and Crush Crush Crush are the rather weak songs of the album containing too much pop and too little depth. However, all the songs eleven songs are a pleasure to listen to. Assuming you’re not initially antagonistic of this generation’s punk bands, you’ll find yourself quite amused as you listen to That’s What You Get, When it Rains and Miracle.

They are of course, not without fault. They’re young and they have so much room to grow. Right now, they’re amusing to look at because of all the potential they are showing off.

The fun part of listening to Paramore is a sense of knowing that these kids are having fun. That kind of thing is contagious.

Check them out!
–
See them here:
Paramore @ LJ
Paramore @ MySpace

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]

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]