Onitsuka Chihiro - everyhome [single]

Onitsuka Chihiro is back after a long break from the music scene. My sister was introduced to the great artist during her summer trip to Japan. I was told she took a break due to health reasons and she had surgery on her throat. I was worried that the surgery may prevent her from singing, but she has dropped this single and you know what? She still go it. (personal note: I need to review her other albums I have obtained)


1. everyhome - The song is just so beautiful. I was up late one night this summer and I found the PV and thought everything about this song was just incredible. Her voice is still prominent and although it is still noticeable that she had surgery, it's still strong and emotional. The piano accompaniment is the only backing she has and quite frankly, all she needs.

Welcome back Onitsuka Chihiro, we missed you.

2. MAGICAL WORLD - Continuing with the mood of everyhome, this song almost blends in with the ending of the the previous track. when playing in my Itunes, I almost didn't realize that everyhome ended and MAGICAL WORLD began. Again, the piano only services as the sole back up and again i think it's all she needs. I'm really fascinated with the quality of her voice. It's really unique.

3. 秘密 - More upbeat of the three tracks on this single, 秘密 (Secret) is a catchy tune. It's one of those songs that can get you working and concentrating on something. The tempo of the guitar and the drum are consistent and are not overpowering.


Overall, I can safetly say that Onitsuka Chihiro is back and she's still as good as before. I look forward to future releases and now I'm really going to go back and re-listen to her previous work.

Angela Aki - TODAY [album]

An Evening with Angela Aki

After giving a fairly successful demo TODAY in the lithographic process of 2nd etching. Three of the litho students (who had their stones ready) rolled up their image with ink successfully. My day started out rather well. I went to work, and instead of learning more to repair damaged books, I instead cut down labels for the office's Homecoming displays. I learned so much about the history of Bradley University.
I began to feel that the day was already rather pleasant and nothing could make it worse. I was in the need for some groceries when I decided to venture to the local Kroger's. I picked up some stuff and headed home. My arms were full of bags when I came to the security door of my building. The "older gentleman" was exiting at the same time and I thanked him again, as he has held the door open for me twice now. He's a nice man, I should make a note to talk with him more. Anyways, I stepped inside through the doorway, and he asked me if I lived in Apt #7. I said I did and he proceeded to tell me a small package with sitting on the floor for me. I glanced down and strained my eyes to make sure the label was clear.
Oh I was so giddy, I told him " thank you" and I bent down to pick it up! A package from CD JAPAN! It finally came!!! I thought I would get it on Tuesday, (Ironically, today) but it came a whole day earlier! I like to think it was a great gift for having such a splendid day. Some can say my day became great at that moment, but OH MAN DID IT GET EVEN BETTER!
I popped in the DVD first as I wanted to save the songs for when I could really sit and pay attention. The PV's were even more beautiful in CD quality! 孤独のカケラ (special version) was so much better on my television, than on Youtube. There were so many small details that were so magnificent when I could actually see them!
Once dinner was made and I sat down and talked with my sister as she had just gotten her copy as well. (we totally listened to it at the same almost precise moment...how weird is that?) I decided to pull out a binder with extra notebook paper. I needed to write down my thoughts of each song. I was going to be so prepared.
The CD was placed in the player, and I only hit the "play" button when I was completely ready. Alright, Ms. Angela, let's see what you have brought to the table.

push play.

1. サクラ色- The album opens with a familiar tune. I fell in love with this track the first time I heard it while watching the PV someone shot with their digital camera (back in the beginning of the year). As a song I felt is signified a growth from her HOME album, while still maintaining the same essence. This song complimented the ideas present in her Debut.

2. Again - I've waited for so long (as many others I'm sure) to have this song in CD quality. Upbeat and peppy - mmm- makes me just want to walk anywhere with my Ipod, the world in front of me. I don't know the destination I'm headed for, but I know I'll find where ever I'm supposed to be, and that everyone I met on this walk I will see again. Don't get me started on the PV...I'll just say I loved it.

3. TODAY - This is NOT a cover of the Smashing Pumpkins = This is an original song! I Love the word "today". There's something very absolute about it. I wasn't sure what to expect, having heard the cover of the Pumpkins so much. I found myself hopping/bouncing around my apartment. (There went the sitting down to write as I listened idea.)

4. 愛のうた - The beginning almost had me singing Sarah McLachlan's Angel, (Angel-a? ahaha, I think it's was witty). I got a very Sarah feel from the song - especially from the sound of the Surfacing album. 2 minutes in, I got a Damien Rice feel from the steady but not over powering drum. The slight Gospel stylings in her voice were like liquid gold...and that French Horn feature ------MELT MY HEART! This woman just knows what I like to listen to and to keep me listening. If she had a choir backing her on this one with some nice harmony (nothing powerful like gospel choirs) this song would have been AMAZING!

5. たしかに - Following such a rhythmic tune, たしかに wakes me up from the dreamy daze and re-energizes my senses! It's summer all over again! I still put this song on when I need to lift my spirits and brighten my day. The song is so alive that I literally feel the weight off my shoulder lift and float away. I feel like I can breathe again. I can achieve anything...because I am completely capable of accomplishments.

6. Silent Girl - Bringing down the pace, this song has a similar air like that of the her other song "大袈裟に「愛してる」". With a gentle melody, I was capable of just relaxing and enjoying the music and what it offered. ANGELA AKI DON'T YOU BE THAT SILENT GIRL!

7.モラルの葬式 - With the opening bars of the music, I was completely drawn in and in love. So many people have hailed this as the "宇宙" of this album, and they are right. The song is nothing short of brilliance! The Narrative within this music, and the lyrics are so powerful I immediately started imagining what kinds of people would be involved with the story the song was presenting. Compositionally, I didn't feel like it was "everywhere". Actually it was always moving to one end, and the different paces were just different movements. The five and half minute song was an entire musical in its own. The song, to put it simply, is ART - in all the meanings of the word.

8. 乙女心 - Sassy! This song has a lot of atitude...and not that annoying I know everything bad attitude. Ow! She's on Fire!

9. One Melody - I believe this is her standard Ballad. If applied to a Broadway setting, this could be the on song where the protagonist sings/proclaims to the audience there is always a connection between anything and something else. I imagine themes of finding a common ground seen in the plays and movies.

10. 友のしるし- I thought this lounge style was great. The song didn't come off as offensive (as some fans of Angela Aki seem put off by the style). The slight jazz twist definitely develops with an interesting progression, that I felt satisfied by the end. This song acted as a nice intermission.

11. 孤独のカケラ - To be honest after listening to the single, I really enjoyed "Solitude" more, but that's my opinion. This song still resonated that same way it did when I first heard it. I recognized the level of emotional commitment needed to write it and perform it.

12. On & On - One of my favorite B-sides!!! It's fun, but also manages to carry a somewhat heavy idea "Dreams Live On". Dreams are not meant to be given up on. They are the goals that make life worth living. If we are willing to work hard, we can make every aspect of our lives meaningful! We will define our existence as worthwhile! As long as we can dream - we claim to be living. That's what I think of when I hear this song.


PAUSE - this journey is about to close....let me just take a break.






13. Surrender - Closure has commenced. As the only English track on the album, this song has big shoes to fill where Your Love Song left off with. Surrender gracefully brings the wonderful voyage of TODAY to a much too soon end. The purpose of the last track is to bring the whole album to a conclusion. As Your Love Song did with the HOME album, Surrender does so proudly and with class.



Thus my evening came to a close as well. My monday, September 24, 2007 was amazing. How was yours?

Utada Hikaru - Flavor of Life [single]

What can I say? I'm not a fan of J-drama...but I'm a fan of Hikki. Hana-Yori Dango will not be mentioned again in this entry.


Flavor of Life - I like this version the best. It's not too fast, and not too slow. The more I listened to it the more it grew on me. The layering with backup vocals added so much more solidarity to the song. It definitely felt more fuller and became a stronger track.

Flavor of Life (Ballad Version) - This was used as the insert song, and I found it to be rather draggy. I loved the simple composition of the piano, and the strings, but the tune didn't move fast enough. I often find myself skipping this track.

Flavor of Life -Antidote Mix- I do enjoy this R&B feel of this mix, but again I thought it was extremely too slow. If the tempo were upted just a bit I think it would have made such an impact on the listeners.

Despite two versions, I really like the song, and really the photography that went with single. The images are fun, and are consistent in even in the packaging. Who can ignore the yummy Onigiri seen throught the packaging?

Utada Hikaru - Beautiful World/Kiss & Cry [single]

When I heard that Hikki was going to provide the song for the revival of Evangelion Project. I was a little worried. Although her previous songs had a tie in with another project, I always felt that she was writing for that project and not for herself.

Well, when Keep Tryin' was released, I finally felt Hikki was back to herself. She was writing songs for herself.

This single completely took me by surprise. Beautiful World felt familiar the first time I listened to it. It was rather calming and I wanted to listen to it again after it finished. To accurately described the song, I have to say it's has the atmosphere of Passion, the feel of the Deep River era, and the playfulness from her First Love days. I've been listening to this single everyday for the past week.

Kiss & Cry, the other A-side, was released earlier in the summer. I loved it the first time I heard it. Only Hikki can sample herself and still have a completely different song. The sample of Hotel Lobby (one of my favorites from the Exodus album) grabbed my attention like a boxer knocking out his/her opponent. I love the beat, because I was reminded of the days she worked with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) - 2007 mix - aside from the added strings..this song isn't different the from the recording from back in 1999 (or around that time). The string definitely gave me an EVANGELION feeling, but it was a nice reminiscing song for me.


Overall, I was really happy with this purchase. I had this single on repeat all day, so I guess it means I'm really enjoying it.

お誕生日 おめでっとう！

Happy Birthday to Angela Aki! She has now lived 30 years and is still going!

In anticipation of the release...

Angela Aki has made an appearance on a talk show to advertise the release of "TODAY."

She's known for making a lot of public appearances to promote her music, so I was really surprised. But this time I was quite excited and yet saddened.

As a great gesture to her fans, she signed little mock-up pianos. They were gifts to the guests who were their for the taping of the episode.

They are so cool.

Passing Stranger - Scott Matthews

I was introduced to his music today by my graduate professor. I really dig this album. It's a mix of rock, bules, folk, and something else.

Definitely going to be listening to this numerous times this week.

Pre-Order: Angela Aki "TODAY"

I placed a pre-order for this album early last month! There are no words that can accurate describe how excited I am for the release! Of course I had place my order for the CD+DVD edition, as I now have capabilities to actually play region 2 DVDs!

Definitely, I will set aside an evening to listen, review, and watch PV's once it is out!


Listen to "Again" while we await the arrival of this album!