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?
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?
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