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Old 2012.06.25, 12:46 AM   #36
matan-san
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just got my copy yesterday, here are my thoughts after a first listen about some of the highlights (and not-so-highlights):

Ikiru - fantastic way to open the show, I thought it should have opened the Ultra C tour too (never was much a fan of kachi-ikusa). I always wanted them to hear them do Ikiru with an orchestra and my wish came true. I still prefer the Ultra C a tiny bit more, because the piano made it sound more intimate

Atarashii Bunmei-kaika - I was never thrilled about it before this performance, but the orchestra definitely gave it the extra oomph which elevated it into a show highlight

OSCA - I liked the dancers here doing the dance from the PV, but their appearance on other songs was unnecessary and even annoying imo, I wouldn't care so much if their choreography was good, but it was far from it.

Season Sayonara - Saito's violin here was a welcomed addition to a song I didn't care so much about before

Kaitei ni Sukuu Otoko - I really like the new motown-like arrangement with the brass, I loved Ringo with the pink afro. her and the 2 other girls looked liked the Japanese version of The Supremes lol.

Kai Horror Dust - I didn't liked that song on color bars at all, but here it was really fun, mainly because of Izawa's visual-kei attire. it was nice seeing Ringo on the piano too.

Honto no Tokoro - I loved the color bars ver. and I loved it even more here, it was nice seeing Ringo rocking the drums with a pink afro

sa_i_ta - I was a bit disappointed by this one actually. the additional effects were nice but I felt Ringo was quite bored singing it and her vocals sounded a bit weak. I prefer the studio ver.

Zettai Zetsumei - the idea of remaking this song as electro disco with orchestra was great, but sadly the result was not so great. the electro backing track itself was quite boring and Izawa's piano was clearly missing. I also felt Ringo's vocals got buried by the orchestra and even clashed a few times with the backing track. I liked Ringo's Vogue dance but the other dancers were clearly unnecessary

Ice Cream song - it's Bon Voyage's JCHI Service, only without Ringo to save it

Oishii Kisetsu - that's the only Chiaki song I liked in it's original version, but of course SR sang it much better, loved the orchestra in it, I loved Ringo's red dress, the boys looked fab too

Onna no ko - finally we get to hear this song with a live orchestra, I liked how when she got to the english part her vocals became a lot stronger

Omatsuri Sawagi - similar to EXPO's version, but this time Ukigumo decided to use a nylon guitar instead, good choice

Tengoku (for the tube) - the better version of Tengoku, I loved the James Bond-like orchestral arrangement, a show highlight for me

Time Capsule - I was quite disappointed by this one, I would prefer if they played it like the studio ver. without drums, I don't think Hata would refuse a little break to take more pictures. Ringo's vocals were also a bit harsh here

Killer Tune - loved the brass

Sora ga natteiru - why did they had to play it again? they already looked bored playing it in the Discovery tour

Gunjou Biyori - I was never a big fan of this song but that was a good version

Seishun no Matataki - best song on Bon Voyage hands down, thank god Ringo decided to sing it herself. I still don't have a clue why she gave it to Chiaki the first time around as it's one of the best ballads she wrote.

Toumei Ningen - I still wish they would've chose a more poignant song to end their last show with like Tegami or Kimaru, but It was still emotional and you could see the sadness on Ringo's face, even though she tried her best to look happy.

overall, this is obviously TJ's best concert visually (though JCHI's artiness comes close), I only think the dancers were unnecessary. musically though I feel the show could have been better if they played more songs from Adult and Kyouiku (I would love to hear Blackout with the orchestra again for example) and less from Sports
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