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Old 2011.06.28, 06:07 AM   #17
mr. Pillow
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Italy
Posts: 160
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Okay then, this is the first time ever I actually review anything here. Let's get started...

= very good
= good
= so and so
= not convinced
= useless/don't like it

01. Tengoku e Youkoso For The Disc feels very appropriate as a opener. Also, this feels like the proper version of the song - I was never pleased with the original, as I said earlier in another thread. It has a vague exotic feeling, and this is the only possible link I could think of watching the album cover. I always think of TJ as a "cool band with a cool sound" - just think of Adult -, I can't deny they may give the impression they're trying too hard to keep this attitude every single time, and that it may look constrained sometimes. This is not the case, though.
02. Zettaichi tai Soutaichi still sounds like a mixture of Denpa Tsuushin and Noriki (two favourites of mine from Sports). I'm not particularly fond of this track, though. It's listenable, just nothing exceptional.
03. Atarashii Bunmei-kaika...and so TJ thought they needed an english, revised (?) version of Gunjou Biyori, along with an awkward and full-of-randomness promotional video. To my surprise, Ringo's english there is not that bad. There are times when I don't understand a word of what she's singing - of course, not being a native-speaker doesn't help either. But that's not the point. Actually, I like that she's tried to sing in several languages throughout her career; sometimes, though, I just wonder why she does that, if she really has no interest to perform in or appeal to foreign countries. Back to topic...I needed several listens to be fully convinced, but now I quite like this track. It sounds more typically TJ-ish.
04. Denki No Nai Toshi is currently my favourite track from the album. It's true that it's a bit reminiscent of both Pinocchio and Tegami (iirc, people on 2ch said it), but to my liking it is superior to both of them. Could be a great closing track for a concert. I find a vague similarity to Rakujitsu, too. Piano-driven tracks win me every single time.
05. Kaitei ni Sukuu Otoko scares me for the sole fact that I keep hearing some bits of Keikoku (please don't kill me, nor go all like "OMG BLASPHEMY") here and there. It's the typical Ukigumo-penned good-for-lives track, and it's also a bit reminiscent of Mirrorball - Ukigumo's songwriting is pretty much always the same and I'm not an avid fan of it.
06. Kinjirareta Asobi sounds so mysterious in the beginning, then reveals its raw nature. 2ch users said it was KSK-ish, I can see their point but I don't really get the comparison. It's ok, not particularly noteworthy, probably another great live track. I can hear Ringo's compositional vein here, this is a good sign.
07. Dopa-mint! BPM103 is surprising. As I said for Tengoku, I never liked the original song. This jazzy, mellow interlude-like arrangement made the song 10x times better. The result is surely less messy than the original, and fits better overall in the album context. Definitely approved.
08. Osorubeki Otona-tachi is a bit meh. I only hear Kameda's bland composing, which I've never been a fan of. It's listenable, though I'll most likely skip it in the future.
09. 21seiki Uchuu no Ko. Ok, what is this? The next Toumei Ninge...sorry, I meant Senkou Shoujo. I don't hate this type of songs, but, seriously, do TJ need a generic-sounding one for every single album? And I even like both of the aforementioned songs. Skippable if not useless.
10. Katsute wa Otoko to Onna. Variety leftover, anyone? Pointless and boring. Whatever.
11. Sora ga Natteiru would feel just right in another japanese rockband album. However, when placed here it sounds rather generic and hardly takes a spot. Overall, I think it's a bit out of place and should belong to another group. I still want to hear Ringo's solo version.
12. Kaze Ni Ayakatte Yuke/Ike feels like a big "WTF", it's awkwardly placed and hardly works as a transition to the next song. I don't really get it. Weird song and lyrics (the english ones at least). It's not that bad, but definitely needs more listenings. But, seriously, what the hell? The album worked so well until Dopa-mint!, but then...
13. Onna no Ko wa Daredemo. Don't blame me, I have a thing for the so-called showtunes and this song is nothing short of a nu-Shiina instant classic. I just love it. But it has no place here. Should have been on Sanmon Gossip instead. My vote is clearly influenced by its odd placement, otherwise it would have got a green approve sign.
b.t. Tengoku he Youkoso For The Tube has rather weird english lyrics and a rather unattractive arrangement. The song has its potential, the new version proved it. In this guise I'm completely indifferent to it.

Forgive my awkward english speaking (writing?), I hope I made myself understandable. I didn't put much thought as I would in this "review". Briefly, for me the album stopped working after Dopa-mint!. It's anything but cohesive, but as a whole I've got no particular complaints: I like Daihakken. More than Sports, actually. That's all.

Last edited by mr. Pillow : 2011.06.28 at 10:22 AM. Reason: Corrected some typos, softened opinion towards track 12.
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