Post by molotov889 on Jun 24, 2004 15:51:00 GMT -5
Ok, so I got lots of new CD's recently, and here's one grand all-encompassing review 
.
Move- Burning Dance- 4/5[/u]
Ok, I know this one's old news, and everyone's prolly heard these songs already. All I'm gonna say is that if you don't have this single album, you really should get it. It's Move at the height of their electropica era, and the overall feel of the songs is very 80's dance, with a splash of latin thrown in- almost a call back to the days of Gloria Estefan. I like this one a lot.
HAL- As Long As You Love Me- 3/5[/u]
The first time I listened to this CD, I actually couldn't make it all the way through. Halna's voice seemed to over power the instrumentals way too much, and the songs seemed to run together, which always turns me off from a CD. However, I have since relistened to it, and the CD isn't nearly as bad as I first thought it was. I can see how some people think they copy Ayu on some songs, but really, their sound is usually quite different. It's a nice blend of electronica and ballad. Something I think is actually a bit unique. This CD is a very slow CD, though, so if you get it, don't expect to be dancing in your seat or anything. However, that makes it really good for when you just wanna relax and be peaceful. The songs I really liked on this one were Introduction and Kokoro~inwardly~.
Olivia- The Lost Lolli- 3.5/5[/u]
This one ended up being really unlike what I was expecting. I had heard some of her previous songs, and was drawn not only by her voice, but the unconventional way in which she structures her music. Some of the songs on this CD were like her previous work, but a lot of the songs were pretty heavy rock, with a lot of screaming from Olivia. Oh yeah, I was really surprised when I found out that every track on this album is completely in English. This CD does take on the full range of emotions, though, from loss and despair to quiet contemplation, to anger, to hope. If you want something that's not quite like anything you've heard before, I'd recommend any of her music, including this CD. My favorites on this one were Alone In Our Castle and Sea Me (English Version).
Koda Kumi- Feel My Mind- 3.5/5[/u]
I admittedly haven't listened to this one much, but it was still a very enjoyable CD. I found her style to be pretty similar to Boa's, which may be why she was paired with Boa for the Song+Nation CD. A lot of the songs on this CD have some good beats that are pretty danceable. I enjoy how she goes back and forth between straight-out pop and hip-hop even in the same track. Favorites were Break It Down and Crazy 4 U.
Olivia- Dekinai- 5/5[/u]
This is the type of music that I have come to expect from Olivia (see The Lost Lolli, above). Again, she's got her own sound that I have yet to really see imitated. The title track is really, really good, especially with her repeating the word "dekinai" in the background throughout the chorus; it made it pretty dreamlike. The other tracks are really good, too. Especially Pass Me The Sugar (Heat In Beat Mix). I had already heard that one before, and it's long been a favorite of mine
.
Misia- Mars and Roses- 4/5[/u]
This one wasn't quite as good as I was hoping, given how good her Kiss In The Sky album is. Her style hasn't really changed that much, but she just didn't seem to have as creative songwriting this time around. I did find it pretty cool that she has a duet track with Erykah Badu on this album, though. Overall, the tone was pretty quiet, and pretty slow. I still can't pick out any favorites on this one though.
Song+Nation2- Trance- 5/5[/u]
Ok, first of all, there are two albums in this one- and they're very different from each other. The first album is more your typical trance style, the kind of stuff you would here in clubs anywhere. The second album, though, seems to have a lot more originality thrown into the remixes, and is, to me, a lot better than the first album. However, ALL the songs on both CDs are still really, really good. Some of them really are just amazing, you just have to hear the. Plus, this collection has the Tatsumaki remix of Romancing Train, so if you want that song, but don't want the Romancing Train single, here's another option. (BTW, it's a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY good remix). My favorites are Lights Brought the Future (TK Remix), Lovin' It (Tatsumaki Remix), and A Song Is Born (Tatsumaki Remix).
TRF- Loop #1999- 4/5[/u]
This CD ended up being a lot different from what I was expecting. Namely, a lot more energy than I thought there would be, and a lot less trance sound. It's almost like this CD's made for a constant party atmosphere. I kinda wish there'd be more serious singing on this album because one of the girls (the lead singer, I suppose) has a really interesting voice, but she doesn't get nearly enough attention in these songs. Kinda the opposite problem HAL's CD had for me. Favorite so far is Slug and Soul.
Alright, well, that's the huge wrap-up. Sorry 'bout the length, but I really didn't wanna make seperate threads for each one. Plus, that prolly woulda been more obnoxious. If you have any questions about these CDs or wanna know more, just ask.
.Move- Burning Dance- 4/5[/u]
Ok, I know this one's old news, and everyone's prolly heard these songs already. All I'm gonna say is that if you don't have this single album, you really should get it. It's Move at the height of their electropica era, and the overall feel of the songs is very 80's dance, with a splash of latin thrown in- almost a call back to the days of Gloria Estefan. I like this one a lot.
HAL- As Long As You Love Me- 3/5[/u]
The first time I listened to this CD, I actually couldn't make it all the way through. Halna's voice seemed to over power the instrumentals way too much, and the songs seemed to run together, which always turns me off from a CD. However, I have since relistened to it, and the CD isn't nearly as bad as I first thought it was. I can see how some people think they copy Ayu on some songs, but really, their sound is usually quite different. It's a nice blend of electronica and ballad. Something I think is actually a bit unique. This CD is a very slow CD, though, so if you get it, don't expect to be dancing in your seat or anything. However, that makes it really good for when you just wanna relax and be peaceful. The songs I really liked on this one were Introduction and Kokoro~inwardly~.
Olivia- The Lost Lolli- 3.5/5[/u]
This one ended up being really unlike what I was expecting. I had heard some of her previous songs, and was drawn not only by her voice, but the unconventional way in which she structures her music. Some of the songs on this CD were like her previous work, but a lot of the songs were pretty heavy rock, with a lot of screaming from Olivia. Oh yeah, I was really surprised when I found out that every track on this album is completely in English. This CD does take on the full range of emotions, though, from loss and despair to quiet contemplation, to anger, to hope. If you want something that's not quite like anything you've heard before, I'd recommend any of her music, including this CD. My favorites on this one were Alone In Our Castle and Sea Me (English Version).
Koda Kumi- Feel My Mind- 3.5/5[/u]
I admittedly haven't listened to this one much, but it was still a very enjoyable CD. I found her style to be pretty similar to Boa's, which may be why she was paired with Boa for the Song+Nation CD. A lot of the songs on this CD have some good beats that are pretty danceable. I enjoy how she goes back and forth between straight-out pop and hip-hop even in the same track. Favorites were Break It Down and Crazy 4 U.
Olivia- Dekinai- 5/5[/u]
This is the type of music that I have come to expect from Olivia (see The Lost Lolli, above). Again, she's got her own sound that I have yet to really see imitated. The title track is really, really good, especially with her repeating the word "dekinai" in the background throughout the chorus; it made it pretty dreamlike. The other tracks are really good, too. Especially Pass Me The Sugar (Heat In Beat Mix). I had already heard that one before, and it's long been a favorite of mine
.Misia- Mars and Roses- 4/5[/u]
This one wasn't quite as good as I was hoping, given how good her Kiss In The Sky album is. Her style hasn't really changed that much, but she just didn't seem to have as creative songwriting this time around. I did find it pretty cool that she has a duet track with Erykah Badu on this album, though. Overall, the tone was pretty quiet, and pretty slow. I still can't pick out any favorites on this one though.
Song+Nation2- Trance- 5/5[/u]
Ok, first of all, there are two albums in this one- and they're very different from each other. The first album is more your typical trance style, the kind of stuff you would here in clubs anywhere. The second album, though, seems to have a lot more originality thrown into the remixes, and is, to me, a lot better than the first album. However, ALL the songs on both CDs are still really, really good. Some of them really are just amazing, you just have to hear the. Plus, this collection has the Tatsumaki remix of Romancing Train, so if you want that song, but don't want the Romancing Train single, here's another option. (BTW, it's a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY good remix). My favorites are Lights Brought the Future (TK Remix), Lovin' It (Tatsumaki Remix), and A Song Is Born (Tatsumaki Remix).
TRF- Loop #1999- 4/5[/u]
This CD ended up being a lot different from what I was expecting. Namely, a lot more energy than I thought there would be, and a lot less trance sound. It's almost like this CD's made for a constant party atmosphere. I kinda wish there'd be more serious singing on this album because one of the girls (the lead singer, I suppose) has a really interesting voice, but she doesn't get nearly enough attention in these songs. Kinda the opposite problem HAL's CD had for me. Favorite so far is Slug and Soul.
Alright, well, that's the huge wrap-up. Sorry 'bout the length, but I really didn't wanna make seperate threads for each one. Plus, that prolly woulda been more obnoxious. If you have any questions about these CDs or wanna know more, just ask.
