Post by molotov889 on Jan 9, 2006 2:16:56 GMT -5
Got a small handful of reviews for you folks here. Just as a heads up, I'll be getting some 20 CDs throughout this month, and early next, so keep on the lookout for some reviews as the month progresses.
First up:
Double- Life Is Beautiful[/u]
I just have to say that this album totally changed my view of Double. Previously, I knew I liked her voice, and I liked her normal R&B tone, but I didn't paricularly think her talent or voice was anything noteworthy. I couldn't have been more wrong. This album, though a very different style than her normal music, may be the best example of her raw and true talent. The tone and style of this album is more along the lines of the jazz of the 20's and 30's, and a few of the tracks are even covers of songs from that era. Double not only sings these tracks well, but true to the style of the original artists. As a whole, I can't say that there's a track on this entire album that I didn't enjoy. For all of the tracks, it can be said that if it's not fun, it's certainly beautiful and moving. Also, I enjoyed hearing Double's personal take on Life Is Beautiful, the same track that appeared on M-Flo's Astromantic. Double's version is a bit more laid back and refreshing. Favorites on this CD were Bye Bye Baby, You Took My Heart Away (track 4 ver.), Wine Red No Kokoro, Lullaby of Birdland, and Life Is Beautiful ~Double Version~.
Ayumi Hamasaki- (miss)understood[/u]
I am officially once again in love with Ayu's music. Though it certainly has been an interesting trip she's taken us on from & all the way through to My Story, I had felt it was a little strained at times, and even hoped she would move away from doing so many ballad-style tracks. Well, she's now back to more of a pop-standard style, and it is everything I hoped. Of course, Ayu still manages to be unique while staying true to her pop mastery. This album is also particularly succesful because of the many different styles and tempos that she uses. All in all, this album marks a very good step forward from My Story, with much catchier tunes, and much more mastered technique. Some favorites on here were Bold & Delicious (I have no idea why some people have complained about the chorus- to me, it's just so much fun), STEP you, Ladies Night (I've always been a sucker for Ayu's rapping ever since Fly High, plus, you gotta love the electrofunk feel of this track), alterna, Will, and Beautiful Day. I have to say that Will really surprised me. I think this may be Ayu's best technical performance to date. The control of her voice on this particular track was more than I expected from her. Hope there's a remix album to follow, these songs seem like they could be remixed well.
Pandart Sasanooha- Pandart Sasanoooha[/u]
Man, do these guys have some crazy energy! If you don't know, these guys are another producer-only outfit like Fantastic Plastic Machine (I forget the Japanese word for this). However, P&Art just have a much more over-the-top take on their music. In that regard, they remind me of the way Move can sometimes be, and of YMO. Even though this album has quite a few tracks, P&Art still somehow managed to make them all unique enough to be remembered individually. Some of the things they do which makes their music so succesful is to blend instruments from both East and West (when was the last time you heard a banjo in J-pop?), and to build a song out of one melody with many different tempos. It keeps you on your toes, and always ready for the next turn the songs will take. Awesome tracks here were Pyramid, Superstar, Rodeo Machine, Bulldog, and Deck A Pie.
Pandart Sasanooha- Music[/u]
Like their previous self-titled album, this one has a lot of energy, always presented very uniquely. This album, though, seems to have even more of a Western (mostly European) influence than the previous one did. I was really surprised by their version of Dancing Queen because I have never heard a version of that song that I liked, and yet they were able to accomplish that. There are a few tracks on this album that are repeats (radio edits, mostly) of tracks on the first album, but I felt that the full originals were better, and definately give a better feel than their radio edits counterparts. (This could be a reason to check out the first album, as well. The biggest difference is definitely felt on the track Pyramid.) I really do think these guys at least deserve some checking out because their music will keep you guessing, and you will love every minute of it. Favorites here were Dancing Queen, George, Panda Paragraph, Jean Amnouk Super Beauty, Burn Baby Burn (Golden Young Mood Mix), and track 24 (Hammer Saw?).
First up:
Double- Life Is Beautiful[/u]
I just have to say that this album totally changed my view of Double. Previously, I knew I liked her voice, and I liked her normal R&B tone, but I didn't paricularly think her talent or voice was anything noteworthy. I couldn't have been more wrong. This album, though a very different style than her normal music, may be the best example of her raw and true talent. The tone and style of this album is more along the lines of the jazz of the 20's and 30's, and a few of the tracks are even covers of songs from that era. Double not only sings these tracks well, but true to the style of the original artists. As a whole, I can't say that there's a track on this entire album that I didn't enjoy. For all of the tracks, it can be said that if it's not fun, it's certainly beautiful and moving. Also, I enjoyed hearing Double's personal take on Life Is Beautiful, the same track that appeared on M-Flo's Astromantic. Double's version is a bit more laid back and refreshing. Favorites on this CD were Bye Bye Baby, You Took My Heart Away (track 4 ver.), Wine Red No Kokoro, Lullaby of Birdland, and Life Is Beautiful ~Double Version~.
Ayumi Hamasaki- (miss)understood[/u]
I am officially once again in love with Ayu's music. Though it certainly has been an interesting trip she's taken us on from & all the way through to My Story, I had felt it was a little strained at times, and even hoped she would move away from doing so many ballad-style tracks. Well, she's now back to more of a pop-standard style, and it is everything I hoped. Of course, Ayu still manages to be unique while staying true to her pop mastery. This album is also particularly succesful because of the many different styles and tempos that she uses. All in all, this album marks a very good step forward from My Story, with much catchier tunes, and much more mastered technique. Some favorites on here were Bold & Delicious (I have no idea why some people have complained about the chorus- to me, it's just so much fun), STEP you, Ladies Night (I've always been a sucker for Ayu's rapping ever since Fly High, plus, you gotta love the electrofunk feel of this track), alterna, Will, and Beautiful Day. I have to say that Will really surprised me. I think this may be Ayu's best technical performance to date. The control of her voice on this particular track was more than I expected from her. Hope there's a remix album to follow, these songs seem like they could be remixed well.
Pandart Sasanooha- Pandart Sasanoooha[/u]
Man, do these guys have some crazy energy! If you don't know, these guys are another producer-only outfit like Fantastic Plastic Machine (I forget the Japanese word for this). However, P&Art just have a much more over-the-top take on their music. In that regard, they remind me of the way Move can sometimes be, and of YMO. Even though this album has quite a few tracks, P&Art still somehow managed to make them all unique enough to be remembered individually. Some of the things they do which makes their music so succesful is to blend instruments from both East and West (when was the last time you heard a banjo in J-pop?), and to build a song out of one melody with many different tempos. It keeps you on your toes, and always ready for the next turn the songs will take. Awesome tracks here were Pyramid, Superstar, Rodeo Machine, Bulldog, and Deck A Pie.
Pandart Sasanooha- Music[/u]
Like their previous self-titled album, this one has a lot of energy, always presented very uniquely. This album, though, seems to have even more of a Western (mostly European) influence than the previous one did. I was really surprised by their version of Dancing Queen because I have never heard a version of that song that I liked, and yet they were able to accomplish that. There are a few tracks on this album that are repeats (radio edits, mostly) of tracks on the first album, but I felt that the full originals were better, and definately give a better feel than their radio edits counterparts. (This could be a reason to check out the first album, as well. The biggest difference is definitely felt on the track Pyramid.) I really do think these guys at least deserve some checking out because their music will keep you guessing, and you will love every minute of it. Favorites here were Dancing Queen, George, Panda Paragraph, Jean Amnouk Super Beauty, Burn Baby Burn (Golden Young Mood Mix), and track 24 (Hammer Saw?).
