SIREN

When I first heard this album I felt it was very 'soft', and I tended to stick to a few more upbeats tracks like Nurse Cafe and On-Line Malaysia, but a few more listens changed my opinion completely; now, this album is one of my very favorites. Just like all of his work, it sounds far ahead in terms of what the rest of the world is attempting (at least in North America, which has yet to truly appreciate and learn from the beautiful subtleties that Hirasawa employs along with the epic values his works embody). I feel almost foolish for not having at once begun to appreciate his symphonic style in this album, but being first a P-Model fan I had yet to accustom myself to the less energetic tendencies to his solo career, but now that I can fully embrace and appreciate all of his music for what it is, I can safely say this is among this finest achievements, as far as visionary and musically. In addition to this CD I highly recommend the Siren Interactive concert DVD. I know that the prices for nearly all Japan's imports seem pretty ridiculous for international buyers, but you're purchasing quality material from a truest form of musician. His work is timeless, and although this album is now 14 years old, it sounds fresh and exciting, never tires; my copy of the CD will likely wear out before I get bored of it, and that is money well spent.