Review by Hodoko Fumiakira

Unlike many of Mika single, "LEGEND" actually has 2 arrangements included, just like what ayu did for "WHATEVER" and hikki did for "Addicted To You". The "Main" version is the actual A-side and it is a fusion of various music genres of Drum 'N Bass, Techno and Electone Ballad. If I really need to categorise, it will fall under the pop-trance genre and mika's beautiful vocal fits in the music nicely. The "Original" version is mika's usual jazz arrangement which does not stand out as much as the "Main". I personally think the inclusion of this version is to appeal to fans who are not used to the experimental "Main" version. The lyrics penned by Mika is equally experimental with theme based on numerous legend, myth and fairy tales, which are all beautifully capture in the song's pv. "FAKE" is a lazy laid-back jazz number showcasing mika's wide vocal range and her techniques in this genre. "Carrot & Whip" is her new attempt on lovers rock after the success of "seppun". The happy relaxing song again portraits mika's talent in jazz. With 3 excellent songs included, great cover and pv, this is a very good single. recommending: #1 LEGEND (Main), #3 FAKE, #4 Carrot & Whip

Tr1 has always been my favourite song from Otsuka Ai and I purchase this single just to hear the beautiful instrumental in detail. I get addicted to Ai's ballad after watching her "a-nation '04" performance of this song. The beautiful slow ballad was arranged using acoustic piano and numerous types of mallet instrument to create the feel and style of traditional Japanese music which works very well with Ai's mellow vocal. A very unique part of the arrangement is the use of bass drum to create the sound of fireworks being ignited. The slow number picks up speed and power at the end of the bridge, finally explode at the end of the last chorus and calm down again before it end. The song also has a very beautiful pv which suits its theme. The full story of the pv is included in her album "LOVE JAM". The B-side is Ai usual whacky pop song similar in style to "GIRLY" from her 1st album. Unlike many artists who delivers B-sides of very inferior quality, this is not true for Ai as her B-sides are works of above average quality just that they are not as catchy as the A-sides. This is my favourite single for 2004 and one of the best in recent years.

"daisukidayo." is another favourite from Otsuka Ai and like "kingyo hanabi", I purchase this single for the beautiful instrumental. "daisukidayo." is a ballad arranged with a little orchestra and rock sound added. An interesting point to take note is that the demo of this song gets Ai signed by avex, so it is fairly clear how addictive the song is. The song has a very sad pv showing beautiful memories of Ai with her dying boyfriend. An alternate version pv is included in her album "LOVE JAM" featuring Ai's self-drawn cartoon rabbit "LOVE" and this is the pv that introduce me to Ai. The ballad-rock B-side "FRIENDS -SABAKAN ver.-" is the theme song of drama "Tokyo FRIENDS" starring Ai. I prefer the album version as ballad arrangement suits the lyrics and melody better, or maybe I just prefer her ballad. With 2 excellent songs included, this is my 2nd favourite single of 2004.

"I Got You" is Hitoe's comeback single upon graduation from her studies in New York City. This catchy hip hop number has lyrics penned by Hitoe when she was sixteen and there is significant improvement in her vocal performance as compared to "INORI". The coupling song "You Gotta Know Me To Love Me" is a sweet R&B ballad and I'm wondering which version of "You Gotta Know Me To Love Me" is the original, as both version of the song are named as remix in this single and the album released simultaneously. Hitoe also choreographed the dance step for the pv of the title track. The cover art for this single is also designed like a typical music magazine which is rather refreshing and as usual Hitoe provided illustration for the single. Overall this single delivers quality beyond my expectation, thus a good single by a long missed artist. recommending: #1 I Got You, #3 You Gotta Know Me To Love Me (Cobra's Rasta Bass Mix)

"BLUE BIRD" is a mediocre Pop-Techno composed by D.A.I with a melody so unoriginal that it resembles "fairyland". "Beautiful Fighters" is another unoriginal mediocre song composed by Kikuchi Kazuhito which just reminds me of another horrible song "Ladies Night", but definitely better than "Ladies Night" and "BLUE BIRD". Sad to see both D.A.I and Kazuhito compose such lousy song as both composers used to write great songs for ayu. Nothing special about the rock arranged "Ladies Night" & "BLUE BIRD" techno remix. The pv for "BLUE BIRD" is 1 of ayu worst & most boring pv, reminding me of a low budget "fairyland" pv. It starts with ayu singing alone on a sand-bank and unnatural footage of ayu playing with her staffs are added later. The pv of "Beautiful Fighters" is more interesting, but not her best. The video shows girls caught in embarrassing situation during work but still gets support from people they offended. Sad to see ayu putting out such low quality product as she used to reputable for high quality, creativity and inspiration before her decline in 2002.

I have always appreciates yaiko's country-rock music and the design approach for her cover art as both fully portraits her carefree style. tr1 is a sweet acoustic-rock piece that isn't very common in her discography. The song starts off rather softly with only piano accompaniment but it picks up power gradually when more instruments joins in. Yaiko did a very good job again for tr1 with her nostalgic vocal expression that fits in nicely with the arrangement and lyrics. tr2 is her typical fast tempo country-rock song with her unique vocal performance. tr2 might not be very memorable like many of her B-sides but this is definitely one of the better ones because it is not as experimental like many of her previous works. tr2 is so old-school yaiko that it reminds me of her classic single "I'm here saying nothing" except her vocal is more refine and the melody isn't as catchy. Overall tr1 and tr2 are very good song by a talented country-rock artist. It would be better if instrumental tracks are included for all her singles. recommending: #1, #2