Review by Linus
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Sphere [w/ DVD (2008.12.07 Irving Plaza / New York Live Footage), Limited Edition Type A]MUCCKyuutai / Sphere
Wow! If I would have to use one word to describe this album, that would be it. But lets put a bit more to it. It's been about a year since last release and I have to say they've used their time well. Because this is their best album as of yet (imho). I don't think I could point out one single bad song out of the 11 on this album (or 10 if you want to be picky and not include the instrumental intro). So far I've only had one full listening session on the album, but oh there will be more! The sound quality and mixing/mastering on this album is well above average. If you have a respectable stereo setup at your home, you'll be sure to enjoy this album as each song blows you away with a wide variety of tracks leaning more to the heavy side but also including some calmer parts, all while maintaining good instrument and vocal separation. No muddy and butchered dynamics here! I'm going to have to listen to this album more, but so far it's turning out to be one of the better albums released this year.
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ULYSSESEiko ShimamiyaUlysses
At first I didn't like this album as much as I had hoped for, but it has grown on to me. Overall it's a decent album. What sticks out on this album are the tracks Mosquito and LOVER. I get goosebumps every time I listen to them. Two awesome songs that weighs up this album. Would have gotten a higher rating if the rest of the songs were just as good.
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Hikari Nadeshiko [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]Eiko ShimamiyaHikari Nadeshiko
My first full album from Eiko, and an awesome one at that! Great songs all the way through, very few of them feel like "fillers", which is very good considering most albums have songs that just act as fillers along with the few good ones. Favourites on this album are Naraku no Hana, ATLANTE, all alone and of course the main title track, Hikari Nadeshiko. But the best and most epic song out of all of them has to be last track, Ai no Uta. A very strong and magnificent song, definitely makes you want to raise the volume that one extra step!
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Kizuna / Ntsu Yuzora [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]Kosuke AtariAwesome voice and sound quality!
This is my first Kosuke Atari CD and I have to say I'm impressed. First time I heard anything from him was from the ED in Natsume Yuujinchou and I just had to get this single. Normally I'm not much for boybands or male solo artists, but Kosuke has such a great voice. Speaking of great, the overall sound quality of this CD is superb. Usually you have a really great CD that has been mixed/mastered into oblivion, that is not the case with this CD. Crystal clear audio and awesome vocals. Whoever did the mastering of this did a great job. The DVD also boasts with great video and audio quality. Highly recommended CD if you liked Natsume Yuujinchou's ED!
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Ware, Arubeki Basho (B Type)MuccGreat
Great single with three good songs and a very nice looking booklet. Not my favourite songs from Mucc, but clearly recommended!
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TV Animation Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) Intro Theme: Higurashi no Naku Koro niEiko ShimamiyaWonderful
I instantly fell in love with the song as the OP of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and I've got to say that the full cd-version is equally awesome. The sound quality is simply great and crystal clear, especially on "all alone". Great songs, even the karaoke versions are great to listen at just by themselves. If you like Eiko Shimamiya or Higurashi as a series, you should definetly get this!
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TV Animation Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) Kai Intro Theme: Naraku no HanaEiko ShimamiyaNaraku no Hana
The opening track is no short of awesome. A very moving and powerful song with a sad theme to it. If you've seen the opening of the series you'll know how well the lyrics fit to it. As previous reviewer said, this is easily one of the best anime OP's around and I could loop it all day without becoming tired of it. While the second song ain't as good I still like it a lot. The first song certainly raises the rating of the single as a whole. The only "negative" thing I have to say about this is that the sound quality is not as crisp as it was on her previous single, but this is far from bad (it's actually quite above average compared to most CD's), it's just me being very picky. All in all I enjoy this single immensely.
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TV Animation Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cry) Kai Outro Theme: Taisho aanNinaTaishou a
Wonderful outro single to the second season of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. Comes with a similliar cover design as Eiko Shimamiya's single (which is also a great recommendation) and if you were lucky to get a first press you also recieved character cards that I have to say I like quite a lot. I only managed to get 2 of the 3 cards available though (you get the others from other singles). The first song is a given favourite. The second one has a completely different theme and feel to it, very calm and a bit odd in style, This is my first time listening to anNina though so I can't say how it compares to any previous releases she might have done. All in all a very good single.
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Best Of MUCC [Regular Edition]MUCCBest of
This album certainly deserves the title "Best of". A great variety of songs that are simply awesome all in their own way. Definite favourites are Utagoe and Ryuusei.
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Worst Of MUCCMUCCWorst of?
Can't really say the title gives much justice to the CD itself. Certainly it's not my favourite songs, but they're not bad at all. It might not cater to all audiences, but if you're a Mucc fan you will most probably like this. Favourites on this CD are Aka, Zetsubou, Hakanaku tomo, Ieji and Mae e.
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Prism / Sora No Kakera [Regular Edition]Ayako IkedaPrism
Wonderful single to a wonderful series (Dennou Coil). I haven't listened much to Ayako Ikeda before, but I've probably listened through this single about 50 times and I'm not going to get tired of it. She has such a great voice. The instrumental tracks are great for relaxing too. Great music to fall asleep to. If you like Ayako Ikeda or Dennou Coil, this is a must.