Review by Diane
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Be With You [Regular Edition]Megumi NakajimaCan't break free the Ranka Lee mould
I was acquainted with Nakajima Megumi's vocals through the anime Macross Frontier and if I didn't know Megumi and Maaya Sakamoto are 2 different person, I'd think this was done by Maaya 10 years ago along the lines of Grapefruit and Dive - but Grapefruit and Dive were more elegant. Perhaps the fault was mine for being unable to dissociate her from Ranka Lee and that's why all the tracks felt strangely detached, as though Ranka was singing them instead. The only shining track was Track 12, Kin-iro that I felt showcase Megumi slightly more. I love the chorus where Megumi's own vocals were used as backing vocals. It creates a very nice effect. The OP and ED of Rin-ne no Lagrange are also included which was a nice touch. My verdict, it's quite a price to pay for the beauty of one single track. I'd give the last track 5 stars anytime, but not the whole album.
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Driving in the silence [Regular Edition]Maaya SakamotoAnother excellent effort from Maaya-san
I must sincerely say this is much, MUCH better than her last two works. Truthfully, You Can't Catch Me and Kazeyomi don't get much play time from me. Having said that, Maaya-san is still a joy to listen to. [Track 01] and [Track 02] - kicks off the album gently with some interesting arrangements, enough to keep me listening... [Track 03] is fully sung in English. While I like the arrangements I think the lyrics don't flow too well especially at the beginning. [Track 04] - This track needs a little time to grow on me. I didn't like the drumming effects at the beginning. Gets better at the chorus where she sings out more and the music drowns the drumming. [Track 05] - The album really slows with Kotoshi Ichiban. It's very gentle but I thought it lacked the special something that was, say Okitegami (Shounen Alice). [Track 06] - A change of pace, track 06 is very lively and I really like the light accompaniment and clapping effects. [Track 07] - A slower song, there's a lot of long and sustained notes here. While it shows her vocal prowness, there's some areas where she is too sharp or didn't quite hit the pitch or falls flat during the sustained notes. Not one of my favourite track. [Track 08] - A composition from Maaya-san!!! It starts off a little shaky, but when the main music comes in that's when the song shines. This is exactly how I visualise her to sound. Perfect!! I like how she makes it seem effortless that the song doesn't sound strained even as it keeps building towards the end. My favourite track out of the whole album. [Track 09] - The reprise should be needed... To close the album in as much the same gentle manner that it has started after such a powerful song that is Chikai. This album will definitely get more air time from me henceforth! Favourite tracks [01], [06] and of course [08]!
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For You [Regular Edition]Rie fuGreat single!
After the collaborative effort of At Rie Session, I'm glad Rie-san decided to go back along the line of Urban Romantic. I absolutely love the title track For You which is also the ending theme for anime Wandering Sons. The melody and arrangement can really be appreciated on the ~Instrumental~ only track. Usually I don't like instrumental because I think they are a gimmick. But I really love For You ~Instrumental~. So there!!! And the energy of Come On, Come On!! It's so infectious! I used to play 5000 Miles in the morning when I couldn't drag myself out of bed. But that just got replaced! One-Bite is a slower number. The vocals and melody is beautiful. I wish I could have listen to this track live! Definitely worth the while to get, if you don't, can't and won't wait for another full length album from Rie-san.
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You Can't Catch Me [Regular Edition]Maaya SakamotoAs light pop, it's quite alright...
The first thing I did when I open the package was to look closely at the arranger to see if h-wonder was there. I'm rather apprehensive of her collaboration with h-wonder. Unless now he goes by another name, (to my relief), I don't see it. I think we are all (well, at least I was) fervently awaiting her collaboration with Kanno-san again in "Utsukushii Hito". So. How does it match up... Reminds me of something like "Kiseki no Umi" with rather high vocals, but I wish the melody is more powerful and challenging like "Hikari Are". I was sure she could handle it. I love her vocals throughout the album and some of the tracks like "Eternal Return", "Down Town" and "Stand Up, Girls" have high energy. But I still feel that some of the tracks (the middle ones especially) have arrangement and melody that does not do her justice. I think I'll safely say it's mostly light pop. You can probably pop it into your car player and let the soothing music relax you after a hectic day as you make your way home. To me, it's really a 3.5 but since CDJapan does not allow me to do that, I'd put 4 instead. Hey, I like Maaya-san!
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First Story [Regular Edition]Sayuri SugawaraSuperb!
Truth be told I had initially wanted her 'Kimi ga Iru Kara' single since I'm such a big fan of Final Fantasy but I thought I'd give her album a try since I really love her vocals in the game's theme song. Few words sum up the album: great vocals, catchy tunes, nice pace. You won't regret this!
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Down Town / Yasashisa ni Tsutsumaretanara [Regular Edition]Maaya SakamotoJazz in the City...
I think that about sums up what I have to say about this single. The tunes reminds me of what the working class would pop into their player when they unwind after work. Light on the ears but a little too normal, I felt. Lacks an extra something. I think I first heard Yasashisa ni Tsutsumaretanara on Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service. It's not bad but when you are used to the that deep vocals, Maaya's rendition takes a little getting used to. At the time I'm writing this, she has an up-coming 7th album - and Yoko Kanno is on the line-up of artists involved in the new album. You might just want to skip this and go straight for the album instead.
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at Rie sessions [Regular Edition]Rie fuA little disappointed...
That's all I can say when I ripped the packaging and pop the disc in my player. For one thing, the total pace a little too slow for me. "Stay with me" totally put me off. It's just the way the music was arranged and I simply couldn't get use to the male vocal - kinda jarring. Luckily I was somewhat redeemed with "Just Like You" and "Iro Totte". That's when the pace picked up but soon it slowed down again in the middle. And I really didn't care too much about those tracks in the middle of the album. At least the ending two tracks that close the album was not too bad. I like Tobira and Urban Romantic better... :(
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Urban Romantic [Regular Edition]Rie fuUrban Romantic
An upbeat and energetic album that grows on you the more you listen to it. Although this album feels rather different from her previous Tobira Album and continues more along the style of her last 2 singles, Rie Fu's mellow vocals pulls this off perfectly.
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30minutes night flight [Regular Edition]Maaya Sakamoto30minutes night flight
I was both excited and worried when I bought this album. Will she be able to prove herself again after 2 singles and one album without Kanno-san? While Kazemachi Jet and Loop were just tolerable, I thought some of the arrangements in Yuunagi Loop were rather weak and do not bring out the best in Maaya-san. That being said, this mini album turns out to be a pleasant surprise. The overall "feel" here is more mainstream and very j-pop, since it lost the "orchestral touch" of Kanno-san. But generally the tracks are easy on the ears. The fast numbers are upbeat and very catchy, like track 1 and 5. While I generally don't like the slower numbers (just like in Yuunagi Loop), track 6 was an exception. And as usual, listening to Maaya-san's vocals is pure pleasure. I'd say this effort is much better than Yuunagi Loop. At least I like a majority (instead of a minority) of the tracks.
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Until I SayRie fuUntil I Say
And this is what I define as a single! 3 full songs with no karaoke tracks as gimmicks. It's truly from the bottom of the heart that I say that never have I appreciated an artist's work more than Rie Fu. Her style is still very distinctive after the excellent Rose Album. Very soothing, very mellow. It's definitely a single worth getting, if one is impatient for her next full album and if you'd like her work previously with Bleach and GD: Destiny.
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Rose Album [Regular Edition]Rie fuRose Album
The whole feeling to this album is very sunny and a very much relaxed Rie. As usual, if you like Sheryl Crow, then you'd be very satisfied with this CD. Rie switches between Japanese and English so effortlessly that it tricked me into thinking I can suddenly speak Japanese. She has kept her style from her first self-titled album. I love track 1 and 6. And to all those who have been faithfully watching Gundam Seed Destiny, track 4 will be familiar. I think it's been a long time since I've truly enjoyed 2 whole full length album from a single artist so whole-heartedly.
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Rie fuRie fuRie Fu
If you like Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morisette, then Rie Fu is definitely your cup of tea. The first thing that strikes is that her pronunciation is impeccable. All the r's remains as r's! Rie Fu switches between English and Japanese so fluently and with such ease that one can hardly notice it. There is absolutely NO abrupt transition. I love her faster tracks which are filled with energy, but her slower songs are so easy to listen to and the lyrics so sunny you couldn't help liking it e.g. I So Wanted, Shine and Beautiful Words. Decay is featured in her first single. I only wished that I was introduced to this talented young lady earlier! She ends the album with an Englsih version of Decay. However, the album is anything but the title of the last track! The only thing that will still catch me by surprise is when I look at the CD sleeve. It's hard to attach such a deep and mellow voice to the face.
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Loop ("Tsubasa Chronicle" Outro Theme)Maaya SakamotoLoop single
What do I have to say about this single? This comes with 4 tracks. For the title track, I think H-Wonder did an OK job bringing out Maaya's vocals. The lyrics were penned to fit the anime and Maaya sung is with much emotion. Listening to her clear and mellow voice is always a good way to relieve stress. However, I felt the composition is not very challenging, unlike some of Kanno-sama's composition e.g. Kiseki no umi or Hemisphere or Tune the Rainbow. The second track is High Touch. Well, it's has a pretty catchy rhythm, but I'm still trying to get used to it. The persussion is a little too much and I think they got her to sing too high at certain parts of the song such that it sounds (to me, at least) *gasp* out of tune!!! It's a pity. There could have been more improvements done to the songs. Track 3 and 4 are just the same songs without the vocals. I've always felt that such tracks are a gimmick to make up the numbers in a single. I mean, what good is listening to a song when Maaya-san is NOT singing?!
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Genesis of AquarionAKINOSousei no Aquarion Op single
Excellent, excellent single. With Kanno-sama's magic formula, what could be wrong?! Of course, being a big fan of Sakamoto Maaya, I am of the very biased opinion that I thought Maaya would have done a much better job at this single. But of course, that's me. While the anime was highly irritating, the music more than made up for it. The opening is packed with energy and one can repeat it until they are physically removed from the house. And while I don't understand a word of Japanese, that did not stop me from enjoying the second vocal track. Of course, I still thought that Maaya could have sung it!
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BUBBLEGUM CRISIS PRISS ASAGIRI Vocal Collection AS SEKIRIAAnimationBGC 2040 image album
Granted, this is a rather dated album about 4 years old. Akira Sudou is the singing voice of Priss Asagiri in BGC Tokyo 2040. I'd say she did pretty well in the album retaining the rawness that is Priss Asagiri, meaning she sings as Priss, not herself. The real reason why I dug into my nearly torn pockets for this album was track 5, Ame. The anime only let us listen to 10 seconds of it and I already love it. If you think Ame is good, the next track, Blue Confusion is even better. Akira Sudou really bring out the feelings of Priss. Love the chorus! While the opening was explosive and energetic, tricking self-respecting otakus to sit through 26 episodes of garbage, the pace of the album slowed with Ame and continues with Fuyu no kakera. Frankly, Priss is better with the slow songs. Track 8 is the original Waiting For You. While I was watching the anime, I never bothered to sit through the ending sequence because it so boring! But Waiting For You becomes much nicer without the ending sequence. This album is better enjoyed (or not) if you have seen the anime .
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Arjuna into the another worldAnime Soundtrack(music:yoko kanno)Earth Girl Arjuna OST
I think this is the most under-rated album. While most talk about Wolf's Rain, I think the composition to Arjuna is much, much more powerful and memorable than Wolf's Rain. Of course, the bad press had to do with the theme of the anime in which some people thought were altogether too preachy. Put the anime aside, this album is powerful for a simple reason that it can stand alone, meaning that one can listen to it even without watching the anime series. Truth be told, I got wind of the music first before I decided that I absolutely have to watch the series. New age, tense melodies mark battle sequences, which are fast and furious. The music itself convey the mood of the series. And with Maaya performing some of the vocal tracks, nothing can go wrong! Some of the slower tracks will need a little patience for the music to built up. For those who have waited, the music, in itself is a reward. 'Nuff said.
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EROTIC & HERETICALI PROJECTErotic & Heretic
I like ALI Project but..... as an album, Erotic & Heretic cannot stand alone. I feel that they should have maintained their style of faster melody along the style of COPPELIA no hitsugi, aka to kuro and the more recent gesshoku GRAND GUIGNOL. The instability of the rhythm is unique and I like the power, force and uncertainty protrayed. Erotic & Heretic is just very uneasy to listen to. Slow songs is just not ALI Project (or me!). Even the instrumental pieces does not do justice in showcasing their talent. It's one of the more expensive, not worthwhile CDs that I have purchased. Still, it takes quite a lot of patience to sit through the album.
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Nikopachi [Regular Edition]Maaya SakamotoNikopachi
For all those out there who can only afford one of Maaya's album, this is the one to get (other than HotchPothh, of course), containing all the songs to the latest anime. Each track is memorable, unique and powerful; coupled with Kanno-sama's composition and Maaya's clear vocals. It's hard to even name which track is my favourite since all are! The best part of the album is that Bike from Arjuna and Yubiwa from Vision of Escaflowne are included. Simple sit back and listen to the wonderful parade of songs.
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Shonen AliceMaaya SakamotoShounen Alice
First off, the cover design has a 'mature' theme, I think. Totally different from the snazzy photos she has in Nikopachi. It makes her look all grown-up. The first track in the album starts simply as vocals accompanied by piano. I must say I always prefer her simplicity which really showcase her talent. An easy to listen to song, it almost sounds like something Shimokawa Mikuni would sing. But Maaya does it better! As always, there's always a track that is filled with such flair and sora wo miro fits this shoe. Such power and tension! Makiba Alice is possibly the most memorable track. I especially like the background music and the rhythm is very, very addictive. As for hikari are, I simply LOVE the songs where she starts off singing immediately and all the backgrounds fills up the volume without overshadowing her. The best part is the chorus, where there is a change of melody. Yet another song that showcase her talent perfectly! Maaya's vocals is pure heaven to listen to and Kanno-san have a knack of knowing how to wrap up an album nicely with the gentle okitegami.
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Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex O.S.T. 2Animation Soundtrack (Music by Yoko Kanno)GitS: SAC OST 2
The entire flavour of this album reminds me very much of Cowboy Bebeop which I think is the reason why I like this OST. The album opens with an energetic Cyberbird with vocals by Gabriela Robin. Rise, the 2nd opening for SAC, sung by Origa is the second track. With the full opening, I have nothing to complain. The next vocal track is by Ilaria Graziano, I Can't Be Cool. Followed by GET9 performed by Jillmax. GET9 is best heard at super-loud volume and I love the rap part of this track. The ending song for SAC is Living Inside The Shell, performed by Steve Conte. One thing I love about this is that it's at full length, unlike some CDs which only give the TV-edit of the ops and eds. Forcing you to spend extra money to buy the op maxi singles. The last vocal track of this OST is I Do. Also performed by Ilaria Graziano. As a whole, I enjoyed SAC OST 2 more than OST 1. There are more memorable tracks here, especially vocal tracks like Rise, GET9, I Do and my personal favourite, Living Inside The Shell. In fact, the star tracks here are the vocal tracks.