You asked for the CD reviews, you get more of the CD reviews. *laughs* Alright I asked for it, and even though my Friday evening is turning out to be a busy night somehow even with me wanting to do this, I shall gobble down whatever I had for Mac for dinner (lol) and press on! I know, this blog is more hectic than my work-

This time, instead of just talking about stuff I like lol this is just a mixed bag anyways, maybe we talk about what else fell into the requirements. *giggles* I don't think Ikimonogakari and/or nasuo-san here would be a great sample of my general impressions but maybe, hear me out, maybe we ditch single-track releases. *laughs* Hey a double A-side counts as a single without B-sides and is SURE to sell...?

Let's take the nostalgia trip to a month ago where all this began, maybe even further.

(Damn, do they have to fulfil their credit obligations by putting both the main characters from the newest PreCure series, but the Regular Edition cover is actually representative of the band now and the theme of this release)

Origin: It has been a while since we heard of them, so maybe we start with introductions. Ikimonogakari is a three, no, two-piece band now since one of the members left a couple of years ago and that was still the saddest thing for me 15 years into listening to Japanese songs, but with his departure also shed a light to the remaining members the new age of music, and how much they can be relevant after all these years from the days when they started this before me. Going ahead, looks like their plan was still to sing songs that touch the hearts of people, maybe keep the production up to what is relevant instead of being stuck with their typical ballad songs, but still, this did not stop composer Mizuno Yoshiki from writing masterpieces for her high school junior Yoshioka Kiyoe to sing, so many years later. And that I think is still what makes them great, despite not being whole. This single is also their first physical single release since then, showing that they can create new songs to please, which I think this is worthy of talking about, once again.

[1] Ureshitkute [(Feeling) Happy]

From the first chorus:

Walking in, you should have heartfelt feelings of motivation and happiness, and this goes very far into making sure that is the case on the production side, making sure this orchestra-level opening will get you and I. As with most Ikimonogakari pieces, to be complete is also to be long, so this one takes that honour for now in their new set of songs going forward. Nonetheless, a long song doesn't mean it's a drag, but more of emphasizing the lyrics along with using choruses, telling a tale of how people are strong together, what makes us whole, and what then makes us happy. This feeling of happiness, I assume very similar to the Anime movie "PreCure" plot they were credited in, truly making this a tearjerker in bliss. It does still suffer from the usual bridge issues, but I think it's minor considering the transition is a plus for the melody itself.

Rating: Happily Average

[2] Tokimeki [(Heart) Flutter]

From the first chorus: 

This being a happy song even happier than the first song isn't just a coincidence, I would say this is even intentional, because for what was just encouragement and motivation, this one touches more on the feelings of overcoming obstacles, not giving up, and having that feeling of heart flutter one will have to move forward. "Courage", they call it. Also on point to the Anime "PreCure" series theme of heroines, but that doesn't mean they have to put the relevance in so much so they lose their identity. And that is how their songs can still be relevant that is the professional composer from Mizuno-san, for he will churn up the best of songs to fit any use case, and I would say he has done this better than the former, but this is just my opinion. Otherwise, you would be glad with an catchy, easy-listening tune, and an eye-opener worldview for its lyrics. These heartfelt words truly cannot get better than this.

Rating: Belovingly Average

Conclusion: Saying nice things about an artist I've listened to all these years may be being biased, but seriously thinking about it they didn't do anything bad after all these years, it was I that has changed, thus today me will rather recommend other artists to listen to. At this point, Ikimonogakari is my comfort food, my motivation in life when I need them, and something for me to remember by. And for that, I'm glad I did not give them up just as I was as sad of them for making a turn. I'm glad they didn't change much, and I begrudgingly still want more. Mizuno and Yoshioka, I'm counting on you guys.

And to wrap this up... (I like how this is not exactly ending material but)

(Rather appropriate cover for an Anime theme song single, but we know that's not the issue here)

Origin: This started months ago when I heard of the new season of Anime I intend to watch, and of all artists they choose nasuo-san to sing the ending theme song. Among the many social media posts of her covering earlier theme songs for the series, somehow, I feel like we have come back to square one even though just a year ago, I have talked about this indie artist turned into major label, with a particular Anime opening theme song. This time around though, I don't think this one left a better impression on me, but nonetheless, it does have its points, so let's talk about them.

[1] Hoshikuzu Requiem [Requiem of Countless Stars]

From the first verse:

I thought I would be impressed by her once again, only to realize that this one lacked in areas because she has shown her true form from how she did songs from her indie days, with words to speak of inside its lyrics being the biggest problem in my opinion. I was never a fan of that, and I already know from her indie days that she was such a person, I even listened to her compositions. I was then dragged into giving this piece which, and though the dreamy mood does bring forth a sentimental feel, the lyrics did not bring much meaning into making sure the feels are as sentimental as the melody itself. The singing is also rather damped in most of the song, delivering a quirky mellow feel that I would not have hoped. I still appreciate the unique feels that this song was produced and presented though, the lyrics speaking of what was related to the Anime, if I had to talk about what's good about it.

Rating: Glaringly Below Average

Conclusion: I honestly do not know what to make of this single. For starters, I don't think I will recommend anyone on this unless you are interested in nasuo-san or are into the Anime series behind it. I am not exactly a fan of nasuo here, so I'll take the adequately presented mood of the song and support her once again. For a rather inexperienced indie artist, I would wish she will show us more what she can do without her indie flair, even if it's not what she intended it should be. My hopes will be on when we meet again, I'll be able look forward to that.

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

(Damn, I feel like I should be less harsh but then again when's the last time I didn't like a single reviewed? Also her? F-)

THE PACKAGE

Okay, now that you know where my biases are haha, let's talk about what is different between them in physical. For starters, Ikimonogakari's single comes with the usual flair that I would have thought they did not continue on but they did. Just holding another of their singles is still unreal, maybe I'll need a reminder of when's the last time I got hold of one. 2016? Holy shit- And it only got worse when I saw the release-unique trading card with one less person on cover. Though sad stories aside, this is actually rather fitting of the theme of company, that one other person to join you on your journey, and that wood cut-out (by the way) describes it in all its glory, I would add. 

If we are talking about special gifts though, then this is going to be an even more compelling story. For nasuo-san's case, not did her single cost more than the other, unlike the last time we reviewed her (also) single track release, this one DID NOT HAVE A SPECIAL GIFT?? IKIMONO AT LEAST CAME UP WITH SOMETHING NASUO YOU MONEY GRABBING BITCH- Moving on haha, so instead I focused on Ikimonogakari's purchase and delayed the other single for as long as I can find someone else to ship it with. *giggles* Initially I was (also) thinking of CDJapan just because, but I learnt that as part of a list of supprting stores, the special gift for Ikimono's release will be character art from the Anime series which I do not want anyways, so I went for the artist cover postcard which will be available in selected stores, in which I ended up with Tower Records because you gotta remember that the online store has to house BOTH singles and nasuo's isn't exactly mainstream (lol) so I went with this compromise, once again, to get what I want.

Well, I guess I will stop here for now, TGIF. *giggles* I will enjoy my sleep tonight to the fullest while I- It's that photobook, dude. I gotta let it out somehow. *laughs* Alright TMI already, and before I GTFO I better remind you of the blog's weekend schedule! I will do up the summary for Isobe Karin-chan's photobook because I feel like I can know more of her and she doesn't have Q&A segments like Lynn-san lol why do we keep comparing to her friend here, and then we will dive into the new season of shows and hopefully kick half of them out! *laughs* I still have more plans on blog posts up my sleeve (hehe) and there's the #KN15YEARS thing haha I did not forget, so stay tuned for that in the next couple of weeks. *wink* See (whoever) you guys (are) on Sunday! lol

P.S. Because Ikimonogakari's single has so much to talk about, and you can look at the postcard above for reference: