*After review* Okay I'm good now. Let's get to it! Yay Aki-neechan!! Haha guess what's playing on my music player now lol
音楽 The Klassic Note Review
Toyosaki Aki - love your Best [Album]
|
|
|
| Limited Edition | Regular Edition | 12-inch Vinyl Limited Edition |
Origin: We all are not unfamiliar with Toyosaki Aki. I say this again because you should get some acquaintance with this lovely, unique, and interestingly cute voice. There, I said it. Apart from me being quite a fan of this Anime voice actress, I also dwell into her world of music, where she started her solo music career eight years ago during her birthday week. Today, she is still well remembered in Klassic Note despite me listening to new songs continuously for ten years already (#KN10YEARS), but I must say she was a good addition. Something I didn't regret letting her in on. A collection worthy artist, to say the least. And now, we remember her great tunes in this great collection she handpicked herself it seems, and see my extent of immersion in her songs.
[Review Notes: For this particular release I will change my format, and instead of quoting from previous reviews I'll quote lyrics from various parts of the songs, translate them (you're welcome), and discuss about how they all fit her, and why it may be her choices for the many songs she sung.]
(Again, pardon my translations; This is Klassic Note, not Japanese learning school. I do to the best of my limited abilities)
(1) Issennen no Sanpo Chuu [During A Thousand-Year Walk]
From the chorus:
"'Say, we are nothingThis song is teaching me something. In this long walk. In this long stroll we have all been through, and I think this song means something. It immediately caught my attention as one of the better songs in her third album, and today stays as her radio broadcast ending theme song, which means a lot to all of us. If Aki-chan were to teach us something, is probably that we are not alone. That we may be nothing, but we can do wonders, just like her. And for that, I feel thankful once again. Thanks Andou Yuuko for writing so many great tunes including this one, to help us feel what she feels.
But this hand (of ours) can do anything from here on'
And so I taught (that to) you"
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)
(2) SHUN PU [trans. Spring Wind]
From the first chorus:
"You smile in this spring dayBlossoming, blossoming are the cherry blossom flowersOne, two, three, four (of them)Counting the happiness as the (petal of) flowers dance"
Ah, this song has so many feels. I mean, if you didn't like any of her
songs, this will be the only saving grace. Because this, is THE BEST SONG in
her list. Fans guaranteed, including me. Simple in melody, lyrics are easy
to remember. Such happiness, such loveliness, coupled with a wonderfully
cute voice, you cannot not love this song. Which is pretty much my first
impression too, and till today hasn't changed. I am still, like the others,
loving and always, without fail, singing to this song every time she
performs this song. And this is testament to how much love there is in her
songs. This one, in particular, has touched many hearts.
Rating; 4 stars (Unsurprisingly Above-Average Great)
(3) Shamrock
From first verse:
"(I) shout out from the window, let's have a secret talk(With) the train that passes, counting the colors, (we) shall go outside"
"The underdog", interpreted as I peek on the previous album review, and I
can see why. It's averagely everything. Simple, happy, a song that feels
like Aki-chan taking on a stroll again... how can you not feel at home? I
never doubted this song was great, but it definitely didn't click too much
on me. But it sure is a lovely song, and descriptively nice I would
describe, are the lyrics too. Overall a wonderful tune, which is no wonder
Aki-chan has taken a liking to it too. I like too, really.
Rating: 4 stars (Unknowingly Average)
(4) Kataomoi no Theme [Theme of One-Sided Love]
From first verse:
"Can't, can't, can't be true to myselfDarn, (when) you're in front (of me)Being a cute girl would be greatAgain, falling in love, (I) can't say it out butThe feelings of affection, I can't hide (from you)"
Before there was love, there must be infatuation. I guess this is what the
song wants to try to pass on to us. For the cute Aki-chan who has not been
able to convey her feelings, this song gives a more direct approach and
making it feel like a love confession scene, which is likely not the case.
Nonetheless, the song spells of love all over the place, and we should
always love her back, yes? For such a wonderful, cute and simple melody and
straightforward lyrics, "I love you" Aki-chan.
Rating: 4 stars (Cutely Average)
(5) Clover
From intro verse:
"All the memories crammed, into my very small treasureUp till now (whatever is) inside my heart, (will) always, always shine"
This one. This literally ticks all the available blanks I can give and
expect from Aki-chan's songs, considering this is the third album coming,
and this one is so great. Diving into the lyrics, it gets even better. The
lyrics just perfectly describe the many years she can been singing thankful
songs, treasuring every single one like so, and feeling happy about music in
general. That, this song has covered all the ground. Coming into the best
album, this one hits me even further. Now that I truly treasure her songs,
this best album is a testament to how much I like of her music, and if
there's way to say it all, this song can do it for me. I, for one, am
satisfied. And it's not even a love song. Saying thanks is enough to make me
blush.
Rating: 5 stars (Perfectly Awesome)
(6) Orion to Spangle [Orion and Spangle]
From first chorus:
"(I) look up to see the Orion "mist" likely seeing a squall of shooting starsGoing out without an umbrella and spinning around, let's go to the park"
God, this song. Being one of the most compelling songs in the list, this one
had a rough time getting into the list, and I'll say it again. It's a song
of celebration, no doubt, it's a song to sing to, but it's not a song for
her. Maybe a miss, I suppose, but this doesn't feel like Aki-chan. Of
course, on exploring the music styles she can take, I would wonder if this
is one of those considerations. Then again, this song is as cheeky *wink* as
herself I guess, and it still feels very like her as I hear it today. Very
happy, slightly cute, makes you think of festivities... what could be
better?
Rating: 4 stars (Somehow Below Average)
(7) Shirotsumekusa [White Clover]
From second chorus:
"When happy, when lonely, there is (always) that location(Where) words I can leave asideLittle by little, little by little, (I) grow up, (I) have only one wish"
For making a flower the title, this song has many emotions bottled up in it,
ready to deliver. I mean, for the many years Aki-chan has been singing, this
also belongs to one of those tunes which are relaxing, reminiscent, and full
of gratefulness. That, is so stereotypical of Aki-chan, it hits me almost
immediately back in 2012. For being loved this long, I will never forget how
much she has delivered, and this one, she delivers more than ever. So
simple, so lovely. I can't get enough of this tune, seriously.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)
[P.S. If anyone can find out what she wishes for and tell me that'll be much
appreciated]
(8) Hozuki [Ground Cherry]
From first chorus:
"This beautiful power that is summerTurns the child us into forever (in memories)This beautiful structure that is loveThe moment of dreams in dreams, (as if) is in the time with God"
As I have probably mentioned, this is likely the unlikely summer song. Why?
Because it feels so relaxed, so inactive, unlike so many summer songs out
there. And that, I give it credit. It may have been a song easy to forget,
but the style of the music is making it really memorable in the list of
Aki-chan songs. Really, all I want to do is to play this in instrumental
(like those in singles) and listen to this under the summer shelter. That,
is an image of summer that you can never forget. So much environmental feels
will quite literally, make you love summer again.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)
(9) Dill
From first verse:
"Even now, (I'm) totally, totally, lack of confidenceBut, (I) still believe, (in) this chest there is, (a) rhythm"
Wow, this song that created an impact. For being the 3rd single back in
2010, this song did create an impact. For feeling so much like the emotional
pop that many composers feel niche to, this one created its unique feel,
tempo and lyrics. No longer do we talk about happiness and thanks, but we
focus on weakness and gratefulness. Still honest, but this one, the lyrics
say it all. For the melody, I expected back then to only sound like what is
in the first chorus. Like, a repeat of sorts; your usual pop melody. But
this song blew me off with an alternative tune, and using Aki-chan's unusual
voice and whisper, she quite literally talked me into liking this song.
Satisfaction, and thanks, but in a different way.
Rating: 4 stars (Below Average)
(10) Patapa
From first chorus:
"As if thrown out (to the open), hands stretched widely, without wavering and shouting of loveSomeday your eyes will not only reveal the one thingThat much I have always believedJust like that, we step out (to the open) once again"
If you thought of rain when you see the title, I thought so too. But it's
more than a beautiful tune. It has much meaning within. Learning from the
lyrics, it's yet again in Aki-chan's aspiration to reach out, be happy, walk
out a path of the future. A song of confidence, and a song of confession.
And that, she sings happily with her style. This song, I can never forget. I
mean, hit the intro and I'll be humming the voices right on beat. That's how
much I loved this song back in 2013.
Rating: 4 stars (Lovingly Above Average)
(11) Kanae Tamae [Wish Come True]
From first verse:
"The same future, (I) would like to share with (you)Accepting love like this (we) can surely grow upCan't believe that it's impossible to not understand what is surely (love)"
"Love song". If Aki-chan were to ever confess to us using music at any
point, it is going to be this one. Standing strong as the best love song
since 2014, it may be an intentional pitch for Aki-chan to profess to the
many fans about her feelings or thanks and love, and this one exhibited it
rather fantastically. This one, I will never complain. The single itself
presents itself somehow in a bigger image of being together in the future,
but I'll not talk about how the B-side never got into this list. Still, if
you still want to feel some treasured love from Toyosaki Aki, you still can,
because this has everything. She has sent the message. And someday, I would
like to return the favour.
Rating: 4 stars (Falling-in-love Above Average)
(12) letter writer
From intro verse:
"Gathered (your) thoughts, that are delivered, (the) heart feels so filled butSearching for words, (I wonder) what do I actually want to hear..."
This must be how it feels when you write fan letters or reply them, if
you're one of them or Aki-chan herself of course. The feeling where so much
emotion is kept within ourselves, and how honest we can be in writing
letters or even tell how we feel when we listen to her songs, be with her,
supporting her all the way in her career (as a voice actor too)... it's all
in this song, actually. It means a lot for them, for many who have really
went all the way to make her a popular success. I think I did too, in my
effort to keep listening to new songs. But for me, since I don't write
letters, I can only feel. And I guess I can feel it. Maybe you can too. To
her it means everything. To us, it might just mean a little more than that.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)
(13) Kimi ni Arigatou [Thanks To You]
From last chorus:
"Thanks, for you always being on my side and smilingFor days (I) cry, for days (I) felt lost, for sure (I) can overcome them allAs always, (I) never forget, the warm passion from youFor days (I want) to meet, for days (I) felt lonely, (I) just look at the sky(For you who) have always protected (me), (I) give my thanks to you"
Technically Aki-chan's first emotional song. Being a piano piece, this one
fits feelings hard. And yes, it's another song about her singing her thanks.
This one, being so simple in melody, relies a lot on its lyrics, and it
didn't disappoint. Because it has all the faucets of how she feels, and
whatever is bottled up inside. This, is enough to make me tear up. I recall
in her first album live performance where she did a piano solo of this song,
and yeah, it brings up all the sadness and desperation within. I believe it
can touch hearts too, since it touched mine. Be thankful to Aki-chan is all
I can ask for all these years. Once again, thanks to you, Aki-chan. Your
footing will never be forgotten. Also thanks to Oku Hanako for such a
touching tune so that she can convey her feelings.
Rating: 4 stars (Beautifully Above Average)
(14) music
From first chorus:
"Ah now, wings of (the) heart open, believe in meLa la la, (I) sing, (a) song of happinessWith all (my) voice(I) deliver to the sky, la la la"
This is just a happy song, isn't it? Thanks Tsuji Ayano again for the song,
because this one just makes anybody smile. And I guess at that point after
the first album where composers "tested" of her voice then decided to
changer her direction in music, and out comes this. Man, back in 2012 this
was the best song from her list. I can recall myself not being able to stop
listening and recalling this wonderful tune, and I think you'll like it too.
Produced by a team with a weird name with familiar names of Kotoringo, Tsuji
Ayano, mito etc. which will make you feel right at home with how great this
song fits Aki-chan in its entirety. The music video is also something to
remember, as the lyrics support so much of what the image can be, from
balloons to singing notes. This, is indeed, a happy song.
Rating: 4 stars (Positively Average)
(15) love your life
From the first chorus:
"Today's sun is shining, (I) can live on; just that, I can taste happinessEverything (my) eyes can see, thank you; I'll live on, (with) everyday new, while searching for songs"
This is it, man. The song that started everything. I can't thank the
composer Rie fu (now Rie, in UK) enough for this, for this made Aki-chan who
she is now, along with songs like SHUN PU. Along with the lyrics show how
much honesty there is in her, and her wanting to be thankful, be happy, and
be singing the new songs. This, is quite literally the emblem of Klassic
Note I should follow. Other than that, we feel once again the unbelievably
cute voice of Aki-chan back in 2009 (God, time flies), and how much
different it feels hearing her sing today. And that, is what makes this
first song so pivotal to her music career.
Rating: 4 stars (Nostalgically Above Average)
(16) Neko ni Naru [To Become (A) Cat]
From first chorus:
"I may not have name yet, because I'm (just a) cat (who) doesn't knowSomeday I'll join hands with you, to become a useful person"
Ah, actually, a song that will nurture us. Hey, I may sound weird, but in
all honesty, that's what I think the song is trying to convey. Unless you
believe the song is all about cats, you might just be wrong. Being the only
new song in this best album release, Aki-chan has maturely presented this
new tune to us, and it feels as happy as the many songs she has sung thus
far. It might just be the best closure to the eight years she has been
singing songs, even though at first impression for a best album I expected
something more emotional (I mean, you placed the best song at the end
already), but this one would do too. I like a happy song. And Aki-chan's
happy songs, I can never get enough.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)
Conclusion: All in all, a great selection from Aki-chan, which is precisely
the reason I would review this best album. And I swear it's not because I
pretty much listened to every song from her, but giving her unique voice and
the melodies that stem out from her needs no reason. For so many years of
listening to her songs, she has the softest, cutest, and possibly most
identifiable voice out of the artists I know of. And that, it'll be forever
for me to remember. And looking into the future and recent music releases, I
have cause to believe Toyosaki Aki will reach new heights. Not that I'm
dissatisfied with her songs, because I cannot ask for more. This image she
created for her solo music career is so nice, I wish it would last for
eternity. It's time to love every single part of her music now, and for time
to come.
-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note
THE OPINION - TOYOSAKI AKI (2017)
Firstly, in all honesty because I am one and Aki-chan is honest about her
solo music career for the most part (I mean, company business is not under
her control),
you would notice there are only a couple of 5-star songs from this
list
(namely "Clover" from 3rd album and "Patissiere" from 2nd single), despite
me talking about how much I liked the tunes. This is because Aki-chan
doesn't come up as an impression typically due to the fact that the songs
she sings aren't delivering much impact (eg. fast/loud rock tunes) or aren't
filled with extreme emotion (think very emo songs, pop and rock) which in
the end didn't leave much of an impression. That is to say I didn't like
them too, but it takes some time to get used to, and I eventually have grown
to like them. This easily explains
why you can see Aki-chan on the ranks every year she appears on the
list. This is because I've always liked her songs, and want to place her in
the ranks to give recognition, even though it's not much as she hardly hits
the top. Her placement in Klassic Note's Top 20 is as follows: (subject to
overall list songs' performance)
- 2010: 16th - "Patisserie"
- 2011: 13th - "Kataomoi no Theme"[M2], 20th - "SHUN PU" [M4] (yep)
- 2012: 12th - "Shirotsumekusa" [M7]
- 2013: 16th - "Patapa" [M10]
- 2014: 17th - "Kanae Tamae" [M11]
- 2016: 19th - "Clover" [M5] (yep, yep)
To end on a light note, I noticed on this compilation that even though it's Aki-chan's personal selection, it isn't as ideal as what I would expect. (You should've seen my face when the first song was "Ginga Station", which has been changed since then) Aki-chan has many other great hits besides the ones on the review, some appear on the Vinyl Edition (no, not "CHEEKY"), some didn't. For example, I was awoken by one single "Flip Flop" from back in 2013, and I swear is the best single I've reviewed thus far due to how easy I can give both the songs. The B-side in particular which sounds like a cat song, could've been in the list, or even "Flip Flop" itself. Also, Aki-chan's love for Chara-sensei has not been shown in this list too, for she wrote "LiLi A LiLi" for her 2nd album. Another one I would like it to be in the list is "Tomato", following up from the love confession that is "Kanae Tamae", which did make it in. Did I even mention her best emotional song "Portrait" is in neither compilation? How did this happen, seriously. On the other hand, songs which shouldn't make the list, in my opinion, are actually "music" [M14] and "Dill" [M9], due to their nature of incomprehensible song structure or even melody, to specify a little.
All in all, this is still a great selection. (Thanks, Aki-chan!) I do hope in the future we can still get great songs to couple with the most uniquely cute voice I've known to date. (No really, the newbies got nothing on her) That, I can very much hope. Composers like Tsuji Ayano (personal ranking 1st), Andou Yuko (who wrote the new song, and a couple of good ones) or even Chara herself deserve praise, while people like mito-sensei (who wrote both songs I don't want to see in this review above) should be avoided at length haha I can't give the guy's songs somehow. Okay, don't tell them I said it here; sometimes, you don't have a choice on who's writing your songs.
This shall be it for now. I'm running out of things for #KN10YEARS already. I'll talk more in the future when the whole picture can be shown, hopefully after a couple more blog posts.
THE PACKAGE
Hey, since it's the best album, let's talk about it. Well, I fell into the
trap of having to buy special stuff that comes along with it, and you bet I
did it. Contrary to me wanting a towel from Ikimonogakari from last year
(you could recall my sister paid for that), this one... I just want it,
okay? Don't ask questions haha
Opening what is inside (not the towel lol that's not for practical use), I
see even more beautiful stuff. Well, mainly the booklet, and that
application form. Considering it delivered on time ie. before the weekend
such that the form doesn't expire, I got a chance to get... well, free
desktop and mobile wallpapers?
|
| Yeah, I should've taken this at 11.11pm or whatever haha |
Yep, that's right. Those who buy can all get it. Complimentary with
successful application. Whether I'll get anything else out of the campaign
(I mean, I can't talk on the phone with her. No, I really cannot) (It'll be
just "arigatou bakkari" [Trans. many thanks] haha), then I opted for the
safe option of getting a signed poster. If my wish came true Aki-chan, I'm
going to jiss kiss on the poster (oops). I said it. Not
going to prove that if it does happen though, for my chances are pretty
slim, it would seem. I mean, there are THOUSANDS applying for a chance at
something. I seriously, have no chance. And what's more, I saw the notice on
their official website citing accounts now need official detail and identity
in order to register... well, I'll just take the wallpapers, thanks. *sigh*
Other than that piece of paper which just gives two PNGs (lol), there's the
booklet of course. Suffice it to say I'll not show it here, and I'll just
say "why aren't these the shots for the special gift photos instead". Haha
really, those inside are great. Can't imagine what's in the Limited Edition.
Guess I'll never know about it then. I stay true to strict Klassic Note
rules. Well, buying the towel is an exception already, but still. *giggles*
Okay, that's it. If you see me fill up THE OPINION segment means I've done
my work for #KN10YEARS, and also for myself to remember everything great (in
the review) and not (which is why the segment) about Aki-chan. Ugh, my eyes
are twitching for me to sleep already. OK, cya guys next time then, and
until then... "Aki-chan LOVE" should be my gamer tag lol
P.S. Oh? We have an update on the orders? Yes, we do. So yeah, stay tuned
for next week I suppose, for THREE single reviews coming soon. I'm sorry
about Sumipe getting death threatened, but at least I can talk about her new
single, yes? Hehe see you guys on the next issue! Yay!
P.P.S. This one is for you, Aki-chan. May you always stay cute, lovely,
and... AND!!! Ugh my sides hurt
I know, I missed a single (not two), but yeah. You were too cute on that
last song in your 2nd single. They say it's impossible, so I was thrown off.