Oh hey we are literally jumping from one post to another haha I told myself I
bear the consequences for lining all of these up in one day and I'm sorry for
complaining about how I should be getting the photobook earlier, but hey, this
time around we are talking about music! Something decent now haha is this
decent though? Not till I'm done with Kana-chan and Sumipe, I won't. *laughs*
So yeah, we are lined up with two singles to start the year in Klassic Note.
Not exactly expected but ironically not unexpected so I'm just glad we can
start off with some recognition to these two artists in some sort of fashion
considering I have plenty of history with these women. *giggles* Okay jokes
aside, let's talk about what's new in Anime!
Oh totally, this is THE Valentine's Day gift for me this year. Guess who I
chose as my Valentine. *silence* I can't choose married women lol also Sumipe
for THAT BANGING BODY-
音楽 The Klassic Note Review
Hanazawa Kana - Dramatic Jakanute mo [Single]
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| Limited Edition | Regular Edition |
(I don't know which I like better, but locking Kana-chan up sounds like an
incoming fetish that'll get me into trouble so I'll take it on surface value)
Origin: Wow has this been so many years in the making. Firstly, if you have
not known about famous Japanese voice actress Hanazawa Kana, don't go out
telling others you know Anime. For her popularity goes above most of them, she
is known for her distinctive soft yet aborable voice in the array of
characters she has played over almost a decade and a half when I knew her back
in 2008, and she has never been disappointing ever since. For music though,
despite starting her solo music career in 2012 and only recently has she
changed music labels to now PONY CAYON (which houses Kitou Akari, Taketatsu
Ayana etc.), she has not been up to a smooth start despite the continued back
up from composer and producer Kitagawa (Katsutoshi, I only remember his family
name) who pretty much decided even her music career back then and in the new
label... until now. This is a single for Anime, not surprising, but what might
be more surprising is how much more depth this release has just being
mediocre, not even impressive. Let's notice this and find out why.
(1) Dramatic Janakute mo [Even If (You Are) Not as Dramatic]
From first chorus:
From first chorus:
"Even if (you are) not as dramatic, even if (I) lament that (you are) boringAgain today, (you) suddenly surfaced (in my mind)Even if romantic words are missing it's fine, that's why(I) mutter to stop time, even if for a bit..."
For starters, this is as simple of a melody as this can get. Not surprising
for the Anime it was featured in I shall not elaborate more, but maybe it's
because of that, it gave off more of a softer feel than your usual Pop song,
which I guess isn't all too bad after all. Coupled with the hot and cold
lyrics similar to the feels of Anime "Kubo-san" and their main female
character (to who she also voices), it really gives this song the personal
touch with respect to its credit, I have to say. Being the opening theme
artist and main character? This is actually her first, and likely why this
presents her a new opportunity to stand out among the crowd, contrary to the
Anime's theme of being unnoticeable. This might have helped her created the
much needed impression for her music career. Just ignore the usual quirks like
the bridge part, and you'll be fine, totally.
Rating: Outstandingly Below Average
(2) Groovy Mystery Train
From second chorus:
"Let's go out to discover, the groovy music fighterHey, face forwardDo not stop! (Do a) High Five(As often) As you like"
Don't ask me why this is the title of the, I guess, groovy song, but hey, at
least in the lyrics of this rather short song, Hanazawa Kana-chan herself got
it in the bag. Yes, this is the artist's once in a blue moon lyrics
composition, singing about the adrenaline rush and being on and adventure that
awaits ahead, it might even be hard to keep up. The arrangement of this song
despite with the same composer running the mill definitely helped in making
this pop out as an interesting B-side as it caught my attention first when I
heard of the preview before the full song was out. For that, along with cheeky
background vocals also by Kana-chan, are probably convincing enough for me to
like this song. It might have an abrupt end though, which I would say adds in
to the uniqueness of the melody.
Rating: Quirky Average
Conclusion: This is quite a harsh talk about a Hanazawa Kana single, but I
think I'll treat this as their most successful release 10 years coming into
her solo music career. I just think this single deserves praise. As I rock on
the B-side and think of the A-side, I still think this is quite an interesting
release to give chance to even if you have no idea who the artist is. Oh, if
you are her fan though, then by all means embrace this as her best achievement
in getting credit for her songs out there. For we have waited this long, just
a decade long, for her to be recognized of her singing since I guess you know
that song from the Monogatari series. No more that, we rockin' this single
now.
AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET! Next up!!
音楽 The Klassic Note Review
Uesaka Sumire - LOVE CRAZY [Single]
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| Limited Edition | Anime Limited Edition | Regular Edition |
(If you need a reason to like Uesaka Sumire and her gothic artist style like
me, then you might as well take the Anime character. Not close-ups though.)
Origin: This must be a second miracle we are talking here. As I joke about how
I have already given two Uesaka Sumire singles in full with the previous one
from 2017, I question myself how much I'm keen on listening to this specific
voice actress' quirks as she embarks on another season of an Anime series
featuring her as a
tsundere but
more importantly, aggression becoming her personality with this release
itself. The series didn't catch me much to be honest, but as she again sings
the opening theme song, things are about to change. As much as the songs
Sumipe sings are just as weird as her and we will get to that later, somehow
coming from her it makes her music career all the more unique since it can be
unforgiving as it can be fantastic. And this one falls into the latter, I
would argue.
(1) LOVE CRAZY
From first chorus:
"Hey, look hereJust a little bitDon't be embarrassed(Your) eye and lovePile them upMaybe (you) will understand something?Hey, come on!!Don't run awayHave come courageDaringly(Come after) me (Catch me)It's not (a) jokeHey, tell (me) about (your) true feelings... Just joking"
This song title totally holds this song all the way, and we are only talking
about the melody. The janky Rock style and very insinuating lyrics help
amplify the power of this song to how much to and from the girl in this
relationship has to desperately yet passively hit on the guy to get him to
fall in love with her, the theme for the Anime is definitely passed through
with emphasis and with force. I can't really complain how one would dislike
this unless you can't get the feels in this song. The lyrics paint a very
accurate picture of push and pull of love especially in the chorus, which only
makes this icing on the cake so much sweeter as backed up by the aggression of
music behind. I can truthfully say this has perfected the Anime theme song
formula down and true to its roots as this will be a instant favourite among
those who have gave this a listen.
Rating: Crazily Impressive
(2) REBELLION
From first chorus:
"Riding on the cheers that won't stop ringing as (I) singTo protect my loveThe battle is still just starting, (it's) still going onLet's deliver this oath from the front line"
As far as I know I walked in only knowing that this is a theme song for some
upcoming video game, but damn is it actually good. The melody does hit on
point, it has a slightly unusual style compared to the first song to make sure
they don't clash, and it's catchy enough for anyone to get on to it. Maybe a
little rap may have offset the pace at this song delivers, but I have to say
it isn't too bad in my opinion after all, of course with the usual bridge part
issue. The lyrics paint a strong feel towards a rebellion with drive as shown
in the title and with someone to protect, it's definitely a song I've expected
Sumipe to sing as a music artist. It's that good.
Rating: Positively Above Average
(3) Michi ga Wakaranai no Uta [Song About (An) Unknown Path]
From first chorus:
"Forever inside a spiralPouring out in the desert of timeThe two (of us) can never meetTorn apart by a song of fateDear grieving universe, embrace meLead me to (offer as) sacrifice"
Oh yeah this is the 90s style melody I've been waiting for as usual, and I do
not joke they made sure this is a simple melody to remember. And I would
believe so because of the fact that they had to let Sumipe write the lyrics to
this song. Even with a unique title, one would believe that this song would
bring meaning in its lyrics, but trust me, that only barely holds in the
choruses. The verses tell a different story, as she struggles to write lyrics
that make any sense, but since it's about getting lost, you can see even as an
example, in the second verse she was just describing how to get to Shinjuku,
which is as ironic as it's actually entertaining to listen. Her creativity and
quirkiness to this level still impresses, and I can't say much but to give it
despite being reluctant in the first place.
Rating: Confusingly Average
Conclusion: This single is a good example of what happens if you give good
songs to an Anime artist. You may think I joke like this, but it's hard to
give Uesaka Sumire proper recognition when every other single in her music
career is nothing but traps to music I would rather not listen to. This single
will prove otherwise even if she still prefers such a path, for this level of
craziness is still up my alley, I would rather they do this more often
instead. And if you have not heard of her, this release might be a good time
to give her a chance, since this has everything to cater to your tastes to
make you like her.
- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note
(Wow I feel like this is a competition between idols, and Kana-chan just lost
by a mile. Congrats Sumipe, you have once again impressed me with your songs.
You have no idea how much I hated the idea of giving any of your songs back
then when you started lmao)
THE PACKAGE
Let's go in order, shall we? Kana-chan's single is already different as you
can see from the above, as it's being aligned vertically in the cover instead
of the usual horizontally aligned, but that's not all. We have the Anime
"another jacket" alternate cover embedded within the booklet which featured a
nicely drawn character Kana-chan was featured in haha yes it's Kubo Nagisa I
did not want to name that in my review despite knowing that she is
indefinitely cuter than a married woman- MOVING ON haha, instead of all the
special bromide gifts which are all
landscape
so don't ask which one I liked it's all the same damn black outfit as if she
is attending my funeral lmao, I chose her music label PONY CANYON's store
Canime
special gift, which suffice it to say I may show this off if I have time, it's
a special photo which can be scanned with an AR (augmented reality) mobile app
"COCOAR2" which, if I'm not wrong, allows you to see a miniature something on
top of the bromide. I'm making a guess right here, it's mini
Kana-chan Kubo-san I don't know I'll come
back and prove me wrong but just anything is already worth the trip.
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What is with the trapping her in an hourglass theme lol (If you don't know how, it's done with CG, they did not enclose her in one) |
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| Kubo Nagisa I will love you for now and forever lol Anime talk pls |
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This is the most interesting booklet I've seen so far, and they dropped
a silhouette of Kana-chan?? *chef's kiss* |
Oh well that's too much of Kana-chan, so let's talk about Sumipe now! *laughs*
Hey, you don't need to show this much in order to be good, okay? She already
won in my heart which speaks music first; It's Klassic Note after all. *dabs*
Other than that though, we are dealt with the typical Anime release cover and
artwork and stuff, so I'm good with that considering the actual contents of
this single is already in unique territory. For the special gift though, since
my bro can't make a choice (lol) and ironically the birthday month vouchers I
got are actually lesser than the points I can redeem, I chose the special gift
bromide from
Toranoana
with its guaranteed stock since you have to add to cart too, instead of some
of the others which are
Animate,
Kinkurido
the music label's own shop,
HMV
or even
TSUTAYA. *silence* I'm not into overaged high school girls lmao look at that curve
on the photo I got dude *laughs*
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Yeah, Sumipe with the usual gothic outfit in case you did not know of
her style. Thank goodness the special gift's normal lol (Okay not so normal she wrote "I chose scissors" haha it's not a peace sign dude) (I had my other palm out while scrolling through the list so... I lost?) |
Oh boy are we not quite nearly done with today's blog posts. *giggles* Last
but not least though, we are finally done with the package by the way, I will
talk about the stuff I've saved for the occasion about me and my life going
ahead. Well, still stuck in the digital world but it will be different. Trust
me, the cogs of change are just starting. See you there then.
P.S. Since I had to show my bro who doesn't love Sumipe enough (haha got him),
here are what more than the cover you can see if you pay.
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She's like "what is this red thing" and did not realize it's the red
string of marriage- (NO~!!! Haha) |
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| Yeah okay Sumipe as if you aren't sexy enough for your own good |
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Woah woah who did this to her??? Put her on tighter, please? *laughs* |
P.P.S. Okay since it didn't blow my mind, but if you want to know what was the
AR content from the special gift bromide of Kana-chan's single, read on.
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| Oh? It's working I just had to scan it |
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AW GODDAMMIT haha (Yeah it's a live version of the topic song) |
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LOL ok you can take it out of the frame (So I assume this is a tease to the upcoming recent live Blu-Ray) |