The Klassic Note Review 2014.03 Issue 2: Latest From Shelf To Shelf

(This is an imported post. For the original post please refer to this link.)

Hi guys. Yep I didn’t have to wait long, not longer than today, at least. IT’S HERE!!!

I swear I got too excited from taking it, and forgot about posting it up on the official Twitter. If you came here from Twitter, you’re probably on the right track. Let’s start shall we?

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW

(Audience: Huh still following this format?) (Then you think what?)

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

Toyosaki Aki – Delight [Single]

Limited Edition

Regular Edition

Origin: Aki-chan has been one of my personal (not recommended) favourites ever since she started singing in Anime “K-ON!”. But she has came a long way. This is already her 10th single ever since her debut in October ‘09, and she’s still going strong. With her regular cast of various notable composers supporting her release including Rie fu (yeah…) and vocaloid composer sasakure.UK, she sure is getting the best out of her career.

(1) Delight
Hmm… initial impressions are alright, but kinda deterred by the lyrics, like “SOS” sounds weird to me, and the unusually high pitched notes in some parts of the song. But then listening to the lyrics make you understand that this is a wonderful song about farewell, to welcome spring, which you guys should know is not far in front of us. Composed by someone who I’ve at least heard her write for Aki-chan once is Tamurapan-san (it’s her stage name, and the song is from the 2nd album “Patapa”), who does write decent melodies with relaxing style of music, which is shown in the song. And I like the song, because it’s a soft song of farewell.

You know something? I thought for once when looking at the title that Aki-chan maybe going for her wildest single yet. I’m terribly wrong…
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Pretty damn good)

(2) Osanpo no Uta
Eh those who don’t desire to go back or even recall your childhood please stop here. Because this song is definitely only audible for kids under elementary school. Nevertheless, the simple folk-song style melody does make the song sweet yet catchy to listen to, especially with Aki-chan at the vocals. Reminds me of Yui in K-ON!, when she was a kid. This must be her theme song back then, haha. Not recommended for matured audiences, but it’s worth a listen. Surprisingly, what I heard on the radio preview is the same as the full song as it’s a little short over 2 minutes.
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Delightfully cute)

Conclusion: If you liked Aki-chan, I bet you are one of those bastards who took the pre-order from somewhere in which the special gift I wanted to get. Or else, if you don’t mind Aki-chan’s irresistably cute voice and her average singing, please give the songs a listen. The composers at least did a good job doing up the songs. *silence* That’s as far as I can convince you guys to listen, I guess.

AS IF AKI-CHAN IS NOT ENOUGH!
(Audience: Must it be like this every time?)

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Horie Yui – The World’s End
Haha. Link is above. I don’t wish to type twice. Lucky I checked it beforehand.

The source? This time it’s TOWER RECORDS (Oops I guess no one bothers about this then. I’ll keep it short), and it’s as troublesome as Animate Online Shop. No EMS, and the packaging is as un-protective as ever. Let’s say it’s “basic” instead of “minimal”, huh. Besides, the gifts are making me happy already (haha), so I guess that doesn’t matter…

I guess that’s all. If you wonder why I took a few hours before doing this up, it’s because I’m enjoying playing SimCity. OFFLINE. I’m not 伍佰 anyway; I don’t enjoy playing ONLINE…

[P.S.: News of Mina-chan’s new single sure spread far and well, if you guys don’t know yet. It’s “Believe x”, confirmed from the official website, and the jacket artwork if out. If it’s like her first single, I don’t mind. I see familiar names in the composition too, like Hoshimura Mai, who impressed me with a BLEACH ending and one song from Mina-chan’s first album, This, is going to be something to look forward to.]

The Klassic Note Review 2014.03 Issue 1

(This is an imported post. For the original post please refer to this link.)

Today we have two, one (supposedly) released this week and the other… well I just listened to the CD a few days ago. So shall we?

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

Satou Satomi – Mirai Night [Single]

Limited Edition

Regular Edition

(Always remember I only possess the Regular Edition because… put in short, it’s too high a price to pay and DVDs are not widely standardised from where I come from) (Which means I’m clearly not from Japan or anywhere near it)

Origin: News appeared as early as three months ago from its release, in December last year where Satomi-chan proudly released her artist debut as a singer! Congrats for her during that time, and her debut live performance is (really) times better off Kana-chan when she had hers two years ago. But anyway, it’s a lively rock band that she wants to create on her singing career, thus her effort of waiting this long (after reading many reliable sources) to start and how she intends to start guitar learning in order to show us her dream on her own live in the near future. Probably a year later, I suppose…
(I can write longer from where she was singing in K-ON! as Ricchan, but I guess that’s a little far…)

(1) Mirai Night [Future Night]
As the title suggests, this is definitely a lively and simple rock piece to listen to, and I swear I took a liking to it (and her) the first time I heard it. I guess that’s what everyone wants to listen in a song, and this has everything. Lyrics also mean something too, with the inaccurate English sung by her is definitely not as important as her expressing this song in a positive light. PV-wise… it’s for you to decide. Though it’s not the considering factor to listening to this though: It’s rather unnecessary too… It’s pretty good on its own. Simple and upbeat: just how you guys would also like it.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(2) Brave Morning!
This… apparently is more of a cheerleading song than a rock song, but also has the rock style. And listening to it makes me think this song is not as bad as the first one too. Why the title? That I don’t really know, but from what I read online sources lead to the song written the morning of her debut performance as a singer, thus the inspiration, and this upbeat style. It also carries the band rock that Satomi-chan wants in, but put in a little more cheers in between. Overall, a very lively song, and not losing to Tomacchan in this case.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

Conclusion: If you like her, you’ll like her song. Because from singing upbeat character songs in Anime, this is another fresh approach but this time, she is serious about it. Like all-out band, and her playing the guitar –sort of thing. And this single represents everything in it. I personally think this is great, but as the best this year… If you guys know my ranking standards yanaginagi would win her by one track here… Not my point. DO give her a listen if you like upbeat songs, as this has a little of everything: pop, rock and a little cheer.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

ALSO!

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

Horie Yui – The World’s End [Single]

(If you want me to put the hearts in you've got another thing coming)

Limited Edition

Regular Edition

(What is SOOOOO interesting about the Limited Edition is IN it’s music video, where clues are in to access a website with a code that lets you in to solve a mystery within the 5-minute video. Unique, but unfortunately I don’t get it, so…)

Origin: If it’s Anime songs you know well then Hocchan barely needs any introduction. Sequel to her first set of theme songs given to the Anime “Golden Time”, this is so referred to the theme songs for the ‘2-cour’ Anime length (ie. second half), as hearing from the songs. Unfortunately, this gets plenty of Anime boost, which is mostly negative in many cases. Let me tell you why below. Really, the first set of theme songs (last year) did better than this…

(1) The World’s End
How to say this… Eh… It’s very different? Yeah, I guess. No wonder they took so long just to release this. They (production) probably don’t know how to make this into a full song too, haha. Turns out they did, and come out trumps, as I guess this is the most counter-intuitive song I guess I hear from such a cute voice, but that goes to show listening to Anime songs gives a certain level of uncertainty from what you may be hearing, and from the start this has not been good. Upon close inspection things to rather surface, but nonetheless the style of this song is rather rough on the outstanding-character side, similar to what she acts on the show as Kaga Kouko, a rich lady who is possessive of her lover. (Oops spoilers for those who haven’t watched?) The PV gives another side to this song’s impression, as a mystery surrounds the house, apparently not a crime, but about a black cat and… pretty much everything else I don’t understand, but doesn’t seem to look like love already. I don’t know how to put a clear verdict to this, but if this isn’t your taste, you should very well turn away. Or else, give creative/restricted songs a chance, yes?
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Anything higher would be ridiculous)

(2) Haneikyuuteki ni Aishite yo [Loving (You) Semi-Permanently]
I initially hoped for this song to turn the tides to the impression of this single, but… I guess the composers wrecked this completely, huh. Reading till here, if you guys don’t intend to hear this single, then you can stop reading here. Comparing to her previous single “Golden Time” it consists of two short (rather short) songs written short and simple, yet impressive. In this case, it seems that dragging the song and bringing out the mood of the song seems to be the focus here, as I catch the little familiar melodies as much as I can to make it feel like I’m hearing a nice song. You know, this could well be a short 3-minute song, but I guess the first two minutes are so deliberate I start to feel I’m being an idiot listening to it. But no, I’m not giving it 3-stars just because it has a good melody. Just… just… production problem, just like the show itself initially. Go read the comments online. I don’t even want to comment on it anymore…
Rating: 4 stars (Below Average) (Anything lower I won’t even pre-order this)

Conclusion: Eh… Can I don’t give one? If you liked Hocchan ever since she was 20 or if you watch the Anime, please give this a listen by all means. Or else, leave it alone. Unless you like to test your endurance of brainwashing (which I apparently did) while listening to songs that are in imperfection. Period.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note


Been rather moody these days. I know I should’ve gotten this out like… Monday. I’ll get better, hopefully. When I see my future has some direction. Not miwa. Not VELTPUNCH. Not SPECIAL OTHERS. No music would help that for now. Until next time, people.

The Klassic Note Review 2014.02 Issue 2: The (Supposed) Birthday Delivery

(This is an imported post. For the original post please refer to this link.)

If you look at the two images and don’t know that I just got my package this morning, you... never mind. I don’t want to scold people. Transiting to be a civilised person already… (Audience: LOL)

Will be talking about SID’s new single and Yanagi Nagi’s single (which I mentioned over here already), but mainly on SID, and the special gift. Yep. The B3 poster (really, not joking) which I don’t know where to put in my room now. Yanagi Nagi or Manaka-chan? Hmm…

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

SID – hug [Single]

Limited Edition Type A feat. Mao

Limited Edition Type B feat. Shinji

Limited Edition Type C feat. Aki

Limited Edition Type D feat. Yuuya

Regular Edition

(Yes FOUR Limited Edition covers with photo booklets, one for each member. A little better than sphere’s 5th Anniversary single next week because it has a Regular Edition CD, for me.)

Origin: I guess they also don’t need much introduction either. SID has been a great Rock band ever since I heard them in 2008, under credit of Anime “Kuroshitsuji” (you guys know they’re starting production on a 3rd season, right?) and have been impressing me with great songs since then. Whether it is from moody to lively songs they all have a touch, surprisingly done by vocals and lyricist Mao, backed up by awesome solo guitarist (he does the solos every time so well you forget about everyone else) Shinji, bassist and (surprisingly) composer of the group Aki and upbeat drummer Yuuya. They all come up with nice songs and have been mentioned in credit of several Anime include recent “Magi” and even “BLEACH” too.

Wow too long an introduction liao…

Verdict: Since it’s only single-track let’s keep it simple. Read below.

(1) hug
If its a emotional song then normally one would listen to the lyrics. Since I guess anyone reading this either is a English well-versed Japanese or just anyone who doesn’t understand Japanese, I’ll not talk about lyrics. But suffice it to say the lyrics are rather intimate, befitting of the title of the song. Melody wise… when I first heard it from the PV, the impression wasn’t deep, but it wasn’t all the bad. Their style if part of the reason why I still listen to them anyway, and I decided to take it. And then I found out it’s a single-track single, and here it is on my shelf.

Conclusion: If you like their style, support them as always. Like, buy their single, like what I did. Haha. Really. Don’t act blur. Also, this single is a good prelude to their album (which I probably wouldn’t buy, don’t know why) which I WILL be listening to it too, once it’s out (I can’t tell you where) next month.

~ Kaineng, on the Klassic Note


Yesh, now about the poster. Initially was excited about getting this order due to its source which was again different from the previous ones. Normally it’s CDJapan (do I need to put all the links here?), and last November it’s Animate Online Shop with Mina-chan and Yocchan’s singles (they get the season’s beta testing first), and this time it’s Yanagi Nagi, from HMV Japan’s online store it seems. Maybe I should just explain what I think of HMV. At first I expected to see a post card along with the B3 poster but then was disappointed because the post card did not appear. Then I checked repeatedly to confirm that the post cards are only for her Limited Edition title. Exceptions did apply on her previous single, but not now. And all early pre-orders do get the poster, which is what I did.

(I’ll probably do up an all-out review of all the retailers once I tried them all. Or most of them. Which would probably be within the year.)


Honestly, it’s late birthday gift. But even more honestly, I enjoyed it. Listening to it just makes me… happy. I guess that’s the reward I have for getting them in the first place. I guess… that’s my spirit. The Klassic Note spirit. Cya guys tomorrow, hopefully I’ll remember to do up the Entertainment News. Or not there’s always Monday…

The Klassic Note Review 2014.02 Issue 1

(This is an imported post. For the original post please refer to this link.)

Hi guys, I asked for a day more for yanaginagi’s single, and here I am. And what happened? I clicked on the order button, along with SID’s new single, that’s what happened…

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

yanaginagi – Mitsuba no Musibime [Single]

Limited Edition

Regular Edition

(I know; I can’t really see the difference either…)

Origin: Well this single was to be credited on Anime “Nagi no Asukara” (if you didn’t watch it’s about time you should, it’s great show) as its second Ending Song (yesh second, means you missed the first by the same person last year) and I had an impression of yanaginagi last year with her single “Aqua Terrarium”. Unfortunately her composition skills did not get to me and I left out her only creation in her previous three-track single. But not this time. I intend to give this more chance and given it’s also one of the singles on my birthday week (if I’m mentioning this a lot of times please don’t mind me nagging) so this brings more meaning as I go along.

Verdict: As I’m willing to be more open for creativity, the impression of this single surprises me well with the complete A-side song and two short and unique B-sides in terms of the indie style I rarely get to hear. More explanations below.

(1) Mitsuba no Musubime [Knotting the Musubime]
An emotional song which can be related to the show itself, talking about people binding together as with the lyrics. The full song is as decent as the 90-second preview I get to hear for the past few weeks, and is not anything disappointing, just like the Opening by Ray. PV does not really help deepen the impression of the song, but the mood of the song is pretty well displayed in the video, and I swear I saw that painting of wings before. Mina-chan might give you guys a hint.RATING: 4 Stars (Average)

(2) Intention Propellant
Started a little hesitant to give this, but hearing it again gives a different view on this song. It’s a little sci-fi, as if you understood the lyrics or even bother to find out what “sputnik” is in its lyrics (written by yanaginagi herself, lyrics only anyway) is about departing into space. And then suddenly the title makes sense, along with the image it intends to present. And since the song is short and simple, it’s even easier to absorb, especially for someone like me who takes a lean to this type of songs once in a while, or actually it’s once in quite a while. Nice song, really.
RATING: 4 Stars (Average)

(3) unjour
Yesh people, why I hesitate to write this yesterday is due to this song, also a short song entirely done by yanaginagi herself. Let’s just say this song overall has a mood that is entirely in its own realm, and that’s why I’ve been holding to this song and finding its plus points, in contrast to the one I hear from her previous single. This song stood better chance too, as it is simple, though complicated is its mood. Not some song I’ll recommend to anyone, but it’s good, for me. It’s that kind of melody I’ll think of when I run out of songs to listen, really.
RATING: 4 Stars (Average) (on the lower end though)

Conclusion: A-side pretty expected, did not expect to pick up the two B-sides too, but now I can say this is actually a full 4-stars single. Not very often seen as three songs in my list needs to be exceptionally impressive, and normally includes a 5-star song (Rie fu’s single “For You”). But this, this is just another 4-star single, which means I’ll take a listen if I were you. Even Yocchan’s single is less worth the listening.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

[P.S.: Oh yesh the Tokuten (special gift), the Tokuten… (Audience: You just want the picture of the girl, don’t you…) Not really, but who can resist a free gift, hehe…]

[P.P.S.: Will explain more of the ordering path I took this time round once I get the stuff. Which most likely will come next week. I guess.]