Genei wo Kakeru Taiyo OP
Tracklist:
1. träumerei
2. I doubt it
3. Yuuyake Nostalgia
4. träumerei (TV Size)
1. träumerei
Deep, haunting bells open the first track, with an introduction very similar to CHOIR JAIL, until the guitars and the upbeat rhythm completely take over in an ani-rock composition. Despite the arrangement consisting of only electric guitars and heavy drums, the catchy melody makes up for the variation, even after numerous listens. Unfortunately, we don't get to see much of LiSA's voice in its stunning clarity because it's filtered most of the time, aside the powerful, touching chorus where it does give the effect needed. Again in the middle eight section, the silent choir and the mysterious atmosphere appear again, slowly building up to a fast drum sequence, and unraveling into the final chorus, which is this time around accompanied by occasional background lines LiSA has sung as well. If I dare say with all those SAO fans out there, this is even better than "crossing field".
2. I doubt it
Following on, restless with the waves of energy, "I doubt it" opens with a relaxing and melancholic intro, but quickly overturning the expectation of a ballad with a few western-ish guitar chords followed by the serious and catchy verse. The second track shows off LiSA's other side, as it is much more explosive and aggressive, and more rock-oriented than anison when compared to träumerei. Likewise, her unmatched vocal colour for rock and an edgier image is utilized, along with a higher tone and great, although subtle vibrato skills. As to suit the whole track, the middle eight section is marked by an euphoric, extremely energetic guitar solo which climaxes as LiSA's soothing tone sings along to a laid-back environment before everything gets interrupted by strong chords and a chorus which is raised by an octave to achieve more momentum. It's rare to see a B-side being on the same level of quality as the title track.
Rating: 10
3. Yuuyake Nostalgia
Wrapping up the single is LiSA's singing to restful guitars in the background, being significantly slower than the previous tracks, but, don't be fooled, as the instrumentation gradually gains tempo and more of her cheerful, uplifting pop-rock taste in the chorus, Although this tries to please the part of the fanbase which finds pleasure in her cuter songs, it's not as memorable as ROCK-mode or WiLD CANDY, and the fact that it is barely 3 minutes long doesn't contribute at all. Ending with a kind of an unfinished feeling, it seems one track had to be a scapegoat. Well, at least it's not a ballad, alike to those LiSA has done in her previous single to fill up disk space, and it does serve its purpose.
Rating: 8
This is usually the place where I find myself commenting on the future of the artist in question, but all I can say is that LiSA never fails to impress me, and, if she continues like this, will be a worthy heir even to Nana-chan-kami-sama. My overall rating is: 9
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
Deep, haunting bells open the first track, with an introduction very similar to CHOIR JAIL, until the guitars and the upbeat rhythm completely take over in an ani-rock composition. Despite the arrangement consisting of only electric guitars and heavy drums, the catchy melody makes up for the variation, even after numerous listens. Unfortunately, we don't get to see much of LiSA's voice in its stunning clarity because it's filtered most of the time, aside the powerful, touching chorus where it does give the effect needed. Again in the middle eight section, the silent choir and the mysterious atmosphere appear again, slowly building up to a fast drum sequence, and unraveling into the final chorus, which is this time around accompanied by occasional background lines LiSA has sung as well. If I dare say with all those SAO fans out there, this is even better than "crossing field".
Rating: 10
2. I doubt it
Following on, restless with the waves of energy, "I doubt it" opens with a relaxing and melancholic intro, but quickly overturning the expectation of a ballad with a few western-ish guitar chords followed by the serious and catchy verse. The second track shows off LiSA's other side, as it is much more explosive and aggressive, and more rock-oriented than anison when compared to träumerei. Likewise, her unmatched vocal colour for rock and an edgier image is utilized, along with a higher tone and great, although subtle vibrato skills. As to suit the whole track, the middle eight section is marked by an euphoric, extremely energetic guitar solo which climaxes as LiSA's soothing tone sings along to a laid-back environment before everything gets interrupted by strong chords and a chorus which is raised by an octave to achieve more momentum. It's rare to see a B-side being on the same level of quality as the title track.
Rating: 10
3. Yuuyake Nostalgia
Wrapping up the single is LiSA's singing to restful guitars in the background, being significantly slower than the previous tracks, but, don't be fooled, as the instrumentation gradually gains tempo and more of her cheerful, uplifting pop-rock taste in the chorus, Although this tries to please the part of the fanbase which finds pleasure in her cuter songs, it's not as memorable as ROCK-mode or WiLD CANDY, and the fact that it is barely 3 minutes long doesn't contribute at all. Ending with a kind of an unfinished feeling, it seems one track had to be a scapegoat. Well, at least it's not a ballad, alike to those LiSA has done in her previous single to fill up disk space, and it does serve its purpose.
Rating: 8
This is usually the place where I find myself commenting on the future of the artist in question, but all I can say is that LiSA never fails to impress me, and, if she continues like this, will be a worthy heir even to Nana-chan-kami-sama. My overall rating is: 9
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
I actually liked Gen'ei's ED ("Mirage", by Natsumi Okamoto, who's pretty much unknown by me) much more than the OP!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I could never bring myself to like LiSA. I mean, her songs are fine, they're not bad, they're just lacking... something I can't put into words.
Well, everyone has their own tastes when it comes to music. Perhaps you're more into calmer and artistic music than everything LiSA presents.
DeleteI would not call what I listen to most of the time (trance and electro music, mostly, with a touch of J-Pop and classical themes) "calmer", but doesn't it feel like LiSA's songs are always the same? That's what I don't like about her, really, I get bored too quickly!
DeleteAh, well, at least she's better than Ali Project. Yeah, I don't like them either! Am I being too grumpy? :D
I can kind of sympathise with you :-)
DeleteAs long as you don't dislike Nana-chan-kami-sama (Nana Mizuki, if you haven't figured out). (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
DeleteI will always stay true to Nana-dono, of course ;)
DeleteGood review. I still love crossing field more but Traumerei's now my 2nd favorite LiSA son (it's better than either best day, best way or oath sign that's for sure). It's a bit of a shame that Traumerei isn't doing as well in the charts as LiSA's other singles (still great, but could be better). It's even been beaten by "Make us free na splash kasaneta, hikari no contrast abite" (Splash Free) T^T. Still, it's an amazing song, and I still love it. Too bad Gen'ei wo Kakeru Taiyou will probably flop T^T
ReplyDeleteTo Francois, Natsumi Okamoto is a new singer, it's her first release. She won an Anime singing contest, and this is her first single. It's alright if you don't like LiSA, her voice does sound like she's screaming, but I still love her voice for what it is. To each his own I guess.
Oh well. Chart success means nothing if you enjoy the song/anime in question.
DeleteI don't really follow J-Music charts, so I had no idea. Will check her out then!
DeleteGreat review! :) I remember being totally addicted to crossing field, but now, like you, I've found that her latest A-side is even better! I totally agree with you giving the first two tracks a full ten ^.^ (Yeah, the third was not quite there... *coughs*)
ReplyDeleteOh, by the way, despite how lazy I am, I actually made the effort to verify the songs and found that if you downloaded from Hikari no Akari, you would have gotten the wrong title for the second B-side. It is, in fact, Yuuyake Nostalgia, not SPiCE. I checked via CD Japan :D
And lastly, I was so happy to see you say 'Nana-chan-kami-sama', hahaha!
Where the heck did SPiCE come from? Thanks for the correction (o__o)
DeleteI hope the mega-honorific catches on xD
Haha, SPiCE is the second B-side for the editions other than the anime edition! :D
DeleteI'd laugh, but I'd love it if did catch on, mehehe :3
OH GOD THE INFECTION IS SPREADING, WHAT HAVE I STARTED??? ( must add -dono on the end xD )
DeleteBut I think LiSA still has a way to go in the vocal department if she is to become an "heir" to Nana.
Well, of course, she has only 1 album released so far. One can hope, though ~
DeleteBut in my heart, neither Nana-chan-kami-sama-dono nor LiSA-sama-kami can ever replace Kawada Mami-san-chan-sama-hime-kami-dono-ojousama :D
DeleteI think the song was great (A-side) but her voice lack some punch to really nail it as it did with Oath Song, or Crow Song :D
DeleteAnd while she has this strong voice noticed when singing, it's still a long way before reaching Nana, that her characteristic vibratto and great tunes are making her the (for me) queen of Anison world
Right now, behind her is Kalafina, a Yuki Kajiura band = perfect.
And the ones climbing the spot, are Nagi Yanagi and Annabel, i think they are getting unnoticed, but then again, they don't have much time as solist (Annabel since 2009, but then again only tie-ins and no singles mostly).
What's weird from LiSA, was that she released Oath sign and then immediately the album.