Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin IN
Tracklist:
1. Alleluia
2. dolce
Live recordings not to be reviewed:
3. fairytale ~2012. Christmas LIVE ver.~
4. Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Iku ~2012. Christmas LIVE ver.~
1. Alleluia
The new single from Kalafina starts off in a serene sound, with slow violins joining in and wielding their usual chord progressions. As the instrumentation grows stronger, Keiko's powerful vocals in contrast with a higher-pitched arrangement lead on, until subdued guitars unravel into a chorus with a single touching "Alleluia" sung by all three vocals. Though Hikaru and Wakana serve mostly as the backing to Keiko's voice and in the interludes, their impact is still present in the track, which employs optimistic and uplifting anison-ballad instrumentals rather than the expected sadder, neoclassical tone. I was hoping for an emotional roller coaster after Consolation heightened my expectations, but another ballad in their opus does just fine as well.
Rating: 8
2. dolce
An eerie, mysterious sound opens, with only several thin synths and occasional bells to support it, before uplifting choral sequences ensue in a harmony completely separate from the instrumental background. Although having a familiar feel, like a mix of Madoka Magica soundtrack elements (specifically, Credens Justitiam, even having the similar track length) and Hikari Furu, the chorus becomes quite more dramatic and serious than the cheerful verses, providing more excitement in a melodic sense than Alleluia. Complexity may be Yuki Kajiura's middle name, but sometimes the most simple things are the best attention-keepers.
Rating: 10
By now we're all used to Kalafina being impeccable all the time, so, summed up, the only minor flaw that exists is that perhaps Alleluia could of been a little more inventive. My overall rating is: 9.
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
I also agree that Dolce (THE HARMONIES!!!!!!~~~~~) is better than Alleluia, though for different reasons which I will go into in my review. Nice :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading it then, especially as you can provide more perspective since you've been a Kalafina fan for a longer amount of time (*´・ｖ・)
DeleteApparently I am the only one who preferred Hallelujah instead of dolce :/
DeleteFor me with only having Keiko as the lead singer was enough to be my favorite song from the single.
And also dolce sounds like a song from Red Moon.
Red Moon is one of my favourite albums, no wonder I've been biased the whole time ~
DeleteMehehe, I prefer dolce compared to Alleluia as well.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I'm having trouble even uttering a simple remark about this single to comment, I am not fit to review Kalafina! D:
But if I attempt to, I'm glad you chose not to review the lives because I was thinking of not reviewing them as well, but with hesitation.
Kalafina is actually easier to review to me than anything else, mostly because there's just so many things about the song you can describe. And, by the way, I never review lives, remixes, short cuts, or instrumentals, so you can have a guideline by that :3
DeleteLol what's with Kalafina and Christianity lately? They had the lyric "Quo Vadis Domine" in Consolation (incidentally, that part of the song sounds like a song we used for mass over here in the Philippines). Haven't listened to the song yet, but it's Kalafina, so it should be good, right? *still excited for their Madoka single in November :3*
ReplyDeleteWestern religions in Japan, especially Christianity, are more related to pure symbolism and decoration rather than real belief, so it doesn't surprise me Yuki Kajiura would look in catholic masses to take out fitting Latin chants. I doubt there there is a specific religious background to Kalafina.
DeleteI think only 3 songs are referring to the religion (Fairytale, hallelujah, and consolation)
DeleteAs all other ones are in Kajiurago :)
Kajiurago is absolutely beautiful, I've no idea why she uses Latin at all.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great single..it made within the top 10 at Oricon..:)
ReplyDeleteAlleluia was light and a heartwarming song. And Dolce..what a blending..xDD
Now i feel excited for their next single..Kimi no Gin no Niwa..:)
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