ClariS - Colorful

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica The Movie III : Rebellion OP

Tracklist:

1. Colorful

2. Surely

3. Pieces

4. Colourful - Instrumental -

1. Colorful

After a quick and playful music box intro, bells start off and unravel into a routine anison arrangement, complete with violins and acoustic guitars, with the bass quietly heard in the background, making the track a bit different from their usual electro-pop style. Fortunately, their vocals here are, instead attempting cuteness, more mature and deep sounding, like proper grown-up singers, but still provide energy to the catchy chorus. Although the song is a pleasant listen, and has a nostalgic tone to it, it's nothing special or quite original, and, in character, unfit for a series such as Madoka Magica (though, the problem with an unfit opening was present ever since the first anime episode).

Rating: 7

2. Surely

Clara's and Alice's vocals begin in unison, in a calm, broad arrangement, and becomes a song very similar to Colorful, except the focus is more on the acoustic instrumentals and the mid-tempo rather than full anison. With the song being relatively generic J-pop, the fact that it was a chore listening to it because it can be quite boring at times, and that there are very little differing elements to describe in the actual review, it doesn't earn any higher status than a scapegoat B-side.

Rating: 5

3. Pieces

Yet again, another completely unimaginative affair, barely differing from the previous two songs except for a slight change in the melody lines.

Rating: 1

I'm not having a fit of writer's block, but I am thinking of employing Konno's method for all such generic releases, since track-by-track reviews are almost always fruitless. As with livetune, ClariS will not get reviewed here anymore, despite the fact they get pretty big tie-ins.
My overall rating is: 4
Will I return for an another listen: No.

The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.

ClariS - Reunion

Oreimo 2 OP

Tracklist:

1. reunion

2. Tik Tak

3. Mint Gum

4. reunion -Instrumental-

1. reunion

Considering that the ClariS girls were found through Nico Nico, it is not at all strange that their songs are very similar to that of the usual electro Vocaloid style. This song is light and whispy, and can even incorporates dubstep in its chorus - making it very fun to listen to with the colourful arrangement. Both Clara and Alice's vocals are very expressive and gentle, although they are filtered, and quite young (in other words, they are much better than idols who get years of training), and such music fits perfectly with the theme of Oreimo.
Rating: 8

2. Tik Tak

The next track starts off with a mysterious intro, and is darker and more touching than the previous. Although it is strikingly similar to some K-pop ballads, the laid-back tempo and synths are still present, and ClariS sounds almost like one singer here, because the two's voices are almost indiscernible.
Rating: 9

3. Mint Gum

With the employment of violins and numerous acoustics, this is more like usual anisong we get to see, like YuiKaori or Sphere. This song retains the light, but natural arrangement even though it's much slower and ballad like. I suppose that after upbeat, synthy songs this one is not as original or interesting, but it can still show an other side of ClariS, which is enjoyable and uplifting as well.

Rating: 7

Whether or not you believe these two girls are really 14 year old and in high school, their vocal ability is certainly excellent, and the single would definitely be one of their good releases. The only thing that may hinder them in the future is the unoriginality which sometimes appears. My overall rating is: 8.

The comment box doesn't bite; be polite when feeding it, though.