Katanagatari OP
Tracklist:
1. Hakushu Kassai Utaawase
2. M.K.O
3. Yuuyake Brousse
4. Hakushu Kassai Utaawase (TV Edit)
5. Hakushu Kassai Utaawase -Instrumental-
6. M.K.O -Instrumental-
7. Yuuyake Brousse -Instrumental-
1. Hakushu Kassai Utaawase
A soft, quiet singing from Koeda opens the first track, with occasional traces from a tradition-inspired melody. Not wasting time, the song quickly unravels into an energetic rock track, this time drenched in piano chords, which very much reminds of the famous Senbonzakura (they share the same tonality and chord progression). Unlike in their previous single, the vocals are quite powerful and deep, providing a bind between the constantly alternating slow and fast themes in the verses and chorus, while perfectly keeping up with the unusual rhytmic figures, made to cater to the stereotypical Japanese sound of it. As to make a full circle, the song ends reserved and calm, leaving an admirable impression.
A soft, quiet singing from Koeda opens the first track, with occasional traces from a tradition-inspired melody. Not wasting time, the song quickly unravels into an energetic rock track, this time drenched in piano chords, which very much reminds of the famous Senbonzakura (they share the same tonality and chord progression). Unlike in their previous single, the vocals are quite powerful and deep, providing a bind between the constantly alternating slow and fast themes in the verses and chorus, while perfectly keeping up with the unusual rhytmic figures, made to cater to the stereotypical Japanese sound of it. As to make a full circle, the song ends reserved and calm, leaving an admirable impression.
Rating: 9
2. M.K.O
Not so different from Hakushu Kassai Utaawase, the next track also makes a build up, but more towards a usual Western style. Perhaps accordingly, Koeda's voice is much more nasal and higher in pitch, though the song could have sounded just as good, and more serious in a deeper registre. Even with it being simple instrument-wise, with only a guitar, usage of the organ and a strong tempo, the rocky, catchy chorus makes up for it, utilizing an effective melody. And, although M.K.O isn't as memorable as the A-side, at least it is better than the generic acoustic ballad supercell had enough of in their past single.
Rating: 8
3. Yuuyake Brousse
The final material on the single is usually where the composer's creative juices run out, and this is no exception. A strange, unpleasant arrangement opens, being livened up with the mouth accordion only for a short time before falling in a limbo of slow-motion and random guitar plucks. Everything, even the vocals, sounds tired out and lazy, disappointing and making this song the weakest of all three, that is - just average.
Rating: 4
Compared to The Bravery (which, surprising me, many people liked), Hakushu Kassai Utaawase is a big step up, for both Koeda and Ryo. The only stranger here is Yuuyake Brousse, which reflects another one of Ryo's unsuccessful attempts at creating a summer-related song; he should just stick to the pop-rock thing going on most of the time. My overall rating is: 7
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
2. M.K.O
Not so different from Hakushu Kassai Utaawase, the next track also makes a build up, but more towards a usual Western style. Perhaps accordingly, Koeda's voice is much more nasal and higher in pitch, though the song could have sounded just as good, and more serious in a deeper registre. Even with it being simple instrument-wise, with only a guitar, usage of the organ and a strong tempo, the rocky, catchy chorus makes up for it, utilizing an effective melody. And, although M.K.O isn't as memorable as the A-side, at least it is better than the generic acoustic ballad supercell had enough of in their past single.
Rating: 8
3. Yuuyake Brousse
The final material on the single is usually where the composer's creative juices run out, and this is no exception. A strange, unpleasant arrangement opens, being livened up with the mouth accordion only for a short time before falling in a limbo of slow-motion and random guitar plucks. Everything, even the vocals, sounds tired out and lazy, disappointing and making this song the weakest of all three, that is - just average.
Rating: 4
Compared to The Bravery (which, surprising me, many people liked), Hakushu Kassai Utaawase is a big step up, for both Koeda and Ryo. The only stranger here is Yuuyake Brousse, which reflects another one of Ryo's unsuccessful attempts at creating a summer-related song; he should just stick to the pop-rock thing going on most of the time. My overall rating is: 7
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
