Reviews written by Cherryblossom-garden.com
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Nanairo no Ashita - Brand New Beat / Your Color (Japan Version)
Nanairo no Ashita - Brand New Beat / Your Color (Japan Version)
(13)Our Price: US$13.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:4 people found the following helpful
March 18, 2006 What's the point?Outgrow was probably one of the worst albums so far this year. So I thought perhaps this single would bring something new. Unfortunately, BoA once again goes out of her wait to prove how mediocre she is. I've heard both songs, and to be honest, I don't see the point. These songs may have been better as fillers on Outgrow because they sound like fillers. One song is a cheesy dance song, and the other is a ballad. BoA can sometimes deliver good ballads, but this one is just pathetic, the lyrics and execution of the song are so plain it hurts my ears. Nice try BoA, better luck next time. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kiss Me Good-Bye (SINGLE+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Kiss Me Good-Bye (SINGLE+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(1)Our Price: US$19.49Related promotions:March 15, 2006 Best Final Fantasy Theme Song yetI've always been a big Final Fantasy fan, but to be honest, the vocal theme songs were pretty bad, especially the last one. Kiss me good-bye, written by Angela herself and composed by Nobuo Uematsu is a masterpiece. The song is pretty basic, but Angela Aki's voice is beautiful enough to give it the edge it needs, the song is different from her usual work due to the arrangement, which is also a welcome change as she tends to have a lot of piano presence in her songs. The english version of the song is better than the Japanese one in my opinion, and with Angela being half American, we don't have to suffer from any Engrish on her part. Hopefully this single will help launch her career as she is truly talented. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Faith (Japan Version)
1 people found the following helpful
March 6, 2006 Beautiful & TalentedYuna Ito proves with her second single that she's more than just a pretty face. The main song, Faith, took me a while to get used to, but then after seeing her awesome live performances of the song, I was really impressed. Not only can she sing well, she can also sing well LIVE, and that's pretty rare in pop. The b-side, Pureyes, is amazingly simple and addictive. On the contrary to Faith, Pureyes is an upbeat song with happy feelings and lots of sweetness. I really love both songs, and I hope Yuna continues to make great pop music. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kokoro Bidama (Japan Version)
Kokoro Bidama (Japan Version)
(2)Our Price: US$15.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:March 3, 2006 Good, but....Even though I really love RYTHEM, and Kokoro Biidama is a great song, I felt that the single itself was a bit of a rip-off. "M" is an okay cover of PRINCESS PRINCESS's original, and Negai is only a minute and a half long! So the only real new song is Kokoro Biidama. I hope RYTHEM releases their second album soon, because I am dying for some more new material. If you're a big RYTHEM fan, you probably bought this, but for the rest of you who read this I would say, wait for the album instead. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Kaze / Okuru Kotoba (CD+DVD)(Japan Version)
Kaze / Okuru Kotoba (CD+DVD)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(3)Our Price: US$20.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:February 5, 2006 How I fell for AyaThough Kaze was not the first Aya song I heard, it was the first song that impressed me. After a friend recommended it to me I bought the single and for weeks it stayed in my CD player. Kaze is a sweet, fast paced song with great Japanese instruments. Although I could have thought of better concepts for the DVD, I did think it was nice and Aya looks beautiful as always. If you're new to Aya, this single is highly recommended, as well as Kizuna, Usotsuki and Ai no Tame ni. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Sweet Mom (Japan Version)
January 24, 2006 Aesthetically pleasingSweet Mom is really Kou's most beautiful single yet. The title song is a perfect ballad. Memory Pocket is upbeat and exciting, with Kou's voice higher pitched that usual. The true gem on this single is Adokenai Nukumori (Innocent Warmth). Her voice is very deep, soothing, and angelic in this song, making it a pefect contrast to to Memory Pocket. The lyricist, Izutsu Himi, is one of the most talented newcomers of 2005. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Haru no Katami (Japan Version)
Haru no Katami (Japan Version)
(2)Our Price: US$15.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:January 23, 2006 Return to the good-old daysWhen I heard Haru no Katami on the ending of Ayakashi I was deeply impressed. The soft shima-uta music in the background, Chitose's prefect voice and the incredible depth of the lyrics make this song absolutely stunning. I hope Chitose is coming out with a new album soon, it's been too long since Nomad Soul. I'm definately buying this single, and I strongly encourage everyone else to do so. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
to YOU (Japan Version)
January 21, 2006 AwesomeBoth songs on this single, to YOU and finally are awesome songs. to YOU is a slow ballad and Finally is an upbeat song. Finally has been the Angel Heart ending theme for a while now, so when I "finally" heard the full version I was really happy because it was everything I expected it to be. Sowelu's b-side songs have been terrific, my love + your love from "Get Over" was awesome, and "Finally" is just as good as "to YOU". The packaging and promotion for this single is also great. Sowelu's looking better than ever and I can't wait for her upcoming third album. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
TOKYO (Japan Version)
2 people found the following helpful
January 20, 2006 PerfectionThis single really makes me excited about her upcoming album. TOKYO is a really nice, slow song about YUI's own experience of leaving her home town and traveling towards Tokyo to start her career. Then the b-side, HELP, is this really cheery love song with a super addictive chorus. YUI is one of the best new artists, and her debut album will be awesome if you look at what she's released so far. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Ai no Melody / Chowa oto - with reflection (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
Ai no Melody / Chowa oto - with reflection (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)
(1)Our Price: US$15.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:January 3, 2006 Best KOKIA b-side everAi no Melody is really nothing special, it's not as good as Dandelion or time to say goodbye, but Chouwa oto is really great. It's a very intense ballad, with a kind of shima-uta feel to it. The lyrics are briliiant and the chorus is simply magical. The chorus really proves that KOKIA is one really an amazing vocalist and it's a shame she's often overlooked in favour of less talented but more popular artists. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
SPARKLE TRAIN / Got to leave (Japan Version)
SPARKLE TRAIN / Got to leave (Japan Version)
(1)Our Price: US$13.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:December 28, 2005 Japan's Top R&B ActSOULHEAD proved with SPARKLE TRAIN / Got to leave that they are still on top of the R&B game in Japan. I usually don't buy their singles and wait for albums, but after seeing the video for this single I was instantly hooked on the addictive melody. SPARKLE TRAIN is great song about choosing your own future, and Got to leave is a very smooth R&B tune about cheating. Their recent work with Koda Kumi has also been great and because of that I am also pre-ordering their upcoming single. I hope the girls are releasing a new album soon because they're only getting better. Another great plus about this single is the very pretty cover and the complimentary sticker. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Reborn (SINGLE+DVD)(Japan Version)
Reborn (SINGLE+DVD)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(5)Our Price: US$23.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:2 people found the following helpful
December 26, 2005 HorribleI saw the video and I have to say I'm disappointed. Mai used to make really nice music as Ruppina, but now that she's moved to Rythem Zone she's completely changed her image for the worst. The song Reborn sounds very fake, instead of her usual sweet voice they made it distorted to make it sound futuristic. That may have worked in the 80ties but these days it just sounds horrible. The video isn't much better, Mai looks way too skinny and the whole nudity thing doesn't appeal to me either. Mai may be reborn, but if this is the music she's going to make then she should have quit all together. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
December 6, 2005 Shimauta Princess Rimi returns in full glory
It's been a while since Rimi's last album Kaze no Michi, and after the release of her last single "Sayounara Arigatou" I became really excited about her new album.
This album uses pretty much the same format as her older albums. All of the songs are ballads, sung in different speeds but still all ballads in true Shimauta style. The album is a pleasure to listen to and very fitting for the winter time when most people really just want to relax.
The theme for this album is love and nature, which is pretty much standard for shimauta. It's a shame that it's a dying genre because people like Rimi are such a pleasure to listen to. Her voice is sweet and smooth, and she never falters when she hits the high notes.
In my opinion, the best tracks on this album are "Sagari bana", "Sayounara Arigatou", "Tokotowa no Uta", "Ame furi no ki no shita de", "Tamachiyu no ashibi" and "Kokoro Tsutae". It's always great that Rimi includes at least two songs in Okinawan. It's so different from mainland Japanese and I would recommend everyone to try this album just for the Okinawan. Another great details is that Rimi is one of the few Japanese artists my wife also loves, so I can enjoy this album with her, which more than makes it worth its price.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Start Line / Forever (CD+DVD)(Japan Version)
Start Line / Forever (CD+DVD)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(7)Our Price: US$17.75Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:November 28, 2005 The DVD is worth it, but the single...I really love the DVD that comes with this single, it contains two live performances and some really funny backstage stuff. The single however, is really crappy. STYLE was such a good single with a good b-side, but both of the songs on this single were lame and SE7EN's singing is also below standards. SE7EN isn't really good with ballads, he's alright with slow R&B but his real talent lies with fast paced R&B, not with this stuff. And why in the world they put that stupid rap part in Start Line is beyond me... Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Japana-rhythm (Japan Version)
Japana-rhythm (Japan Version)
(4)Our Price: US$31.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:November 8, 2005 I was about to buy this...I actually cancelled this order after being able to listen to all the songs. This album is a huge disappointment to me.
Out of the 16 songs on this album, 4 are instrumental, and 7 are already released songs, which leaves 5 new songs. Sadly to say, none of the new songs have anything interesting to offer the listener. I was hoping that at least Moonchild would be something interesting music wise, but no, it's just the same old-same old J-Pop/Urban junk. It's really sad because Sky and Dreamland were two awesome singles with each 3 great songs, but since all 6 of those are on the album, what was the point of buying the singles? And with those six being the only good songs on the album, what's the point of buying the album?
Maybe if you're a hardcore BENNIE K fan with extra money, this would be a good buy. I love the cover, it's very pretty, but I'm not going to spend my money on a pretty cover.
If you really want a good BENNIE K album, try the ones before they got famous.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Heart & Symphony (Japan Version)
Heart & Symphony (Japan Version)
(5)Our Price: US$34.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:7 people found the following helpful
October 20, 2005 Bad timing, bad track listLet me first say that Shimatani Hitomi is a beautiful woman with a great voice, that much we know, but this album really didn't deliver, and here's why.
Firstly, the awful selection of songs. The singles that support this album only had one strong song, which was Garnet Moon, but that was already on her previous "concept" album. Most of the new songs have the fatal flaw of being too long and too boring. I used to like her songs because it was a mix of different things, but this album relies too much on the same kind of tunes.
I also think more time should have been spent on this album. It's just too soon, and judging from the sales of this album, many people agree with me. Her previous two albums sold so well, but this one didn't because of the things I just mentioned.
One more thing that irks me is the photography for this album. Hitomi is so pretty, but the backgrounds, dresses and make-up made her look so awful.
I would say, better luck next time. Avex has this thing for marketing people to death with constant releases, and it works for Ayu and Koda Kumi, but not for Hitomi, that's for sure. If you want a good Hitomi album, go for either Pappilon or her best album.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
POP STAR (Japan Version)
1 people found the following helpful
October 15, 2005 Just what I neededI've really missed Ken Hirai this year. SENTIMENTALovers was such a great album and I wanted something new for the past few months. POP STAR is really simple, it has silly lyrics, a highly addictive beat and a really giddy feel. The video is hilarious because of the 70ties style dancing.
I feel really happy when I hear this song, which is something I need right now..so thank god for Ken! Can't wait to get his best album as well.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Two As One (Japan Version)
October 12, 2005 A personal favouriteTwo As One is a great song simply because Kuri and the guys go very well together I think. But for me it's even better because of the melody. A lot of people thought it was a stupid melody that sounded simple, but ever since I heard it on the Toyota Wish commercial I was hooked on the easy-going yet strangely addictive jazz tune of this song.
Namida ga Afuretemo is a very sweet ballad. Lyrics are simple but love songs don't have to be difficult. At first I didn't like it, but then I sat down and really listened to it when I was relaxing, and now I sing it all the time because it's stuck in my head.
The english version of MY EVERYTHING wasn't really needed, but I guess there are fans of Kuri's english stuff out there. I'm just not one of them. I think she sounds great in Japanese, but boring in English.
All in all, another great single from Kuri.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
LIFE (Japan Version)
1 people found the following helpful
October 12, 2005 100% YUIWhenever I listen to YUI I really know that she gives everything she's got. The lyircs, the vocals and the instrumentals are all is harmony. As of late, many great female singers/composers like aiko, Hitomi Yaida and Ayumi Hamasaki have been making music that's too loud, and as a result their voice just drains. YUI doesn't have this problem, her voice is always at the forefront and the music compliments it rather than overpowers it. LIFE is definately my favourite song at the moment, and I can't wait till she releases her first album. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
NANA Soundtrack (CD+DVD)(Limited Pressing)(Japan Version)
NANA Soundtrack (CD+DVD)(Limited Pressing)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(3)Our Price: US$38.75Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:October 4, 2005 Questionable advertisingI rather regret spending so much money on this product. First off, the advertising is very misleading. The "photobook" that's included is a normal CD booklet with some pictures from that movie that you can find online or in the previously released photobooks. There's only one miniature sized picture of Reira and the pictures of Nana and Hachi really aren't too interesting.
The DVD containing "live" versions of GLAMOROUS SKY and ENDLESS STORY are, in a very technical sense, live, yet they're not live. You get to see how they tape the PVs and stuff, and you see the PVs without the bits where the normal PVs switch to scenes from the movie, or in Yuna's case, the part where she's in the animated background. So it's not a real live performance, it's just a different cut of the PV.
The soundtrack itself leaves a lot to be desired. The instrumental songs are okay, I've listening to many OSTs that are much better, but I guess you can't expect much from a teen melodrama. The soundtrack versions of ENDLESS STORY and GLAMOROUS SKY have slight differences in the arrangement and are shorter than the original versions.
All in all, this product could have been much more, especially for the price they charge. Hardcore Nana or Mika fans probably bought this just like me, and I don't know about others, but I'm disappointed.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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