home grown (Normal Edition) (Japan Version)

After a long absence of one and a half years, Matsu Takako has finally released her new compilation "home grown", which incorporates her mini-CDs "Clover", "Hana no youni" and "Ashita ni kuchizuke wo".

Matsu Takako performs "Clover" with a beautifully crisp voice, showing huge improvements as far as the clearness and her vocal gamut are concerned. Her leave from the music scene has not caused her skills to deteriorate one bit and her wholehearted passion can really be heard. With regard to the melody, it falls into the category of the classic J-pop ballad. "Clover" is the theme song of a TV commercial, which has been broadcast in Hokkaido before and the song received exceptional responses after its release.

The second track "Fuyu no tremolo" presents another solid production and keeps up the usual standard, regardless of whether the song arrangement, its depth of meaning or the song editing is concerned.

Track 3 "Ashita ni kuchizuke wo" no longer sees Matsu Takako singing in high pitch, but rather presents a more harmonic and down to earth performance, which most probably is the one preferred by the majority of her listeners.

The frolic tune of track 4 "Vanilla ice" features Takako's cheeky side. So, do you rather prefer a shy and reserved or comparatively bolder Matsu Takako? For this song the star also utilizes a few flute and organ sounds.

As for track 5, "Ai ga watashi ni oshiete kuretakoto", it comes with a bit of the flavor typical of Tamaki Koji songs, listeners will especially fall for the pining sound of the electric guitar blending with Matsu Takako's chanting voice. Furthermore, nobody should miss the saxophone passage of this tune.

The listening pleasure offered by track 6 "Koi no wasurekata" and track 7 " Mahiru no tsuki " is also quite formidable.

Track 8 "Hana no youni" probably features this album's heaviest rhythms, while the tune's flavor is slightly retro oriented.

The ninth track "Nichiyou ha doko he itta" comes with a bit of a Rumba beat and even though it does not fall into the category of dance songs, it nevertheless is quite danceable.

Fans of Matsu Takako no doubt will accept her rather leveled singing style. She is not familiar with R&B and she does not like any Rock 'n Roll, yet the beauty of her voice guarantees everybody to listen to her songs over and over again!

Recommended Songs: "Clover", "Fuyu no tremolo", "Ashita ni kuchizuke wo"

Reviewer︰Lewis Tse

Translator: Snoopy