A Blue Journey
It must be a coincidence that I’m writing a post about a CD titled along the line of wind reading, or Kazeyomi, during the possibly coldest day of this winter by where I live. There’s a constant draft of chilly air weaving around my feet to remind me just how far away physically I am from the winter winds, just a wall away. I read it as a clue to wrap this post up ASAP and put on an extra layer of clothes.
And, yes, it’s a Maaya Sakamoto full length solo album, of which has been a little sparse lately. A while ago I rambled on her journey to find a sound, and this CD could be seen as proof, and more importantly, process of such. Sakamoto worked with a list of composers and arrangers on this CD. Stylistically they do point towards mainstream light music overall, but there are also the likes of her trademark anison in the mix as expected.
But to me this CD, at least upon the first few impressions, is divisive. It is as if there are the songs Maaya sings as title themes for shows, and there are songs she sings because they sounds freaking good. Being the type of Maaya fan who long for the older days of Maaya x Kanno Yoko, it’s actually pleasantly surprising that there are some tracks I can really get behind in the post-Kanno Maaya world.
Well, it is not just because the two returns in combination to produce a couple tracks in Kazeyomi. That much I am grateful; but by the same token I don’t really need to own another CD with Triangular on it. And that actually goes for Kazemachi Jet and even Ame ga Furu to a degree. It isn’t like every Kanno song is that good, if I can say the same for any other composer of pop music out there.
Anyways, divisive. It is like every track from track 4 to track 12 is good, and the rest I can live without. Maybe it’s more an issue about controlling flow?
- Vento. Vento is nice. Maaya doing vocal magic. I guess this is the exception; but this track is really just a padding, throwaway track, being a minute and 39 seconds of vibrato, vocal and piano.
- Triangler. You know the rules, and so do I.
- Kazemachi Jet. It belongs to an era a Kanno x Maaya person wishes it never existed.
- Remedy. It’s a nice try; actually reminds me of the magic that glimmered in 30 minute flight and some of the earlier stuff, from way back. The second ending to Linebarrels of Iron doesn’t bullseye, but it’s a good attempt. Just like…
- Ame ga furu. It’s a nicer, more exotic arrangement. But it also tires out faster. I still like the C/W track way more so.
- Get no Satisfaction! The first two measures of this songs said loud and clear that ROUND TABLE is behind this. It did help that I listened to their last CD not too long ago…which sounds just like every other ROUND TABLE CD according to some. The combination is decidedly as catchy as you would imagine, however, so don’t shy away from it.
- Ao no Ether. Maaya x Kanno. Right here. It’s a re-arranged version that is a tad heavy on the vocal echoes, but otherwise delivers exactly what you think this song would.
- Shitsuren Cafe. I don’t have a good handle on this song, but to me this is really the right “other” direction she should take on her albums if she wants to do that whole cute pop song thing. Just in case we’re tired of ROUND TABLE. It’s not bad.
- SONIC BOOM. I think this was probably my favorite track upon the first go-around. But once I got into it this song was more like, it just goes. It’s a nice song and the guy from Indigo wrote it. Probably a good combination right there, but I don’t think it’s here to impress.
- Peanuts. Ok, this is kind of impressive, but not in a musically wow-me kind of way. It’s just impressive that Maaya can pull it off. Must be those seiyuu chops. It isn’t easy listening, but it is definitely amusing. It’s almost got this retro, late 90s seiyuu music feel. I had to listen to this a few times to really appreciate it.
- Saigo no Kajitsu. Actually, that goes for most of Maaya’s albums that repeat listening is a must. And tracks like Saigo no Kajitsu are very durable for that I think. It is definitely a song that gets better the more you listen to it. You can probably loop it on your playlist and not get tired of it quickly. At times it reminds me of Akino Arai?
- Colors. Honestly, it is a bit of a mixed bag, but I like it. This style of layering is refreshing just because you don’t quite hear it in this CD outside of this track. Might remind you of, say, Shounen Alice. Contrary to some I thought the Tim Janson x ACO track was just spot on for a Maaya CD…
- Kazamidori. It’s a decent song, but not very special. I think what I dislike it the most is the place on the album. Shouldn’t be right after Colors…just doesn’t work well. The chorus is a little messy, but that’s doesn’t stand out much compared to, say, Peanuts.
- Guitar Hiki ni Naritai na. I guess sometimes I’d like to play the guitar too. I guess I already kinda know how to play the djembe? I think that’s what I hear. It’s a simple, 176 seconds to the end of a fairly decent album. Somewhere nagging in my mind though, is that this arrangement might sound better with a man’s voice than a woman’s.
Will I buy? Yes, just for track 7; liking any of the rest is bonus for me, and I’m glad that I did liked some of them. No, I didn’t like 30 Minute Flight, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of Easy Listening either. It’s all about Lucy and Shounen Alice! ;-)
But who knows, this is exactly the kind of CD that’ll grow on me after a while. Too bad you had to be a fan to even take that chance.
I just want to say that I bought both versions of the album.
It is like porn for my ears. D:
Wait…where is the button to post as Anonymous Coward?
LOL. I enjoyed this CD a lot, now that I’ve had the time to enjoy it casually. So yeah, ear porn.
Just waiting for it to come in the mail in my next bulk order now.