Arashi 8 - Dream "A" Live
This is my first FULL 嵐 album! Oops... I like watching their バカ antics rather than listening to them sing. >_>;
Please forgive me if you read this and feel as though I am (just a bit) biased for Sakurai Sho.
Arashi 8
2. Move Your Body
First Impression: Interesting for Arashi. But I feel like I've heard it before... (No, not from track 1 -.-;) (What genre would this be considered? This is different from the usual bubbly pop they're known for, neh?)
3. Happiness
Repeated listens: Putting a single into an album is just mean. If it's on the album, it's not a single! Ugh to management. But I do miss Sho as Mimura. (He was sooo haaaawt!) My favorite parts of this song is when Sho and Riida sing together. Riida makes Sho sound better xD.
4. 虹の彼方へ (Niji no Kanata he)
First Impression: What a strong beat for something that sounds like a ballad. (Do they/have they ever sang a ballad?) I liked the chorus... until it suddenly changed, but at least it came back to the first theme. (I have noticed that they have very distinctive voices. Think that was the reason Mr. Johnny picked them? ... I guess not. A voice does mature over the years. There would have been no way he could have figured out their voices from that young an age... is there?)
! Sho's part does not fit the song T__T!!
5. Do My Best
First Impression: Okay. Maybe I don't listen to enough Arashi. The beginning startled me! Though, it sounds perfectly bubbly after those guitar chords. Ooh! Don't those scales remind you of one of the theme songs from Card Captors Sakura (at least I think that was it. But after trying to pinpoint it and failing miserably, I'm not too sure anymore...)? (And now you know what I used to watch back then. I was young!)
Oh the ringing in my ears as the guitar quiets down...
Repeated listens: Mmm, it's actually quite a fun song.
6. シリウス (Sirius)
First Impression: Okay, so that answers my question from before. They do sing ballads. May I 'kya' for Riida? He does have the best voice. That's our creative genius at work. (Eek, Sho's voice is too rough...) It's a very pretty song. I actually like it the best of all these so far (I think) and from I can guess, I'd have to say it has to do with light and miracles and constellations and of course, love. You can tell me if I'm very incorrect xD.
Whoa! Is that...Nino at the end? Wow. Maybe I should alter my view of him a bit. xD
Repeated listens: Very very pretty. Definitely one of my favorites in the whole album. Let's uh, sandpaper Sho's voice though...
7. Flashback
First Impression: WTF is that?! A revving guitar? Don't think I like... At this point, this song sounds just like another song on this album. They're just too similar.
I ♥ the Sho, but his rap sounds the same here. This song has a jazzy interlude and then his rap... just doesn't fit.
Repeated listens: After not noticing that the song had changed from the one before, I realize the song is not as bad as I thought it was. But it could be better, I guess.
8. Dive into the Future
First Impression: I nearly cracked up. That English for some reason reminded me of old N'sync. I have noticed that albums get pretty boring in the middle. Sorry, can't deal with this song, going on.
9. 声 (Koe)
First Impression: This is a nice change of pace. After all those loud beats. Definitely. Nino! He goes second place for voice in my Arashi book. Sweet and simple. And moving. But I still think Sho's voice complements Riida's best. His low voice brings out Riida's clear one.
Aww, it's a cute song!
Repeated listens: Aiba's such a great start for this song. Aiba encompasses 'cute' in a song. xD
10. My Answer
First Impression: Ah, does this mean Sho has a rapping part in the middle of the song? Mm, this song does have some interesting mixes of tempos and styles. This could work. Uh, his rap... it's better! At least it sounds different. But someone (composer/arranger) needs to work on the integration of the different musical themes.
Repeated listens: Don't like the chorus, but the rest of the song is fine. Actually the nice near-rap? that the other members do is pretty nice.
11. Life Goes On
First Impression: What is going ON? Is this ONE song? Or like five? The melody keeps suddenly changing! Tempo and key! Can't deal with this, going on! (Yes, life DOES go on! >_>)
12. Step and Go
First Impression: Ha. Another single. Catchy start. They (management) do know how to choose a single song. Might be a scarier marketing machine than SM. (I've always respected Mr. SM's marketing ploys, even if I could never like or respect him as a person.) Haha, I do love that old video game sound - the midi-ish sound. Ah, Sho's rap here completely gets my approval. It fits the song (finally)! Mm, might be the fact that it has background music, though. (Yes, this is my first time listening to it. I apologize for being a bad Arashi fan T_T)
Repeated listens: Actually, after the repeated listens, I really like Sho's rap here. It's different and melody helps a lot. Very catchy, just from considering how much more I like it now compared to the first time I heard it.
"We're gonna step and go!"
13. Your Song
First Impression: This is a feel good song, isn't it? Did Nino's voice get better? Maybe uh, 'hanging' out with Riida gave him a better voice by osmosis. It did get much smoother and clearer in my opinion. !! to the Sho and Riida combo. I do enjoy that combination lots. It makes Sho sound a lot better xD. But for being a feel good song, it's really repetitive and boring. -.-;
Repeated listens: La la la la la. One more la and I will just have to strangle the lyricist. S/He could not have come up with lyrics instead of la's?
Aiba Masaki - Hello Goodbye
First Impression: Aiba's songs are always so cute! かわいい! Cute! Sugar sugar! He's a Powerpuff Girl! ...Sorry. Catchy and cute. I always like Riida's and Aiba's solos. Ooh, and it stops being soo overly sugary. And it has a nice transition! This rock-ier feel works for Aiba, too. (Though the 'hallo'...)
Repeated listens: Still the same sugary cute. But I do like the rock.
Ninomiya Kazunari - Gimmick Game
First Impression: Nino wrote this himself? Wow his stock just appreciated. xD Though I guess Nino and I have different tastes in music... But he gets to keep the stock rise from composing. I never realized how nice Nino's voice was. (His last solo in the Time album had too many vibrations... short short sound waves.)
Haha, tell me the interlude sounds like a video game. Like during or close to a boss fight. This could be addicting!
Ohno Satoshi - Take Me Faraway
First Impression: リーダー is always trustworthy and reliable. I love the BG voices, haha. I think I still like A Song for You best, but this is very pretty.
Ah, the end is very moving. Is Riida going through some hard times? The economy maybe? The end is soooo pretty. Three きゃs for リーダー！
Take me faraway~
Repeated listens: After so many listens, those BG voices kind of sound like Sho-chan and Nino... Am I wrong? And I might have to switch my favorite リーダー song to this one. It's just too emotional and beautiful.
(The only problem with this song is that... I always fall asleep if I listen to it.)
Matsumoto Jun - Naked
First Impression: Mm, the title scares the hell out of me. Do I have to continue? I am in a public place. Only Matsu would have a title like this one.
All MatsuJun fans, please forgive me but I can't deal with his singing voice T___T. It's too scratchy...? Don't how to explain it. It's high and slightly nasal-y.
Repeated listens: Very nice interlude! Some nice string work going on there.
Sakurai Sho - Hip Pop Boogie
First Impression: Should I keep my hopes up? XD~ (I still don't understand the whole 'spelling' of your name thing in a rap song...) I'm slightly at a loss for what to say. Though I'm sure he's happy he got his full rap song... The chorus is weird. What is the chorus? The melodic part was better...?
Okay, I admit it! His style of rap is not my favorite...
Repeated listens: The second listen went much better. Probably because I have no clue what he's actually saying, I can appreciate the beat. Though I'm not a fan of these jazzy instrumentals.
The other 嵐 boys are in each others' solos a little aren't they?
Please forgive me if you read this and feel as though I am (just a bit) biased for Sakurai Sho.
Arashi 8
2. Move Your Body
First Impression: Interesting for Arashi. But I feel like I've heard it before... (No, not from track 1 -.-;) (What genre would this be considered? This is different from the usual bubbly pop they're known for, neh?)
3. Happiness
Repeated listens: Putting a single into an album is just mean. If it's on the album, it's not a single! Ugh to management. But I do miss Sho as Mimura. (He was sooo haaaawt!) My favorite parts of this song is when Sho and Riida sing together. Riida makes Sho sound better xD.
4. 虹の彼方へ (Niji no Kanata he)
First Impression: What a strong beat for something that sounds like a ballad. (Do they/have they ever sang a ballad?) I liked the chorus... until it suddenly changed, but at least it came back to the first theme. (I have noticed that they have very distinctive voices. Think that was the reason Mr. Johnny picked them? ... I guess not. A voice does mature over the years. There would have been no way he could have figured out their voices from that young an age... is there?)
! Sho's part does not fit the song T__T!!
5. Do My Best
First Impression: Okay. Maybe I don't listen to enough Arashi. The beginning startled me! Though, it sounds perfectly bubbly after those guitar chords. Ooh! Don't those scales remind you of one of the theme songs from Card Captors Sakura (at least I think that was it. But after trying to pinpoint it and failing miserably, I'm not too sure anymore...)? (And now you know what I used to watch back then. I was young!)
Oh the ringing in my ears as the guitar quiets down...
Repeated listens: Mmm, it's actually quite a fun song.
6. シリウス (Sirius)
First Impression: Okay, so that answers my question from before. They do sing ballads. May I 'kya' for Riida? He does have the best voice. That's our creative genius at work. (Eek, Sho's voice is too rough...) It's a very pretty song. I actually like it the best of all these so far (I think) and from I can guess, I'd have to say it has to do with light and miracles and constellations and of course, love. You can tell me if I'm very incorrect xD.
Whoa! Is that...Nino at the end? Wow. Maybe I should alter my view of him a bit. xD
Repeated listens: Very very pretty. Definitely one of my favorites in the whole album. Let's uh, sandpaper Sho's voice though...
7. Flashback
First Impression: WTF is that?! A revving guitar? Don't think I like... At this point, this song sounds just like another song on this album. They're just too similar.
I ♥ the Sho, but his rap sounds the same here. This song has a jazzy interlude and then his rap... just doesn't fit.
Repeated listens: After not noticing that the song had changed from the one before, I realize the song is not as bad as I thought it was. But it could be better, I guess.
8. Dive into the Future
First Impression: I nearly cracked up. That English for some reason reminded me of old N'sync. I have noticed that albums get pretty boring in the middle. Sorry, can't deal with this song, going on.
9. 声 (Koe)
First Impression: This is a nice change of pace. After all those loud beats. Definitely. Nino! He goes second place for voice in my Arashi book. Sweet and simple. And moving. But I still think Sho's voice complements Riida's best. His low voice brings out Riida's clear one.
Aww, it's a cute song!
Repeated listens: Aiba's such a great start for this song. Aiba encompasses 'cute' in a song. xD
10. My Answer
First Impression: Ah, does this mean Sho has a rapping part in the middle of the song? Mm, this song does have some interesting mixes of tempos and styles. This could work. Uh, his rap... it's better! At least it sounds different. But someone (composer/arranger) needs to work on the integration of the different musical themes.
Repeated listens: Don't like the chorus, but the rest of the song is fine. Actually the nice near-rap? that the other members do is pretty nice.
11. Life Goes On
First Impression: What is going ON? Is this ONE song? Or like five? The melody keeps suddenly changing! Tempo and key! Can't deal with this, going on! (Yes, life DOES go on! >_>)
12. Step and Go
First Impression: Ha. Another single. Catchy start. They (management) do know how to choose a single song. Might be a scarier marketing machine than SM. (I've always respected Mr. SM's marketing ploys, even if I could never like or respect him as a person.) Haha, I do love that old video game sound - the midi-ish sound. Ah, Sho's rap here completely gets my approval. It fits the song (finally)! Mm, might be the fact that it has background music, though. (Yes, this is my first time listening to it. I apologize for being a bad Arashi fan T_T)
Repeated listens: Actually, after the repeated listens, I really like Sho's rap here. It's different and melody helps a lot. Very catchy, just from considering how much more I like it now compared to the first time I heard it.
"We're gonna step and go!"
13. Your Song
First Impression: This is a feel good song, isn't it? Did Nino's voice get better? Maybe uh, 'hanging' out with Riida gave him a better voice by osmosis. It did get much smoother and clearer in my opinion. !! to the Sho and Riida combo. I do enjoy that combination lots. It makes Sho sound a lot better xD. But for being a feel good song, it's really repetitive and boring. -.-;
Repeated listens: La la la la la. One more la and I will just have to strangle the lyricist. S/He could not have come up with lyrics instead of la's?
Aiba Masaki - Hello Goodbye
First Impression: Aiba's songs are always so cute! かわいい! Cute! Sugar sugar! He's a Powerpuff Girl! ...Sorry. Catchy and cute. I always like Riida's and Aiba's solos. Ooh, and it stops being soo overly sugary. And it has a nice transition! This rock-ier feel works for Aiba, too. (Though the 'hallo'...)
Repeated listens: Still the same sugary cute. But I do like the rock.
Ninomiya Kazunari - Gimmick Game
First Impression: Nino wrote this himself? Wow his stock just appreciated. xD Though I guess Nino and I have different tastes in music... But he gets to keep the stock rise from composing. I never realized how nice Nino's voice was. (His last solo in the Time album had too many vibrations... short short sound waves.)
Haha, tell me the interlude sounds like a video game. Like during or close to a boss fight. This could be addicting!
Ohno Satoshi - Take Me Faraway
First Impression: リーダー is always trustworthy and reliable. I love the BG voices, haha. I think I still like A Song for You best, but this is very pretty.
Ah, the end is very moving. Is Riida going through some hard times? The economy maybe? The end is soooo pretty. Three きゃs for リーダー！
Take me faraway~
Repeated listens: After so many listens, those BG voices kind of sound like Sho-chan and Nino... Am I wrong? And I might have to switch my favorite リーダー song to this one. It's just too emotional and beautiful.
(The only problem with this song is that... I always fall asleep if I listen to it.)
Matsumoto Jun - Naked
First Impression: Mm, the title scares the hell out of me. Do I have to continue? I am in a public place. Only Matsu would have a title like this one.
All MatsuJun fans, please forgive me but I can't deal with his singing voice T___T. It's too scratchy...? Don't how to explain it. It's high and slightly nasal-y.
Repeated listens: Very nice interlude! Some nice string work going on there.
Sakurai Sho - Hip Pop Boogie
First Impression: Should I keep my hopes up? XD~ (I still don't understand the whole 'spelling' of your name thing in a rap song...) I'm slightly at a loss for what to say. Though I'm sure he's happy he got his full rap song... The chorus is weird. What is the chorus? The melodic part was better...?
Okay, I admit it! His style of rap is not my favorite...
Repeated listens: The second listen went much better. Probably because I have no clue what he's actually saying, I can appreciate the beat. Though I'm not a fan of these jazzy instrumentals.
The other 嵐 boys are in each others' solos a little aren't they?