Review - Beautiful World
I said I will do it after boku no miteiru fuukei, and here it is...
General comments:
I'll be completely honest here, I don't think this album is their best one, as I thought boku no miteiru fuukei is. This album lacked the variety of the different genres of music that the other one boost, and I cannot imagine the concert for this album as well as I could for the previous album, and I guess I didn't feel as excited reading this year's concert report as last year's. Last year's concert was much more inciting, with a fantastic production, but I guess this year, they need to save electricity, as well as consider the general mood of the public after the earthquake. However, it is a good album nevertheless, with noteworthy songs. I generally liked it, just not as much as I liked the previous one.
1. Rock This
The yoga like music in front was fun. I was amused by it immediately. I took some time to warm up to this song, but after I did, I kinda like it. I especially liked the rap by the members, and in it, my favourite part was Ohno's part... It is so funny hearing him rap. To me, Ohno is a fantastic singer, and a fabulous dancer...but rap...not really his thing. But he sounded sooo cute here...so it was good.
2. まだ見ぬ世界へ (mada minu sekai e)
I took some time to warm up to this song too. I first heard this song when the PV came out. I was shocked by the weird hairstyles that they had in the PV, but after watching it a while, I think I get what they are trying to portray in it, so it got more interesting. I like Ohno's falsettos, he did it beautifully, I think. Also, I love the way Aiba dance in the PV. For once, I thought his dance moves surpassed Ohno's, with his unique head movements, and cool jerks here and there. Especially the 'to the top, to the top' part. Aiba really improved in his dancing recently! Since there was a PV, this must be one of the best songs in the album. And it probably was.
3. Love Rainbow
A single! Didn't really like it as much as their other singles last year. My favourite one was Dear Snow. But this one has a really happy and relaxing feel to it, and I feel like taking a walk in the park or in the mountains after listening to this. I think the part where they chase each other (when a few member sing a line, drag out the last note, and the other members sing another line) was fun. I love singing that in karaoke.
4. Always
I didn't really like the melody of this song. I feel that it exposes the weakness Arashi's voices, like the bridge part, where Aiba and Sho sing some rather monotonous notes. Last album had more songs which are suitable for their voices, like gift, or refrain, or even circus. So this is not my favourite song, and it is not making into my favourite list.
5. Shake it! (Matsu Jun Solo)
The 'Shake it shake it, shake it the body' really sticks to your head, doesn't it? I normally don't like Matsujun's solos, but there was a day when I can't get 'shake it shake it shake it the body' out of my head. I kept singing that line while I was working. My students was pretty amused by it. Haha...
6. 虹のカケラ no rain no rainbow
The intro was good. It immediately types the song. There is this instrument, which I just can't remember what it was called, that was really important in the song. You know, it sounds a little like strings, yet it also sounds a little like a blown instrument...anyone know, please let me know what it is called. This song sounded like a song Hong Kong had, in their 10 year anniversary after returning to China. Actually, not really sounded like, but they kinda have the same feel to me, so that was good.
7. Dear Snow
A lot of people are not really impressed with this song. But I really like songs like that. Ballade type, a little angsty. When this song comes up on my ipod, I put it on repeat for like 10 times. I love the way it was performed in the concert, Ooku liked background, and snow falling, with Arashi wearing pretty, fluttery white costumes. Beautiful. When I watched Ooku, and this song came out in the end, I was really touched. I love the way the lyrics were written, it paints a really beautiful picture. A little self sacrificial, bittersweet. A lot like how I feel towards Arashi, or in particular, Sho. 'You are like the snow, silently fluttering, dancing around my shoulders. If I reach out and touch you, you will surely disappear, so just like that, I close my eyes, and feel you' My heart aches at that. Or at the part where they say 'if I can just hold you and melt together, while we welcome spring, I do not need anything else'. Doesn't that just pulls at your heart? My favourite one is 'it may never come true, but even then, you are the person I love'. I feel like crying. I felt that the song understood me. People around me kept saying that I am wishing for something that is impossible. I know. I am. But it doesn't matter. I like it that way.
8. Hung Up On (Ohno Solo)
I heard Sho's voice, and I immediately liked this song. Seldom does a solo feature another member, and my favourite member in that. How can I not like this song? And I already can picture Ohno dancing to this song. I know it will be awesome! The part where it was instrumental, where you know Ohno will show off some cool dance moves, I love that part! I feel like dancing to it myself. And I especially like the part where Ohno goes high, 'give me a chance' part. Ohno's singing is, without a doubt, the best in Arashi.
9. Joy
I love this song! I love the way the chorus here have a certain...hmm...i don't know how to put it in words...like their voices blend really naturally with each other, and there is a certain airy quality to it. I thought that was pretty special, as the other songs, their voices don't blend as smoothly. I watched the video of their camp and finally found out why that was so. They sang it together! At least, the chorus parts. They should do it more often! I like the ad lib here too. They sound like they are having fun! Joy! Yay! Come on clap hands!
10. どこにでもある唄 (nino solo) doko ni demo aru uta
I like the way the song builds up. It started out softer, slower, but it builds up to become stronger, rockier. I thought that was pretty special, for Nino to write rock songs (I already placed this song in the Rock genre). I was impressed by the lyrics, once again. Nino feel. Shows his depth in thinking. It gives me the strength to continue living, like it makes me feel that though life sucks, it is still livable. There is no other way. Rather inspirational...I think.
11. Negai
The intro, again, caught my attention. It is pretty amusing. However, along with Always, this is one of the songs that I can't immediately place the name to the song. I don't know why, but I kinda feel that this song is similar to Always, though they don't really sound alike. I like this song better, but still, it does not make a deep impression. I like the violin part in it though.
12. Lotus
I really don't understand why this song is called Lotus. Someone please educate me. But don't get me wrong. I love this song! Firstly, I don't know why, but I love to watch Aiba. He cheers me up after a tiring day. This song reminds me of him, coz of bartender. I think the parts where Ohno and Nino 'Ahhhhh' is a little redundant, but it was fun! I didn't know it was them at first, until I watched the PV. It was funny...I like to Ahhh with them! I love the Aiba solo part in the second verse! I think his voice is suitable for that part, or maybe because this song represents bartender, so I am programmed to think this way, I don't know, but I love it, the way he says 'mo' at the end of the first sentence. hahaha...a little maniac...
13. じゃなくて (aiba solo) Janakute
I LOVE THIS SONG!! It is soooo cute!!! Jazzy, and fun. Really interesting lyrics and form. I love the sentence 'こんないい感じのお店をしてるのに、誘えるこはいないの？' I love the way it is all in the same note for the first part of the sentence. Sounds really naughty and cocky. Hehehe...so cute. I can totally picture how the girl is saying it to him...but in my imagination, the girl just want to play with him, like she knows that he likes her, and she likes him too, but just want to tease him a little to see his reactions...hahahha...so cute, Aiba.
14. Morning Light
One of my favourites in the album. Love the way the 'right now' is brought higher, especially in the intro, where there wasn't so much of the background instruments, as in, the beat from the drums...I prefer it that way, I feel that it sounds cooler that way. And the phrase 'through the night, to the light, to the morning light, oh oh' just can't get out of my head. I can picture like children or something going on an unbelievable, supernatural adventure and meeting someone that would guide them to find the light or something...but after the adventure, they can't meet that someone again, and though no one believes their fantastic adventure, that someone lives in their memory...hmmm...I don't know if I am explaining it right...but that is kinda the image I had...and it is sweet...
15. To be free
I like the melody of this song. Revolutionary. Not overly optimistic, but keeps you going...haha...actually, there are many of this kinda songs in the Arashi song history. But I like this one. Makes me want to go to a green field, and run on it, under the bright blue sky. And it didn't hurt that this is Sakurai's commercial's song...
16. このままもっと (sakurai solo) kono mama motto
Sweet. The saxophone in the beginning paints a romantic picture. I like that. I can't help but smile when the song is played, and when Sho says 'I love you', my heart does a little flip. So sugary, this song, I might get diabetes soon. It makes me want to 'stay gold' for him. However, I felt that the song might be a little high for Sho to sing. He sounds like he is stretching it. And all the feelings that I had in the previous album about him improving in his singing kinda left me... BUT...nevertheless, this is a song that takes up a slot in my favourites list.
17. 果てない空 hatenai sora
My students bought me this single during their trip to Japan! I was sooooo happy!!! They actually remembered I like Arashi, and they begged their parents to buy it for me!!! SO SWEET!! So I like this song! And I love my students! Ok, about the song itself, I felt touched when they sang it after the earthquake. I felt that the world needs a song like that, to give people strength and hope when times sucked, and trouble strikes. I'm glad it is Arashi who sang it.
18. 遠くまで tooku made
Really not my favourite song. Upbeat, and happy, but does not really make a strong impression. Reminds me of 空高く (Sora takaku) in the previous album, but that song made a deeper impression on me as it was the theme song of their drama, 最後の約束. But I guess it made a good ending to the album. Onwards, Arashi!
General comments:
I'll be completely honest here, I don't think this album is their best one, as I thought boku no miteiru fuukei is. This album lacked the variety of the different genres of music that the other one boost, and I cannot imagine the concert for this album as well as I could for the previous album, and I guess I didn't feel as excited reading this year's concert report as last year's. Last year's concert was much more inciting, with a fantastic production, but I guess this year, they need to save electricity, as well as consider the general mood of the public after the earthquake. However, it is a good album nevertheless, with noteworthy songs. I generally liked it, just not as much as I liked the previous one.
1. Rock This
The yoga like music in front was fun. I was amused by it immediately. I took some time to warm up to this song, but after I did, I kinda like it. I especially liked the rap by the members, and in it, my favourite part was Ohno's part... It is so funny hearing him rap. To me, Ohno is a fantastic singer, and a fabulous dancer...but rap...not really his thing. But he sounded sooo cute here...so it was good.
2. まだ見ぬ世界へ (mada minu sekai e)
I took some time to warm up to this song too. I first heard this song when the PV came out. I was shocked by the weird hairstyles that they had in the PV, but after watching it a while, I think I get what they are trying to portray in it, so it got more interesting. I like Ohno's falsettos, he did it beautifully, I think. Also, I love the way Aiba dance in the PV. For once, I thought his dance moves surpassed Ohno's, with his unique head movements, and cool jerks here and there. Especially the 'to the top, to the top' part. Aiba really improved in his dancing recently! Since there was a PV, this must be one of the best songs in the album. And it probably was.
3. Love Rainbow
A single! Didn't really like it as much as their other singles last year. My favourite one was Dear Snow. But this one has a really happy and relaxing feel to it, and I feel like taking a walk in the park or in the mountains after listening to this. I think the part where they chase each other (when a few member sing a line, drag out the last note, and the other members sing another line) was fun. I love singing that in karaoke.
4. Always
I didn't really like the melody of this song. I feel that it exposes the weakness Arashi's voices, like the bridge part, where Aiba and Sho sing some rather monotonous notes. Last album had more songs which are suitable for their voices, like gift, or refrain, or even circus. So this is not my favourite song, and it is not making into my favourite list.
5. Shake it! (Matsu Jun Solo)
The 'Shake it shake it, shake it the body' really sticks to your head, doesn't it? I normally don't like Matsujun's solos, but there was a day when I can't get 'shake it shake it shake it the body' out of my head. I kept singing that line while I was working. My students was pretty amused by it. Haha...
6. 虹のカケラ no rain no rainbow
The intro was good. It immediately types the song. There is this instrument, which I just can't remember what it was called, that was really important in the song. You know, it sounds a little like strings, yet it also sounds a little like a blown instrument...anyone know, please let me know what it is called. This song sounded like a song Hong Kong had, in their 10 year anniversary after returning to China. Actually, not really sounded like, but they kinda have the same feel to me, so that was good.
7. Dear Snow
A lot of people are not really impressed with this song. But I really like songs like that. Ballade type, a little angsty. When this song comes up on my ipod, I put it on repeat for like 10 times. I love the way it was performed in the concert, Ooku liked background, and snow falling, with Arashi wearing pretty, fluttery white costumes. Beautiful. When I watched Ooku, and this song came out in the end, I was really touched. I love the way the lyrics were written, it paints a really beautiful picture. A little self sacrificial, bittersweet. A lot like how I feel towards Arashi, or in particular, Sho. 'You are like the snow, silently fluttering, dancing around my shoulders. If I reach out and touch you, you will surely disappear, so just like that, I close my eyes, and feel you' My heart aches at that. Or at the part where they say 'if I can just hold you and melt together, while we welcome spring, I do not need anything else'. Doesn't that just pulls at your heart? My favourite one is 'it may never come true, but even then, you are the person I love'. I feel like crying. I felt that the song understood me. People around me kept saying that I am wishing for something that is impossible. I know. I am. But it doesn't matter. I like it that way.
8. Hung Up On (Ohno Solo)
I heard Sho's voice, and I immediately liked this song. Seldom does a solo feature another member, and my favourite member in that. How can I not like this song? And I already can picture Ohno dancing to this song. I know it will be awesome! The part where it was instrumental, where you know Ohno will show off some cool dance moves, I love that part! I feel like dancing to it myself. And I especially like the part where Ohno goes high, 'give me a chance' part. Ohno's singing is, without a doubt, the best in Arashi.
9. Joy
I love this song! I love the way the chorus here have a certain...hmm...i don't know how to put it in words...like their voices blend really naturally with each other, and there is a certain airy quality to it. I thought that was pretty special, as the other songs, their voices don't blend as smoothly. I watched the video of their camp and finally found out why that was so. They sang it together! At least, the chorus parts. They should do it more often! I like the ad lib here too. They sound like they are having fun! Joy! Yay! Come on clap hands!
10. どこにでもある唄 (nino solo) doko ni demo aru uta
I like the way the song builds up. It started out softer, slower, but it builds up to become stronger, rockier. I thought that was pretty special, for Nino to write rock songs (I already placed this song in the Rock genre). I was impressed by the lyrics, once again. Nino feel. Shows his depth in thinking. It gives me the strength to continue living, like it makes me feel that though life sucks, it is still livable. There is no other way. Rather inspirational...I think.
11. Negai
The intro, again, caught my attention. It is pretty amusing. However, along with Always, this is one of the songs that I can't immediately place the name to the song. I don't know why, but I kinda feel that this song is similar to Always, though they don't really sound alike. I like this song better, but still, it does not make a deep impression. I like the violin part in it though.
12. Lotus
I really don't understand why this song is called Lotus. Someone please educate me. But don't get me wrong. I love this song! Firstly, I don't know why, but I love to watch Aiba. He cheers me up after a tiring day. This song reminds me of him, coz of bartender. I think the parts where Ohno and Nino 'Ahhhhh' is a little redundant, but it was fun! I didn't know it was them at first, until I watched the PV. It was funny...I like to Ahhh with them! I love the Aiba solo part in the second verse! I think his voice is suitable for that part, or maybe because this song represents bartender, so I am programmed to think this way, I don't know, but I love it, the way he says 'mo' at the end of the first sentence. hahaha...a little maniac...
13. じゃなくて (aiba solo) Janakute
I LOVE THIS SONG!! It is soooo cute!!! Jazzy, and fun. Really interesting lyrics and form. I love the sentence 'こんないい感じのお店をしてるのに、誘えるこはいないの？' I love the way it is all in the same note for the first part of the sentence. Sounds really naughty and cocky. Hehehe...so cute. I can totally picture how the girl is saying it to him...but in my imagination, the girl just want to play with him, like she knows that he likes her, and she likes him too, but just want to tease him a little to see his reactions...hahahha...so cute, Aiba.
14. Morning Light
One of my favourites in the album. Love the way the 'right now' is brought higher, especially in the intro, where there wasn't so much of the background instruments, as in, the beat from the drums...I prefer it that way, I feel that it sounds cooler that way. And the phrase 'through the night, to the light, to the morning light, oh oh' just can't get out of my head. I can picture like children or something going on an unbelievable, supernatural adventure and meeting someone that would guide them to find the light or something...but after the adventure, they can't meet that someone again, and though no one believes their fantastic adventure, that someone lives in their memory...hmmm...I don't know if I am explaining it right...but that is kinda the image I had...and it is sweet...
15. To be free
I like the melody of this song. Revolutionary. Not overly optimistic, but keeps you going...haha...actually, there are many of this kinda songs in the Arashi song history. But I like this one. Makes me want to go to a green field, and run on it, under the bright blue sky. And it didn't hurt that this is Sakurai's commercial's song...
16. このままもっと (sakurai solo) kono mama motto
Sweet. The saxophone in the beginning paints a romantic picture. I like that. I can't help but smile when the song is played, and when Sho says 'I love you', my heart does a little flip. So sugary, this song, I might get diabetes soon. It makes me want to 'stay gold' for him. However, I felt that the song might be a little high for Sho to sing. He sounds like he is stretching it. And all the feelings that I had in the previous album about him improving in his singing kinda left me... BUT...nevertheless, this is a song that takes up a slot in my favourites list.
17. 果てない空 hatenai sora
My students bought me this single during their trip to Japan! I was sooooo happy!!! They actually remembered I like Arashi, and they begged their parents to buy it for me!!! SO SWEET!! So I like this song! And I love my students! Ok, about the song itself, I felt touched when they sang it after the earthquake. I felt that the world needs a song like that, to give people strength and hope when times sucked, and trouble strikes. I'm glad it is Arashi who sang it.
18. 遠くまで tooku made
Really not my favourite song. Upbeat, and happy, but does not really make a strong impression. Reminds me of 空高く (Sora takaku) in the previous album, but that song made a deeper impression on me as it was the theme song of their drama, 最後の約束. But I guess it made a good ending to the album. Onwards, Arashi!