The Digitalian

[silver_ring5]

1. Zero-G -- The only "Z" song I have in my library, I have to say I really like it. I can understand why they chose it to be the standout number and to get a PV. I love, love, love to dance and this is just such a great dance track. It has me shaking it all over my house, and Arashi tells me they like it. Everybody's happy. Did I like the PV? Eh.... It isn't memorable. I'm not going to think much of it a year from now. Not like Truth, Meikyuu Love Song, Monster, or Aozora Petal. I am all sorts of happy that they did a "Making of" for it, though. That was adorable. And it isn't like the PV is bad... It's very asthetically pleasing. The choreography is nice, thank you Riida. Again, though, I cannot stress how much I love shaking my body to this song.
2. Wonderful -- I don't know why exactly, but this song feels a little nostalgic Arashi to me. Like, something they might have released on One or Here We Go... or even How's It Going? It has a similar feel to me that the faster tracks on those albums do. Am I alone on that? Anyone else know what I mean? Of course, this means I liked it. lol. I'm a sucker for the older songs just as much as I am for the new ones. My lj title probably gives that away. This song is definitely for putting on while getting ready to go out. It makes me feel pretty and empowered... and wonderful >.<
3. Tell Me Why -- THIS SONG. This one. This one is really good. This might be the sexiest track on the album, and it is just so on point. Ohno's voice hits me in all the right places, Nino has that edge of desperation to his that just murders you, and for a slower song, it is also really danceable. I cannot wait to see the choreography for this one. If they don't dance, I will cry. Sakurai is also killing me in this song. The depth of his voice is lethal. You might not survive. The Sakurap is so good. He's desperate and frustrated, and I die. Ohno's "I'm so sorry" at the end is like the final blow... I'm going to listen to it again.
4. Asterisk -- I just spend my days dancing now. This song contributes to the problem--the awesome problem. It's spacy, and fun. There's a supernova. It's probably next to the door. It's a very upbeat song, and it's refreshing. According to the lyrics, this song falls into my favorite category where we start a new life and are regenerated in light and stars and the universe is ours for the taking. I love that. I love that Arashi promises hope and the ability to change and grow.
5. Imaging Crazy -- Ohno's solo is very him. I can imagine the choreography now, and it's amazing, but it definitely falls into his comfort zone. Riida is my ichiban, so I'm not complaining at all. I love his dancing and his style, and I wouldn't change him for the world. There's a sleekness that I really enjoy. Ok, as for the English....I saw someone on Tumblr say she thought it should be "Amazing Crazy" but that actually makes less sense to me than "Imaging Crazy" does. What it should be, if you ask me, is "Imagining Crazy"-- because he's talking about being manipulated by images he has of her and visualizing scenarios... He's imagining. And it's driving him nuts. I know the feeling, Riida, I know the feeling.
6. Guts! -- Does anyone remember that gymnast who threw out the first pitch at a baseball game and, like, kicked her leg over her head at the same time? I always think of her when I hear this song.... Besides that, it's obviously a track we're all already familiar with because of Yowakutemo Katemasu, and honestly, this song was often more upbeat than I really wanted to be when it came on. It does sound like a drama theme, and it's fun. It's catchy. I like it. I don't skip it when it comes on shuffle. The PV was cute, too. The uniforms were adorable. SO CUTE.
7. Disco Star -- Ok, this is something that my family generally tries to keep hush, hush... but my sister LOVES disco. She was meant for Halston, feathered bangs, shimmering lights, and Saturday Night Fever. So, just like when NEWS released Koi no ABO, she had a bit of a fit over this little gem. And it is good. I heard it and knew she would love it, so I immediately loved it too-- but I would have enjoyed it anyway. The little "woo, woo" really makes the entire song for me-- really ties it together. lol. I love it. Aiba is a Disco Star.
8. Daremo Shiranai-- Have any of you seen The Phantom of the Opera on broadway? Or the film? I think they do this in the movie, too, but on broadway, for Masquerade, they have this neat choreography with fans. I like what Ohno did with their palms/hands for this song.... But I kept thinking why not use fans? I think the impact would have been nice. But, regardless, this is a great song that suits the supernatural nature of Riida's drama.
9. TRAP-- I love this song too. I really love the lines " 気が付く間もないさtrap 気を抜きゃすぐただのscrap". I think it just brings this delicious bit of intrigue and intensity, and utilizes Jun's voice well. Right then, you know you're in trouble. This song is also a bit different than most of Arashi's music in that it is threatening. It's agressive. Someone might think he or she is in control of the situation, but Arashi set a trap and is taking that person down. In fact, everyone is caught in the trap. So we're all in trouble. To be noted: I would not like to cross Sakurai. No sir.
10. Stay Gold -- Dance. And then dance some more. There's a freaking girl giggling in the beginning and I hate that, and it doesn't sound anything like Inoue Mao (which is apparently a rumor), but besides that, it's perfect. It really is. Thank you DJ MJ for giving me an excellent dance track. I want that rainbow floor and I am going to shake my little tush to this song again and again and again. These are the solos that I really like from him. I like a good beat and something to dance to. I would be remiss, though, if I didn't say that the title makes me think "Stay Golden, Ponyboy" EVERY TIME.
11. Bittersweet -- I love this song. It has the same loveliness to it that Love So Sweet and Wish do. It has the same sort of charm. Ask me sometime how I feel about the drama and Ishihara's character choosing to stay with a husband who not only hurt her but refused to let her work or have a single ounce of self value. Ask me. Ask me how I felt about her raising a child in an environment where the mother is deemed worthless. Ask me how I felt about Jun's character not doing anything about it. Obviously those characters weren't in love, but come on. Who let's someone return to abuse and only thinks about himself? So glad he learned what real heartache is. Long story short... the song is bittersweet for me.
12. メリークリスマス (Merry Christmas)-- eeeeeeeeeeeee! This song just makes me grin so hard, and I love it so much. I love Christmas. If you had asked me growing up what magic was, I would say Christmas Eve at my Mam Mam's (my grandmother's) house. . . And I lost my Mam Mam over ten years ago, but when I first heard this song, I felt a spark of that feeling I used to get. That innocent, magical feeling of Christmas. I know it's probably partially due to the fact that it's Nino singing and he just makes me happy to begin with, but this song really hit a special place in my heart. And the lyrics themselves are just so cute and light. I couldn't be happier with it. I really couldn't. This is my new theme for the holiday season.
13. Kimi no Yume wo Miteita (君の夢を見ていた) -- Uplifting, refreshing.... Pretty. No matter what, we have Arashi. It's bright, empowering, and it reinforces that idea that even regular, normal activities are special to those who love you. Or are just special because you are special <3. The song is comforting, too. It makes me feel loved.
14. One Step -- Well if you aren't feeling loved, happy and empowered after listening to 君の夢を見ていた, then One Step should do it for you. It just makes me want to spin around and dance with babies-- or *gasp* be productive... The violin and string instruments bring a warmth, and Nino's voice as the song begins really is just too comforting. Maybe I'm a special snowflake, but Nino's voice just fills my heart... Just now, as I was listening to the song, I ran around and opened all the windows. So now I have a nice autumn breeze blowing as I listen. I couldn't be happier in this moment. That's what Arashi is good for, right? There's a bridge two thirds of the way in that is also so lovely, and Ohno's voice carries a strength that just makes me feel like I can do anything...or try, and maybe fail, but that's okay. It'll be okay. >.< In regards to the lyrics, it's about taking that one step to start again. It's romantic, but I'm not really romantic about it.
15. Hey Yeah! -- Want to dance and feel awesome? Sho's given us a dance track that is also so fun and empowering. It kind of reminds me of One Direction...Like, they could probably cover this and it would be a massive hit in English. Or this would have been fun a few seasons back on Glee. But as for the song itself, it has a beautiful message and is really lots of fun to dance to and sing along with.
16. Hope in the Darkness -- Oh Riida.... Ohno's opening, followed by Aiba's serious voice-- along with the beautiful build up-- gives the song a sort of elegance to me. Idk, this song radiates strength and hope. Like, it's a song I would need in a darker moment. I could turn to this when I couldn't just laugh or dance something away. When I need to pull from somewhere deeper, this song offers that. It's passionate, and their individual parts are so beautiful too.
17. Take Off!!!!-- BONUS TRACK. It's like a fun little party for the fans at the end. If you aren't smiling and dancing and happy while listening to this, we need to talk...and listen to the album again. You've yet to find your happy place. Let me help. XD I love the entire thing. Sakurai thinks he's our captain for some reason... That's cute. I mean, I know technically he basically is, but there's only one Riida for us. >.< He also asks what our color is, and my sister shouts purple while I yell blue, and it's so fun. It's meant to be fun. Oh, and Sakurai refers to us as "fellow Arashians"... so I know a lot of fans either liked or disliked that. I like it. I like arashist and arashic, too, though. I'm not picky.