|
Post by amelala on Nov 25, 2015 4:28:57 GMT -4
those who wondering what is the quiz (other than those who in skype chat) The NEW STAR, live costume what and stockings (it said fishnet but on the image she didnt wear lol or maybe small holes XD) the ans is Stiletto boots
another quiz before this Netsujou no Maria is in term of what animal (in the lyrics) the ans is Meerkat ^^;;
|
|
ℓoro
«6» BRAVE PHOENIX
Posts: 259
|
Post by ℓoro on Jan 1, 2016 6:40:33 GMT -4
Hey guys! Yes, Loro finally decided to make a review of "SMASHING ANTHEMS"! I'm gonna review this album in four separate sections, then I'll give my overal total opinion of the album. Let's get started!
Album Design/Photobook:
I've put this section first, since it's the first thing you actually see. I remember when the album covers were uploaded on Nana's official website and I just started chirping: 'Oh my god, it looks so pretty!' like, 5 times towards my mother who was cooking in the kitchen. Nana's outfit and hair looks very graceful on the limited edition covers. I'm a bit dissapointed about the CD-only edition cover. The outfit is great but they could've put a bit more effort into the picture.
The material used on “SA” is a bit more shiny material than Nana's “SUPERNAL LIBERTY” album. “SA”'s material also is a bit more slippery. I was totally surprised by the inner design of the album! The slipcase and CD designs are based on the belt-like thing on the dress that Nana wears in the limited covers, and the top she wears on the CD-only cover. I thought that was really pretty, it does the outfits a lot of justice in my opinion! I think it's a nice mix, the slipcases looking pretty futuristic while the cover looks very simple. I love the background though, because of the little castle and the telephone cell!
Time to talk about the photobook! I was totally surprised by this photobook. The design of it is lovely. I love the cover of it, Nana adjusting her heel! The first thing that surprised me was the first two photos being placed so small. In the beginning I thought it was weird, but it adds something nice to it! The outfit with the pink hat and the coat looks really classy on her, and if there is something I like, it's classy elegant Nana showing off her pretty legs.
The next outfit is cute nerdy Nana with glasses! I'm not too fond when she's wearing glasses, to be honest, but I really like it this time. I especially like the pictures with the umbrella. It suits the oufit so well and it just makes the whole picture complete.
Next is the outfit that wasn't used on any tokuten! I literally squeeked when I saw these pictures. It's a bit odd outfit but it looks so fancy! I love the hair accessoire with the feathers!
Next is the outfit with the brown hat and the tribal coat. I love this outfit. Again, it looks casual, but this one has a bit more of a summer feel to it. I love the white shirt with the necklace on it. It's a very simple, yet a very appealing outfit. The pictures of her on the boat shaped in a circle was also a surprise! I didn't see this kind of layout coming!
Last but not least, the limited edition outfit! I totally am in love with this kind of hairstyle. I love it when Nana has her hair braided like this! Also, blue just looks really good on her. Plus, more Nana legs, gah! This dress is just everything for me, it's great.
Design rating: 4/5
Songlist:
Glorious Break:
Since I watched Senki Zesshou Symphogear I already expected this big intro. It's very cool, since it's like the song is slowly starting up, just like the -Aufwachen Form-'s of Synchrogazer and Vitalization. The high 'Reason why... I can fight!” really impressed me when I first heard it and continues to impress me on each listen. (On the first listen I was like: YEAH, NANA! SLAY ME!) Nana explained in the “SA SPECIAL” that Glorious Break serves as a question, and Exterminate serves as an answer. I think that the connection between the two songs is pretty cool. I also already expected Glorious Break to become the album opener since it was revealed an 11th album was coming. Not that it's a bad thing though! Glorious Break isn't comparable to Avalon No Oukan in my opinion. It has it's own sphere that I really like. The orchestral part that happens right before the last part of the song is breathtaking. I really like that the message of this song is to trust your own believes and trust that you have the strength to achieve anything you want.
4/5
Never Let Go:
The music box like melody in the beginning got me interested immediately. When the guitar slowly comes in it begins to sound like a marching song, and I actually like it pretty much! The way Nana sings in this song is very elegant. Never Let Go is funky and badass at the same time! It sounds like a mix between Ladyspiker and Antique Nachtmusik, and I love it! Instant favorite!
5/5
SUPER☆MAN:
So this song surprised me so much when I watched the PV of it! It has a tacky disco-melody but it's great. I loved it instantly. The melody is just so catchy and it stayed in my head for the whole day! This song is able to bring a smile on my face at any time. It's silly and ridiculous, but it really makes me want to dance! Oh yes, Superman! Love and dreams for this song!
4/5
Angel Blossom:
To be honest, I really don't dislike Angel Blossom, but it sometimes just leaves me being a bit bored. The PV helped me liking this song more though! When I am in the mood for this type of songs, Angel Blossom is pretty good. I must say that it's a bit unfair to compare Angel Blossom to the other singles of this album though, since how is a cute song like this going to top amazingly original winter-rock ballad Eden, or powerful strong Exterminate? It's pretty impossible... When listening to this album, I do find myself skipping this song, sadly.
3.5/5
BRACELET:
Oh! Didn't expect this piano intro! I like the theme of this song, the lyrics are pretty and the melody rocks it. It's like they put Darling Plastic in another jacket. It's catchy, and I find myself coming back to listen to BRACELET a lot! The lyrics are also a bit melancholy, simular to Darling Plastic. Still, this song stays very unique.
5/5
Lazy Syndrome:
In the beginning I was glad to see Lazy Syndrome appear on the album, but lately, I've been feeling like it should've stayed a single-only song. It's great, but found myself thinking it was better if they put one more original song on the album. But it might be that they didn't have enough time, since this album was put together rather fast. Anyway, Lazy Syndrome is actually in my top 3 of favorite 2014-2015 B-sides! It's so catchy, and the rap-like part in the song is so great, ugh! I think the message of this song is very pretty, since the lyrics seem to be about missing the feeling of fun in your life, hiding yourself in a virtual world because it feels like you're alone in the world. And that life shouldn't be like that. So proud of Nana adressing something like this.
4/5
Koiuta.:
Okay, I really feel like people will yell the word 'generic' towards this song, but I don't care. I love Koiuta. I loved the small preview on the “SA” promotional side and was really looking forward to hearing the full version. I just really love the honesty and the kindness in Nana's voice in this song. I love listening to this song when I'm traveling by train, or at nighttime.
4/5
Kindan No Resistance -Extended Mix-:
This intro is everything. I love it so much. Nana's voice + violin = Loro melting. I've heard some comments on this song being basic anison, but it doesn't feel that basic to me. The flute is amazing and the lyrics of Kindan No Resistance are gorgeous. It perfectly fits the story of Cross Ange, which Kindan No Resistance serves as the opening for. In the beginning I wasn't much hyped about Kindan, but this song really grew on me!
4/5
The NEW STAR:
This song left me with an open mouth in only two seconds. A lot of people have commented about this song having weird 'Engrish', but I honestly never felt like that. I think she has songs in which her 'Engrish' is much more odd. I must say, this song was an instant favorite for me. It's just such a new sound in Nana's discography, and it's damn catchy. Everytime this song plays I just want to dance to it! I can't wait to see a live performance of this song!
5/5
Clutch!!:
While this song is not that special, it's not too horrible either... I don't have much to say rather than that it's the generic pop-rock towel song and that I find myself skipping it sometimes. At the moment, my order of the generic pop-rock towel songs is Rock you baby! > Clutch!! > Happy☆Go-Round!
3.5/5
Netsujou No Maria:
I was so looking forward to hear this song because of it's gorgeous title! I was surprised when hearing the first few notes, but I wasn't disappointed in the end! Nana nails these kinds of songs. Her voice is so elegant and passionate in this song, and that easily makes me love it. I don't even know what makes me love this song so much, but I just do. I can't wait to see a translation of this song, since I really want to know what the lyrics mean.
4/5
Ego Ideal:
I honestly didn't expect this kind of song. I somehow expected something like Risouron, since it seems like it's about idealism in a way as well. Ego Ideal is another instant love for me. I feel like Nana needs to have more piano songs, since this song is great. The fact that she composed it herself makes me like it even more. The bridge part where it goes a bit faster is amazing! I also really want to know what the lyrics of this song mean! Can't wait to see a translation of it!
5/5
Eden:
Eden is love. Eden is life. This song is great. I never expected Nana to have a song like this. It has this autumn/winter feel, and it's a power ballad. I don't know if it's a true term, but for me it just became one. Vocals are passionate and kind, lyrics are pretty. Perfect song for the autumn and winter season, and also a perfect song to listen to at nighttime!
4/5
Ambivalence:
Classy jazzy Nana song? Yes! Give me all of it! While Ambivalence isn't on the level of Aishuu Twilight, it's still good. It's actually perfect the way it is! I wouldn't want AT -part 2-, and am super glad we got this instead. It does have the melancholy feel AT had, which I really wanted the new jazz song to have, so I'm satisfied!
4.5/5
Exterminate:
I had to get used as this song at first, but that happened very quickly! The intro is very badass, and the song remains powerful to the end. As I said, I like the connection between Glorious Break and Exterminate. While Exterminate doesn't have the main synth sound like it's predecessors, it still fits very good with them, in my opinion. It really has the anthem theme it was supposed to have.
4/5
DVD content:
I was really looking forward to see the DVD content of this album, since it has unreleased performances of a few of Nana's first concerts. I honestly love every performance that is on it, BE READY! and Soyokaze Ni Fukarete... being my favorite. I do wish the photoshooting was a bit longer though. I somehow feel like it's much shorter than the “SUPERNAL LIBERTY” photoshooting. So that makes me a bit sad. Still, I really love the concent that we got on this DVD.
Total:
Overal album rating: 4/5
Top. 5 favorite songs:
1. Never Let Go 2. BRACELET 3. The NEW STAR 4. Ego Ideal 5. Ambivalence
|
|