NEOGENE CREATION (Release: 21st Dec 2016)
Jan 3, 2017 21:08:40 GMT -4
Sai, ℓoro, and 1 more like this
Post by hot0rikun967 on Jan 3, 2017 21:08:40 GMT -4
My review
1. Meguri Au Subete ni
I felt as though those drums at the beginning indicated something different than what the song turned out to be, and honestly I expected this song to pick up (when it inevitably did) into something more energetic a la the last few album openers. That said, opening the album with a winter-sounding rock ballad really set the stage for this album as a departure from at least SMASHING ANTHEMS. The last time a ballad opened an album was, what, "Takarmono" in 2004? And with this song sounding like a slower "Eden" instrumentally, it provided a nostalgia that I think emanates from the entire album as it continues. Overall, it's not what I would have expected of an album opener, but it was a pleasant surprise in its formula-breaking. It isn't the most exciting song, but it's certainly pretty, and I'm glad she chose this to open a December album.
2. STAND UP!
At first I really wasn't jiving with this song because wow is this new, which is probably why people like it so much. I'd say "STAND UP!" is the most original song on the album. I mean who would have expected an Irish-influenced Nana song? But I freaking love it! Upon the second listen, I just found so much to love about it after the initial shock wore off. Her singing is impeccable, and in some places she sounds like she does in the Toriko character song "1 Gram Dake no MIRACLE." I always think it's great when Nana transports some of the more idiosyncratic character song vocals into her major discography. I think the bridge could've started a little less clunky, but overall this is one of the best songs on the album, and wow I can't wait to see it performed.
3. Please Download
In the very first second, my jaw was literally agape because I knew exactly what this song was going to be, and I was feeling the most incredible mix of excitement, nostalgia, and joy that I had felt in many, many years--in fact, probably since hearing "PARTY! PARTY!" in 2012. This song SCREAMS Dylan (it me), and I could not be happier about getting another "SCOOP SCOPE" after what is collectively agreed upon as one of the worst years of our lives. This one song made buying the album worth it, and this one song makes up for most of this year. A technopop song with backing violins in the chorus. Please. Pleeeeease Nana. Best song this year.
4. ALONE ARROWS
I really love how this song starts, but I did expect it to be cuter than it is. The verses are great, but in my opinion, the chorus falls short a little. It's a tad too generic, even despite being a pretty blatant callback to those more mellow anison songs like "undercover" (which I love) or even "Risouron" (which I also love). This song isn't bad, but it feels a little disjointed in places, and the chorus, in my opinion, should try to be less theatrical for the kind of song it is. That's what I think makes "undercover" and "Risouron" great; her vocals match the instrumental mood. I feel as though that isn't the case in this song (bring on that sweet, sweet hate, haters), but it's definitely in no way bad at all like how could that even be possible it's Nana. Good song, not my fav though.
5. TWIST & TIGER
Another example of the verses beating out the chorus. Too fast! I love the jazzy feel. Sai was right in comparing it to "MARIA & JOKER," but "TWIST & TIGER" is definitely more sci-fi action comedy anime than sexy spy thriller movie. Still, it's a really freaking good song! I probably would've slowed it down a little in the chorus and maybe tried replacing the drums with computer-generated bass, which is exactly what the next song does.
6. Rock Ride Riot
Not the generic pop-rock song like I thought it would be based on the title. Damn, so normally I'm wishiwashi about these kinds of super-fast songs (my criticisms of "Toraware no Babel" be damned), but looks like I totally like this song. The "I know"s--frickin' nice touch. Not much else to say about this. It's not particularly original, but that bass is infectious, and there are some really cool parts to this.
7. Hatsukoi
Not the generic ballad like I thought it would be based, again, on that lame title. HOLY MOTHER OF YES PLS THIS RIGHT HERE. The only thing that could make this song better would be an erhu solo in the bridge, which I was so begging for as this song continued. "Hatsukoi" is an instrumental masterpiece, and the melody is exceptional. It feels so perfectly constructed. That "naka de" in the bridge gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. If "Please Download" wasn't my child this would be the best song on the album. Despite its familiar instruments, I really feel like it's a fresh take on the style, not unlike "Crescent Child," and I adored that song from the first listen.
8. JEWEL
Here we go ballad! Okay, so this is the best album ballad since "Shichigatsu Nanoka" (fight me). It gave me "Promise on Christmas" vibes with thos "Ha~"s after the chorus. The chorus melody is so familiar, too, but I'm not sure from where I've heard something like it. The acoustic guitar in the bridge makes me want to cry. This song is like a wintery, slower "ray of change," and I kind of love it. Or better yet, slow down "Song Communication," add some sparkly winter, some violins, and some welled up tears. That's this or something.
9. UNLIMITED BEAT
A fitting title for a song whose style really does seem to be unlimited in the number of songs she can produce with it. I'm sorry, friends, but this song is a cheap rockbound ( ) knockoff of "Gyakkou no Flugel" with "Glorious Break"'s opening extendo-note. The melody has been done; the nuances have been done. If this was 2010, I'd be all about this song, but "UNLIMITED BEAT" is the kind of song you can find on any anison artist's album today. Nana is way too good for this song. She was making this stuff seven years ago, and better. She doesn't need to sing the songs of the peasantry. She queen.
10. WAKE UP THE SOULS
"Get my drift?" with less sexy and more cool. This is going to sound really weird, but in some way it sounds like a Tsunku-produced rock song? Umm, what? I dunno! I could hear this as some kind of Berryz Koubou B-side ahaha. Anyway, great song. Strangely an easy listen for its style. EDIT: Sai reminded me I thought it sounded like a song from a Sonic game, so I think that may be more accurate than my previous comment.
11. STARTING NOW!
Time to play the role I carved for myself here. THIS SONG IS REALLY GOOD. THIS SONG IS NOT THE WORST A-SIDE SINCE "EXTERMINATE." THIS SONG IS NOT THE WORST A-SIDE EVER. "Angel Blossom" is worse.
I really love this, okay?! You're all just sitting there sipping black coffee, curating expressionist art, and watching Evangelion.
Good song though, for real XD
12. GLORIA
It's a heavier bass Hayashibara Megumi song. It's a modern late 90s, 2000s anison song. It's kind of amazing. Like really amazing. I really don't understand what there is to dislike about it or why people do! It's essentially a reimagined classic!
13. RODEO COWGIRL
Hate the title, and at first, I thought this song was annoying, but GUESS WHAT INEVITABLY HAPPENED?! This song is fantastic! It's adorable! It's the best of these pop-rock album songs since..."Young Alive!"
Oh so this album is really just IMPACT EXCITER all over again, isn't it? WELP, GOOD. PLEASE MORE OF THAT.
14. Kimi yo Sakebe
To reiterate, this album is just IMPACT EXCITER 2. "Kimi yo Sakebe" is the instrumentation of "NEXT ARCADIA" meets the melody of "Appasionato"'s chorus. The verses are lovely, and I usually adore this style of song, but the chorus sort of falls flat for me in a similar way that "ALONE ARROWS" does. Still a great song, though.
15. Zettaiteki Kofukuron
This is beautiful. The chorus is surprisingly catchy for a ballad, and that's kind of perfect. I don't think there's anything I dislike about this song. It may eventually grow to be one of my favorite Nana ballads, but right now it needs more plays. I'm really happy with this as the ending though. It leaves a lasting impression of the album, and is actually extremely memorable.
Favorites: Please Download, Hatsukoi, STAND UP!, GLORIA, Zettaiteki Kofukuron
Overall, NEOGENE CREATION reignited that Nana spark that I'd been missing for a few years, and I couldn't be happier with that. I think it's a wonderful return to form of sorts after a period of experimentation that spanned the three previous albums. If this album was the follow-up to IMPACT EXCITER it wouldn't have surprised me, because it sounds like it belongs somewhere between 2009 and 2011. I love it for that. That's a period of time very special to me with regards to Nana, and so I'm really glad I got to experience an album that brought me back to a time when Nana was kind of the center of my interior world. I definitely like this album more than SMASHING ANTHEMS, which really lacked that spark. NEOGENE CREATION was seriously healing after the mess that was 2016. I really needed this.
1. Meguri Au Subete ni
I felt as though those drums at the beginning indicated something different than what the song turned out to be, and honestly I expected this song to pick up (when it inevitably did) into something more energetic a la the last few album openers. That said, opening the album with a winter-sounding rock ballad really set the stage for this album as a departure from at least SMASHING ANTHEMS. The last time a ballad opened an album was, what, "Takarmono" in 2004? And with this song sounding like a slower "Eden" instrumentally, it provided a nostalgia that I think emanates from the entire album as it continues. Overall, it's not what I would have expected of an album opener, but it was a pleasant surprise in its formula-breaking. It isn't the most exciting song, but it's certainly pretty, and I'm glad she chose this to open a December album.
2. STAND UP!
At first I really wasn't jiving with this song because wow is this new, which is probably why people like it so much. I'd say "STAND UP!" is the most original song on the album. I mean who would have expected an Irish-influenced Nana song? But I freaking love it! Upon the second listen, I just found so much to love about it after the initial shock wore off. Her singing is impeccable, and in some places she sounds like she does in the Toriko character song "1 Gram Dake no MIRACLE." I always think it's great when Nana transports some of the more idiosyncratic character song vocals into her major discography. I think the bridge could've started a little less clunky, but overall this is one of the best songs on the album, and wow I can't wait to see it performed.
3. Please Download
In the very first second, my jaw was literally agape because I knew exactly what this song was going to be, and I was feeling the most incredible mix of excitement, nostalgia, and joy that I had felt in many, many years--in fact, probably since hearing "PARTY! PARTY!" in 2012. This song SCREAMS Dylan (it me), and I could not be happier about getting another "SCOOP SCOPE" after what is collectively agreed upon as one of the worst years of our lives. This one song made buying the album worth it, and this one song makes up for most of this year. A technopop song with backing violins in the chorus. Please. Pleeeeease Nana. Best song this year.
4. ALONE ARROWS
I really love how this song starts, but I did expect it to be cuter than it is. The verses are great, but in my opinion, the chorus falls short a little. It's a tad too generic, even despite being a pretty blatant callback to those more mellow anison songs like "undercover" (which I love) or even "Risouron" (which I also love). This song isn't bad, but it feels a little disjointed in places, and the chorus, in my opinion, should try to be less theatrical for the kind of song it is. That's what I think makes "undercover" and "Risouron" great; her vocals match the instrumental mood. I feel as though that isn't the case in this song (bring on that sweet, sweet hate, haters), but it's definitely in no way bad at all like how could that even be possible it's Nana. Good song, not my fav though.
5. TWIST & TIGER
Another example of the verses beating out the chorus. Too fast! I love the jazzy feel. Sai was right in comparing it to "MARIA & JOKER," but "TWIST & TIGER" is definitely more sci-fi action comedy anime than sexy spy thriller movie. Still, it's a really freaking good song! I probably would've slowed it down a little in the chorus and maybe tried replacing the drums with computer-generated bass, which is exactly what the next song does.
6. Rock Ride Riot
Not the generic pop-rock song like I thought it would be based on the title. Damn, so normally I'm wishiwashi about these kinds of super-fast songs (my criticisms of "Toraware no Babel" be damned), but looks like I totally like this song. The "I know"s--frickin' nice touch. Not much else to say about this. It's not particularly original, but that bass is infectious, and there are some really cool parts to this.
7. Hatsukoi
Not the generic ballad like I thought it would be based, again, on that lame title. HOLY MOTHER OF YES PLS THIS RIGHT HERE. The only thing that could make this song better would be an erhu solo in the bridge, which I was so begging for as this song continued. "Hatsukoi" is an instrumental masterpiece, and the melody is exceptional. It feels so perfectly constructed. That "naka de" in the bridge gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. If "Please Download" wasn't my child this would be the best song on the album. Despite its familiar instruments, I really feel like it's a fresh take on the style, not unlike "Crescent Child," and I adored that song from the first listen.
8. JEWEL
Here we go ballad! Okay, so this is the best album ballad since "Shichigatsu Nanoka" (fight me). It gave me "Promise on Christmas" vibes with thos "Ha~"s after the chorus. The chorus melody is so familiar, too, but I'm not sure from where I've heard something like it. The acoustic guitar in the bridge makes me want to cry. This song is like a wintery, slower "ray of change," and I kind of love it. Or better yet, slow down "Song Communication," add some sparkly winter, some violins, and some welled up tears. That's this or something.
9. UNLIMITED BEAT
A fitting title for a song whose style really does seem to be unlimited in the number of songs she can produce with it. I'm sorry, friends, but this song is a cheap rockbound ( ) knockoff of "Gyakkou no Flugel" with "Glorious Break"'s opening extendo-note. The melody has been done; the nuances have been done. If this was 2010, I'd be all about this song, but "UNLIMITED BEAT" is the kind of song you can find on any anison artist's album today. Nana is way too good for this song. She was making this stuff seven years ago, and better. She doesn't need to sing the songs of the peasantry. She queen.
10. WAKE UP THE SOULS
"Get my drift?" with less sexy and more cool. This is going to sound really weird, but in some way it sounds like a Tsunku-produced rock song? Umm, what? I dunno! I could hear this as some kind of Berryz Koubou B-side ahaha. Anyway, great song. Strangely an easy listen for its style. EDIT: Sai reminded me I thought it sounded like a song from a Sonic game, so I think that may be more accurate than my previous comment.
11. STARTING NOW!
Time to play the role I carved for myself here. THIS SONG IS REALLY GOOD. THIS SONG IS NOT THE WORST A-SIDE SINCE "EXTERMINATE." THIS SONG IS NOT THE WORST A-SIDE EVER. "Angel Blossom" is worse.
I really love this, okay?! You're all just sitting there sipping black coffee, curating expressionist art, and watching Evangelion.
Good song though, for real XD
12. GLORIA
It's a heavier bass Hayashibara Megumi song. It's a modern late 90s, 2000s anison song. It's kind of amazing. Like really amazing. I really don't understand what there is to dislike about it or why people do! It's essentially a reimagined classic!
13. RODEO COWGIRL
Hate the title, and at first, I thought this song was annoying, but GUESS WHAT INEVITABLY HAPPENED?! This song is fantastic! It's adorable! It's the best of these pop-rock album songs since..."Young Alive!"
Oh so this album is really just IMPACT EXCITER all over again, isn't it? WELP, GOOD. PLEASE MORE OF THAT.
14. Kimi yo Sakebe
To reiterate, this album is just IMPACT EXCITER 2. "Kimi yo Sakebe" is the instrumentation of "NEXT ARCADIA" meets the melody of "Appasionato"'s chorus. The verses are lovely, and I usually adore this style of song, but the chorus sort of falls flat for me in a similar way that "ALONE ARROWS" does. Still a great song, though.
15. Zettaiteki Kofukuron
This is beautiful. The chorus is surprisingly catchy for a ballad, and that's kind of perfect. I don't think there's anything I dislike about this song. It may eventually grow to be one of my favorite Nana ballads, but right now it needs more plays. I'm really happy with this as the ending though. It leaves a lasting impression of the album, and is actually extremely memorable.
Favorites: Please Download, Hatsukoi, STAND UP!, GLORIA, Zettaiteki Kofukuron
Overall, NEOGENE CREATION reignited that Nana spark that I'd been missing for a few years, and I couldn't be happier with that. I think it's a wonderful return to form of sorts after a period of experimentation that spanned the three previous albums. If this album was the follow-up to IMPACT EXCITER it wouldn't have surprised me, because it sounds like it belongs somewhere between 2009 and 2011. I love it for that. That's a period of time very special to me with regards to Nana, and so I'm really glad I got to experience an album that brought me back to a time when Nana was kind of the center of my interior world. I definitely like this album more than SMASHING ANTHEMS, which really lacked that spark. NEOGENE CREATION was seriously healing after the mess that was 2016. I really needed this.