ROCKBOUND NEIGHBORS Reviews & Reactions Thread

[noknuckles]

Leading up to Rockbound Neighbors, my fav Nana song of 2012 has been Synchrogazer. There's still lingering hype over RockNei so I won't be so quick to replace it. I'll just call them contenders for Song of 2012.

Contenders for Song of 2012:

Crown of Avalon - What can I say? Amazing right from the very first second. Epic buildup to the song before we even hear Nana. Then Nana starts singing and the result is this incredible piece. The instrumentation is powerful and epic when Nana's not singing, and when she is singing, it's interesting but not so much so that it distracts us from Nana's singing.

Linkage - When I heard the short preview, I knew I was gonna love this song. Then I heard the full song and OMIGOSH the full thing is eleventy times better than I expected. It's amazing how much more song we got out of the full version than the preview

Kiseki no Melodia - My first reaction was extremely positive when the song was first leaked, and my opinion has not changed at all.

These 3, along with Synchrogazer may very well all break my top 10.

I'll probably post more thoughts later. I liked every single song on the album, so I don't wanna make it seem as though I'm selling songs like Crescent Child and Hoshikuzu Symphony short. Nana seemed really energetic most of the time. Even her not-so-fast songs had an energy to them. It's as if Nana herself was getting hyped over RockNei

Why am I always so surprised at how good Metro Baroque is every time I hear it?

[hot0rikun967]

I have a feeling that my reactions to Avalon no Oukan and LINAKGE are going to be the same as yours when my copy of the album finally arrives. In regard to LINKAGE, the same thing happened to me with UNCHAIN WORLD. I heard the preview and was wicked excited, and then when I heard the full version my mind was absolutely blown. Love that song. Also, I feel the same way about METRO BAROQUE. Every time I hear it its like, wow this is a good song even after hearing it countless times since its release XD

[noknuckles]

Naked Soldier is so deceptively catchy. It doesn't sound like it when you first hear it, but it's the song that consistently tends to get stuck in my head

[hot0rikun967]

Well, it's been about five days since my copy arrived, and I've listened to the songs on repeat enough to form opinions on them. Yes, I'll give my opinion on every song because I miss my short-lived blogging days. Haha. I'm putting it into a spoiler because it's long. SO!

SPOILER: Click to show

Avalon no Oukan
At first I thought I had accidentally begun to play my Zelda 25th anniversary orchestra CD. Oh my God this song is without a doubt the most epic track Nana's ever done. I totally get why everyone was mentioning LIVE CASTLE in relation to this song. The title, the fantasy-reminiscent instruments: it would have been an excellent addition to that concert. It actually sounds like an orchestra is backing her. She took the magic in "SCARLET KNIGHT" and "Juujika no Spread" and brought it to a whole new level. I'm going to guess that this song either opens LIVE GRACE II or opens its final set.

Naked Soldier
Like the previous song, Nana's vocals feel a little more raw here. The whole song, in fact, feels really different from her usual rock songs because this one feels less anison. It's a bit shocking, actually, to hear this kind of song on a Nana album. But, it's a really good song. I think noknuckles described it best: "deceptively catchy." Also, that last "hikari" is fantastic.
Get my drift?
Love. This. What "Naked Soldier" lacked in energy is made up for in this song. I was already on sixty listens the first night it was leaked onto the Web. It's the shortest song on the album, but it is definitely one of the best.

Lovely Fruit
Probably the catchiest song on the album, my opinion of "Lovely Fruit" went from bland throw-away to over-the-top fun song. It utilizes the cute factor found in songs such as "DISCOTHEQUE", "POP MASTER", and "Young Alive!" well--Engrish and all. I don't know how I'll feel about this song in a few months, though, because like the three songs mentioned above, I don't expect "Lovely Fruit" to have much listening longevity. But even if that turns out to be the case, I still love this song and all of its weirdness (because honestly, it is really weird).

Darling Plastic
Next we have he "Strobe Cinema" of the album. Unfortunately, in comparison to its predecessor, it doesn't match up. There is something strangely underwhelming about the song, and I use the word "strangely" because I hear a lot of potential with it. The problem seems to be that there isn't much difference between the verses and the chorus. That being said, I found myself singing this song before others that I like more. There is something nice about it. I really like it, but there are other songs like this *ahem* "Strobe Cinema" (I love that song).

BRIGHT STREAM
I liked this song a lot more when I first heard it, but now it's sort of wearing off on me. It lacks the punch that "Synchrogazer" and "METRO BAROQUE" have, and the chorus isn't all that exciting. "PHANTOM MINDS" was a lot more powerful. I love the song; it meets the standard of high quality that Nana A-sides always have. It just happens to be the weakest A-side of the era. That's doesn't make it bad by any means; one of them had to be my least favorite though, right?

Hoshikuzu Symphony
This song is one of the most memorable on the album. We haven't gotten a winter song since "GREAT ACTIVITY", and it was about time. I really don't find anything particularly disappointing with this song. It's softer without being a ballad, uplifting, and seasonal. The chorus is beautiful. "Hoshikuzu Symphony" is another of the album's best.

LINKAGE
Woah. "UNCHAIN∞WORLD"-part 2 may even surpass its predecessor with enough listens. It certainly has the potential to do that, being just as mind-blowing and intense. I didn't think it would ever be possible to match that song's awesome power, but "LINKAGE" did. I'm still debating whether this or "Avalon no Oukan" is my favorite on the album.

STAR ROAD
I know Will likes this one, and everyone else seems rather impartial toward it. I think I'm going to have to take Will's side here. The chorus is absolutely beautiful. The whole song just feels very mature--kinda like "Thermidor -Vingt-Sept-". Nana's vocals are the highlight here, but the instruments are so unique. It may not be as incredible as some of the other songs on the album, but I really do like it.

Synchrogazer -Aufwachen Form-
That opening is the best. Unfortunately, the progression into the original song is a little choppy. If they had executed it better, this version would have been better than the original. Also, like everyone else I would've liked this version to have more tricks to it than just the opening. "Synchrogazer" has great remix potential, so it's a little disappointing. It's certainly not anything I'm wishing didn't happen though, unlike the voice filtering that ruined "Koi no Yokushiryoku" on its album version (Ugh!) Overall, Synchrogazer is my favorite song of 2012 and one of my favorite Nana songs ever.

Crescent Child
Here's a song I didn't think I would like so much. I was very, very wrong. There's something haunting about it. I get this strange feeling when I listen to it--kinda like this awe. The verses, chorus, everything is just heavenly. Right now it's my third favorite on the album, but that might really change with more listens to all of the songs. I can see this actually breaching my top 20 someday. That's pretty unexpected too given that the majority of my favorite Nana songs are her anison or epic ones.

Kiseki no Melodia
I can't for the life of me remember this song no matter how many times I listen to it. It's a good song, I think. The organ is really cool, but there's something about the entirety of the song that just makes me forget it. I call it the "Chinmoku no Kajitsu" effect. Same thing happened with that song, and unfortunately for "Kiseki no Melodia" I like "Chinmoku no Kajitsu" a lot more. Right now, the only thing about this song that I absolutely love is Nana's flawless vocals. Like seriously, her voice is so clear and...Gah. So great.

METRO BAROQUE
The more I listen to this song, the more I like it. It's so dramatic. One of the top songs of the year.

Happy☆Go-Round!
It's catchy and fun, but as someone said previously it's just "Love Brick". I do like it, though. I actually really like it; I just needed something to say about it. Hahaha.

Sacred Force -Extended Mix-
I think I'm the only one on this forum that actually liked the original "Sacred Force". It feels unique to me, albeit incredibly short. They fixed that with this version, and had this been the original I probably would've liked it even more than I originally did. The album update was only a positive for the song.

Yakusoku
This is really nice, but it's not "7-gatsu 7-ka". I don't think many Nana ballads can top that song though. In terms of ending an album, this song works, and I really like it. But there are a few end songs that beat it out. The list would go like this before getting to "Yakusoku": "7-gatsu 7-ka" > "Ano Hi Yume Mita Negai" > "Hitotsu Dake Chikaeru Nara" > "Yume no Tsuzuki" > "Sing forever" > "Yakusoku"

Overall, this album is excellent. I won't say it's her best just yet. I still can't decide which album is my favorite though. I went about doing it the formulaic way by using my top 100 list once, but that didn't work out too well. Definitely worth the two-and a half year wait, though! I'm even over the strange title, too! XD

[noknuckles]

People are impartial toward Star Road because the rest of the songs were really good. If it came out in a single with 3 other great songs, we'd be like "wow this song is so beautiful." But when juxtaposed with 10 great songs? We all just thought Will was crazy when he declared Star Road his favourite.

The reaction to Sacred Force original was pretty positive. The most negative thing anyone said was that it's a worse version of Romancer's Neo, and that's... not exactly a bad thing

The only differences between our opinions is that I can't stand Lovely Fruit, and I freaking love Kiseki no Melodia (I also loved Chinmoku no Kajitsu)

[Sai]

Nice review! ;D I obviously can't say much about Kiseki no Melodia, but I absolutely get what you mean about Chinmoku no Kajitsu. I have nothing against that song, but I do find it to be really really forgettable. It just lacks that certain spark to it. I can't wait to hear all of them anyway, though.

I think I'm most curious about Naked Soldier and Crescent Child, just because... Well, I've been able to create mental "versions" of the songs in my head just from gathering what people have been saying, but until now I've had no idea what to expect from those two, I feel like there haven't been any really strong reactions to them.

[Will]

Well, yeah, it took more than I expected for me to do this review and I almost got to the point of giving up on doing it... Let's get it over with ^^

SPOILER: Click to show

Avalon no Oukan

Truly epic, especially its beginning. Sounded like a real orchestral piece/awesome game OST. Caught me off guard too, for a moment I had doubts if I was really listening to the right album. They did a very good job making it calmer when Nana-san's vocals start, and what beautiful vocals! But, if while being performed live it gets some instrumental add-ups, I think it would be even more amazing! I bet it's going to be LIVE GRACE II's opening too.

Naked Soldier

Oh, what can I say? Loved it to the core. I agree that it doesn't have so much power and that feel of grandiosity like other tracks, but I guess it's part of its beauty. It's a rock song with let's say, a techno/digital mash-up and some piano - it remembers me a bit of abingdon boys school. The vocals on the chorus are godly; that last part where the end of each verse overlaps with the beginning of the next one until it goes boom on the last "hikari" and the "oh ohs"! That solo - one of the bests I've seen on Nana-san's songs - a pity that it was a bit short, they could've extended it especially at the end of the track.

Get my drift?

Like I said before, a straightforward song in my opinion. I'm on the group of those who repeated it endlessly when it got leaked! Couldn't believe how great it was and also so different, I don't think Nana-san has any other song that is really close to this one although it's a common style of pop considering other artists. I love how it's rockish and too pop at the same time! And the lyrics... it's going to be perfect live!

Lovely Fruit

At first, when I listened to the anime version, I didn't like it that much. But the full version gave me a completely different feeling. Like it for the same reasons that I like DISCOTHEQUE: jazzy and shamelessly flamboyantly pop!! The high-paced/funny verses really catch my fancy. Nana-san described the idea of this song as it follows: oishii fruit = kawaii girl! It's ready to be eaten....... O.o No comments...

Darling Plastic

Well guys, I agree with everyone, this one is a bit far from being a great song, but, thinking about the album as a whole, for me, this song really makes a lot of difference. It's rather plain but since most of the other songs have epicness to them, without Darling Plastic the album would loose diversity. Yeah, I'm saying that its best quality is being bland - also what makes it weak of course.

BRIGHT STREAM

Hmm... I like it quite a lot but lacks a bit more power. Don't like saying this was the less good side-A of the era, there's no other way though; But truth be told, I don't think makes much sense comparing it to Synchrogazer - the two are too different - while I can say easily that my favorite is METRO BAROQUE. Anyway, it's doesn't fails to comply with the quality all Nanoha's songs have.

Hoshikuzu Symphony

Oh! So beautiful. Winter/Xmas song - a summer Xmas isn't so cool though; Damn you south hemisphere! - The backing vocals/choral really adds a lot to it and I love how there isn't an excess nor a lack of sounding instruments. Also like the fact that this track is not a ballad, being more energetic. Kawaii song but don't amaze me too much; maybe it's yet to grown on me.

LINKAGE

Well, I can see the resemblances with UNCHAIN∞WORLD, but I don't know, to me they give a totally different feeling. UNCHAIN∞WORLD sounds much more heavy while this one sounds clearer; The vocals are pretty intense just like its counterpart though; Love the synth bass!! Well guys, don't get mad at me, but for the time being I don't found this track so so amazing but I see a lot of potential in it and I believe that LINKAGE is going to sound much more great live, like what happens to UNCHAIN∞WORLD.

STAR ROAD

Well, you all already know what I think of this song. It amazes me how the track has a lot of instruments but doesn't sound packed at all, also considering that most of the times, the strings for example, don't have just a background function, clear and well defined melodies can be heard. The harpsichord is beautiful, love its sound (although this one is 100% synthesized); To top it up, Nana-san's vocals are truly beautiful in my opinion and this song has the right quantity of emotion in it. Would be perfect if STAR ROAD could end one concert.

Synchrogazer -Aufwachen Form-

Well, it's Synchrogazer with an amazing intro. But yeah, it really lacks a decent "connection" between the intro and the song itself; And Synchrogazer, love the technological aura it sends off. I think it fits perfectly with the title and the anime Symphogear.

Crescent Child

Don't know how to describe it exactly. Makes me feel that everything's alright, it's rockish seasoned with a easy-listening background. I think the balance between the piano and the other instruments is perfect, creating a really beautiful atmosphere that let's Nana-san's vocals work greatly. Once again I will say: reminds me of school food punishment!

Kiseki no Melodia

Ah, that beginning! That organ! Can't think of a better song for an RPG. Fantasy-like in its best form. Loved it since first listened to the short version and love it even more now. Also, I think this track has one of the vocals of the entire album; The high notes at the end of the chorus really me shiver!

METRO BAROQUE

My favorite A-side of the era! This time I have to say, the instrumentals are great, but Nana-san's vocals on this one are out of this world! Really, really love METRO BAROQUE! The strings, the piano, the bass, everything works wonderfully with a rather tense rhythm!

Happy☆Go-Round!

We all know it's close to Love Brick, but what is the real problem? It was made to be used on the same dorama, it was to be expected. For those who like Love Brick, it's another good song, although I understand those who are disappointed because we could've got another more experimental track. In short, wanna see it live, I'm sure no one is going to listen to it without smiling. ^^

Sacred Force -Extended Mix-

The original version was already pretty good, I tend to like Nanoha's insert songs more thant the OPs/EDs - BRAVE PHOENIX, PRAY, Don't be long -; It's strong and well ornamented. Pretty good vocals too. Different from Synchrogazer's new mix, this time we got fairly good modifications, I hope from now on, Nana-san only performs it in this format.

Yakusoku

I'll cut to the chase here. I don't like ballads at all. Some of Nana's are a bit of an exception because they sound stronger than typical ballads and use the instruments better; But even taking that into account, her ballads are far from being my favorite songs. I like this track, but that's just it.

Favorite tracks: STAR ROAD; Naked Solder; Crescent Child; Get my drif?;

Obs. I'm not stating that I think these are the best tracks on the album, but they are my favorites simply because it's the kind of sound I fancy listening at the moment. Moreover, I found rather difficult comparing all the songs of this album; They're all so different, each one is an important part that makes this album so peerless and unique. If someone could show me another artist/band that has an album with so many different styles in it, I'd really appreciate it. Do you get my point, guys??

[replaymachine]

My review

replaymachine.livejournal.com/13901.html

Got a bit carried away and wrote something for every song^^;;;

[sevenpetals]

I think now that ive truly descended into listening to it over and over again, My top 3 has changed. 1. Crown of Avalon 2. Crescent Child 3. Linkage
Crescent Child is just so darn fantastic, it sounds sad, almost mournful and peaceful at the same time with some rock elements, its just amazing, and over looked! Wait for the perfect moooooon <3

[noknuckles]

So it's 4) Stardust Symphony and 5) Naked Soldier for you? That's a pretty big drop for your "first impression favourite."

For me, it's:
1) Crown of Avalon
2) Linkage
3) Synchrogazer
4) Kiseki no Melodia
5) Stardust Symphony
6) Metro Baroque
7) Crescent Child

That's pretty much my 2012 list for now, with Jiku Sapphire somewhere around 4-6.

[sevenpetals]

Yes it is a dramatic drop xD
1) Crown of Avalon
2) Crescent Child
3) Linkage
4) Naked Soldier
5) Stardust Symphony
6) Get my Drift?
7) Lovely Fruit
8) Kiseki no Melodia
9) Darling Plastic
10) Promise
11) Synchrogazer - whatever form -
12) Sacred Force - extended to new awesome-ness form -
13) Metro Baroque
14) Happy(Star xD)Go-Round!
15) Bright Stream
16) Star Road

[relmy]

Quick review, it's not objective at all. It's late and I don't know what words are, good luck comprehending this.

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Avalon no Oukan - great arrangement, the second verse is much better, the first verse sounds a little too... normal!? after that dramatic opening. I love the softer and slower parts. Can't wait to hear this live, this was BORN for Live Grace II.

2. Naked Solider - this song was a definite grower, the chorus is so catchy. It's not grand in any form, but it's got enough energy and impact to follow Avalon. It really sets the intensity level for the album. All the tracks really suit the "Rockbound" part of the title.

The softer parts are really nice here though, and I guess the album has some stand out soft moments.

3. Get my drift - such a strange song, it was compared to m.o.v.e in one of the other threads, and it really does have that sort of pace to it. It feels very typical, but very different at the same time. Either way, it's catchy and I like it.

Plus, sexy voice!

4. Lovely Fruit - YOU GUYS I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS SONG. I love it. It's so cute, but it's not by the books. If I hadn't broken my mp3 I would be permanently hooked up to this song. I-ta-da-ki-masu LOVELY FRUIT~

5. Darling Plastic - nope. Bland. Doesn't help that it's after four really great tracks.

6. BRIGHT STREAM - I like this A LOT more than I did when it was a single. While the first five (well, four) tracks are very Nana, they all bring something interesting, so having a typical strong Nana a-side is perfect! It's not the best a-side, but it works well here.

7. Hoshikuzu Symphony - it's SO Jpop winter. I hate those chimes. I'm not really a fan of seasonal songs, or those chimes, so eh, this song just grates on me.

8. LINKAGE - nice track, very intense. Could be a single, easily. I don't get all excited over it like I do with the first few tracks. I don't dislike it, I just don't find it that memorable.

9. STAR ROAD - I LOVE it. It's so light, which works so well on an album with so many heavy or intense tracks. It's so beautiful in the chorus and pre-chorus, Nana's voice and the arrangement just ugh... it's wonderful. I'm with Will, this is a great song.

10. Synchrogazer - I think the intro was needed for it to work after STAR ROAD, and I prefer an extended intro over an interlude track. the transition to the main song is a bit weird, but I do view it as an "interlude" more than an "intro". I enjoy it more on the album than I did as a single. The whole fast/intense with softer moments works so well within the album.

11. Crescent Child - I'm mixed over this song, some parts are really nice, like the second verse, but the first part is very bland. It's a grower. It's that track that isn't bad, but it has to be an album track. I think this would be really great live though.

12. Kiseki no Melodia - the arrangement makes this song, it's beautiful. That said, the song itself doesn't do those moments justice. Definitely a song designed with the live in mind, especially Live Grace. I think this is a song that will work better live.

13. METRO BAROQUE - I really like this when it came out, but it's a bit underwhelming now. It works really well after Kiseki, but eh, I'm not crazy about it anymore. Overplayed it probably.

14. Happy☆Go-Round! - I hate this song. Uuuuggghghg. Do I have to say why? Can I just say everything?

15. Sacred Force - I'm neutral towards this song, but after that Happy mess it's like paradise. It's one of the weaker tracks on the album though.

16. Yakusoku - yay, a ballad! I like this, but I can never recall how it goes. I like how simple it is though, I cannot wait to hear it live. The simplicity is even better because of the intensity of the album.

Favourites: Lovely Fruit, STAR ROAD, Get my drift?, Naked Soldier

I think overall it's better than IE, and much more consistent, but IE's standout tracks were better. I adore Lovely Fruit, but it's not the same awe I felt with tracks like Mugen or Albireo (or however you romanise it!).

Comparisons to UD are unfair, that has Shin Ai, Astrogation, Gimmick Game, Etsuraku Camellia...

Saying that, I was a little annoyed Junketsu Paradox was left off, but I don't think that or SCARLET KNIGHT would have worked on this album.

[Unchain_Knight]

Gonna have to write up a full review meself soon! But so far my favorites are Get my drift? (Didn't like it at first but what can I say... it grew on me!) LINKAGE, and Naked Sodlier. Nana worked wonders on this album though I wish there could have been more of a rock influence what with the title.

[teddy]

Finally got my album and after listening a few times Crescent Child is my favourite so far! I'm in love <3 The whole album is amazing though!

[Sai]

I'm holding my copy in my hands right now!!! Jeez, that felt like a really long wait, though being the admin of a Nana forum and having to read all about it for the past month probably didn't help :XD But anyway, it's here and in my hands and I can listen to it whenever I want! I'm ecstatic. I'll definitely add a review to the pile once I've listened to it a few times.

Also I got a really nifty clear file with a promo image on it! I've never managed to get those XD