Monday Night Report: The (Neatest) Klassic Note Review

“Neat, Neater, Neatest!” -Kaineng

Feels like I’m doing something like a video review of LG G3 here, but it’s Neat’s we’re talking about and… “third time’s the charm”, indeed.

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Neat’s – MOA (album)

(Apparently one of those album art which is same as the PV. Great!)

Origin: It’s this.

pic.twitter.com/2sKXUhwAVw

— Kaineng (@KlassicNote) May 31, 2014

The release live stream. Firstly it’s the news because I know her back then when she was in pop duo RYTHEM with YUKARI (now yucat), and that they decided to go both ways. Now on her third album, she decides to go free, focusing on creating the best impression “Neat’s world” (ニーツの世界) from the album songs down to the PV, and even the live stream, featuring a band. And if it’s not good, I won’t be here doing a review about it already. Let’s have a good talk about it shall we?

Oh in this review I also will be talking about the notable differences I hear from the studio versions (in the CD) compared to the live stream, and if it is done under a major music label. You’ll get what I mean later.
(If “Above Average” is purely based on first impression, mainly from the live stream)

(1) MOA
Being the topic song for the album, this does not disappoint. Short yet lovely, this song does bring the start to her overall feel of her world and her album in general. PV also is interestingly done, though seen with v~ery minor discrepancies (flinging her hair etc.) which can be treated as nothing. Personally liked this:

But you can also watch this:

                     

Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(2) Gray no Mori [trans.: The Grey Forest]
Major differences between this and the live stream version is that it is more epic, more… boldly presented. Which is good, in my opinion, making me like this song more and more. If you also do not understand much of the lyrics like me, this song is so her style when she is active. And it’s a great song. Short, and sweet.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(3) Yuugure Record [trans.: Evening Record]
Honestly saying I’m impressed by the first few songs presented in the live stream, and don’t know why I didn’t pre-order back then already (especially when she told me to too) and had to wait until now. Strict rules, probably?

Okay, this may sound like an oldie if you only hear the introduction, but then the added chorus emphasis makes this song also more in depth in some way, though personally think it’s good without it too. The chorus is the focus point, because it’s that catchy, you may just miss this great song. Especially when it’s three minutes short.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(4) Tasogare ni Ame [trans.: Twilight Rain]
More emotional than simple, this song brings out the mood of the topic we know very much about: the rain. Neat’s has done quite a decent job to create the correct mood for this song too, slow-paced and simple (as like without any bridge in song format), and easy to listen to. The best song to listen now (in summer) is when you’re in a quiet air-con room at night. Really. The added effects in the studio version also bring out the better feel in the song, but makes me feel real spooky in the circumstances I tell you guys a sentence ago. Haha.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(5) Yoru no Iro [trans.: Colour of the Night]
Supposedly Neat’s favourite song in this list, this song has proven to be pretty great too. Problem here is I favour the live stream version because in the studio version the beat is greatly emphasised, making it sounds very electropop in this case. You’ll know why when I talk about the remix of this song in the last track of this album. Nevertheless, the melody is a great companion, and is already attached to me long before the album is out.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(6) Shinsekai [trans.: New World]
Recently the catch of my list after I reviewed the album yesterday, this song has a deep meaning into it, if for this song you focus on the lyrics… and then reference it to “Neat’s world” that she’s been talking about in the live stream. Also, if you are deterred by the introduction which somehow does not blend in with the melody, you’ll get it when you hear the whole song.

『あなたと世界を作れるなら私の全てを見せてあげる』 And thus the new world is formed. Listening to Neat's - Shinsekai

— Kaineng (@KlassicNote) June 22, 2014

The tweet’s lyrics translate to (haha now then you know I typed those?):

“If I were to create the world with you
I’ll be able to show you my everything”

So simple, it makes you want to create a world with her too. Not that I’m implying anything. Oops is that an exhibition of tsundere?
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(7) Umi [trans.: Sea]
There aren’t many times people would use a single world as a song title, but this is what it essentially; about the sea. The live stream version is more acoustic due to the other band members rotting from their toilet break (haha kudos to those who watched it), and the studio version is more dramatic, which somehow infects me to like this song more. More of the mood than the melody, but it’s a nice song, so why not?
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(8) Sabaku no Scorpion [trans.: The Scorpion in the Desert]
Another song with a beat, this song is one with more of the beat than focused on its lyrics, which is very catchy and a great song to listen to. Though the song is long, the continuous beat of the song makes it of a active mood, and is one more nice tune created by Neat’s-san.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(9) Greatest Eden [trans. not needed]
Another song that caught my impression that time back in the live stream. Why? Because it’s grand, so grand it’s great. Thus the song title “Greatest Eden”, in my opinion, of course. Nevertheless, the song is a catch, and reminds me so much about Christmas, though at this time of year this is better than any Christmas carol. Sorry to any faith affected, but it’s just me speaking my mind…
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(10) wonderland
One of the later considerations, maybe in order to be able to spend 3000 yen away with a reason. I know. I’m crying internally already.
Forgetting about that, this song also is in its own league, bearing the style that is Neat’s. Quiet and peaceful, it reminds one about the wonderland we live in, isn’t it? Simple in melody and in lyrics, which makes this a perfect song if you dislike everything from this list. But you don’t dislike after everything I’ve said, right~
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

(11) Climbers
Eh… this is the only song I “didn’t like”, or shall I say “haven’t grown attached to” at all. But in an opinion I guess this is also a well-done song though, not that I listen to it anyway. Sorry.
Rating: Not In List

(12) Yoru no Iro ~electro circus by Sunahara Yoshinori~
Not that I know the guy that remixed this song, but the extended remix also makes this a nice track to listen, probably even better than the studio version especially with me saying this many bad things about it.
Rating: Not In List, because Klassic Note don’t take remixes

Conclusion: This is AN ALBUM, people. I can already declare that an album making its way to my shelf is definitely the best of the year, and one to listen to. So if you like some indie pop out of major companies, grab your earphones and speakers, hit the play button and dive into the world that is Neat’s. You know, ニーツの世界-desu!

-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

Sunday Night Report: Klassic Note Reviews x2!

Since I made the title obvious, and most of you (if any) is waiting for this after reading Entertainment News Weekly, I shall start without delay, yeah?

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
fumika – Endless Road (Single)

(Simple cover, isn’t it?)

Origin: As you guys know, I’m not unfamiliar with fumika-san. Ever since listening to her debut single from Anime “BLEACH”, I’ve been following her on her new songs, with a breakthrough in 2012, where she sings the three-parter duo songs followed by her album, which created an impression, at least for me. Since her shift out of Sony Music Japan, she has been actively singing original and cover songs too, with this being an original production. Without cover songs. Her previous two songs are not the case.

(1) Endless Road
This song is about love, and more than that. It’s about happiness and bliss. Besides, the topic is about marriage anyway, shown in the PV. Nice song though, like I’ve not been hearing a good song from fumika in a while. Lyrics are also written in topic, with four seasons and reminiscing the past, making the songs more impressionable. Overall, this is a nice song, and it fully represents fumika’s style. And since she’s out of Sony Music Japan, a super-copyrighted label, means you can watch the PV on YouTube! My eyes tear up the first time I watched and sang to this. *sob*

If you tear up halfway through the song, so did I…

Rating: 4 stars (Solid Average)

(2) A~Yokatta
Don’t mind the looks of the song title, but the song itself is full of hype, and a feel of thankfulness is felt after receiving bliss and enjoying the happiness. I like this song too, as is concludes the single really well. Which really makes this single so complete. Makes me feel like I’ve reached another stage of my life, though not marriage, haha.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

Verdict: Overall, it’s a good single. It’s complete, as I mentioned above in the two songs in it. And I’ve already placed an order, which… is not here yet. I’ll show fumika-san on Twitter when I got the copy. It’s the best proof that I do support artists I listen.
[P.S.: With “Endless Road” the song I also got fumika-san to follow me on Twitter. OMG.]

ALSO!

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
sphere – Kasukana Hisokana Tashikana Mirai (Single)

[Anime Edition]	[Limited Edition]	[Regular Edition]

(I know about the title being in another format, but I shall stick to the consensus. Very typical covers though, and Nanana-chan seems to have twisted her arm…)

Origin: If you guys need me to introduce this voice actor idol group, then you’re insulting my unique taste in their works. Again they have tied up with another Anime “Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin” which I do watch (not a bad show), impending for their upcoming FOURTH album after celebrating their 5th anniversary after debut. Again, this single is not a disappointment, and I’ve already prepared to press the order button when I finished listening to this release.

(1) Kasukana Hisokana Tashikana Mirai
What’s almost awesome is from when I heard the Anime preview and radio previews before that, and overall the song lands in the typical Anison format, which is fine by my case. I personally favour a shorter song (as shorter song makes lesser mistakes and variations), but this is fine as it is. A very nice song to listen to, especially the chorus. You know what? It’s so nice that I chanced upon a full song preview! Here you go!

スフィア - 微かな密かな確かなミライ
Shared from siruth

Rating: 4 stars (Anison-typical Average)

(2) synchronicity
I only knew of the title of the song and heard the preview of the song from Aki-chan’s radio show just three days ago, and I heard the full song yesterday already. With the song title’s creativity aligned with mine (refer to APoL cards for details LOL), this song is also creativity presented, in a wacky and somehow naughty way (with a slight dere theme?), typical of their songs. And I particularly liked the chorus, and again, this song turned out better than the A-side above. It’s not the first time this has happened, so I shall no dwell upon it. Personally like this song more than the Anison, and primarily the reason why I would bother to go Sony Music Shop to get the special gift AGAIN.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

Verdict: If it’s not good it wouldn’t even make it here. This is another good single from sphere. And I like it. PV-wise… I haven’t seen it yet, so… But overall it’s good, and Klassic Note is about listening, so I guess the video is not important?

-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

That’s all, folks. Until the next time… if I get the two singles within next week then I’ll talk about it again? Meanwhile I’ll moan about the dreadful reality that I don’t live in Japan…

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Thursday Afternoon Report: The April Klassic Note Review Special

Yahoo~ I’m here, means that… yesh.

It’s here! Both at the same time! SCANDAL and Mina-chan’s new single! Let’s start with the reviews shall we? *satisfied smile*
This segment shall be more specific than usual, as I’ll dive into two main points:

1) The Review (of course, with everything in the format you’re familiar with) (or not)
2) The Packaging (how it came to me, and what are inside!)

First…

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
SCANDAL – Departure

[Limited Edition Type A]	[Limited Edition  Type B]	[Regular Edition]

(Honestly, all the covers are very intriguing and interesting to look at…)

Origin: We all should not be unfamiliar with SCANDAL – the girls’ rock band which took the world down from where they started, in Japan just a few years ago. Now they are standing strong, removing all the composers who have helped them on their way to write songs by themselves! All the more I should support them, and yes their first self-composed single (I did not say ‘first composition’ here) does not disappoint, bearing their style and is very nice a listen.

1) Departure
Hmm I thought it would be an emotional song, but it somehow wasn’t. First impressions from their PV does not make me go right into it, but listening to the lyrics and a few more times make me feel for the song itself, as it talks about something simple – Farewell. And MAMI-chan, who is the composer AND lyricist of this very song, has done quite a good job conveying the song. From past experiences of her compositions (that Dobon song, and their previous album “STANDARD”) I didn’t believe she could do this well. Also, backed up by great producers, I guess this song is a nice one to listen. And I love it when I say that they “took the world down”, because an advantage of being renowned worldwide means…

… You don’t have to wait any longer! Their MV is legitimately online! ONLINE!!
Rating: 4 stars (More Than Just Average)

2) Rainy
Truly the band’s production after I found out when I was listening to the CD and reading the booklet (hehe), the band came together to bring us a lively yet simple song, about rain, which I guess many have talked about too. RINA-chan’s in charge of lyrics here this time, and her honest style of writing also makes this song catchy to listen to. When I heard the preview I felt it had a very similar style to garage rock song “LOVE SURVIVE” they sang years ago, but this has its own unique style too. Good job! And definitely worth a listen!
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

Conclusion: Overall, this single is actually rather impressive. Coming a long way for them, this time is truly their works in the making, and I’m here to support them by listening to them, and also grabbing a copy. Looking forward to their own album already…
AND NOT FORGETTING….
THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Kotobuki Minako – Believe x (*cross – Refer below)

[Limited Edition]

[Regular Edition]

(I love the Limited Edition the first time I saw it Why is it such a big difference between the two versions anyway??)

Origin: Months after they mentioned about the new style Mina-chan is taking to be dance rock, they reverted (or her, probably) back to the good old rock Mina-chan sounds nice with, and this is impressive, like the others. At first hesitant as I hear the previews, but foreseeing it to be a good single I still had the urge to support her by grabbing a copy of the wonderful single.

1) Believe x
(*the ‘x’ here is read as ‘cross’, according to Mina-chan herself, and that is a reference to her first single, ‘Shiny+’ with the ‘plus’)
I tell you, if she needs another song to show how lively and wonderful she is singing songs, this is it. Lively, active, yet not forgetting that she likes to look back at life and anticipate the future ahead. The lyrics say so, and from her the topic this time round is “Back to Origins”, even though mentioning that she ‘doesn’t have a glorious past’ to look back at. And yes, this song proves pretty much everything. If you liked her songs till now, this is not one to be missed. PV-wise… got confused with the shoes at first, then looking at the lyrics made me understand the intention. Well, I guess this kind of PV with Mina-chan anything goes huh…
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)


2) Kousaten
Hesitant at Yesh this is the one that (almost) stopped me from getting her single. But I gave in in the end, apparently. It wasn’t disappointing, maybe because I’m in the mood for it? Simple, yet emotional. And yeah, the lyrics central around the fact about seeing crossroads in life, as Mina-chan would like, and I would feel for it with. Yet again, such an emotional song is created by none other than Hoshimura Mai, who you of course would remember where she contributed lyrics for Mina-chan’s album song “Tsuki no Hikari”, this time comes down to write a whole song for her. I liked it so much that so much so I spent a night to research on the current artist status of Hoshimura-san, who is still active and about singing her own songs. Back to Mina-chan, I guess this suits her best, but singing it can be quite a task, I suppose. Coupled with the light piano instrumentals in the intro and ending, this is going to be another song I’d like to see in her live someday.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

Overall: In conclusion, I guess Mina-chan has yet another great single to treasure again. Thrown off by previous releases of the same company (sorry Tomacchan I had to mention you here) this (and Aki-chan’s) is a release to admire. Sh*t I’m tearing up again… If you’re a fan, do give a listen. Nothing’s more compared to a great song from Mina-chan. She and rock make a great combination. (It maybe just my opinion after all. Besides, anyone goes well with rock… right?)

Okay, now that I’ve done the reviews, let’s talk about what is inside. I don’t buy Limited Editions for those idiots who still think that I do buy all like those other idiots out there, but I do know what they contain. SCANDAL first. With every first press of any edition of the single comes with a B3-size poster, with specific shops to specific members of the band as cover:

Unless you buy from anywhere else which only give a B2-size advertising poster (which I got last year for Awanai… that single), this time round comes with specific gifts. But then, it took me some time to get to listen to both songs before deciding on getting it, so that leaves me without TOMOMI.
“Since TOMOMI is out of stock, I went for RINA.” –Kaineng
Also included is a sticker set of all the members, which I think is rather good. Even better than the poster. Haha.

Let's see if you remember all of them again!
(From top-left, clockwise) That's MAMI, HARUNA, TOMOMI and RINA-chan~

For Mina-chan, every purchase of first press Regular Edition gets you a digipak, and for those who do not know how it looks like or what is inside, it basically ditches the usual jewel case style (please go Wiki if you still don’t understand ok?) for a simpler and cleaner way of keeping a disc. Really. I’ve seen what happens if you miss the first press release.

Of course, with all of the releases of Mina-chan, every purchase of first press of any edition comes with a bromide photo of her. Of course, who doesn’t want her anyway, isn’t it? And for me I kindly offered my cash to Sony Music Shop, by far the most direct and official way I buy something from a store online.

  
I definitely enjoyed the fun inside. Thanks Sony Music Shop. Also the reason why I got so far to get the single is because it’s the only one I’ve liked so far, amongst the others. The gift. Hehe.

(Not showing real one for copyright purposes??) (Wait, did I post this before??) (Oh I didn’t. Must be at Twitter)
I guess that’s all the fun I will get this month. Next month brings sphere’s new single, and quite a few Anime songs, so we’ll see about sphere. You should also know that I do not buy Anime songs due to many reasons (which I will not bore you with), so… we shall see. Next time guys! Until then… don’t start stealing the images here. They are taken just purely in the name of interest, ok?

Saturday Night Report: SimCity, and Everything Else

Hi guys. Been playing plenty of SimCity and other games this week, thought I should share about what’s good and bad about all I’ve played, and what an ideal game it would have been if all came together.
THE NEW SIMCITY

Back in it’s 5th instalment, SimCity released in 2013 (last year) has been well-acclaimed with plenty of praises and complaints. Mainly praising of their new game engine “Glassbox” and awesome graphics in the game, but compensated by the array of technical problems and aesthetics, with players wanting bigger maps and (initially an online-only game) an offline playing experience. Until today, they recently released an update which features single-player mode, where users can save their cities and play with themselves in a region as promised.
THE SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
Why I think this game is great: Graphics. There’s no other simulation game that focuses THIS MUCH on animation quality, and they have done it this time round. I’m deeply impressed.
Why this game can improve: Focus of the game. I’m not bothered to talk about the technical difficulties, even thought I did say that
“Haha well it wasn't easy. I spent 40% of the time getting this game running, 30% of the time puzzled some of the game mechanics are not working, 29% of the time waiting to recover after I maxed out my loans to build everything and that 1% to take these pictures for my wallpapers... xD” –Kaineng, on Facebook
Okay, let’s get back. Problem here is I wanted a game which focuses on a wonderful transport system and I could be part of it, much like in Grand Theft Auto, where one can take metro and taxi around town. So, I went on to find whether such a game exists. Which brings us to the main point of me writing this post, and why I’m playing some other games which include:
CITIES IN MOTION 2 & CITIES IN MOTION
I tried the latest game first before its predecessor, but that’s not the point. Generally I landed myself in the category of business management, where one has to take care of everything of creating an efficient transport system. Which makes you like a Transport Minister, so to speak. Meaning you have to deal with the congestions on the road with citizens and tourists complaining about the long waiting time and high transport fares in the long run of the game, trying to make a profitable business. Saying it like this, this game also is not as good as SimCity. Given that I’ve seen SimCity as my benchmark of the graphics I’ve remembered, Cities in Motion 2 (running Unity engine) would not make this a better game. Besides, it’s as irritating as the SimCity game in terms of transport. Really.



A-TRAIN 9 (TRAIN GIANT in English versions)
Developed by a Japanese company, this game also is business related, whereas this has some focus of being IN the transport system, being on buses and trains etc. However it consists a heavy content of resource management and city development in a manner that would not be easy without a tutorial. Really, it DOES NOT have a tutorial. I see trucks in my vehicle list and I ask myself “What the heck is happening?” in the game. That’s the problem. Great, but falling short.
In conclusion, NOTHING I played can compare to SimCity, even though can easily compensate for what SimCity lacks. So if:

• SimCity keeps its awesome graphics and game engine;
• Cities in Motion’s big maps and monopoly-themed gameplay, and;
• Train Giant’s focus on being inside the transport system.

Combing all of that, and you’ll have a game that I’ll probably start buying. Cya guys then. Until next time… if you’re bored, go ahead and play some games. Don’t be like me, staring into the computer screen, thinking of what to write next on my blog…

Monday Night Report: Latest From Shelf To Shelf

Hi guys. Yep I didn’t have to wait long, not longer than today, at least. IT’S HERE!!!

 

I swear I got too excited from taking it, and forgot about posting it up on the official Twitter. If you came here from Twitter, you’re probably on the right track. Let’s start shall we?

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW

(Audience: Huh still following this format?) (Then you think what?)

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Toyosaki Aki – Delight (Single)

[Limited Edition]

[Regular Edition]

Origin: Aki-chan has been one of my personal (not recommended) favourites ever since she started singing in Anime “K-ON!”. But she has came a long way. This is already her 10th single ever since her debut in October ‘09, and she’s still going strong. With her regular cast of various notable composers supporting her release including Rie fu (yeah…) and vocaloid composer sasakure.UK, she sure is getting the best out of her career.

(1) Delight
Hmm… initial impressions are alright, but kinda deterred by the lyrics, like “SOS” sounds weird to me, and the unusually high pitched notes in some parts of the song. But then listening to the lyrics make you understand that this is a wonderful song about farewell, to welcome spring, which you guys should know is not far in front of us. Composed by someone who I’ve at least heard her write for Aki-chan once is Tamurapan-san (it’s her stage name, and the song is from the 2nd album “Patapa”), who does write decent melodies with relaxing style of music, which is shown in the song. And I like the song, because it’s a soft song of farewell.

You know something? I thought for once when looking at the title that Aki-chan maybe going for her wildest single yet. I’m terribly wrong…
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Pretty damn good)

(2) Osanpo no Uta
Eh those who don’t desire to go back or even recall your childhood please stop here. Because this song is definitely only audible for kids under elementary school. Nevertheless, the simple folk-song style melody does make the song sweet yet catchy to listen to, especially with Aki-chan at the vocals. Reminds me of Yui in K-ON!, when she was a kid. This must be her theme song back then, haha. Not recommended for matured audiences, but it’s worth a listen. Surprisingly, what I heard on the radio preview is the same as the full song as it’s a little short over 2 minutes.
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Delightfully cute)

Conclusion: If you liked Aki-chan, I bet you are one of those bastards who took the pre-order from somewhere in which the special gift I wanted to get. Or else, if you don’t mind Aki-chan’s irresistably cute voice and her average singing, please give the songs a listen. The composers at least did a good job doing up the songs. *silence* That’s as far as I can convince you guys to listen, I guess.

AS IF AKI-CHAN IS NOT ENOUGH!
(Audience: Must it be like this every time?)

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Horie Yui – The World’s End

Haha. Link is above. I don’t wish to type twice. Lucky I checked it beforehand.

The source? This time it’s TOWER RECORDS (Oops I guess no one bothers about this then. I’ll keep it short), and it’s as troublesome as Animate Online Shop. No EMS, and the packaging is as un-protective as ever. Let’s say it’s “basic” instead of “minimal”, huh. Besides, the gifts are making me happy already (haha), so I guess that doesn’t matter…

I guess that’s all. If you wonder why I took a few hours before doing this up, it’s because I’m enjoying playing SimCity. OFFLINE. I’m not 伍佰 anyway; I don’t enjoy playing ONLINE…

 

[P.S.: News of Mina-chan’s new single sure spread far and well, if you guys don’t know yet. It’s “Believe x”, confirmed from the official website, and the jacket artwork if out. If it’s like her first single, I don’t mind. I see familiar names in the composition too, like Hoshimura Mai, who impressed me with a BLEACH ending and one song from Mina-chan’s first album, This, is going to be something to look forward to.]

Wednesday Night Report: The Klassic Note Review

Today we have two, one (supposedly) released this week and the other… well I just listened to the CD a few days ago. So shall we?

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Satou Satomi – Mirai Night (Single)

[Limited Edition]	[Regular Edition]

(Always remember I only possess the Regular Edition because… put in short, it’s too high a price to pay and DVDs are not widely standardised from where I come from) (Which means I’m clearly not from Japan or anywhere near it)

Origin: News appeared as early as three months ago from its release, in December last year where Satomi-chan proudly released her artist debut as a singer! Congrats for her during that time, and her debut live performance is (really) times better off Kana-chan when she had hers two years ago. But anyway, it’s a lively rock band that she wants to create on her singing career, thus her effort of waiting this long (after reading many reliable sources) to start and how she intends to start guitar learning in order to show us her dream on her own live in the near future. Probably a year later, I suppose…
(I can write longer from where she was singing in K-ON! as Ricchan, but I guess that’s a little far…)

(1) Mirai Night
As the title suggests, this is definitely a lively and simple rock piece to listen to, and I swear I took a liking to it (and her) the first time I heard it. I guess that’s what everyone wants to listen in a song, and this has everything. Lyrics also mean something too, with the inaccurate English sung by her is definitely not as important as her expressing this song in a positive light. PV-wise… it’s for you to decide. Though it’s not the considering factor to listening to this though: It’s rather unnecessary too… It’s pretty good on its own. Simple and upbeat: just how you guys would also like it.
Rating: 4 stars (Above Average)

(2) Brave Morning!
This… apparently is more of a cheerleading song than a rock song, but also has the rock style. And listening to it makes me think this song is not as bad as the first one too. Why the title? That I don’t really know, but from what I read online sources lead to the song written the morning of her debut performance as a singer, thus the inspiration, and this upbeat style. It also carries the band rock that Satomi-chan wants in, but put in a little more cheers in between. Overall, a very lively song, and not losing to Tomacchan in this case.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)

Conclusion:
If you like her, you’ll like her song. Because from singing upbeat character songs in Anime, this is another fresh approach but this time, she is serious about it. Like all-out band, and her playing the guitar –sort of thing. And this single represents everything in it. I personally think this is great, but as the best this year… If you guys know my ranking standards yanaginagi would win her by one track here… Not my point. DO give her a listen if you like upbeat songs, as this has a little of everything: pop, rock and a little cheer.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

ALSO!

THE KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Horie Yui – The World’s End (Single)
(If you want me to put the hearts in you’ve got another thing coming)

[Limited Edition]	[Regular Edition]

(What is SOOOOO interesting about the Limited Edition is IN it’s music video, where clues are in to access a website with a code that lets you in to solve a mystery within the 5-minute video. Unique, but unfortunately I don’t get it, so…)

Origin: If it’s Anime songs you know well then Hocchan barely needs any introduction. Sequel to her first set of theme songs given to the Anime “Golden Time”, this is so referred to the theme songs for the ‘2-cour’ Anime length (ie. second half), as hearing from the songs. Unfortunately, this gets plenty of Anime boost, which is mostly negative in many cases. Let me tell you why below. Really, the first set of theme songs (last year) did better than this…

(1) The World’s End
How to say this… Eh… It’s very different? Yeah, I guess. No wonder they took so long just to release this. They (production) probably don’t know how to make this into a full song too, haha. Turns out they did, and come out trumps, as I guess this is the most counter-intuitive song I guess I hear from such a cute voice, but that goes to show listening to Anime songs gives a certain level of uncertainty from what you may be hearing, and from the start this has not been good. Upon close inspection things to rather surface, but nonetheless the style of this song is rather rough on the outstanding-character side, similar to what she acts on the show as Kaga Kouko, a rich lady who is possessive of her lover. (Oops spoilers for those who haven’t watched?) The PV gives another side to this song’s impression, as a mystery surrounds the house, apparently not a crime, but about a black cat and… pretty much everything else I don’t understand, but doesn’t seem to look like love already. I don’t know how to put a clear verdict to this, but if this isn’t your taste, you should very well turn away. Or else, give creative/restricted songs a chance, yes?
Rating: 4 stars (Average) (Anything higher would be ridiculous)

(2) Haneikyuuteki ni Aishite yo
I initially hoped for this song to turn the tides to the impression of this single, but… I guess the composers wrecked this completely, huh. Reading till here, if you guys don’t intend to hear this single, then you can stop reading here. Comparing to her previous single “Golden Time” it consists of two short (rather short) songs written short and simple, yet impressive. In this case, it seems that dragging the song and bringing out the mood of the song seems to be the focus here, as I catch the little familiar melodies as much as I can to make it feel like I’m hearing a nice song. You know, this could well be a short 3-minute song, but I guess the first two minutes are so deliberate I start to feel I’m being an idiot listening to it. But no, I’m not giving it 3-stars just because it has a good melody. Just… just… production problem, just like the show itself initially. Go read the comments online. I don’t even want to comment on it anymore…
Rating: 4 stars (Below Average) (Anything lower I won’t even pre-order this)

Conclusion: Eh… Can I don’t give one? If you liked Hocchan ever since she was 20 or if you watch the Anime, please give this a listen by all means. Or else, leave it alone. Unless you like to test your endurance of brainwashing (which I apparently did) while listening to songs that are in imperfection. Period.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

 

Been rather moody these days. I know I should’ve gotten this out like… Monday. I’ll get better, hopefully. When I see my future has some direction. Not miwa. Not VELTPUNCH. Not SPECIAL OTHERS. No music would help that for now. Until next time, people.

Saturday Night Report: The (Supposed) Birthday Delivery

If you look at the two images and don’t know that I just got my package this morning, you... never mind. I don’t want to scold people. Transiting to be a civilised person already… (Audience: LOL)

Will be talking about SID’s new single and Yanagi Nagi’s single (which I mentioned over here already), but mainly on SID, and the special gift. Yep. The B3 poster (really, not joking) which I don’t know where to put in my room now. Yanagi Nagi or Manaka-chan? Hmm…

The Klassic Note Review
SID – hug [Single]

[Limited Edition/Type A feat. Mao]	[Limited Edition/Type B feat. Shinji]
[Limited Edition/Type C feat. Aki]	[Limited Edition/Type D feat. Yuuya]

[Regular Edition]

(Yes FOUR Limited Edition covers with photo booklets, one for each member. A little better than sphere’s 5th Anniversary single next week because it has a Regular Edition CD, for me.)

Origin:
I guess they also don’t need much introduction either. SID has been a great Rock band ever since I heard them in 2008, under credit of Anime “Kuroshitsuji” (you guys know they’re starting production on a 3rd season, right?) and have been impressing me with great songs since then. Whether it is from moody to lively songs they all have a touch, surprisingly done by vocals and lyricist Mao, backed up by awesome solo guitarist (he does the solos every time so well you forget about everyone else) Shinji, bassist and (surprisingly) composer of the group Aki and upbeat drummer Yuuya. They all come up with nice songs and have been mentioned in credit of several Anime include recent “Magi” and even “BLEACH” too.

Wow too long an introduction liao…

Verdict:
Since it’s only single-track let’s keep it simple. Read below.

(1) hug
If its a emotional song then normally one would listen to the lyrics. Since I guess anyone reading this either is a English well-versed Japanese or just anyone who doesn’t understand Japanese, I’ll not talk about lyrics. But suffice it to say the lyrics are rather intimate, befitting of the title of the song. Melody wise… when I first heard it from the PV, the impression wasn’t deep, but it wasn’t all the bad. Their style if part of the reason why I still listen to them anyway, and I decided to take it. And then I found out it’s a single-track single, and here it is on my shelf.

Conclusion: If you like their style, support them as always. Like, buy their single, like what I did. Haha. Really. Don’t act blur. Also, this single is a good prelude to their album (which I probably wouldn’t buy, don’t know why) which I WILL be listening to it too, once it’s out (I can’t tell you where) next month.

~ Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

 

Yesh, now about the poster. Initially was excited about getting this order due to its source which was again different from the previous ones. Normally it’s CDJapan (do I need to put all the links here?), and last November it’s Animate Online Shop with Mina-chan and Yocchan’s singles (they get the season’s beta testing first), and this time it’s Yanagi Nagi, from HMV Japan’s online store it seems. Maybe I should just explain what I think of HMV. At first I expected to see a post card along with the B3 poster but then was disappointed because the post card did not appear. Then I checked repeatedly to confirm that the post cards are only for her Limited Edition title. Exceptions did apply on her previous single, but not now. And all early pre-orders do get the poster, which is what I did.

(I’ll probably do up an all-out review of all the retailers once I tried them all. Or most of them. Which would probably be within the year.)

Honestly, it’s late birthday gift. But even more honestly, I enjoyed it. Listening to it just makes me… happy. I guess that’s the reward I have for getting them in the first place. I guess… that’s my spirit. The Klassic Note spirit. Cya guys tomorrow, hopefully I’ll remember to do up the Entertainment News. Or not there’s always Monday…

Wednesday Night Report: The Klassic Note Reviews

(I decided to put them together…)

KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
miwa – Faith

[Limited Edition]

[Regular Edition]

Origin:

I guess she does not need further introduction, isn’t it? miwa has been determined as the “new generation YUI” by me as I see her grow from her first single, and here now she’s singing songs for various credits (which I shall not bore you guys about) with its awesome Rock hit song! Even if you don’t like shorties, at least give her single a listen. Really.

Verdict:
Pretty impressive single I must say, but not enough to get me to place it only shelf. Let’s just say her composition has been a little uncreative these days as I hear familiar parts and melodies now and then. But her efforts to make it better is not dropping, as I give my first 5-star song of this year.
(1) Faith
And yesh, it’s this song that deserves the prestigious title. Why? In many forms. The PV impresses me with a cool side of miwa, and really whose idea is it to put her on the edge of a… I know it’s camera but isn’t it a little dangerous?Anyway, the song itself is catchy, and the lyrics mean more than what I need to translate, because half the chorus is actually in English! If this song needs just one phrase to motivate you to listen, even if it is this song only:
“the pain remains, but I know it makes me stronger” – From miwa “Faith”
The last part of the chorus translates to ‘Protecting and unchangeable my faith”
(Italics represent from Japanese)
Doesn’t this make you stronger already? Haha well for my case: Yes. That’s why it deserved the 5-stars.
Rating: 5 stars (Impressive)
(2) Kitto Kanau
Eh this… is the reason why it will not appear on my shelf. Heard it a few weeks ago along with its adorably cute KitKat-credit on the PV with her in her mini-world sure is interesting and nice to look at, but the song… cannot make it, I guess. And it’s a tad bit too long, too. For such a song.

Rating: NOT IN LIST
(3) It’s you!
From when I heard this since last year in a live footage video, it wasn’t much of an impression. Even when I first got hold of listening to this single, it still wasn’t right off the mark. But then I noticed that years ago when she started I also listened to this kind of song, so I ask myself “why not give in to this song as well” that kind of thing. And so I did. Besides, it’s a lively song, and very straightforward in meaning, if you get the lyrics…
Rating: 4 stars (Average)
Conclusion:
Another premium production from miwa along with the music company, and looking forward to more of her great songs, which should not take too long too happen, I guess.
-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

When you thought one isn’t enough!

KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Goose house – Goose house Phrase #08
Oto no Naru Hou e / Koi no Hira Hirari (I merely just followed the official website)

[Anime/Limited Edition]

[Regular Edition]

Origin:
Looking at the Anime Edition cover should make you guys have a good guess I knew this from Anime “Gin no Saji” airing its second season since it had a short hiatus last season. But no, I don’t watch the show, but just chanced upon another single that is released on my birthday week (refer to previous post please) which I would like to listen. Thought this would be a good pair to the Yanagi Nagi single but it seems…

Verdict:
Coming from a bunch of budding composers which started from the Sony project “Play You” have came together on their eighth production (as seen from its title), and it isn’t disappointing. Disappointing thing is that I don’t really favour their sing-along acoustic style all the time, and it seems to appear across their other songs for the past two years too.
(1) Oto no Naru Hou e
Well this is what got me going. And it started from the Anime Ending Song preview. That 90 seconds. Which sounded quite different from this full song. It’s quick-paced lyrics soon follow up after the first chorus (which I did not expect) and the bring-up-the-octave-in-the-last-chorus trick was expected due to me seeing the commercial beforehand, but still not very impressed that I can give 5 stars for it. The PV does not really aid in its expressivity, but nice in that it features what members sings the parts and the scenery fits the song, I guess… Overall a good song.
Rating: 4 stars (Average)
(2) Koi no Hira Hirari
Don’t ask me why, but I just can’t seem to catch anything in this song. I was just listening and asking myself ‘is there anything I can talk about in this song’ and I tell you guys honestly, no. This is one of those I gave chance and still cannot make it, that kind of song. I guess one – or two – songs from them is enough?
Rating: NOT IN LIST
Conclusion:
A single to listen, but if you’re into some impactful songs, don’t depend on it. This band of people (who are all composers) are impressive in their coordinative effort and multi-layer chorus, and if you’re into acoustics, this is for you. Or if you like any of the girls, I suppose… Or guys… Or the Anime characters…
-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note
[P.S.: Oh it seems that you guys do mind about the “4 star” ratings I give as “Average” but honestly saying, that goes for like 90% of my songs which I ALWAYS listen throughout the year. So it’s nothing much. Every song I listen is special. Those that aren’t are not even given a rating by me. Even “3 stars” sounds impressive if you think about it…]

Monday Night Report: The Klassic Note Review

Hi guys, I asked for a day more for Yanagi Nagi’s single, and here I am. And what happened? I clicked on the order button, along with SID’s new single, that’s what happened…
KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW
Yanagi Nagi – Mitsuba no Musibime [Single]

[Limited Edition]	[Regular Edition]

(I know; I can’t really see the difference either…)
Origin:
Well this single was to be credited on Anime “Nagi no Asukara” (if you didn’t watch it’s about time you should, it’s great show) as its second Ending Song (yesh second, means you missed the first by the same person last year) and I had an impression of Yanagi Nagi last year with her single “Aqua Terrarium”. Unfortunately her composition skills did not get to me and I left out her only creation in her previous three-track single. But not this time. I intend to give this more chance and given it’s also one of the singles on my birthday week (if I’m mentioning this a lot of times please don’t mind me nagging) so this brings more meaning as I go along.
Verdict:
As I’m willing to be more open for creativity, the impression of this single surprises me well with the complete A-side song and two short and unique B-sides in terms of the indie style I rarely get to hear. More explanations below.
(1) Mitsuba no Musubime
An emotional song which can be related to the show itself, talking about people binding together as with the lyrics. The full song is as decent as the 90-second preview I get to hear for the past few weeks, and is not anything disappointing, just like the Opening by Ray. PV does not really help deepen the impression of the song, but the mood of the song is pretty well displayed in the video, and I swear I saw that painting of wings before. Mina-chan might give you guys a hint.RATING: 4 Stars (Average)

(2) Intention Propellant
Started a little hesitant to give this, but hearing it again gives a different view on this song. It’s a little sci-fi, as if you understood the lyrics or even bother to find out what “sputnik” is in its lyrics (written by Yanagi Nagi herself, lyrics only anyway) is about departing into space. And then suddenly the title makes sense, along with the image it intends to present. And since the song is short and simple, it’s even easier to absorb, especially for someone like me who takes a lean to this type of songs once in a while, or actually it’s once in quite a while. Nice song, really.
RATING: 4 Stars (Average)

(3) unjour
Yesh people, why I hesitate to write this yesterday is due to this song, also a short song entirely done by Yanagi Nagi herself. Let’s just say this song overall has a mood that is entirely in its own realm, and that’s why I’ve been holding to this song and finding its plus points, in contrast to the one I hear from her previous single. This song stood better chance too, as it is simple, though complicated is its mood. Not some song I’ll recommend to anyone, but it’s good, for me. It’s that kind of melody I’ll think of when I run out of songs to listen, really.
RATING: 4 Stars (Average) (on the lower end though)

Conclusion: A-side pretty expected, did not expect to pick up the two B-sides too, but now I can say this is actually a full 4-stars single. Not very often seen as three songs in my list needs to be exceptionally impressive, and normally includes a 5-star song (Rie fu’s single “For You”). But this, this is just another 4-star single, which means I’ll take a listen if I were you. Even Yocchan’s single is less worth the listening.

~Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

[P.S.: Oh yesh the Tokuten (special gift), the Tokuten… (Audience: You just want the picture of the girl, don’t you…) Not really, but who can resist a free gift, hehe…]

[P.P.S.: Will explain more of the ordering path I took this time round once I get the stuff. Which most likely will come next week. I guess.]

Sunday Night Report: The Cost-Effective Plan

Hey. Been thinking about this for the week and think it is something I’d like to discuss, or share with you guys.

See, ever since I started this “Klassic Note” thing, things have been more advanced, especially the places whom I hear songs from, to where I can actually buy the songs. That somehow explains why CDs from Japan can end up on my shelf here on the equator. But then I noticed the sustainability of such a plan, and have thus decided on another plan which is more cost-effective and with an insurance. Yesh, digital downloads.

PLAN A – DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

You see, iTunes has been a music upload site for many music companies, and strictly abides by laws with its software and charges people who buy the songs. And recently, all the songs I hear from have also made their presence known on the iTunes store, from companies like SonyMusic Japan, Lantis to Victor Entertainment and Starchild and so on. Therefore, I consider it an idea to buy every song I intend to put in my list, so as to assure I have the source when I want to, in the cloud. Problem here is only to sign up for an Apple ID, which is cumbersome and… it’s another account to remember, dammit.

PLAN B – FAVOURITE DISCS ONLY

Or I can just actually stick to my original way of doing things, well this isn’t another plan anyway, just the way I’ve been doing things since I started: Leech it off the Internet and get back on the Internet when I need to. Especially every year when I have to sort out my songs. This, however, has plenty of limitations, including having to wait for it to appear (like I mentioned in the previous post) with the emphasis for songs I intend to hear but never appears in full, and the variations of source types, like file types, bitrates and so on. But I also miss the hard copies of the songs I truly like, and the special stuff like photos, and recently I’ve been able to pre-order them off the official stores. So you see, a plan is actually very crucial, especially when I’m seven years into listening this already…

Here’s a table to compare these two ways of keeping my songs, including financial cost, using last year’s song count as an example:

	DIGITAL DOWNLOADS	FAVOURITE DISCS ONLY
Availability	All available, as long as music company is signed in iTunes	Unless I buy those songs featured in the CDs
Waiting Time (in terms of review)	Immediately after date of release of CD	Vary from before the week of release till the end of time?
“Songs which I heard previews only?”	“I can just download and listen.”	“I can just wait… and wait…”
Preparations	Requires Apple ID and iTunes	CD shopping. Requires an account and procedures to order or even pre-order
Backup of sources	Always available in the cloud, in my account	I can download and keep, the rest may become unavailable over time
Indie artist songs	Unavailable, even if want and can purchase	May be available if seen on the Net
Cost (Considering 2013, 205 songs)	One song = 250yen Total = 250 x 205 = 51250yen = about SGD 626*	Assuming one CD single = 1200yen one CD album = 3000yen, Total = 2 albums x 3000 + 21 singles x 1200 = 31200yen = about SGD 382*

(*All prices estimated using Google, on 2014.01.19)

(**So I actually spent so much last year…)

 

So you see, it’s actually worth thinking. What do you guys think? Should I make the switch? And don’t tell me to do both: I don’t have that much money to spare, spending 1K a year in this…

 

[P.S.: Also, Happy Birthday, Lindsey. Hope you’re enjoying your 21st. Just don’t end up… you know what I’m saying.]

Tuesday Night Report: Their Understanding

I then noticed today that there are some people in the service industry DO know how to cater to the elderly, apart from their apparent knowledge of the profession.

I went to the nearby mall today to re-contract my phone plan (after the last time I ended up buying my new phone, Nexus 5) in the local telco shop and I found out that the staff do understand and can observe the usage of my mother’s line (which I shall not bore you about) and answer her basic question of (not exact) “why am I paying so much phone bill every month?” Apparently she signed for more talk time, however it is only within the telco company users, and she does not know about it. So every friend of hers (which is a lot) who is not signed to the company she is actually charged the usual rate, which stacks up to a lot of money. The staff can also tell her her usage to recommend her a data plan which suits her best, leading to her actually considering the 4G upgrade (yesh my mum LOVES 3G lol).

After that, my mother told me to settle my own lunch so I went to Mac for a bite. Waiting for the queue for my order, I see an old man taking his order without hesitation, and in translation from Chinese, is roughly “can I have the $2 burger?” and the cashier immediately knows what he is talking about. Staring up to the menu I see that McChicken (from where I was from) a la carte is actually the same price. And upon the old man further asking about a “mushroom burger” or the same price she kindly tells him that is from KFC (Shrooms Burger if you guys don’t eat oily fried chicken) and he understands.

So you see, understanding is important, especially in the service industry. Answering to client’s or customer’s simple questions easily is actually part of the job.

[P.S.: (Audience: Wait. Why are you sounding to international even though readers do know you are a Singaporean, are in the Army and do spend a lot of money since last year?) Eh… trying to be understanding? Hehe…]

Sunday Night Report: The Klassic Note Extra – The Klassic Note Timeline

It may not be complete as I don’t remember much, but here we go:

It’s been five years, huh…
（ごねんぶりか…）

Sunday Night Report: The Klassic Note Spirit Final – Year 2012 and 5th Year Plans

(Feels like a blogging marathon to me already) (Audience: Who ask you don’t want to do them separately you got Thursday until now)

I thought I’d tell you guys what’s happening soon already. It may take time, but I’m going to compile everything I’ve heard and- (Audience: Post it on the Net?) Not the songs, don’t worry. Let’s carry on.

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Freedom seems to be a determining factor when one has the mood to listen to more songs, and that is what happened to me in 2012: I’m free. Free from education, and into the military. Without much troubles (at least the stress is off) to worry about, I also expanded my ears to listen to more, and perhaps, “give chance”.

THE DEFINITION OF 5-STARS
And then we’re talking about this already? Oi scriptwriter, why this first? (Audience: Ask yourself goddammit. And this is supposed to be formal essay.) Ok I’m sorry.

THE DEFINITION OF 5-STARS
After so long, I then noticed and have time to notice and ask myself that question: What is a perfect song? Is it a song that impresses me on first listen? Is it a song that is flawless for me to give a thumbs up and not criticise any part of the song? What shall it be? If so should I give more or continue to give blindly based on my first impressions? Questioning myself that, I ended up setting parameters (not as much as to give guidelines yet) to what is ‘a nice song’. Problematic, huh? Because of that, and the need to keep up with the number of songs I have given such a rating before, I ended up giving half the songs 5-stars out of second impression. Really, and that is worth considering about. It also somewhat affects my decisions for this year too.

DELIVERY STATUS
Good news is, due to me giving so many songs chances and even on 5-star ratings, and me having a decent salary, I start to spend. And guess what’s the first thing I spend on: CDs. Lot of them. Enough to stack it flat to reach my desk. That’s about 100+ discs from 2008 to 2012. I can still remember the first batch of CDs when they came: I was so happy my smile almost made me 10 years older. (with all the lines on my face and everything) You guys still remember that post? I guess not, me too anyway. But really, if there were someone who is THIS crazy as me placing a bunch of CDs and they are not Chinese albums or Anime songs, it’s me. Yeah.
The shelf that I had last year, and far right is part of the shelf I have now. Can see it’s 2012 (the middle row) that wins the medal

YUI’S HIATUS
If you need some bad news, this is one of them. YUI has decided to go on hiatus and has been seen in a new rock band called “FLOWER FLOWER”, and has till date released only one song on iTunes (ie. digital edition) and given a live of songs that I’ve never heard of before. So I have no idea where she is heading. Is she going to come back? Or is she pursuing another kind of music which… I may not like? But saying that, I’ve done many to support her.
See? It’s THIS much support. 49 songs, 3 albums and 15 singles… no one can beat that already. Not in my lifetime. Really. *salutes*

IN SEARCH OF ALTERNATIVES
Worrying this much, I can see why I spend more time on YouTube (is how I met ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE) and audioleaf (how I came to know sunday morning bell, deepNow, and SECONDWALL) just to find another tune or artist that suits me. Important, huh? I guess it’s inevitable. Not listening to songs now that it has become an addiction makes it harder not to search for a melody. And with mainstream artists becoming inactive, this is actually a path I carved out to carry on listening to more Japanese songs.

RANKINGS INCLINATION
To what? You may say. Dear readers, Klassic Note has come a long way. So naturally the rankings have to change. To favour the new and indie songs and artists that appear, and retire the mainstream regulars who aren’t so active as they are. To this, the list has for the first time since 2008 had its top songs replaced, by Chatmonchy and fumika instead of Aqua Timez, or VELTPUNCH. Many songs in the list have many new names appear, including those who may not even have a release for me to review. So you see, it has not been easy.

PLAN FOR 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Nope, I don’t intend to celebrate for anybody anything. It’s because I listen to this much and loved them for so long that made me want to commemorate and celebrate this SPIRIT I have within myself, and that is Klassic Note. Plan is as follows: (this is going to be long if necessary take a tranquiliser lol)
[Action, and proposed time of execution in brackets]

~Artist Rankings from 2008 all the way to 2012 (will be posted by end of year)
~THREE compilations that have been mentioned at the start of this Klassic Note Spirit series (released, book to be done by end of year)
~Compilation for Nano-Mugen Compilations from 2008 to 2012 (released, book also by end of year)
~Artist’s Compilations of many artists I’ve listened many songs of, like YUI, Aqua Timez etc. (released last year)
~Yearly Compilations from 2008-2012 (released as playlists so as to save CDs)

Here are the plans that DID NOT WORK:
[Action, and reason in brackets]
~Song Rankings from 2008 till 2012 (tried it using elimination but failed terribly many songs I liked got kicked out of the list, yes I mean MANY songs)
~Songs Rankings not in audio only, but in video (tried to gather resources but have not been able to find a standard in video quality)
~Artist Case Study and biography by myself (too lazy to type, and have not completed on anyone yet)
~Many more compilations that I had in mind from 2012 until now (too many, that’s the reason LOL) (and apparently the three above is what I can churn out a list of)

Also successful plans will also be posted on a website that… I would spend the rest of the year doing up, so you guys get to see it next year.

 

Overall, it seems that this spirit would not end. Not with my enthusiasm and my thirst for more wonderful Japanese songs! This thirst, this passion, this enthusiasm… that is the Klassic Note Spirit. Always searching for that melody. Hey that could me my motto! Wait, let’s try this again:

“Always Searching, For That Melody”

The Klassic Note Spirit

 

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[P.S.: Eh… on a side note, I’m also having to do up a new place for my blog, as this… two years already, right? Needs a revamp already…]

Sunday Night Report: The Klassic Note Spirit V – Year 2011

2011 has been proven to be a more vibrant year than ever for Klassic Note, ie. the songs I listen to somewhat does not end. That’s what happens when you listen to J-Pop: Too many songs to listen so you cannot rest.
THE NEW MEDIA
Apparently at this time, many copyright laws and country laws do allow the music companies to appear in more familiar platforms, like for example YouTube, the first and most used video streaming service in the world, which clearly needs no introduction from me. But the companies need introduction, like King Records (with plenty of solo voice actor music careers on hands), Lantis (famous for their Anime songs) and Pony Canyon (also Anime songs, and overseas artists) have been around to give me more songs to preview, and expanding my horizon on music listening, which explains how the songs in my list never decrease, despite the ending of K-ON! with it’s movie and Oreimo with their Ending Songs, at least for the first season.
THE ANIME WORLD WITHOUT BLEACH
Yes, must be very boring isn’t it… NOT! With BLEACH ending soon on March 2012, the sudden stop in artist introductions is a major concern. However new shows with more artists have actually broadened my listening, from Anime “Fractale” featuring AZUMA HITOMI, “[C] - CONTROL: THE MONEY OF SOUL AND POSSIBILITY” Anime original featuring School Food Punishment and NICO Touches The Walls, “A Channel” featuring Kawano Marina, to even Hyadain in “Nichijou”.

Title says it all. She also sang later that year on her 2nd single which hit my rankings, “Kira Kira”…


EVEN MORE NEW ARTISTS

New artists include “ALTIMA”, “LAMA”, “fumika” to already disbanded artist “Natural High” and “negoto”, which can be seen in 2012 actively too.

The great jazz duo “Natural High” singing with a guy: What a fresh idea. Also…

They have awesome piano melodies in their releases. Yesh, this single has been on my shelf already, haha.

As they already say, “picture says a thousand words”, not to even say in video. As you can see, the songs have not decreased, and so is my passion for listening to J-Pop.

Next and lastly: The Klassic Note Spirit last part – 2012 and my wonderful idea of starting all this from five years ago…
[P.S.: (Audience: Huh like that only? Why does it get shorter every time already?) I’m lazy already, huh…]

Sunday Night Report: The Klassic Note Spirit Part IV–Year 2010

JAPANESE SONGS INFLUX
Because this year is the year I don’t listen to anything but Japanese songs! I swear, really. Where does all of it come from, especially when the count is a record high? A good example is Anime songs (ie. Anisons), and plenty comes from music-related shows, like Ore no Imouto, which emphasises on a new way of creating new fan Ending Songs. Also is K-ON!, which at that time is definitely renowned within the country itself. So much so that… you know SCANDAL? They did a cover of the ending song too!

This is the ending that got me (and many others) hooked…

…and this is from rock band SCANDAL. Frizzy, isn’t it?

Also coming in are new artists coming into the list that I know, like ClariS (duo who are actually schoolgirls and got famous in niconico, Japan’s version of YouTube), miwa (not anything special but she is standing 149cm?) and SPYAIR, a wonderful band for rock songs. Also along with me spending more time reviewing singles and albums, thus the increase in number of CDs in my shelf now. Adding to the numbers is the new voice actor solo music debuts that I noticed from sphere, which I mentioned last week, like Aki-chan (Toyosaki Aki), Tomacchan (Tomatsu Haruka) and most recently on the year is Mina-chan (Kotobuki Minako) who sang a wonderful love song “Startline”.


MAINSTREAM MISSING IN ACTION?
Yesh, already? Yesh. Some artists who have been active for the past few years have suddenly… been rather inactive. Examples are Aqua Timez who only released two singles (once at the start of the year and close to the end of the year, which are awesome though) and Chatmonchy, which only released a mini-album for the year. Not worrying, but it’s a sign…

MISSING NANO-MUGEN COMPILATION OF THE YEAR
Also missing is the only compilation that got me started to listen to English rock and other JRock groups: NANO-MUGEN COMPILATION. Because this year the committee decided to not release a compilation but only initiate the live performance, also known as the NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2010. But in later years they have made both events happen, but not having it in the year seems rather disappointing…

DISBANDMENT NEWS, IN JAPANESE
Yesh, I do understand Japanese. Not a lot, but more than enough to understand Kanji words (which looks like Chinese), like 発売 (release)，中断 (hiatus) and 解散, which stands for disbandment. I think I did post this before, but the end of bands RYTHEM and HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR just as I was getting interested in them is not a good sign already. Now you know what I meant in the previous paragraph, huh. *silence* Well not that I’m worried, but then I also noticed that not everyone can last, not even in the music industry…

Nevertheless, the number of songs increasing is rather inevitable, and that really goes to show that I cannot live without Japanese songs, but that is also an exaggeration.
Next up on The Klassic Note Spirit: I needed Chinese songs already?