misono – 生 -say- (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“misono’s second full length album definitely marks an improvement musically and vocally since never+land.  A pretty solid album overall!”

ARTIST: misono

ALBUM: 生 -say-

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-23623/B

DURATION: 56:06

RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. 美苑味
2. 挫折地点
3. 二人三脚
4. ギザギザLIFE
5. black & white ～黒いサングラスかけた日から～
6. トライアングル
7. ホットタイム
8. 夢幻期限
9. おじぃちゃんっこ おばぁちゃんっこ ひなたぼっ子
10. ポチ
11. 反抗期
12. 十人十色
13. たまご
14. ラストソング -生 ver.-
15. 「君と私のうた」

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 17 minutes

1. 挫折地点 -BOX ver.-
2. 十人十色 -10 misono’s ver.-
3. 夢幻期限 -Painting ver.-
4. 二人三脚 -生 ver.-

Previous to the release of misono’s first album, my reviews for misono have been like a rollercoaster that culminated to a review of “never+land” and just being utterly disappointed with it.  And to be truthful, to be disappointed in misono’s marketing and development.

Even when she was involved with day after tomorrow, she’s had this quirky nature but to push her as this rock artist, with so many Japanese female artists that can play an instrument especially the electric guitar, it really got on my nerves to see misono with each video carrying one and pretending to play one and even more frustrating is to see her go from serious rocker to quirky and goofy pop tart the next in her music videos.

Nevertheless, I gave her music another chance and similar to the beginning of being on a music rollercoaster of feeling the high and lows with her songs in general, I felt that the latest offering from her fifth CD single “Hot Time” (Rel. Feb. 2007) up to her tenth CD single “Ninin Sankyaku” (Rel. July 2008) has been solid.

Her music fortunately has taken more of a rock edge and with her latest CD single, I noticed a more serious edge and even a push to make her more edgy, rock star than quirky.  And with her latest album, with awesome colloborations with J-rock bands, musicians and producer, misono’s second full-length album “Sei ~Say” features a good number of music. (Note: Sei means life, Say is the English word and used as a pun on the Japanese word “Sei”).

The first track “美苑味” (misono Aji) is a catchy short song that is less than two minutes long.   A fun track that shows off the cute side of misono.

The second track “挫折地点” (Zasetsu Chinen) is misono’s 7th CD single (rel. Sept. 2007) is actually a tracky that I really enjoy a lot.  I think I’ve had this hard hitting rock track playing multiple times over and over.  Really awesome production and musical work by Hinata Hidekazu (of STRAIGHTENER and formerly of Art-School).

The third track “二人三脚” (Ninin Sankyaku) is misono’s 10th CD single (rel. July 2008) and is the theme for the Nintendo DS “Tales of Symhonia” video game.  The music has always been good with misono’s rock songs which has been electric guitar driven and a good dose of clanging percussion and bass.

The fourth track “ギザギザLIFE” (Giza Giza Life) was used as a coupling song to misono’s eighth CD single “Juunin Toiro”.  This was a fun track and collaboration with rock trio Go!Go!7188 who produced and performed the instruments for the song.

The fifth track “black & white ～黒いサングラスかけた日から～”  (Black & White ~Kuroi Sunglasses Kaketa Hi Kara~) was a coupling song for Misono’s seventh CD single “Zasetsu Chiten”.  This song is another collaboration with STRAIGHTENER’s Hinata Hidekazu.  Another track which Hinata gives misono a dark, hard hitting rock edge.  Another cool track.

The sixth track “triangle” is a song that starts out with churning guitars but musically transitions to a very cool rock track courtesy of Suzuki “Daichi” Hideyuki, a well-known producer and musician who has created music for Hello! Project, avex and tearbridge artists and anime series such as “Witch Hunter Robin” and “s-CRY-ed”.

The seventh track “Hot Time” is Misono’s fifth CD (rel. Feb. 2007) single featuring another collaboration with Suzuki “Daichi” Hideyuki and features more of a ballad and her theme song that was used as a theme for a show promoting her mandatory weight loss.  The song is a ballad and a good dose of strings courtesy of Gen Ittetsu Strings.

The eighth track is “Mugen Kigen” which was misono’s ninth CD single (rel. Jan. 2008) and features a collaboration with TRICERATOPS drummer Yoshida Yoshifumi and well-known producer Tanahashi “UNA” Nobuhito (known for his work with Hamasaki Ayumi, B’z and his video game works for “Dead or Alive”, “Darius”, “Orphen”) for a light hearted rock song.

The ninth track “おじぃちゃんっこ おばぁちゃんっこ ひなたぼっ子” (Ojii-chankko Obaa-chankko Hinatabokko) featuring another collaboration with STRAIGHTENER’s Hinata Hidekazu.  The song is more slow-paced than other Hinata-produced tracks for Misono but the song transitions to an electric guitar jamming chorus.  An OK song but with the chorus really rocking, didn’t think the slower-paced misono vocals complimented it all that well.

The tenth track and misono’s sixth CD single “Pochi” features a track produced by UMU.  The track is rock-based and fast-paced during the chorus but the most of the song features a slow bass groove and some experimental samples.  A fun track overall!

The eleventh track “反抗期” features a track produced by PLECTRUM.  Another fun rock collaboration that features a cool electric guitar and bass driven track.

The twelfth track “Juunin Toiro” is misono’s eighth CD single (rel. Nov. 2007) and features another song produced and music by GO!GO!7188.  Another cool, rockin’ collaboration.

The thirteenth track “tamago” features a track produced by Kubota Kotaro (known for his work with Suzuki Ami and also collaborated with misono for the coupling song “Garasu no Kutsu” for her first CD single “Vs.”).  A rock track with a pretty cool groove and overall a cool song.

The fourteen track “Last Song (Sei Version)” was the coupling song for misono’s ninth CD single “Mugen Kigen” and the Sei Version features an acoustic guitar version of the song and a message by misono after the track and transitions to the fifteenth track “「君と私のうた」” (Kimi to Watashi no Uta) which is another acoustic guitar based song but features misono singing and playing the electric guitar.

As for the DVD, the first DVD track features the music video for “挫折地点” (Zasetsu Chinen) and is a -BOX ver.- which just took the part where misono is inside a tunnel and just focusing that main part from the music video.

The second DVD track “十人十色 -10 misono’s ver.-” (Juunin Toiro) features each character that misono had to play in the music video and puts all ten together and features misono singing the song.  If you think misono has the potential to be an actress, you get to see her in a variety of emotions from this video.

The third DVD track “夢幻期限 -Painting ver.-” (Zasetsu Chinen) fetures just the paint portion of the music video which is a sideways video with misono with blue and yellow paint all over her.

The fourth DVD video track features “二人三脚 -生 ver.-” primarily on misono’s character which was her singing in front of the mirror and her crying and tearing (whereas the normal music video would show  these clips and also clips from the “Tales of Symphonia” Nintendo DS video game).

The CD insert booklet features lyrics and production credits plus images of misono.

I was pretty impressed with this album.  Unlike “never+land” which literally just featured her CD singles and coupling songs, it’s good to have a few new tracks on this album.

There are a lot of positive things working for misono and that is the decision to match her up with a variety of producers, musicians and rock bands to create rock music that suits her vocal style.  Music that is hard hitting, fun, energetic and it worked!

The second thing going for her is an image change.  She was like an idol being promoted as a rock star but yet maintaing the idol cuteness and quirkiness.  With her newer music, it’s more promoting her sexiness and even showcasing her wide-range of emotions.

But the third thing which actually put a smile on my face was my largest criticism of her music.  Being promoted as a rock singer while on her music videos with an electric guitar knowing that she doesn’t know how to play.

But I’ve seen artists such as hitomi who was a pop star similar to misono and managed to mature and take the acoustic guitar, learn to play it and playing it during her live concers.  misono has her solo acoustic guitar track at the end of this album.  If she has learned to play the guitar and can duplicate it during a live performance, then I’m glad that her A&R has definitely worked to change her image to a positive one.

There is only one other artist on the avex label who has come from the sugary pop image and has been transformed to a rock star and that is Hoshii Nanase who in her rocker form is known as “Seventh Tarz Armstrong” and the collaborations with various rock bands from overseas has really given her an awesome edge.  This is the same in the sense that they have put her with some really cool musicians for her CD single and this album alone and I hope it continues.

Overall, a solid album and quite happy with how this one turned out!

BUY THIS ALBUM:

misono – Ninin Sankyaku (a J!-Ent World Groove CD Single Review)

“Rock music really suits misono’s current style and everything just works for her with “Ninin Sankyaku”, the theme song for the latest ‘Tales of Symphonia’ (Dawn of the New World) video game.”

ARTIST: misono

CD SINGLE: Ninin Sankyaku

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-21433/B

DURATION: 18:24

RELEASE DATE: July 25, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. 二人三脚
2. Rock Project Medley
3. 二人三脚 (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 9 minutes

1. Ninin Sankyaku Video Clip
2. Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk edition of the video
3. Intro anime for the GameCube/PlayStation 2 version of “Tales of Symphonia”
4. Intro video for the Nintendo DS game “Tales of Tempest”
5. misono “Tales of” Video Clip Medley (“Soshite Boku ni Dekiru Koto,” “Starry Heavens,” “VS,” and “Lovely Cat’s Eye”)
6. misono comment
7. “Ninin Sankyaku” TV Spot (15 second and 30 second spot)

I know that I’ve been one of the harshest critics towards misono’s music of late. The CD singles and the rocking music, I’ve never had a problem with. It’s more about her presentation.

If there was anything that riled me up is how she’s featured in many of her music videos as a corny character or a rock diva with an electric guitar and just fake-playing it. It’s obvious the direction for misono’s music career is to feature her as a solo rock artist and to distance her away from her years with the group day after tomorrow and from her older sister Koda Kumi but with Japan featuring so many talented women who can play the guitar, I still would like to see that moment of misono just jamming on the guitar alone rather than being featured in all these music videos with one.

Her 10th CD single “Ninin Sankyaku” is a catchy, rock song that is used for the Nintendo Wii video game “Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk” (or Dawn of the New World).

Misono’s music as a solo artist and with the group day after tomorrow have had her music featured in various NamcoBandai “Tales of” games such as the Nintendo Gamecube game “Tales of Symphonia” (“Starry Heavens” by day after tomorrow), the PS2 port of “Tales of Symphonia” (“Soshite Boku Ni Dekiru Koto” by day after tomorrow), the Nintendo DS game “Tales of Tempest” (“VS” and “Lovely Cat’s Eye”) and now with this current CD single for the Nintendo Wii’s “Tales of Symphonia” sequel.

The song features very good vocals especially with misono’s unique vocal style which you can easily distinguish from other female performers.

The music has always been good with misono’s rock songs which has been electric guitar driven and a good dose of clanging percussion and bass.

As for the coupling song, the second track is a medley of misono’s seventh CD single “Zasetsu Chiten”, her eighth CD single “Juunin Toiro” and her ninth CD single “Mugen Kigen”. So, for those who are fans of the “Tales of” videogames, a smart move by avex trax to market her music to the video gamers.

The third track is an instrumental version of “Ninin Sankyaku”.

Where this CD single shines (this is the CD+DVD version) is that it comes with a 21 minute DVD filled with misono and “Tales of Symphonia” goodness.

As mentioned in previous reviews, the problem that I had is how she’s marketed especially with some of the ridiculous music videos that she has been in.

Fortunately with “Ninin Sankyaku” is pretty cool, no animal costumes and no sugary sweet scenes and the rock music compliments the footage. In fact, misono is shown playing the electric guitar and strumming. Of course, I hope this means that we may see a concert video of her performing the guitar. Who knows?

The video is somewhat of a sad song that features misono nearly crying with shards of a mirror is broken and one side of the mirror, you see a misono who looks like she’s going to cry and another mirror with her acting normal. And of course, there is a bit of footage from the “Tales of Symphonia” video game that seems out of place, since it’s featured briefly on the music video.

But I’m glad that director Saito Akira (of Parks) featured misono strumming the guitar instead of just holding it in her hands. These scenes fits her rock persona rather than having her portrayed in corny outfits.

The second clip features the opening theme “Starry Heavens” for the “Tales of Symphonia” Gamecube game by misono’s former group day after tomorrow.

The third clip features the opening anime scene for the PS2 version of “Tales of Symphonia” and featuring the day after tomorrow song “Soshite Boku Ni Dekiru Koto”.

The fourth clip features video footage from the DS “Tales of Tempest” video game that came out back in 2006 and featuring misono’s “VS” (which was used as a theme song for that game).

The fifth clip features a video clip medley of misono/day after tomorrow songs used for “Tales of” video games. Music videos featured are “Starry Heavens”, “Soshite Boku ni Dekiru Koto”, “VS” and “Lovely Cat’s Eye” (this song was used in the commercial promoting the Ninteno DS “Tales of Tempest” game).

The sixth clip features a comment from Misono and listening to this, I was just amazed how misono and her sister Kumi almost sound alike when they talk.

The seventh clips are the 15 and 30 second commercial clips for the “Ninin Sankyaku” CD singles.

As for the CD insert, the insert is a tri-fold featuring the “Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World” characters on one side and lyrics and production credits on the other.

Also, included are stickers from the video game series featuring the CD single cover (large sticker), two of the main characters and a sticker of Misono (the three are mini-stickers).

This CD single is actually pretty good and the DVD content was not bad as well. I really like misono singing more rock-based sounds but in the past, she would have this sound and act too cutesy and would wear some weird outfits and I know she has a quarky persona but it just didn’t match up with the overall music.

She kind of reminds of a transition that model/singer hitomi (from avex trax) made during the mid-90′s as she sung sugary pop songs but then later on, she wanted to do perform her style of music and seen playing a guitar (and it didn’t look right). Eventually, she managed to carve a niche and learn how to play guitar and even perform it live. I hope to see the same with misono because with her involvement in the Avril Lavigne tribute and the music videos of hers continuing to show her with a guitar and create this rockstar image, things just didn’t look right back then.

With the release of “Ninin Sankyaku”, I think that Saito Akira did a good job trying to show the rocker girl image side through this music video and of course, the musicians paired with misono for her last CD singles have been rather cool, it’s just that the image never matched the music. This time I think it does.

The other thing is that for NamcoBandai fans of the “Tales of…” series, I’m so happy to see so much included on the DVD and also, there has been a resurgence of day after tomorrow downloads on iTunes for “Starry Heavens” which is cool to know. So, whether or not that is because “Tales of Symphonia” fans started knowing about her music or perhaps more and more people are discovering misono and her past work with day after tomorrow.

But all in all, a solid CD single for misono and I’m glad to listen to a CD single that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially to watch a DVD featuring a music video of hers that I also enjoyed.

All in all, misono fans should be happy with this CD and “Tales of Symphonia” fans will definitely enjoy the additional video footage included on the DVD. Check it out!

BUY THIS CD SINGLE:

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to misono – Junin Toiro

ARTIST: misono

CD SINGLE: Junin Toiro

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: avcd-31318/B

DURATION: 19:11

RELEASE DATE: November 14, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Junin Toiro
2. Giza Giza LIFE
3. Junin Toiro -instrumental-
4. Gizagiza LIFE – instrumental-

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 12 minutes

1. Junin Toiro -Video Clip-
2. misono comment
3. Junin Toiro – TV Spot 15 second and 30 second

I realize that I’ve been very critical of misono’s CD singles and partly my criticism is that if one is going to be marketed as a rock singer, make me believe it. Make others believe it.

With misono, you get these unusual music videos which a few do work and many don’t but I just can’t stand when she’s holding a guitar and not playing it.

Of course, it’s hard for some people to see her past the day after tomorrow years but the direction of misono’s musical career is like how I view Ashley Simpson. Someone who likes rock, made to sing rock music and does it work is best left on the impression of the listener.

I know that misono likes Avril Lavigne and even sung on her tribute album but misono is nowhere near Avril. She’s nowhere near the girls of Avex’s female rock group EUPHORIA.

But I’m always willing to give her the chance because I enjoy her voice but it’s all about her marketing and the music that she does.

Her latest CD single “Junin Toiro” was released on November 14th and both the main track and and the coupling song “Gizagiza LIFE” is produced by the popular Indie rock band Go!Go!7188.

The first song features an electric guitar driven song and reminiscent of the style of Go!Go!7188 but definitely misono’s distinct vocals give it her own style and the song is fun and after a few listens, the song started to grow on me.

The coupling song “Gizagiza LIFE” is interesting because this is another case of a misono released CD single where I prefer the coupling song over the title track.  The Go!Go! 7188 influence is definitely evident in this song and I think that is why I enjoy it much more.  It’s not j-pop rockish and it’s pretty cool.  The only thing that I didn’t care for on this song is the distortions in the middle of the song but all in all, a very cool, catchy song.

As for the DVD, the DVD features an interesting music video of misono being treated bad by her boyfriend, a sister or bully, being caught by someone while in the bed with a guy, being splashed with water, being slapped.   And yet again, another music video featuring misono carrying an electric guitar and again, not believable and just doesn’t seem right.

As for the comment section on the DVD, misono talks about her new song and the weight loss and then the :15 and :30 second spots for “Junin Toiro”.

As for the CD insert, now this is where I find it very interesting.  On the pictures is misono wearing a kimono and when you unfold it…a misono wearing a halter top and showing off her mid-section.  On the other side is the lyrics.  Now on the back of the CD, you see misono stripping off the kimono to reveal her wearing shorts and showing off her slim figure that she’s worked so hard for and has been well-documented on the news last Fall.   Then you look at the interior of that back coer and it’s a misono kneeling and she no longer looks thin.

So, it makes you wonder…. digital manipulation, has she gained the weight back?

Fortunately, I enjoyed the music this time around for misono.  The “Junin Toiro” is a cool song and it benefited her to collaborate with Go!Go! 7188 but if misono is to be going the rock direction and she wants to be looked as a rock star, then again I say the words… make me believe it.  Take some guitar lessons and we’ve seen it before with another avex trax star named hitomi who got away from the pop music, got a guitar, took some lessons and it became incorporated to her music and her live performances.  The same can be done with misono.

Also, learning the guitar will definitely help people stop the comparisons with her older sister Koda Kumi.  But so far, we get cheesy music videos that don’t enhance her rock music all that much.

But for misono’s music, I really digged the coupling song yet again for this CD single.  The main title track “Junin Toiro” is not bad but didn’t wow me either.

All in all, a slight improvement but an improvement nonetheless.

[WORLD GROOVE] Listening to misono – “pochi”

ARTIST: misono
CD SINGLE: pochi
CATALOG #: AVCD-31203/B
LABEL: avex trax
DURATION: 16:02
WEBSITE: avexnet.or.jp/misono

TRACK LISTING:
1. pochi
2. 11eleven
3. pochi (instrumental)
4. 11eleven (instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 4 minutes

1. pochi

misono is back with another CD single with “pochi” (her sixth). The CD single is the kind of music expected from misono…a little bit of rock with a little incorporation of pop and then there is misono’s vocals.

I still find it hard to move past the “day after tomorrow” days, mainly because of the music videos and how it relates to her music.

Because each time I see the electric guitar and see her playing electric guitar on the music video, something just doesn’t feel right.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I actually like misono (my favorite is her first CD single “vs” and “Hot Time/A… Answer”). And I enjoy her vocals and enjoyed her music from the “day after tomorrow” days.

“pochi” is actually a fun song but the c/w “11eleven” is much better in my opinion. It’s interesting because “pochi” has a really cool lead up to the chorus which is very rock-based and I dig the guitar playing from the lead up to the chorus to the chorus.

It’s just that listening to “11eleven” has that “vs” style of vibe I enjoyed from her.
But what is really getting on my nerves is the music videos for her music that cheapes her music in my opinion. The image depicted in her music video sometimes shows her rocking with an electric guitar and then some silly type of cosplaying or trying to portray herself as “idol cute”.

In “Lovely Cat’s Eye”, we last saw misono dressed up in a cat suit, now I can see Kayo Aiko or a young Morning Musume member doing this but when misono is being promoted as a rocker, these instances don’t work for me.

For “pochi”, misono is natural, singing while playing around with her boyfriend and puppies. But then the scene cuts to misono jamming with an electric guitar with the Paul Stanley of KISS-fame star on her face.

Now, I understand misono having that quirky nature of dressing herself differently (as seen from day after tomorrow DVD’s) to the quirky nature of her last album “never+land” as she dressed in pirate clothing or some outfit but whether she is being promoted like an Avril Lavigne (which misono took part in a Avril tribute album), rocking out with a guitar… it’s like me seeing Britney or Christina playing an electric guitar, it doesn’t seem right

So, I can listen to a song from misono and enjoy it… but watching the DVD of her music video tends to weaken my overall feeling for the CD single if it doesn’t feel right for me.

Despite me being critical of her music videos especially with “pochi”, this CD single is actually good and misono fans will enjoy it.

I highly recommend getting the CD version, don’t waste your time on the CD+DVD version. It’s just the music video, no “making of” (which is usually on a misono CD+DVD) included.