moumoon – Tiny Star (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)
September 2, 2008 by Dennis Amith
“The second CD single from moumoon features a theme for the Nintendo DS Bandai/Namco game ’99 no Namida’ and an English track. Overall, an awesome and solid CD single by the rock duo! This band has just become my 2008 Hot Band Pick of the Summer!”
GROUP: moumoon
CD SINGLE: Tiny Star
LABEL: avex trax
CATALOG #: AVC1-31446
DURATION: 29:32
RELEASE DATE: June 4, 2008
- Tiny Star
- こころのしずく
- Do you remember? – English version
- Sunrise
- Tiny Star (Instrumental)
- こころのしずく (Instrumental)
DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 12 minutes
- Tiny Star (Music Clip)
- FULL MOON LIVE
In June 2008, moumoon (mou=Soft in French and Moon in English), which consists of lead vocalist YUKA and Masaki Kousuke (guitars, keyboards, piano, programming and chorus) released their second CD single “Tiny Star”.
The duo who has been capturing listeners with their music via the indie scene since 2004 and in 2006 released the lovely single “FLOWERS/pride” and their first mini album “Flowers” made the switch to avex trax in 2007 with their first major label release “Do you remember?” in December.
Their second CD single “Tiny Star” features a mid-tempo rock ballad that really reminded me of music by SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER. YUKA has beautiful, sweet vocals and I was very impressed with her vocals. I was immediately won over by the unique balance with her vocals and the acoustic guitar and as it transitions to a rock ballad. Well done!
The song is also the CM song and used as a theme for the Nintendo DS Bandai/Namco game “99 no Namida” (99 tears).
The second track Kokoro no Shizuku” (Quiet Heart) is similar to “Tiny Star” which the song features sweet vocals and an acoustic guitar, rock ballad. Again, I was drawn in to the dreamy vocals by YUKA for this second track and another well done song on this CD single.
The third track “Do you remember?” is an English version of their first CD single hit. I have to admit that I was very pleased with the overall track because it had an Avril Lavigne style to it. And I was very please by her vocals. As the first two tracks had a sweet, dreamy style of vocals. YUKA’s vocals sounds very Avril in the English version of the track and it’s done very well. English was pronounced well and overall a solid track.
The fourth track “Sunrise” is a bonus track that is an upbeat rock track featuring a beautiful strings arrangement and again, another solid song on this CD single. Very well done!
The fifth and sixth tracks are the instrumentals of the first two songs.
The DVD portion features the music video of “Tiny Star” which is tied into the commercial for the Nintendo DS tearjerker “99 no Namida” (not sure if you can call it a game or a tear-inducing simulator).
But the music video features the a woman who is moving out of her apartment (or dorm) and remembers the good times she shared with her friends and discovers a photo of her and her friends together and starts tearing. The same woman and scenes are featured in the commercial, while the moumoon portions feature the two going through the room and performing.
The second track of the CD single features live performance clips of the duo and an interview portion.
The CD insert booklet features the lyrics and production credits. Also, a flyer promoting the “99 no Namida” video game and the duo’s website.
I have to admit that I was very surprised by this CD single and to discover a group where I really loved the music and the vocals.
It almost struck me, in a positive way, of how I felt when I first discovered My Little Lover.
Moumoon’s music features dreamy vocals, cool music and well-written lyrics and overall “Tiny Star” is just a solid CD single featuring three awesome songs that I just fell in love with.
And what is more amazing with the DVD portion featuring the live performances, showcases vocalist YUKA performing live and pretty much what you hear on CD is what you hear during a live performance. Her vocals are the real deal and I was very impressed by her English as well.
Masaki Kousuke also definitely gets credit for setting up the atmosphere of the music. The overall ambience is lush and beautiful and that’s created by his imagination of the arrangement and great balance between the acoustic guitars, bass and drums.
After listening to their beautiful music, I’m now wanting more!
Overall this is a solid CD single that I highly recommend purchasing!
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