Otsuka Ai – Rocket Sneaker / One x Time (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

September 3, 2008 by Dennis Amith 

“Otsuka Ai returns with her 17th CD Single, six months after the release of ‘POCKET’ for an upbeat, fun and bubbly CD single featuring music that Otsuka is known for.”

ARTIST: Otsuka Ai

CD SINGLE: Rocket Sneaker / One x Time

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #:  AVCD-31411/B

DURATION: 21:14

RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. ロケットスニーカー
2. One x Time
3. 空とくじら
4. ロケットスニーカー (Instrumental)
5. One x Time (Instrumental)

DVD:  Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 5:42 minutes

1. ロケットスニーカー (Music Clip)

It didn’t seem that long since I reviewed the last CD single “POCKET” from Otsuka Ai but I realize that it’s been six months since there was a CD single release from the bubbly music artist.

But the artist is back with her 17th CD single, a double A-sided single and a coupling song showcasing various styles from Otsuka.

The first track “Rocket Sneaker” is a fun, upbeat track that is piano driven and not as cutesy as last Spring’s “CHU-LIP” but manages to be a fun, track overall with the band contributing the chorus.  Another collaboration with Ikoman and a track used as an ending theme for KTV’s “Sanma no Manma” and the CM song for MTI’s “Music.jp”.

The second track “One x Time” almost takes a SOFFet approach by featuring a song driven by acoustic guitar, piano and a string arrangement.    An upbeat track was used as a commercial for Ponds “Pore White” product.

The third track “Sora to kujira” is a song that starts off with just Otsuka and an acoustic guitar in its first verse and then incorporates electric guitar and percussion.  A track I enjoyed for its subtleness and the Otsuka Ai “Tokyo Friends” style that I enjoy.  Serious and not sugary sweet.

The final two tracks are the instrumental tracks for the first two songs.

As for the DVD, the music video for “Rocket Sneaker” features many still video clips of Otsuka Ai with her in various still positions (holding a globe, holding an umbrella, standing or bending over in various positions) but then when the chorus kicks in, all Otsuka Ai stills start singing the chorus together.

It’s quite interesitng because I don’t think I seen a music video done in this manner before but a well-directed video by Sawamura Atsushi.  And there is no making of the video, like previous Otsuka Ai music video clips on the DVD but there is a list of credits that come after the music video clip.

As for the CD booklet insert, the insert features pictures of Otsuka Ai and the lyrics and productions credits.

All in all, I would imagine that fans will enjoy Otsuka Ai’s latest CD single.  You get three different style of songs and for those who like the cutesy “CHU-LIP” or even “Frienger”, they will probably enjoy “Sneaker”.  And those who enjoy the “Tokyo Friends” style of “Yumekui”, will like “Sora to Kujira”.

But all in all, the CD single doesn’t break any new ground but is pretty much consistent with her releases that fans enjoy with her music.

For me, I find myself more into her serious style of vocals and really enjoyed her last CD single “Pocket” a lot and still listen to the “Tokyo Friends” soundtrack and her single collection “Ai am best” quite frequently.

But I found “Rocket Sneaker” to be a fun track but not something I would find myself listening to a lot.  If anything, I found “One x Time” and “Sora to Kujira” more of my cup of tea and so, I’m glad that you get quite a few songs on this CD single.

But overall, as an Otsuka Ai listener and fan, I enjoyed the CD single.

Check out more of our reviews at J!-ENT’s World Groove

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