Shimatani Hitomi – Nakitai Nara (J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

May 7, 2008 by Dennis Amith 

“Shimatani Hitomi continues the ‘you never know what you’re going to expect’ CD single release and this time for her 27th CD single ‘Nakitai Nara’, Shimatani showcases another side of her music with two beautiful ballads”

ARTIST: Shimatani Hitomi

CD SINGLE: Nakitai Nara

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31353/B

DURATION: 16:00

RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Nakitai Nara
2. Kuchizuke Shiyou
3. Nakitai Nara (Instrumental)
4. Kuchizuke Shiyou

DVD: Region 2, 16:9LB, Duration: 18:43

1. Nakitai Nara (Drama Version)
2. Shimatani Hitomi interview

Shimatani Hitomi is just an interesting artist to follow because her music always changes with each release and it’s always interesting to read what the fans post about her music because there are those who accept her experimentation and those who just downright get upset when she does.

I said it before and I say it with each CD single, I’m one of those who have accepted her musical changes and experimentations and I respect that she’s an artist that does something different.

For her 27th CD single, Shimatani goes with two ballads. “Nakitai Nara” which is more acoustic guitar and strings driven and “Kuchizuke Shiyou” which is piano-driven.

Both ballads are quite beautiful and I’ve always seen Shimatani as more of a classy artist that tends to appeal to a more mature audience but because of the frequent changes in her style of music, both young and old can appreciate her music. It’s definitely adult contemporary.

As for how the ballad plays out, it’s tied into the drama included on the DVD (for the CD+DVD version) of “Nakitai Nara” which is more or less a 15 minute drama about loss.

The drama is about a husband who lost his wife. His wife has a heart condition and she can not give birth. But she realizes that she is pregnant and that when she gives birth, she will die. So, basically the drama is featured in two perspectives. The husband as he has a hard time mourning and the wife who writes a letter to her husband and in conjunction with the song “Nakitai Nara” which literally means “If I want to cry”, the wife tells her husband in a final letter that he has read from her that tells him that it’s ok to cry even though she has passed because he will be there for their daughter.

Shimatani narrates the film and her song plays throughout the end when the husband and baby daughter are together and he finally mourns by crying.

The interview portion is the interview with Shimatani and a behind-the-scenes clip of her at the recording studio doing voice work for the narration of the film.

A very sad and touching drama and I’m so glad to see artists from Avex including short films or mini dramas in their albums or CD singles. We have seen it with Koda Kumi, AAA, Kiyokiba Shunsuke and now with Shimatani, so it’s a nice touch to see this drama included.

The bi-fold features the lyrics to the songs.

I love and enjoy Shimatani’s music because she keeps things fresh and new with each release. You never know what you are going to get and again, I know many faithful fans hate that she doesn’t focus on the upbeat pop side for her music.

But there are fans who do respect her experimentation in each CD single that is released or songs featured on an album. She is a woman of musical and acting talent that I adore her work.

As for this ballad, two beautiful ballads that I enjoyed and a touching short film (or drama) that really is quite touching.

Again, it’s something different. It may not be for everyone but if you are a Shimatani fan who has embraced her ever changing musical style, you’ll appreciate these two ballads.