Probably pointless to write a review of an album that came out a year ago, but I feel the need to release some inner-thoughts while anticipating the upcoming new single and album, so here it is, sort of closing the chapter before getting ready for the next one type of thing.
Prologue-reminiscent of moonlight- - I like the dramatic yet serene melody that fittingly segues into the first track, but it would be a stretch to deem the prologue as the overall tone-setter for the entire album, I'm somewhat indifferent on it as a stand-alone track, and would leave it at that.
SUNRISE - Its unexpected techno-pop sound & high tempo caught me by surprise a bit especially after the prologue, this is the type of a song where you would unconsciously snap your fingers and bobble your head to the snazzy beat to, but not overly pronounced that you'd get tired of listening to it after a while. I felt that this track was holding back a little and didn't fully realize its full potential, so it leaves me a bit stranded inside, but it's certainly one of the better songs on this album.
Kishuhen Ecstasy - Upbeat & high tempo right from the beginning, it almost seems as if this track is trying to pick up the slack left by SUNRISE, and while it succeeds at grabbing immediate attention with energetic sound, I felt that it was too intrusive to the ear, and leaves very little impression other than the constant repeats of the song's chorus. I don't find myself listening to this song much after a year because of its excessively aggressive chorus that gets old real fast.
Te no Hira no Yuuki - To me there are two kinds of ballads, a boring one and not a boring one. Unfortunately, this song falls into the first category, where the melody just felt too soft and plain to my ears. Many ballads also make a mistake where they don't emphasize the vocal part enough, and when that happens the song just feels flat and generic. Singing ballads in a casual tone rarely captures my heart, and this one is no exception.
U - Having said what I've said about the previous track, I should like this song because U certainly has the members singing their hearts out with full emotion in their vocals, but for some reason I just can't get into it, something about this song just makes me cringe, maybe it's because they are trying too hard to sound sad or something. I can't stand superficial sadness if you know what I mean, and with U, this is too much forced sadness in my face which I'm not very susceptible towards. U is not a bad ballad per say, but I just don't feel fully connected to it. There's a very delicate and precise balance within a ballad that has to take place for the song to grab me, it's very difficult to explain...but when it does, I just know it like a second nature instinct.
Sunadokei - This is a very odd track, I don't know if I should listen to it with or without any emotional element. Either way, the melody feels very foreign to me for an Idoling song, whether that is good or bad really depends on the type of music one prefers I would think, I guess this is an ok song, it is unique and sounds snazzy in a way, although I don't know if I like this type of melody as much as say SUNRISE. It's a very peculiar track so I'm not sure how I should categorize it, I just don't think it packs enough punch to be considered as one of Idoling's standouts, so it probably falls somewhere in the middle in overall appeal.
Snow celebration -everlasting story - Never liked the original version, and this one is no exception. To me this song tries to do too much. And this ballad also makes the same mistake by using casual vocals. But maybe it is just me, I really can't stand this type of ceremonial songs.
3-dome no Kinenbi - Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! The music gods have finally awarded me with a golden ballad, it is almost a shame that this song is recorded onto an idol group's album because this song should be considered a solo artist's premiere ballad. This song ranks right up there with any great ballads in terms of composition, vocal harmony, vocal execution, and simply grabbing my heart with full force that I would weep like a little girl on those occasions where I feel emotionally vulnerable. The vocal execution is simply fantastic, just the right amount of assertiveness in tone forms a perfect harmony with the soundtrack, every part of the song feels so natural and perfect, and my goodness the ending melody is simply magnificent, something I've never heard in a song before, it adds precisely what it needs without being too much or too simple, I could listen to this song every day and it would still give me goosebumps. This is the type of song that music enthusiasts yearn to get in touch with on a lifelong basis.
La・La・La La no SONG - Surprisingly high quality and unique for a toy song written by Masuno, probably the best one out of the bunch that he has written for Idoling, however the vocals are simply too playful for my taste. I can tolerate anything in music style except for rap and metal, and this track is sort of a metal rock, but not hardcore enough to automatically dislike, but I would be fooling myself if I would rank this anywhere at the top. I do occasionally feel like listening to it, but no more than that, it's not a bad song, but not something I would be inclined to praise either.
Love Magic♥Fever ~Love Love Magic Hyper Mix~ - Yeah not my type of song, too much sugar candy.
Houkago Telepathy ~Inokori Hoshuu Mix~ - Less sugar candy, but still not my type of song.
Rainy Girl - It's a very decent ballad, but the downfall is that it sounds very generic, and the vocal tone is a bit too casual as well, this ballad could've been very dramatic if the tempo was slower, and the vocals were more aggressive. But it's probably too much to ask for two miracle ballads in one album so I digress...
Don't be afraid -Director's cut - One day I'd like to know why they revise the songs like this where it's different from the single version, but I must say the new ending part is definitely a plus. I rather like this song because it has a little bit of everything without having an identity crisis.
S.O.W. Sense of Wonder - Although it's a bit too pop-ish for my taste, this song has the best overall balance and substance, and definitely worthy of being a single A-side. I like the snappy composition, cheerful vocals with a touch of a ballad-element to it, and that youthful energy in that contemporary Jpop tone without excessive sugar candy. I would almost put this song on the miracle level as well, it's a very polished song without being too superficial, and that's very hard to execute.