I'm lazy and will go song by song later on, but for now, this album really is her strongest work since I am... It only took what, 5 years? =P
EDIT: Okay time to review track by track
1.
Not yet Alright, well this probably is her strongest interlude track ever. It's beautiful, has a wonderful use of synth and nice acoustic guitar sounds in it. Such a great beat.
10/10
2.
until that Day... Yes, is this evolution 2.0, and I mean that in a good way. It's an amazing rock track that is infused with many more musical elements~ The tempo is awesome and I love the part at 3:35. The beginning still reminds me of a rock song I've heard in the past!
10/10
3.
Startin' Yeah... the opening song for some video game that Kumi Koda should've song. Well, it is a rockish song with annoying DJ scratch sounds added. I don't really like the flow of the song, either. Any jpop artist could release this, sadly
3/10
4.
1 LOVE A very cool hard rock song, but I feel the flow might be a bit off on this.. and yes, it does remind me of songs that Kumi Koda and Rina Aiuchi have done in the past. However, the guitar solo is wonderful. Just take out the JUST ONE LOVE bit o.o
7.5/10
5.
It was This one took some time to grow on me. It's a bit Americanized rock, but it's done very well. I can listen to this over and over. It has a very dramatic and cool feel to it.
8/10
6.
LABYRINTH I really do like this interlude even if it is similar to kaleidoscope. It's very soothing and relaxing, and still makes me think of The Neverending Story when they go to the Ivory Tower XD
9/10
7.
JEWEL Ayu's ballad of the season, akin to Dearest, Voyage, CAROLS, and HEAVEN. Still, this has a sweet melody and it's a song you can listen to over and over. Better than CAROLS but not as good as HEAVEN
7/10
8.
momentum This does remind me of M, except for upbeat! I wish it were more melancholic and sad, but I do love the arrangement and use of instruments. It makes the song sound very complete.
7.5/10
9.
taskinst Another brilliant interlude with an awesome use of synth and rock music. It's so cool sounding.
10/10
10.
Born to be... LOL I think this shouldn't follow taskinst. Taskinst would be better put right before kiss o' kill. The song has grown on me, but it's a bit obnoxious with its YAY OLYMPICS theme.
6/10
11.
Beautiful Fighters This song belongs on a Barbie Doll & Friends CD. Enough said. This song has no place in this sort of album.
1/10
12.
BLUE BIRDAyu's typical summer song, which is also very sweet. I really did enjoy this song and don't really have any qualms with it except it's a bit forgettable.
7/10
13.
kiss o' kill Should have taskinst right before it. Oh my god, this is a brilliant gem hidden in between mediocre songs. I love the intro with the lalala voices, the organ is powerful, and this song bursts into a dramatic rock song with some unique sounds.
10/10
14.
secret Although this is a sweet & beautiful song, I feel that any jpop singer could sing it!
6.5/10
Overall, I think I would give this album an
8/10 The only "big" problem I have with it is that it's too short
My favorite albums rankings:
1. I am...
10/10
2. LOVEppears
9.5/10
3. DUTY
9/10
4. Secret
8/10
5. MY STORY
6.5/10
6. (miss)understood
6.5/10
7. Memorial address
6/10
8. RAINBOW
4/10
9. A Song for XX
2/10
(really 5 & 6 are interchangeable, MS and MU both have an equal number of songs I love and hate on them...)