Beyond the Sea ~ The Style. Edition

The cover of the CD+DVD edition

Swear is alan’s 11th single and it was released on November 4, 2009. The single reached #35 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 2,910 copies.

The covers aren’t bad…but alan is wearing Stephanie’s short shorts. D:

♦ ♦ ♦

I’m all for alan coming out of her comfort zone (ballads ballads ballads!) but Swear doesn’t cut it. It’s a pretty bland attempt at an upbeat pop song in my opinion. Sure, it’s unique for her but even then, the song isn’t that great. The music sounds typical and uninteresting as well. I wasn’t feeling anything because nothing really happens. I thought previous upbeat tracks like BRAVE and even Kaze no Tegami were better.

I don’t feel the same way for the B-side though. At least Beauty has something going for it. While Swear was so orthodox and plain, this song actually has some flavor in it. The various beats and acoustics are pleasant. alan’s vocals don’t sound dead either. For me, this was the superior track.

Pros: Beauty stands out.
Cons: Swear is so BLAH. *dozes off*

BASICALLY…I’d rather have another ballad. =x

Overall Rating

3 stars

Tracklisting

1. Swear
2. Beauty
3. Swear (Instrumental)
4. Beauty (Instrumental)

The cover of the CD only edition

BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ (BALLAD ～名もなき恋のうた～) is alan’s 10th single and it was released on September 2, 2009. The single reached #11 on the Oricon Weekly and sold 5,988 copies. The title track was used as the theme song for the movie of the same name.

These are definitely her worst covers ever, especially the CD+DVD edition. Sorry alan fans but I’m gonna talk shit about them. ♥
She looks dopey as hell, the ~teardrop~ is tacky, and don’t get me started on the white space/random pink bubbles at the top. WTF @ EVERYTHING. *rage*

♦ ♦ ♦

HEY GUYS! Did you guess what kind of song BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ is? *stumped*
Okay, it’s a ballad, but good lawd it’s a pretty one. The beginning is very beautiful and I loved the strings mixed with the vocals echoing in the background. I’m still on the fence with the rest of the song though. Sure, the music is flowing and quite dynamic at times but I can’t help but feel that it doesn’t measure up to previous ballads. There’s something missing but I can’t exactly pinpoint it just yet. I’m sorry for being so vague at the moment but this song will probably grow on me. It took a while before I started to fully appreciate her last single Kuon no Kawa so let’s see what happens.

The B-side is a new version of Shiawase no Kane, a song that was released as a digital single in May 2008. The “2009 version” has subtle differences compared to the original but it’s lovely nonetheless. I seriously can’t get over how gorgeous those strings are. The song as a whole is very uplifting and I’m currently liking it a lot more than the A-side.

Pros: Both songs are exquisite in their own right but Shiawase no Kane is the winner by far in my opinion.
Cons: BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ lacks the flair of past songs. Maybe that’s what I’ve been trying to say. LOL

BASICALLY…I hope the alan stans don’t start a mob over this. ;D

Overall Rating

 3½ stars

Tracklisting

1. BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ (BALLAD ～名もなき恋のうた～)
2. Shiawase no Kane (2009 ver.)
     幸せの鐘 (2009 ver.)
3. BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ Instrumental
4. Shiawase no Kane (2009 ver.) Instrumental

Tracklisting
1. Kuon no Kawa (久遠の河)
2. Chi Bi ~Da Jiang Dong Qu~ 
    (赤壁 ～大江東去～)
3. RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ (RED CLIFF ～心・戦～)
4. Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~ (心・戦 ～RED CLIFF～)
5. Kuon no Kawa (Instrumental)
6. Chi Bi ~Da Jiang Dong Qu~ (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 9th single and it was released on April 8, 2009. The single reached #3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 36,013 copies. The 2nd track was used as the theme song for the Chinese movie Red Cliff Part II and the title track was the theme song for the movie’s Japanese release.

alan keeps churning out those singles, doesn’t she? Oh well, I’m not complaining. Kuon no Kawa sounds very old fashioned and has a classic, traditional flair to it. That being said, the arrangement is very top notch and features imperial strings and woodwinds. Just like in RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~, there is a great buildup in the verses and it transitions into a sweeping, powerful chorus. While I thought the song wasn’t as grandiose as RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ because it felt kind of short in terms of length, it is still executed extremely well. It just left me wanting more in the end.

Then we have the original Chinese version of the song, Chi Bi ~Da Jiang Dong Qu~. There is a very noticable difference from the Japanese version in that the pitch of the music has been raised an octave. I didn’t really like this though, especially when it came to alan’s vocals. She just sounded shrilly and kind of annoying to me. There’s no mountain wailing here like in the Japanese version either.

Since this single is associated with the movie Red Cliff, the songs from part 1 of the film are included because avex is evil. Since I am lazy, check out my thoughts on RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ (the Japanese version) and Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~ (the Chinese version) by reading my review of the original single HERE. ;D
New versions of the song would have been better, but that’s just me.

Overall Rating 

 3½ stars

Tracklisting
1. Gunjou no Tani (群青の谷)
2. Gunjou no Tani Acoustic Version
3. Gunjou no Tani (Instrumental)
4. Gunjou no Tani Acoustic Version 
    (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 8th single and it was released on February 4, 2009. The single reached #30 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 3,426 copies.

It’s nice to see alan mix it up a bit with Gunjou no Tani, a song that ISN’T a ballad. She worked with Cocco on this track and it really shows in the music. It combines the ethnic style of alan’s previous releases with an upbeat arrangement that consists of strings, percussion, and some electric guitar. alan’s vocals are top notch as well and the chorus features some great elongated notes from her. Compared to her other upbeat A-sides like Sora Uta and Kaze no Tegami, this is a much better track because it provides some variety as well as an overall sound that’s better suited for her voice.

The acoustic version is a nice bonus on the single. Next to the acoustic guitar, there are also shakers in the background and an excellent erhu solo during the bridge. alan showcases gentler vocals too but she still performs with a good amount of force when the chorus comes around.

Overall Rating

4 stars

Tracklisting
1. Megumi no Ame (恵みの雨)
2. Namida (涙)
3. Megumi no Ame (Instrumental)
4. Namida (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 7th single and it was released on November 12, 2008. The single reached #30 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 5,422 copies.

We’re finally here, the FINAL release of alan’s “5 elemental singles” campaign. The theme of Megumi no Ame is water and like her past singles, this is a traditionally styled ballad. While the song isn’t really spectacular, I think it’s VERY sweet and comforting. The music is very elegant and makes good use of the erhu, but it’s primarily just piano and strings. alan’s vocals are pretty and remain reserved for the most part until the fantastic ending sequence where she lets loose. I love the way the song fades out with its gorgeous mix of strings and erhu too.

The B-side is a mixture of organic and synthetic sounds. Namida is pretty much a dramatic and unsettling version of the previous track but with various beats included. I remember hearing the same opening beat in a song from the Chrono Cross Original Soundtrack (go to YouTube and check out Chronopolis by Yasunori Mitsuda to see what I mean XD). Anyway, there is an ominous atmosphere about this song but it sets an effective mood as well. In the end, it’s a solid and nicely done track.

NOW WHERE’S THAT ALBUM, ALAN?! I heard that it got pushed back to next year. D<

Overall Rating

4 stars

Tracklisting
1. RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ (RED CLIFF ～心・戦～)
2. Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~ (心・戦 ～RED CLIFF～)
3. Ashita e no Sanka ~Orchestra Version~
    (明日への讃歌 ～Orchestra Version～)
4. RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ (Instrumental)
5. Ashita e no Sanka ~Orchestra Version~
    (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 7th single and it was released on October 15, 2008. The single reached #23 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 15,223 copies. The 2nd track was used as the theme song for the Chinese movie Red Cliff and the title track was the theme song for the movie’s Japanese release.

Holy shit. RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ is epic epic epic. Being the 4th release in alan’s 5 elemental singles campaign, this song represents fire and the burning desire within one’s heart. I loved how cinematic and theatrical the music was because it features a fantastic orchestral arrangement. There is a great accumulation of tension right when the song starts with alan’s adlibbing and it just builds and builds until the powerful chorus arrives. The sweeping strings really give the song its dramatic feel without being over the top. However, the most phenomenal part of the song is without a doubt the climactic bridge sequence that includes powerful mountain vocals. I was honestly blown away by that part because it is AMAZING. alan is certainly becoming a force to be reckoned with and this song proves it.

The 2nd track is the original Chinese version, Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~. This was actually my first time hearing alan sing in her native language and there’s a big difference in terms of how “natural” she sounds. I’m not surprised though and the Chinese version is definitely on the same level as the Japanese version, except for one thing. The bridge does not feature the mountain vocals previously heard in the Japanese version. I was mildly disappointed by the exclusion but the song is still insanely epic nonetheless.

Also on the single is a grandiose and sensational orchestra version of her debut Japanese single Ashita e no Sanka. I really liked how things got mixed up for this version because it does not follow the same structure of the original. It open and ends differently, plus the verses are rearranged as well. The instrumental sections are great and sound really grand with the added strings and brass, giving the song this extra ”royal” or “imperial” vibe.

Overall Rating

5 stars

Tracklisting
1. Kaze no Tegami (風の手紙)
2. Kagome (かごめ)
3. Kaze no Tegami (Instrumental)
4. Kagome (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 5th single and it was released on September 10, 2008. The single reached #34 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 3,914 copies.

There is something very Ayumi Hamasaki about Kaze no Tegami, the 3rd release in alan’s 5 elemental singles campaign. This time, the theme is the wind and I definitely got Ayu vibes from the music. Honestly, it sounds like something she would sing during her I am… and RAINBOW days. Anyway, it was great to see alan perform an even more aggressive song that is musically stronger than the likes of her previous single Sora Uta. This is her most “pop” sounding A-side to date and the first to not include any of her signature mountain vocals. There are also prominent electric guitars alongside the typical beats, chimes, and synth. The electric guitar sequences are pretty awesome but the solo that appears during the bridge felt out of place since it just kind of “shows up” after the 2nd verse.

The B-side, Kagome, has a similar arrangement to that of Kaze no Tegami but the instrumentation is toned down and takes a more traditional approach. However, the music is still quite progressive and it elevates into a profound chorus. The bridge felt out of place in this song too and it features electric guitars with some wailing in the background. 

Overall Rating 

3½ stars

Tracklisting
1. Sora Uta (空唄)
2. My Stage
3. Sora Uta (Instrumental)
4. My Stage (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 4th single and it was released on August 13, 2008. The single reached #34 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 4,537 copies.

Moving along with alan’s 5 elemental singles campaign, the theme of Sora Uta is the sky. This is her first upbeat A-side and it is very impressive. The music is a little more on the pop side but it mixes in some traditional elements like some ethnic guitars for instance. However, what gives the song its ethereal quality are the various sounds that range from distant synth riffs to nebulous strings. There actually is a distinct “air-like” attribute in the music that relates to the theme. As for alan’s vocals, she sounds remarkable as always but I liked that she finally tried out a song that was more aggressive in terms of overall tempo and pace.

The B-side is more or less a continuation of Sora Uta but it features a really quirky and offbeat arrangement. My Stage is really funky and quite random with its blending of different sounds. I would have normally classified this song as a “hot mess”, but I think that it’s pretty good. The chimes, beats, and synth lines all seem to flow well together and not disconnected like I had originally perceived. Both of these songs have turned out to be alan’s most unique material to date and it’s good that she’s showing some versatility.

Overall Rating

4 stars

Tracklisting
1. Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~
    (懐かしい未来 ～longing future～)
2. Seed of Green
3. Gasshou [Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~]
    (合唱 [懐かしい未来 ～longing future～])
4. Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~
    (Instrumental)
5. Seed of Green (Instrumental)

This is alan’s 3rd single and it was released on July 2, 2008. The single reached #19 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 10,267 copies.

After Ashita e no Sanka and Hitotsu, alan embarked on a pretty hectic release schedule. She is currently in the middle of releasing 5 consecutive singles in 5 months, each one representing an element of the “godai” or Japan’s version of the classical elements of nature that were influenced by Buddhism. The first single in this series was Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ which represented the element of earth.
I do think that this was a song worthy of representing the earth as it features a very organic and naturalistic sound. The song begins with minimal instruments and calm vocals but it eventually picks up for the chorus where some strings and stronger percussion come in. I thought that the chorus was pretty catchy and while the music is still within the realm of being a ballad, it’s more upbeat than her last 2 singles. There are also some great sequences that feature alan performing those signature power vocals while some nice background vocals chant “beautiful world” alongside her. All in all, this was another gorgeous song from her and I wasn’t disappointed at all.

Seed of Green continues the earth theme of the single but in a more pop inspired fashion. The music includes some light beats and chimes next to the ambient sounds of nature like running water and the chirping of birds. alan keeps her vocals pretty reserved throughout the entire song but that’s okay since she still sounds radiant. Keep it up with the fantastic B-sides, alan!

Also on the single is a gasshou or choir chorus version of Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~. This version is reduced to just the piano and I don’t think alan is in it (OR IS SHE?!). Anyway, the choir vocals are okay and nothing special but the piano arrangement is extremely well done. This could have been better if alan was in it to spice things up but whatever.

Overall Rating

4½ stars