alan – Diamond / Over the clouds

February 14, 2010 at 4:09 PM | Posted in alan | 15 Comments
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The cover of the regular CD only edition

Diamond / Over the clouds is alan’s 12th single and it was released on February 3, 2010. The single reached #20 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 5,096 copies. The first track was used as the 2nd ending theme song for the anime InuYasha: The Final Act while the 2nd track was the opening theme song for the video game GOD EATER.

THAT’S NOT ALAN!!111!! Whoever that is, she is hot! ♥

♦ ♦ ♦

The Ayufication of alan continues with part 3: Diamond. M anyone?
Seriously guys, I get HUGE Ayumi Hamasaki vibes from this “remake” of Essence of me. If you remember, it was that funky dance track from her my life album. I liked Essence of me for being different and now that it got the star treatment as a single, it became pretty generic. It makes her first Ayu clone song Kaze no Tegami sound unique. The song as a whole isn’t that great anyway and I’ll be sticking with Essence of me. Thanks but no thanks.

Now onto the 2nd A-side. This is what I was waiting for! Over the clouds is HOT and actually has a distinct sound to it. alan has been experimenting and I think she’s finally got something! The problem I had with most of the stuff on my life was that it was boring and lazy. With its heavy beats, synth, and stringwork, this song is the complete opposite. I wouldn’t mind hearing more of this stuff.

Pros: Over the clouds is awesome. I approve!
Cons: Get out of here, Diamond. What a waste of space.

BASICALLY…alan is trying to be a pop star? Oh my word!

Overall Rating

3½ stars

Tracklisting (CD+DVD and regular CD only editions)

1. Diamond
2. Over the clouds
3. Diamond (Instrumental)
4. Over the clouds (Instrumental)

Note: The limited CD only edition’s tracklisting reverses the order of the 2 A-sides. Over the clouds becomes the 1st track and Diamond becomes the 2nd.

15 Comments »

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  1. Even though “Diamond” isn’t in the least bit unique I still really like it, even more than “Essence of Me.” I didn’t like “Over the Clouds” as much a “Diamond” – but they’re both great!

    Comment by ASTN— February 14, 2010 #

  2. Amazing review! I reviewed the exact same single yesterday on my blog, and had many of the same feelings. I totally got the same Ayu-vibes. Seriously great review. I love your blog.

    Comment by sakurayume— February 14, 2010 #

  3. i love both, but I’m not a huge fan of her ayufication. srsly i miss the old alan so much T_T.

    Comment by Crystallas— February 15, 2010 #

  4. Over the clouds is AMAZING. I wouldn’t mind a completely electro alan in the future.

    Comment by monochromeblues— February 15, 2010 #

  5. I totally agree with Over the Clouds. The song is great! Diamond is alright. I do miss the old alan though, but her music right now is still good.

    Comment by Eidolens— February 15, 2010 #

  6. NO. NO AYUFICATION. I downloaded my life, but I’m too scared to listen to it because I don’t want to hear alan being derivative. Please tell me she at least still has the wail.

    Comment by Sylfi— February 15, 2010 #

  7. I really enjoyed “over the clouds,” but I really would like to hear some more traditional stuff from her in the future.

    Comment by tsukinoai— February 15, 2010 #

  8. You really only hear the wailing in 3 or 4 songs. The ending of Kuon no Kawa, the beginning of BALLAD, and in the middle of Essence of me and Nobody knows but me.

    Comment by Lex— February 15, 2010 #

  9. Over the Clouds is fantastic, I love it ^_^ I wouldn’t mind hearing more songs by alan like it. I liked Diamond but it didn’t seem to be anything amazingly special, I guess because it was so Ayu.

    Comment by Migure— February 16, 2010 #

  10. At least I can stand Diamond where as Essence of Me put me to sleep. *yawns*

    Over the Clouds I didn’t like at first but, after I got over the SHOCK, I really like it now.

    PS. I’m doing a J-Pop Artists tourney, Single Elimination style. Stop by my blog and vote if you have the time. ^_^

    Comment by Ty_Sylicus— February 19, 2010 #

  11. … Why is it listed my blogspot?!

    It’s http://www.forthefuturety.wordpress.com !

    Comment by Ty_Sylicus— February 19, 2010 #

  12. I almost didn’t want to check this single out, but the your review made me change my mind. :) Can’t stop listening to Over the Clouds! It’s so catchy and fiiierce *__* I don’t even remember what Diamond sounds like XD

    Comment by Camille— February 25, 2010 #

  13. over the clouds= pure gold compared to the shit avex has been releasing for her recently but they need to get her back in to here ethnic stuff quickly

    Comment by dad8e3cc— March 19, 2010 #

  14. I totally agree with you. I don’t like the Ayufication of alan, but she’s actually really hot. Anyway, “Diamond” = “M”, no doubt about it. “Over the Clouds” (Ovur da crowds…) was so much better.

    I wouldn’t mind an electro-alan :)

    Comment by K=— March 21, 2010 #

  15. You know, I disagree with all of you people! I think Diamond is a really good Ayumi track! Her voice is so nice… Wait, this is alan…

    Comment by Sylfi— April 13, 2010 #


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