paradise lost

This is Onitsuka Chihiro’s second album released on 2002.03.06.

The album opens with ROLLIN’, a very upbeat song with prominent soft rock instrumentation. There isn’t really any piano in it either, which is different for Onitsuka. The first time I heard it, I was surprised by this track because of that. However much like tracks on her last album, it’s still a soft and mainly acoustic piece. Onitsuka sounds beautiful, of course and puts all the right emotion into it. It’s really upbeat and hopeful with only a slight edge to it that makes for a great album opener.

Next up is 茨の海(sea of thorns). The album tones down a bit from the upbeat ROLLIN’ for a soft piano based piece. This song has very beautiful instrumentation, especially the piano part. I love how the song then builds up; it introduces a drum and the flute which give it a bit of a folk touch. Onitsuka sounds amazing too- especially her ad-libbing and drawing out of the end of words. Her voice sounds very pure in this song, which make the song sound fragile. The song is hopeful sounding with a darker edge. It definitely has that quiet, gentle beauty about it. Overall, one of my favourites of hers.

Third is shadow, carrying on in similar vain to 茨の海 with beautiful piano based instrumentation [I also love what I think is a cello]. The instrumental solo is amazing too. It’s so eerie and haunting in a way. Some of the synth that comes in at the end also contributes to the slightly ominous edge to the song. Onitsuka sounds amazing, having perfectly controlled lower pitch in the verses before she raises the pitch of her voice effortlessly for the chorus. Like 茨の海 the song sounds fragile, but shadow is darker and more obviously painful. It’s is a dark, sorrowful sounding song. Yet beautiful and emotional with that same quiet, haunting beauty about it.

Then it’s everything, in my hands comparable to We can go on her debut, it’s an upbeat song with that gospel influence. It’s not a bad song but it’s not my favourite. I don’t like the backing vocals, or the instrumentation at times. The instrumentation with the strings sounds… 70′s disco. Not a favourite of mine. Don’t really think it’s that great to listen to either.

The next track is Our Song, a gentle and acoustic ballad sung all in English. The lyrics are beautiful and for the most part the pronunciation is OK even if a bit accented. Onitsuka sings this beautifully; sounding so tender, filled with love and giving such a romantic feeling to the song. She also reaches higher notes perfectly (she does sound a bit breathy but it works!). It’s a very relaxing, and beautiful song. Simple but full of emotion.

Following the trend of romantic songs comes 流星群(Meteor shower). Maybe it’s the influence of Our Song but it sounds like it has those same sort of romantic feelings, just more bittersweet. It starts with quiet piano then crescendo’s to the chorus where Onitsuka sings with a lot of force. The song continues to move between quiet and reserved, to loud and strong, ending loudly with full instrumentation. It’s very dramatic. Gone is that quiet beauty of earlier tracks replaced with a more powerful and dramatic ballad that is equally moving.

Track 7 is LITTLE BEAT RIFLE. At first I hated the religious feel (and lyrics) to it, but it’s grown on me. Onitsuka still sounds beautiful and the instrumentation is quite nice too. The lyrics are hopeful, about forgiveness (I think). I’m not a fan of “God is watching you” but it’s not the worst thing. The song is pretty simple, and doesn’t stand out but is nice.

Track 8 is Arrow of Pain. Originally, track 8 was going to be “A horse and a Queen” but was later removed because it didn’t fit with the album, and then left to her comeback album LAS VEGAS. Arrow of pain is a slow and sorrowful song with warped sounding, movie soundtrack like, instrumentation. I think the lyrics are about unrequited love, and Onitsuka portrays this pain and longing well. It’s another dark, sorrowful and very beautiful song but with its own special feel.

Second to last is perhaps her most well known song, and for sure it was this song which made me fall in love with her music. I still remember reading on some graphics site a recommendation to watch the PV, which I did intrigue by the screen caps shown, and immediately I fell in love. It was shockingly beautiful. It’s Infection: a haunting, and completely painful song. The song is dominated by a sorrowful piano part and deep, emotional vocals from Onitsuka. It starts of quietly, building up the end where Onitsuka belts it out- her voice powerful and emotional. Just like the song. It’s an amazing song. It’s powerful, dramatic and moving. The only thing I dislike it how Onitsuka gasps for breath towards the end. She is usually so professional when she sings, but she slips up here (lost in the emotion?). One thing I dislike, and one thing singers shouldn’t do, is gasp loudly for breath like this right?

Lastly, to finish the album it’s CROW. I don’t like this song, the instrumentation really annoys me- especially the chimey thing (bell?).  Onitsuka sounds beautiful of course. I think leaving it at infection would have ended the album just fine, though I suppose Onitsuka would want to end on something more hopeful- like this.

Overall rating: 8/10 (Good)
Favourite tracks: 茨の海, 流星群, Arrow of Pain, Infection

This is partly another amazing album from Onitsuka Chihiro and partly not quite the same standard as her last. The good thing is she has successfully expanded her sound again for tracks like ROLLIN’ and流星群 but there are also the signature and beautiful piano based tunes. However in a way I personally don’t like it as much as insomnia, because despite stand-out tracks there are some weaker tracks on here that despite Onitsuka’s beautiful voice- still aren’t that good. The good ones are amazing, the bad ones are pretty irritating and then there are the “meh” ones which make for nice, relaxing listening. Overall it’s beautiful and nice to listen to, but it’s let down by a couple of weaker tracks.