Album Review - Everlasting Songs (feat. FictionJunction) by Yuki Kajiura

I've been listening to the new Yuki Kajiura album for a few days now. A week ago, I posted the samples of each track(here). I wanted to write about my impression as soon as I finished listening to all the tracks, but for the reasons mentioned in my previous posts, I couldn't bring myself to it. Technically it isn't really a new album. It's more like a remix album, with rearrangements and new vocalists for most of the songs...

Tracklist:

1. Hoshikuzu (The Velveteen Rabbit - self cover of Velvet no Inori)
2. Kioku no Mori (Tsubasa Chronicle OAD: Shunraiki)
3. dream scape (Tsubasa Chronicle)
4. Gin no Hashi (Aquarian Age)
5. Kaze no Machi he (Tsubasa Chronicle Insert)
6. here we stand in the morning dew (Sayonara Solitia single c/w)
7. synchronicity (Tsubasa TOKYO REVELATIONS)
8. Hanamori no Oka (Hokuto no Ken: Toki Den)
9. Mizu no Akashi (Gundam SEED)
10. cazador del amor (El Cazador)
11. Himitsu (Noir)
12. Houseki (Le Portrait de Petite Cossette)
13. Yume no Tsubasa (Tsubasa Chronicle)
14. Michiyuki (LOVELESS)
15. everlasting song (Elemental Gelade)

My Review

7/10 My overall impression is a positive one. I like most of the new re-arranged songs, but I also liked the original one a lot as well, so I've had mixed feelings while reviewing the album. I would have much preferred having new Kajiuran tracks and more epicness (maybe in Ali Project orchestral remix-style! ).

For the track-by-track review, click here.

Hoshikuzu KAORI/KEIKO

The first track is a cover of the Velveteen Rabbit song, Velvet no Inori, originally sung by Noriko Ogawa. Instrumental wise, the only difference is the long instrumental intro that the original song didn't have. This song is a pure pleasure, and I'm having a hard time deciding with version I prefer. Noriko's voice sounds more mature but has a more fragile feel to it than Keiko's or Kaori's. I would have liked to have a different take on the background music though...

Kioku no Mori YUUKA

This is one of the only songs I hadn't heard before. It's from the Tsubasa Chronicle OAD: Shunraiki and features my favorite FictionJunction Vocalist, Yuuka Nanri! It was so nice to hear a new song from her! I was missing her voice so much. The song reminds me of the Madlax songs and more specifically I'm here from the ED single. I love the techno beat and the very catchy chorus. In short, a typical FictionJunction song, since Yuuka is the original FJ vocalist!

Dream scape KAORI

No change from the original version here (Tsubasa Chronicle OST). It would have been nice to hear a re-arranged version, maybe with a different vocalist...

Gin no Hashi WAKANA/KEIKO/KAORI

This is one of the other songs that I had never heard (Shame on me). Apparently the original track is a character song from the Aquarian Age anime. It's nice to have Wakana, Keiko and Kaori sing together. It feels like the Volume 2 DVD concert over again. The song itself is not bad, but not breathtaking either...

Kaze no machi he KEIKO

Same version as the original one from the Tsubasa Chronicle OST. Shame on you Yuki! Why didn't you try it with different arrangements??

Here we stand in the morning dew YURIKO KAIDA

This is one of the other songs that was new to me. It's from the Sayonara Solitia single (whatever that is, I'm to lazy to google it) and it is originally sung by Saeko Chiba. It's nice to have some FictionJunction YURIKO KAIDA for a change! It must feel great not to just be in the background anymore. I have mixed feelings about her voice though. I think she sounds a lot better as a background singer, especially for this song. She has a particular vibrato, and I think for people who are not used to her voice, it can take a while to get used to. Nevertheless, I can say that I enjoyed the song, but only after a few listens!

Synchronicity KEIKO

This was the song I liked the least on the album (Tsubasa TOKYO REVELATIONS). What an atrocious remix! What were they thinking? I really loved the original (here's my piano cover) and I think Yui Makino's voice is much better suited than Keiko's.

Hanamori no oka KAORI

This was the last song that I had previously never heard, and it's one of my favorites!! It has that epic kajiuran feel I was talking about, that some songs on this album are lacking. It's from the Hokuto no Ken: Toki Den anime. I really love the drum roll for the chorus, it makes the song feel so much more powerful! A true joy... I think it's my favorite Kaori song yet!

Mizu no akashi WAKANA

What a treat! I was in love with the original Gundam SEED version, featuring Tanaka Rie. But I love both versions now... Wakana is amazing as ever, and the song is really suited to her beautiful and soaring voice! The music is different than from the original version. No beats in this one. Just a piano and a cello! Superb...

Cazador del amor YUUKA

No change from the original song featured in the El Cazador soundtrack. A beautiful song by Yuuka!

Himitsu YURIKO KAIDA

This is one of the few examples of songs that are much better than the original versions... This song from Noir was rather dull and sad, and Yuriko managed to make it more powerful...

Houseki KEIKO

Houseki from Le Portrait de Petite Cossette. I like both versions of the song. The original song was sung by Marina Inoue but Keiko manages to pull it off in this song. The piano ending is really nice and much better than the bells ending featured in the original song.

Yume no tsubasa KAORI

This is a big change from the childish singing Yui Makino originally had forthis song (Tsubasa Chronicle yet again). Kaori's voice is much better in my opinion, even if the Yui Makino version doesn't bother me that much. In short, a big improvement...

Michiyuki KAORI

I've always loved this song featured in the Loveless anime. Such a peaceful and sad ballad. The original version was sung by another Kaori, Kaori Hikida. This is another hard choice, I don't know which of the versions I prefer. Both are beautiful... Maybe I would have to pick the original one, because Kaori Hikida has such an amazing voice.

Everlasting song ～ japanese edition ASUKA

Same version than the original song from Erementar Gerad! Such a shame that Asuka does not have more songs with Yuki Kajiura. She must be feeling so left out... Anyway, Everlasting Song is always a delight to my ears (check out my piano cover here).

Samples from Everlasting Songs - FictionJunction Album by Yuki Kajiura

Today is a great day for Yuki Kajiura lovers... Or at least for me, after hearing a sample from each track of the new Yuki Kajiura album entitled Everlasting Songs. It's basically a compilation album with FictionJunction songs and new arrangements. I can't wait... The album is set for release on February 25, 2009. All FictionJunction vocalists will contribute: Yuuka Nanri, Keiko Kubota, Wakana Ootaki, Kaori Oda, Asuka Kato, and Yuriko Kaida. FictionJunction has always been my favorite Yuki Kajiura project, so this is of course great news! (Special thank you to Allexiel from fictionjunction.be for telling me all about the samples and also to Canta-per-me!)

Tracklist

1. Hoshikuzu (The Velveteen Rabbit - self cover of Velvet no Inori)
2. Kioku no Mori (Tsubasa Chronicle OAD: Shunraiki)
3. dream scape (Tsubasa Chronicle)
4. Gin no Hashi (Aquarian Age)
5. Kaze no Machi he (Tsubasa Chronicle Insert)
6. here we stand in the morning dew (Sayonara Solitia single c/w)
7. synchronicity (Tsubasa TOKYO REVELATIONS)
8. Hanamori no Oka (Hokuto no Ken: Toki Den)
9. Mizu no Akashi (Gundam SEED)
10. cazador del amor (El Cazador)
11. Himitsu (Noir)
12. Houseki (Le Portrait de Petite Cossette)
13. Yume no Tsubasa (Tsubasa Chronicle)
14. Michiyuki (LOVELESS)
15. everlasting song (Elemental Gelade)

Yuki Kajiura Live DVD Giveaway: Day 18 - Everlasting Song

Song No. 18 of the Yuki Kajiura Live Concert DVD is Everlasting Song from the Erementar Gerad anime. It's originally sung by FictionJunction ASUKA (that's the only song she has actually done with Yuki Kajiura!).
You can find the high quality video file (courtesy of canta-per-me.net) right here with all the other songs...

Tracklist

01. The World(120MB) Download here
02. Dream Scape(98.2MB) Download here
03. Vanity(80MB) Download here
04. LIMINALITY(91.4MB) Download here
05. In the land of twilight, under the moon(99.2MB) Download here
06. The main theme of Petit Cossette(104MB) Download here
07. Houseki(91.2MB) Download here
08. Fake Wings(51.8MB) Download here
09. Ensei(30MB) Download here
10. Mezame(126MB) Download here
11. You are my love(50.9MB) Download here
12. Godsibb(105MB) Download here
13. A song of storm and fire(93.1MB) Download here
14. Canta Per Me(61.2MB) Download here
15. Salva Nos(134MB) Download here
16. Zodiacal Sign(115MB) Download Here
17. Open you Heart(125.8MB) Download here
18. Everlasting Song(148MB) Download here
19. Yume no Tsubasa(127MB)
20. Ring Your Song(153MB)

10/10 I love this song to death! And the live version is actually even better than the original one. This version lasts 7 minutes and 41 seconds! It has a 3 minute intro added to it, and such a wonderful piece of music at tha! I'm not sure if it was already in the Erementar Gerad OST, but it's so beautiful! Yuriko sings the intro as main vocalist, with background singer Kaori... I love it that they're all in casual wear with FictionJunction T-shirts! I would love to have one. When the original song starts, they all take turn at singing the verses. Kireiiiiiiiii... This is also the song where Keiko makes the most weird faces, you have to check it out!

Check out my piano cover of the song:

Favorite FictionJunction Vocalist?

Since I'm currently doing a Yuki Kajiura month, why not have yuki-themed polls? So please answer this poll, and write a comment about the reason behind your vote...

For all of you who don't know what FictionJunction (I'm assuming most of you have heard of Yuki Kajiura by now...) is, here's a small recap:

FictionJunction is Japanese composer Yuki Kajiura’s solo project. To date, all such collaborations have consisted of a female vocalist, with Kajiura on the keyboard or the piano. Most FictionJunction songs have been featured in an anime series:

FictionJunction ASUKA
Vocalist: Asuka Kato
They performed “everlasting song”, an insert song from anime series Elemental Gelade. Originally sung in English, “everlasting song” was also recorded in Japanese and was released as a single (everlasting song, 2005), along with various instrumental versions.

FictionJunction KAORI
Vocalist: Kaori Oda - (Born May 11, 1988)
The duo performed two insert songs used in Tsubasa Chronicle, “tsubasa” (first season) and “dream scape” (second season).


FictionJunction KEIKO
Vocalist: Keiko Kubota - (Born December 5, 1985)
They recorded only one song, “To the City of Wind” , which was used as an insert song in episodes 19 (partially) and 21 of Tsubasa Chronicle (first season). Keiko is involved with Yuki Kajiura's Kalafina Project.


FictionJunction WAKANA
Vocalist: Wakana Ootaki - (Born December 10, 1984)
They have performed a song named "Where the lights are" for the original soundtrack of Fist of the North Star True Saviour Legend. They have also recorded an insert song, "Paradise Regained", for El Cazador de la Bruja OST 2. Wakana is also involved with Yuki Kajiura's Kalafina Project.

FictionJunction YUUKA
Vocalist: Yuuka Nanri - (Born March 13, 1984)
FictionJunction YUUKA was Kajiura’s first, longest and best-known collaboration under the FictionJunction name. They were originally called "FictionJunction featuring YUUKA", but later the "featuring" part was dropped as it made the name long

Source (I hope this is accurate enough!)

Me playing Everlasting Song on the Piano

This is me playing the song Everlasting Song by Yuki Kajiura. It's a song from the anime series Erementar Gerad (or Elemental Gelade, whatever the hell it's called...).
To download the mp3 version of my cover, click here!
It's originally sung by Fictionjunction ASUKA.
Hope you all like it! Write a comment!