Pandora Hearts OP Single - Parallel Hearts by FictionJunction

The Parallel Hearts Single has finally leaked (it's supposed to be released the 29th!)... It's always nice to have some fresh Yuki Kajiura songs, especially FictionJunction ones. And there's even a new FictionJunction YUUKA song on the single. What a treat!! In case you haven't heard my piano version of Parallel Hearts, here it is.

Tracklist

1. Parallel Hearts
2. Hitomi no Chikara (by FictionJunction YUUKA)
3. Parallel Hearts ～Instrumental～
4. Hitomi no Chikara ～Instrumental～

9/10 The full version of Parallel Hearts is of course even better than the TV-size version. I can't praise Yuki-sama enough for her awesome songs!!! I also really like the new YUUKA song, it's so nice they're doing songs together again... Even if I prefer the fast YUUKA songs, this one is still mesmerizing.

Check out the full PV, featuring Yuki Kajiura and FictionJunction:

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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).

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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)

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Samples from Everlasting Songs - FictionJunction Album by Yuki Kajiura

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Yuki Kajiura Month is over - One Last Giveaway...

I proclaimed last month as the Yuki Kajiura Month, so it is with great sadness that I officially announce that the Yuki Kajiura month is now over... But fear not, I will be sure to keep you all updated on the latest Yuki Kajiura music... I hope you all enjoyed the Yuki Kajiura DVD Live Vol. 2 videos that I posted every day of last month (here).

As a parting gift, I chose to share with you one of the best non-anime project Yuki last did. Last year she did a collaboration with composer Revo from the Sound Horizon group, called Dream Port. They performed together at a series of live concerts, and a Collaboration Single was also released with the song Sajin no Kanata e which is the Main Theme of Dream Port and its instrumental version. The single also contains a DVD which includes a live performance of Sajin no Kanata e, at a Dream Port 2008 concert.


Tracklist:

1. Sajin no Kanata e
2. Sand Dream (Arranged instrumental version of Sajin no Kanata e)

Vocalists:

Yuki Kajiura, Revo, Yuri Kasahara, Yuriko Kaida, FictionJunction YUUKA / KEIKO / WAKANA / KAORI and all of Sound Horizon.


10/10 This is quite an amazing Yuki Kajiura song! I'm not familiar with any of Revo's work, but even though he did compose Sajin no Kanata e with Yuki, the song definitely sounds kajiuran to me. It reminds me of a lot of older songs she did with FictionJunction and for the Tsubasa Chronicles. I also really love the live version of the song. I've never seen so many amazing singers sharing a stage together. I love it that the song starts off with my uber-favorite Yuri Kasahara (too bad she had a really small part...). I also love the solo part with Yuki Kajiura and Revo singing... It was my first time hearing her voice, and I'm sure I've already heard it in a couple of songs she did. It's so exquisite... My main concern was that Yuuka didn't have any solo parts and the camera didn't really show her that much. Wakana and Kaori got to sing a lot, and they killed it as usual!



This is a must-see for any Kajiuran fans, so check out the live performance with the subs:

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FictionJunction Poll Results

And the winner of the "who is your favorite FictionJunction vocalist?"-poll is...drum rolls... FictionJunction Yuuka (Yuuka Nanri). How could it be otherwise? She is after all the first original FictionJunction vocalist and has worked on a lot of music with Yuki Kajiura-sama! She is also my favorite FictionJunction vocalist...



Here's a short biography:
Yuki Kajiura and Yuuka Nanri first met at Minami Aoyama Shōjo Kagekidan (South Aoyama Female Opera Group, also called Nanshō), a stage group for teenage girls where Kajiura wrote music for some of the plays and Nanri was a performer.

Their first recording was "Akatsuki no Kuruma", an insert song in the popular mecha anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, though their debut single was the opening of Madlax, "Hitomi no Kakera" , released on May 8, 2004. On July 27, 2004, the ending theme to Madlax, "inside your heart", was released. In the same year, because of its popularity and the fact that it was Gundam SEED's one-year anniversary, "Akatsuki no Kuruma" was released as a single, which at its peak placed at #10 on the Oricon weekly rankings and sold over 19,481 copies on the first week.

After a hiatus of exactly a year, "Honoh no Tobira", an insert song for Gundam SEED DESTINY, was released, becoming the first seiyū single to hit #1 on Oricon daily rankings.

On November 23, 2005, the duo released their debut album, Destination which placed on the Oricon weekly rankings at #9.

On May 10, 2006, FictionJunction YUUKA released their fifth single after approximately eight months. That year, they also recorded a song, "aikoi", for the Tsubasa Chronicle anime series, which was not released as a single but instead included in the anime's fourth original soundtrack. In November of that same year, they released the opening theme for Sunrise's Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto, "Kōya Ruten".

FictionJunction YUUKA held their first live concert entitled Premium Live 2007 on February 8 and February 15 of 2007. A new album, Circus was announced and it was released on July 4 of the same year.. As Kajiura is handling the music for upcoming anime El Cazador de la Bruja, their seventh single, "romanesque", became the ending theme of the anime above. El Cazador de la Bruja was produced by Bee Train, whose anime productions FictionJunction YUUKA has also done songs for previously.


Source


10/10 My favorite FictionJunction YUUKA song is Nowhere from the Madlax anime. The first time I heard it, I was in a total state of shock. I don't know why, but this song just has an incredible energy to it. Maybe it's because it was so well used in the anime, especially in those violent scenes... You can download the full song here.

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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!)

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Favorite FictionJunction Vocalist?

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