2014 Review

[wat11]

In terms of Kalafina/FJ, 2014 was bad. I think I like Storm live, nohara live, Kngnn, a couple of tracks from Yuuka live, lapis, and a bit, in every nothing but I don't care much about the rest.

KnK was a let down except M23 and its variations. just so many filler tracks.

Madoka Rebellion was nice. Holly Quintet, I was waiting for this moment are among my favs.

I have mixed feelings about RHH3. It is better than ost2 but not ost1 but I guess tracks data-war, dancing in the age of war, forgotten stories#2, my land are among my favs too.

HtA osts ruled. NHK does have a way with composers. SAO, except for a couple of tracks, was a letdown for me but have to wait for the osts as I don't claim full knowledge of the music in the show.

So imo, in terms of osts, 2014 was much better than 2013. Lives in 2014 couldn't top 2013 live vol9.

 

[ritardando]

It's nice to see people change their minds on YUUKA and her songs. (Even if I didn't like how sterile this 2days live BD seemed myself.)

I agree that actually FJY's songs are really good. I think they're even better than half of Kalafina. Sometimes I think I keep following Kalafina not because of the songs...but because I like their voices. @Kirito, you really should watch the vol.4 DVD. Yuuka performed with much more energy, she had fun on-stage, and it has Nozaki on drums (again, sorry) and it's like 20 times better than vol.11 (even though there are only 13 songs + angel gate.)

I totally forget about Elemental album. Well that album sucks. I'd still rather have a cover album by FJ than an album with new songs because I miss Kajiura's old songs and it'll increase the possibility of those songs by Chiba Saeko etc to be performed live.

Now that believe single is out, I can say lapis is the only new Kalafina song that I really like. HB is mediocre, believe is zzz, in every nothing is okay, I guess. At least I like the verses of those 3 songs, but the rest of the songs is just ehhh.

 

[aki]

I'd still rather have a cover album by FJ than an album with new songs because I miss Kajiura's old songs and it'll increase the possibility of those songs by Chiba Saeko etc to be performed live.

When the tracklist of elemental came out I have to admit I was really disappointed that there was only one cover song when Everlasting Songs had 9(?). Even though it's true that FJ does have it's own songs, I still see the group primarily as one to sing Kajiura's older works/OST songs in lives, so that's why I would want more cover songs than new songs in any FJ album.

Waiting to listen to believe to think about the year as a whole (why didn't I ask my mom to bring it today, she was on campus not too long ago ;__;)

 

[Coral]

Just catching up now...

FJ's Elemental album: The songs on it as good. But as someone who bought all the singles, it's like an album with only four songs. In terms of the new songs, Storm = amazing, Gaika = very good, Elemental = solid, Storytelling = forgettable.

YK Live Vol. 11 Elemental Tour: Magical. I loved it. (Side note: Keiko and Wakana really have a special chemistry. Er, I meant singing-wise!)

Kalafina's Heavenly Blue: It's catchy. But it's not, well... interesting? Not the chorus at any rate. I'm hovering at "Will be happy if it's included on the next album, but probably won't buy the single."

Kalafina's Believe: Believe is solid. In Every Nothing is the standout though, especially Hikaru's parts. Not a fan of Lapis. I'm happy Keiko gets to lead a song, but I feel like the ballads specifically composed for her (this and Nohara) have been a little boring. Only Kaze no Machi e eventually grew on me. I thought covers like Cynical World and Houseki actually worked better. Still going back and forth on whether to buy this for In Every Nothing.

Didn't follow the soundtracks, and can't afford FJY Live, so no comment on those. Ultimately passed on Kalafina's The Best releases due to lack of new content.

 

[aki]

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/feature/bestsellers_2014_cdjapan

under j-pop albums:

#43: PMMM music collection
#45 elemental
#89 THE BEST "Blue"
#207 ...Seventh Heaven ???
#354 RHH OST 3
#392 After Eden
#466 Red Moon
#497 Consolation​

(I stopped at 500 but it keeps going)

j-pop singles:

#21 heavenly blue
#78 believe LE-B
#98 believe AE
#205 believe LE-A
#275 Kimi no Gin no Niwa AE
#307 believe RE​

EDIT: soundtracks

#5 Hanako to Anne OST 1
#9 RHH OST 3
#18 Hanako to Anne OST 2
#77 RHH OST 2
#156 RHH OST 1​

(ranking went up to 210)

all departments

#70 heavenly blue
#280 PMMM music collection
#318 elemental
#329 believe LE-B
#429 believe AE​

 

[sora]

I'm glad Hanako to Anne is doing so well. It's a fantastic soundtrack.

 

[wat11]

wow go hanako to an!

 

[george1234]

^ RHH is doing well too

I will post my review in April, since its that time when all her 2014 compositions will be out.

 

[grunty]

I wouldn't really say it's doing that well considering the all departments listing doesn't have it...

Edit: That list seems suspicious. Sailor Moon Crystal higher on the list than Madoka Rebellion? Wtf?

Just hit me CDjapan could only/mostly be counting international sales in which case a good place on the list could only mean > 15 copies sold, lol.