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ritardando
Guest
@george : but i really like progressive ;_; it's still one of my favorite kala single until now. sorry for being oot 
T
takfogger
Guest
OMG!!! Just listened to Alelluya so far.....KEIKO YOU LEAD BABY!!!! 
george1234
Moderator
Re:
I meant the song, not the single, and I like the live version more (because of the awesome bridge)
ritardando said:@george : but i really like progressive ;_; it's still one of my favorite kala single until now. sorry for being oot
I meant the song, not the single, and I like the live version more (because of the awesome bridge)
R
ritardando
Guest
^
But I mean the song progressive as well. I prefer that song waaaayyy over red moon. progressive >>>>>>>> red moon for me
Anyway, about Alleluia. The song isn't musically great, it's rather simple just like what Kajiura has said. But idk why the song has this 'addictive' effect that makes me want to hear it over and over again.
But I mean the song progressive as well. I prefer that song waaaayyy over red moon. progressive >>>>>>>> red moon for me
Anyway, about Alleluia. The song isn't musically great, it's rather simple just like what Kajiura has said. But idk why the song has this 'addictive' effect that makes me want to hear it over and over again.
K
KimH
Guest
I was holding myself and trying not to listen to it while waiting for my copies to arrive (on that note, thanks Wai Hong) but I cracked after reading so many comments.
The good: Keiko. Enough said!
The "bad": where is Hikaru? It felt she was literally reduced to the role of chorus.
Also, while Keiko is leading, it somewhat felt it was too much of good of a thing (run!). Unlike most other Kalafina songs where you have contrast, this one didn't have much.
The ugly: OK, not really. Rather, it felt like a case of me getting used to certain type of songs from Kalafina and... We were given a somewhat cheerful (?) ballad. So, from that persective, I agree with detractors. On that note, the reuse of certain words/phrases in the lyrics, I wasn't really bothered. Rather, check Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (yeah, that reference was on purpose) where there is a stanza where he just says Hallelujah twice (which he repeats in the next stanza).
Edit: As for the song itself, I am ambivalent. However, I also feel this is a one where I would be more interested to listen in a live setting (*cough*Ongaku*cough*). Sort of a last song before the encore or the actual closing song itself to start winding things down.
The good: Keiko. Enough said!
The "bad": where is Hikaru? It felt she was literally reduced to the role of chorus.
Also, while Keiko is leading, it somewhat felt it was too much of good of a thing (run!). Unlike most other Kalafina songs where you have contrast, this one didn't have much.The ugly: OK, not really. Rather, it felt like a case of me getting used to certain type of songs from Kalafina and... We were given a somewhat cheerful (?) ballad. So, from that persective, I agree with detractors. On that note, the reuse of certain words/phrases in the lyrics, I wasn't really bothered. Rather, check Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (yeah, that reference was on purpose) where there is a stanza where he just says Hallelujah twice (which he repeats in the next stanza).
Edit: As for the song itself, I am ambivalent. However, I also feel this is a one where I would be more interested to listen in a live setting (*cough*Ongaku*cough*). Sort of a last song before the encore or the actual closing song itself to start winding things down.
george1234
Moderator
Re:
- I was actually happy that Hikaru was excluded from this single because:
1. It brings back oblivious memories
2. Hikaru had a big role in past songs, eg, in Hikari Furu where she was in all Mirai and Magia quattro as well as part of Hikari Furu, not to menthion the album songs, so this makes judgement for Keiko
- There's a reason why the alleluias are repeated in this and the other song, check out here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alleluia_(chant)#Byzantine_Rite
KimH said:The "bad": where is Hikaru? It felt she was literally reduced to the role of chorus.
The ugly: OK, not really. Rather, it felt like a case of me getting used to certain type of songs from Kalafina and... We were given a somewhat cheerful (?) ballad. So, from that persective, I agree with detractors. On that note, the reuse of certain words/phrases in the lyrics, I wasn't really bothered. Rather, check Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah (yeah, that reference was on purpose) where there is a stanza where he just says Hallelujah twice (which he repeats in the next stanza).
- I was actually happy that Hikaru was excluded from this single because:
1. It brings back oblivious memories
2. Hikaru had a big role in past songs, eg, in Hikari Furu where she was in all Mirai and Magia quattro as well as part of Hikari Furu, not to menthion the album songs, so this makes judgement for Keiko
- There's a reason why the alleluias are repeated in this and the other song, check out here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alleluia_(chant)#Byzantine_Rite
K
KimH
Guest
Re: Re:
Yup, you stated it better than me: based on the name of the song, I would have expected some level of repetition. I believe most people noted it more than in other songs because they were consecutive.
george1234 said:
Yup, you stated it better than me: based on the name of the song, I would have expected some level of repetition. I believe most people noted it more than in other songs because they were consecutive.
I
ImmortalBirdcage
Guest
george said:
yes yes, i agree with you! especially since right from the cover art this song was meant to be a throwback to oblivious in the first place...
george1234
Moderator
^ I mean from the percepective that it was just the two of them
maha_gnosis
TETOTETOMETOME
omg.
dolce is an interlude, an intermezzo. Not much to comment.
Alleluia ... well... I have a pretty mixed up feeling in this song.
Cons:
-i really hate the string in the opening.
-Keiko's shout
-no build up. It feels really unpolished and hurried up.
-FJ/J-Popish/Christmassy-Feeling like Seiya
Pro:
-Wakana's part & Yuriko's part & Hikaru's part are quite good and somehow bitter sweet.
-Keiko's lead is a nice change.
I wonder how is the lyric. Are they mostly happy thoughts? because I can imagine this song to be bitter sweet. Especially because of Wakana's part and Hikaru's part and her voice, and Keiko's closing singing.
I prefer when Keiko sings up-tempo songs like fantasia, ongaku, magnolia, obbligato.
For ballads, I really like her voice in Kizuato. Somehow it was softer.
dolce is an interlude, an intermezzo. Not much to comment.
Alleluia ... well... I have a pretty mixed up feeling in this song.
Cons:
-i really hate the string in the opening.
-Keiko's shout
-no build up. It feels really unpolished and hurried up.
-FJ/J-Popish/Christmassy-Feeling like Seiya
Pro:
-Wakana's part & Yuriko's part & Hikaru's part are quite good and somehow bitter sweet.
-Keiko's lead is a nice change.
I wonder how is the lyric. Are they mostly happy thoughts? because I can imagine this song to be bitter sweet. Especially because of Wakana's part and Hikaru's part and her voice, and Keiko's closing singing.
I prefer when Keiko sings up-tempo songs like fantasia, ongaku, magnolia, obbligato.
For ballads, I really like her voice in Kizuato. Somehow it was softer.
M
MegyTomitatsu
Guest
Thank you very much Yurika-chan! 
Alleluia is nice and happy song, but it still somehow sounds too generic and not much a Kalafina style. I like the fact that Keiko really leads this song after all. It didnt leave a really big impact on me but I think it would serve as a nice concert closing because of its happy tune.
@Spirica: I actually liked Keiko in Mune no Yukue. Well, as others I prefer her deeper and mysterious voice, but I liked the fact that Kajiura-sama gave her a chance to show that she has a wider range than her usual role.
Dolce is very short. It does have that Christmasy feeling about it, sounding nice. I like the harmony. But still its not really such a big wow to me.
In overall, I still prefer Consolation album over the new stuff and hope Kalafina will have more things in their true style. But I guess one or true 'off-track' songs are welcome as well to experience something different.
As for the lives, Fairytale was really nice. I liked the strings, especially in the beginning. It was a nice combination hearing them instead of usual kajiurago. I would prefer Hikaru's original 'sayonara' thou. But in overall, really beautiful cover.
Kimi ga... was very nice and emotional as well. I really enjoyed it.
Hope to hear rest as well soon!
Alleluia is nice and happy song, but it still somehow sounds too generic and not much a Kalafina style. I like the fact that Keiko really leads this song after all. It didnt leave a really big impact on me but I think it would serve as a nice concert closing because of its happy tune.
@Spirica: I actually liked Keiko in Mune no Yukue. Well, as others I prefer her deeper and mysterious voice, but I liked the fact that Kajiura-sama gave her a chance to show that she has a wider range than her usual role.
Dolce is very short. It does have that Christmasy feeling about it, sounding nice. I like the harmony. But still its not really such a big wow to me.
In overall, I still prefer Consolation album over the new stuff and hope Kalafina will have more things in their true style. But I guess one or true 'off-track' songs are welcome as well to experience something different.
As for the lives, Fairytale was really nice. I liked the strings, especially in the beginning. It was a nice combination hearing them instead of usual kajiurago. I would prefer Hikaru's original 'sayonara' thou. But in overall, really beautiful cover.
Kimi ga... was very nice and emotional as well. I really enjoyed it.
Hope to hear rest as well soon!
george1234
Moderator
@Maha: ^ I dont think Keiko shouts anywhere, its her usual happy live singing.
the begging of the song (strings-kajiurago) are reminding alot of heigen's beginning, I too think that part wasnt needed or she could have used bass or piano for it
the begging of the song (strings-kajiurago) are reminding alot of heigen's beginning, I too think that part wasnt needed or she could have used bass or piano for it
C
Coral
Guest
@george
Keiko never shouts? I find it hard to call her singing in Destination Unknown (live) anything else. Mind you, this isn't even a criticism, since it fits the song, but it still qualifies as shouting for me.
Keiko never shouts? I find it hard to call her singing in Destination Unknown (live) anything else. Mind you, this isn't even a criticism, since it fits the song, but it still qualifies as shouting for me.
george1234
Moderator
I mean 'in this song' 
S
salvanos
Guest
I don't know what it is but I love Alleluia..it felt like Seventh heaven was a subtle, ethereal goodbye to the kara no Kyokai series. Alleluia almost seems like a "this is farewell but not goodbye!" song.
OMG Yuriko was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
And I love Hikaru's one liner..it has such feeling behind it..like she is sad saying goodbye. Of course I have no idea what the lyrics are
I think this is a perfect song for ending their next string of concerts. Can't wait to hear it live...
Dolce is short and bittersweet like al fine + utsukushisha had a baby together...I thought it would be longer...I find it a little meh.
OMG Yuriko was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
And I love Hikaru's one liner..it has such feeling behind it..like she is sad saying goodbye. Of course I have no idea what the lyrics are
I think this is a perfect song for ending their next string of concerts. Can't wait to hear it live...
Dolce is short and bittersweet like al fine + utsukushisha had a baby together...I thought it would be longer...I find it a little meh.
C
Cerise
Guest
^ that's what's going to be in my mind whenever I listen to dolce, from now on
Alleluia: I like it, it’s a pleasant song to listen to. The mood, style and the way Keiko sings using her broad voice really does remind me of Mune no Yukue. I think like a lot of other people have said, I still prefer her ballad/mysterious/deeper voice, but this is a good song for her to show off what else she can do with higher notes. And when she uses this kind of broad, open voice it kind of does make me run into a field of flowers and spin around under a glorious sunny sky
Hikaru’s one verse (poor girl really did get neglected in this single, huh...) was also quite nice. Like george (I think it was?) said before, I think I would have preferred it if Wakana didn’t have that weird effect/filter on her voice...unless that’s just how she sounds nowadays? (because why would they put one randomly on her and not the other two? ) The verse and the chorus don’t seem to transition seamlessly for me, kind of like how Consolation was like when I first listened to it...so like with Consolation on initial listen, I think I like the verses and I like the chorus as they stand as separate entities, but I’m unsure how I feel about them fitting together in the whole...
Still! Good job, Keiko, sounding very fine there~
dolce: A sweet, peaceful song. But I don’t know (maybe because it’s so short?) it feels a bit unfinished to me, like Kajiura was only halfway through writing the song when they just recorded it and stuck it in...maybe because it doesn’t really culminate anywhere, except for a bit at the chorus...but the vocals are very nice (though it would have been awesome a capella, like someone suggested...yeah ) I’ll most likely enjoy the live version of the song more than this studio version, because the harmonies sound amazing and I think they’d come out clearer in a live version 
Once again, don’t know whether that’s a filter/reverb effect or something on Wakana’s voice, or if it’s just how she happens to sound, but I would have liked it if her voice was clearer. Couldn’t really distinguish Hikaru, though I heard snatches of her here and there. I got the impression that Keiko was superbly low in some parts Though I’m not sure if what I was hearing was her or one of the really low string instruments
Looking forward to seeing this one live
fairytale: LOVE IT. Gushing over the strings~~~ They should really release more of these. I mean, for me sometimes hearing make-overs of old songs is just as good as getting new ones All three girls sounded really lovely. I wasn’t expecting Hikaru to do the ‘sayonara’ lower and softer like that, but it perhaps fit the arrangement better (though it did take away her chance to shine in the song...and once again sort of lessens her presence in the single overall... 
)
Kimi ga Hikari: Once again, LOVE IT. Keiko was melting my ears off my head in her parts. I would have liked Wakana to sing with her notes joined more smoothly, but it was all right in the end. I think she sounded great in the middle and was better than previous lives in the ending part – more controlled and a bit less tired. Though I still do miss the way she used to sing, with that magnificent resonant sound. Not much Hikalu here...but I will include her by saying that her background ‘furetakute’ echoing Keiko’s was lovely. Quite expressive.
Overall, don’t mind this single. I still like it (seems I end up liking anything Kala puts out ) even though it might not have utterly blown my mind with awesomeness. It’s still special though, because it’s Keiko’s first(?) lead single, and I think she did an awesome job with her parts in Alleluia. 
That said, I am feeling nostalgic for the ‘old’ KnK Kalafina sound...will there never be another song like oblivious (my first love <3)
or sprinter...And yeah...even though Alleluia’s the final KnK song, I think Seventh Heaven still remains the ultimate KnK theme for me. I just find it such a beautiful song, in terms of the music, the vocals and the lyrics. :shy; though perhaps not so much in terms of PV hairstyles...*is bazooka’d*
Just on another note, I don’t think they had less Hikaru here because it was to pay homage to Kalafina’s Kei/Waa-only beginnings, because that seems like a rather...tenuous(?) reason to have her sidelined? Maybe it was just that Kajiura felt the other two’s voices were more suited to the parts (and fairytale/Kimi ga Hikari were both from the earlier less-Hikaru era, so she just happened to not feature much there either). Because when Kajiura wrote Alleluia she mentioned she immediately envisioned Keiko on lead, so the mood/feel of the song she imagined was probably better captured with Keiko’s voice. Wakana probably landed the choruses because they’re higher, so she’d obviously be more comfortable on them, and maybe because Hikaru was needed more for filling in the middle harmony.
Oh well, luckily I think Hikaru can shine a bit more in the seventh heaven and snow falling lives, since she has verse or two in those songs...And she’ll probably be back in full force in Kimi no Gin no Niwa, since I feel like the Madoka music features her more – Magia and Mirai (well, Hikari furu sort of went back to Waa/Kei, I guess)
Alleluia: I like it, it’s a pleasant song to listen to. The mood, style and the way Keiko sings using her broad voice really does remind me of Mune no Yukue. I think like a lot of other people have said, I still prefer her ballad/mysterious/deeper voice, but this is a good song for her to show off what else she can do with higher notes. And when she uses this kind of broad, open voice it kind of does make me run into a field of flowers and spin around under a glorious sunny sky
Hikaru’s one verse (poor girl really did get neglected in this single, huh...) was also quite nice. Like george (I think it was?) said before, I think I would have preferred it if Wakana didn’t have that weird effect/filter on her voice...unless that’s just how she sounds nowadays? (because why would they put one randomly on her and not the other two? ) The verse and the chorus don’t seem to transition seamlessly for me, kind of like how Consolation was like when I first listened to it...so like with Consolation on initial listen, I think I like the verses and I like the chorus as they stand as separate entities, but I’m unsure how I feel about them fitting together in the whole...Still! Good job, Keiko, sounding very fine there~
dolce: A sweet, peaceful song. But I don’t know (maybe because it’s so short?) it feels a bit unfinished to me, like Kajiura was only halfway through writing the song when they just recorded it and stuck it in...maybe because it doesn’t really culminate anywhere, except for a bit at the chorus...but the vocals are very nice (though it would have been awesome a capella, like someone suggested...yeah
) I’ll most likely enjoy the live version of the song more than this studio version, because the harmonies sound amazing and I think they’d come out clearer in a live version Once again, don’t know whether that’s a filter/reverb effect or something on Wakana’s voice, or if it’s just how she happens to sound, but I would have liked it if her voice was clearer. Couldn’t really distinguish Hikaru, though I heard snatches of her here and there. I got the impression that Keiko was superbly low in some parts Though I’m not sure if what I was hearing was her or one of the really low string instruments Looking forward to seeing this one live
fairytale: LOVE IT. Gushing over the strings~~~
They should really release more of these. I mean, for me sometimes hearing make-overs of old songs is just as good as getting new ones All three girls sounded really lovely. I wasn’t expecting Hikaru to do the ‘sayonara’ lower and softer like that, but it perhaps fit the arrangement better (though it did take away her chance to shine in the song...and once again sort of lessens her presence in the single overall... )Kimi ga Hikari: Once again, LOVE IT. Keiko was melting my ears off my head in her parts. I would have liked Wakana to sing with her notes joined more smoothly, but it was all right in the end. I think she sounded great in the middle and was better than previous lives in the ending part – more controlled and a bit less tired. Though I still do miss the way she used to sing, with that magnificent resonant sound. Not much Hikalu here...but I will include her by saying that her background ‘furetakute’ echoing Keiko’s was lovely. Quite expressive.
Overall, don’t mind this single. I still like it (seems I end up liking anything Kala puts out
) even though it might not have utterly blown my mind with awesomeness. It’s still special though, because it’s Keiko’s first(?) lead single, and I think she did an awesome job with her parts in Alleluia. That said, I am feeling nostalgic for the ‘old’ KnK Kalafina sound...will there never be another song like oblivious (my first love <3)
or sprinter...And yeah...even though Alleluia’s the final KnK song, I think Seventh Heaven still remains the ultimate KnK theme for me. I just find it such a beautiful song, in terms of the music, the vocals and the lyrics. :shy; Just on another note, I don’t think they had less Hikaru here because it was to pay homage to Kalafina’s Kei/Waa-only beginnings, because that seems like a rather...tenuous(?) reason to have her sidelined? Maybe it was just that Kajiura felt the other two’s voices were more suited to the parts (and fairytale/Kimi ga Hikari were both from the earlier less-Hikaru era, so she just happened to not feature much there either). Because when Kajiura wrote Alleluia she mentioned she immediately envisioned Keiko on lead, so the mood/feel of the song she imagined was probably better captured with Keiko’s voice. Wakana probably landed the choruses because they’re higher, so she’d obviously be more comfortable on them, and maybe because Hikaru was needed more for filling in the middle harmony.
Oh well, luckily I think Hikaru can shine a bit more in the seventh heaven and snow falling lives, since she has verse or two in those songs...And she’ll probably be back in full force in Kimi no Gin no Niwa, since I feel like the Madoka music features her more – Magia and Mirai (well, Hikari furu sort of went back to Waa/Kei, I guess)
W
WakanaIsFreakingGod
Guest
Thank you Yurika-Chan for uploading
omg I love the strings arrangement in fairytale. But... Hikaru's "Sayonara"
omg I love the strings arrangement in fairytale. But... Hikaru's "Sayonara"
chrisgarci
YES! I live on her roof
Thanks, Yurika! Can't wait for my copy to arrive, hopefully the postcard is included...
Alleluia was actually way better than what I thought when I listened to the samples. It makes me want to stay positive and say all the praises despite the hard things I encounter everyday.
Dolce is nice with all that church-like feels, even though if it is short.
The remixes are awesome as well, and this is the first time I have heard of fairytale. Will not bother to listen to the original... xD
Alleluia was actually way better than what I thought when I listened to the samples. It makes me want to stay positive and say all the praises despite the hard things I encounter everyday.
Dolce is nice with all that church-like feels, even though if it is short.
The remixes are awesome as well, and this is the first time I have heard of fairytale. Will not bother to listen to the original... xD
Hime_Wakana
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Thanks a lot minna for the links! Alleluia is simply beautiful! Keiko-chan voice Dolce is an "ordinary" Kalafina's song, but it's pretty and Fairytale & Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Yuku perfect!
Hikaru's second voices are perfect
Alleluia is simply beautiful! Keiko-chan voice Dolce is an "ordinary" Kalafina's song, but it's pretty and Fairytale & Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Yuku perfect! Hikaru's second voices are perfect