Tracks:

1. SMILES

2. Stay with me

3. SMILES -Instrumental-

4. Stay with me -Instrumental-

Hitomi Shimatani’s SMILES was released on March 4th, 2009. It’s her 29th single and it charted at #27 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, and it has sold a total of 5,015 copies. The title track was used as the theme song for the movie Parallel.

Following up with Shimatani’s obaa-san, retro/crossover sound, SMILES comes in (this sounds like something that would be on Flare, in my opinion.) While I wasn’t totally blown away, this song grabs my attention with its upbeat acoustic guitar and sweet vocals from Shimatani. This song has kind of an ethnic feel to it, since Shimatani enjoys stuff like that. xD You can expect a few brass blares and some heavy beats in here too. Like I said, not the best, but still a good quality A-side.

Stay with me sounds like a more ballad-y version of it’s A-side. This track features piano, short bursts of strings and some other pop elements. I used to not like this song at first, but after a while it grew on me, and I kinda like it now. (PS, both of the songs sound almost the same, in terms of melody.)

Overall Grade:

Tracks:

1. Heavenly

2. Start

3. Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo

4. Dita

5. Shinku

6. Nakitai Nara

7. Dear…

8. Taiyou no Flare

9. WAKE YOU UP

10. Shake it up!

11. Neva Eva

12. Marvelous

13. Ai no Uta Strings version

Hitomi Shimatani’s Flare was released on July 16th, 2008. It’s her 7th album and it debuted at #21 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, and it has sold a total of 13,174 copies.

I’m gonna have to say, Heavenly is indeed ~heavenly~. Though, it’s not a big eye-opener, this song is a breath of fresh air, with it’s like 90s dance style. Shimatani sounds really nice and makes the song catchy, despite it being pretty reserved and not that much of a stand-out. The music is a mix of light beats and some strings that really accent the song nicely. It works as the perfect opener for this pretty retro album.

Finally things start to pick up a bit. Our first upbeat song of the album is Start. I really like this song, mainly for it’s upbeat piano that stands out even when it’s trying to be in the background. Like Heavenly, this song has a somewhat 90s sound to it, but I think Shimatani excels at these songs to be completely honest. I kinda didn’t like how she can in a lower tone, I thought it would’ve sounded a lot better if she hadn’t, but I still enjoy this song.

Our next track can pretty much be described as elevator music. Dita is our first song to NOT be a reminiscent of the 90s, but a more Mediterranean style. I thought this song was kind of boring, hence why it’s elevator music, mainly because of the laidback piano and various ethnic beats. I had one major problem with this song: the ear-splitting flute that plays during some parts of the song. Otherwise this song is okay.

Dear… easily reminds me of a nice day at the beach. This whole song has a relaxing island feel, mainly consisting of guitars and various beats. This is a nice song for when you want to take a load off and just daydream.

Here’s the song you’ve all been waiting for! Taiyou no Flare is another song with a delicious hint of crossover, that Shimatani does so well. Unlike Shinku, this song is a lot more upbeat (in the end) and features some upbeat, stunning vocals. Definately one of the highlights off the album, and definately wakes you up after it’s sleepy period.

Shake it up! is another one of those ethnic-ish songs, but this one is a lot faster, and features a constant beat. As well as some upbeat acoustic guitar. I didn’t really like Shimatani’s vocals, but that’s easily overlooked since this song has a nice instrumental.

We conclude the album with a Strings version of the stellar Ai no Uta. The thing I noticed was that the strings don’t exactly start until after the first chorus (which is about a minute into the song.) Though I liked the original, the added strings definately makes up for what was missing and makes it a billion times better. Everything about the song is kept the same, except for what was stated otherwise.

Since this was my first Hitomi Shimatani album, and what I saw about it, I wasn’t too sure on how things would go. I ended up liking most of the album, and I especially liked how she can do the 90s style songs so well. Her crossover = TO DIE FOR. I’m definately hoping she tries more crossover in her later releases. If not, an ethnic song. Either is alright with me!

Overall Grade:

Tracks:

CD+DVD edition

1. WAKE YOU UP

2. Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo

3. Marvelous

CD only edition

1. Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo

2. Ameoto -Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Zenya-

3. Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo feat. GooF  from SOFFet (SMOOTH RAP version)

4. Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo (Instrumental)

5. Ameoto -Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Zenya- (Instrumental)

Hitomi Shimatani’s WAKE YOU UP / Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo / Marvelous was released on June 25th, 2008. It’s her 28th single and it debuted at #33 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, and it has sold a total of 5,988 copies. WAKE YOU UP was used as the theme song for the drama Keitai Sousakan 7.

I kinda fell asleep during Nakitai Nara, her last boring and dull single. But WAKE YOU UP is a breath of fresh air and it’s a pleasant listen. I’m glad Shimatani decided to ditch the boring acoustic and strings, and decided to sport a more retro 90s sound, with the short bursts of synth and the English vocals. Overall, this song has a nice feel-good tune to it and I think it’s a type of song that Shimatani excels at. Perfect song to end the era with.

You can’t forget about the longest title in the history of forever, Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo. Try saying that five times fast! Despite having a long ass title, this song is really pleasant and a perfect song for summer. It has kind of an island vibe to it, thanks to the light reggae elements, and the pleasant beats. A perfect contrast to the rather chaotic first A-side.

Marvelous ranks in as my least favourite of the three A-sides. Not that it’s bad, it just didn’t strike me as amazing. The vocals didn’t really make an impression on me and the music is kind of boring compared to WAKE YOU UP. It has some fast beats, some angelic piano and kind of  similar 90s synth.

~~~

Now onto the CD only tracks! First is Ameoto -Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Zenya-, the ~B-side~ on the CD only version. This is a pretty song with heartfelt vocals from Shimatani. She sounds radiant among the bongo drums (?), somewhat jazzy piano, and during the second verse, the marching band drums. The best B-side this era, next to Ai no Uta.

The SMOOTH RAP version of Ame no Hi ni wa Ame no Naka wo Kaze no Hi ni wa Kaze no Naka wo features GooF from the R&B/Hip-Hop group SOFFet, and let me say I’m really impressed. Everything else about the song is the same except for GooF is placed in the song, and he has a really nice rap part, as he kind of makes it melodious so it sounds nice in the song. Another great B-side.

Overall Grade:

Tracks:

1. Nakitai Nara

2. Kuchizuke Shiyou

3. Nakitai Nara (Instrumental)

4. Kuchizuke Shiyou (Instrumental)

Hitomi Shimatani’s Nakitai Nara was released on March 19th, 2008. It’s her 27th single and it debuted at #34 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, selling a total of 4,969 copies.

I will admit, after something as explosive as Shinku, Nakitai Nara really is a downer. Not only is this song extremely depressing, but it’s kinda not all that special.  The simple string and acoustic guitar arrangement is a little too simple. I think it’s pretty though, but Shimatani definately excels at faster, more up beat songs. But like I said, this song is pretty, but it has its fair share of flaws.

The B-side, however, is much more enjoyable. Kuchizuke Shiyou is also a ballad, but much more pleasant, and very easy on the ears. This song has a much more simpler arrangement, only consisting of cute piano chords and very charming accordion. The most memorable part about the song is the cute line: “soutou kuchizuke shiyou, sora ni hoshi ni yoru ni.” This should’ve been the A-side, IMO.

Overall Grade:

Tracks:

1. Shinku (original version)

2. Ai no Uta

3. Shinku (A.C.E.3 version)

4. Shinku (Instrumental)

5. Ai no Uta (Instrumental)

Hitomi Shimatani’s Shinku / Ai no Uta was released on September 5th, 2007. It’s her 26th single and it debuted at #14 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, selling a total 25,019 copies. The A-side was used as the opening theme for the video game A.C.E.3: The Final, while the B-side was used as the ending theme.

Now THIS song was the song that REALLY got me into Hitomi Shimatani (and also what lead me to Beyond the Sea. ;D) Shinku is amazing. No other way to describe it. The instrumental is phenominal and Shimatani radiates. It has beautiful flowing strings and harps, but also an aggressive side, with the electronica and various beats. It sounds like something that should be in Gundam, TBH. I’d love to hear another crossover-styled song in the future. PLEASE HITOMI, PLEASE.

The B-side is a very, very pretty, yet simple ballad. Ai no Uta (how original) is a straight-up piano ballad and Shimatani really shows off her soft side. I thought this was a nice contrast to the epicness of the A-side. It may sound a little sluggish after the A-side but it’s well worth a listen.

The A.C.E.3 version of Shinku is about half of what the original is (length wise). It opens with a chilling orchestral ensemble then quickly flows into the original song. It may be just me, but I heard a difference between this one and the original, like some acoustic guitar and some vocal changes, but whatever, it might be just me.

Overall Grade:

Tracks:

1. Neva Eva

2. Hakuchuumu

3. Neva Eva (Instrumental)

4. Hakuchuumu (Instrumental)

Hitomi Shimatani’s Neva Eva was released on June 6th, 2007. It’s her 25th single and itdebuted at #22 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, selling a total of 10,749 copies.

Ahhh. I remember the first time I heard Neva Eva. This was one of the songs that solidified my love for Hitomi Shimatani. I absolutely love the ska vibe that it has, thanks to the tons of brass throughout the song. I’ve never actually heard ska music before this so I was surprised at what “ska” actually was, but I was surprised in a good way. Anyways, Shimatani’s vocals really match with the song and make it even more catchy than it already is. A perfect start to the Flare era.

The B-side is Hakuchuumu, which means daydream. Since it means daydream, she must be imagining something tropical, because this song sounds very island-like. I didn’t think this song was as good as the A-side, because it didn’t really hook me like Neva Eva did, and the chorus isn’t very good. This track is also pretty heavy in the brass department. Overall, this song is okay.

Overall Grade:

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