Universal Bunny Review Rambling
I haven’t watched the movie, and many will attest to being affected by visuals regarding music, so my post below is devoid of much visual bias. It might however, change once I get to see the movie.
1. Universal Bunny – I would say this song is the most “average” of the rock songs in this CD. The bridge dragged, and I think there were too many things happening in this bridge to be coherent, and the transitions were jarring too. Regardless, I love the rhythm section on the chorus, which I have loved since I first heard this song.
2. Pink Monsoon – We’ve heard this, I love it, fits Sheryl like a glove, etc. It is easily the song that I would say is the best among the songs written here in terms of writing, the way it fits May’n's voice, the way it fits the character, and just general music artistry. It may be pop, but that IS the point, and it is made very well.
3. Gira Gira Summer – I’m hoping Megumi would get to sing this song, because a perky tone sounds better on her. We can guess that it will be for the second movie, but how it will be used is the question.
4. Izorado – The verses of this song remind me of a certain ’80′s rock band song, but I can’t pinpoint which one in particular. Verses aside, I like the arrangement in this song, but I do not like May’n's voice on it much. I’m talking about the parts where there are vocal harmonies layered – it doesn’t sound as clean as I expect it to be.
5. Aenai Toki – I believe this to be the song that is easiest to listen to along with Tenshi ni Nacchatta, and this is quite the May’n voice I like better, compared to when she belts. The mellowness of this song provides avenue for May’n to deliver a song with smoother vocals, all the while delivering emotions.
6. Eien Ni – Anyone once more thinking of GITS:SAC when this starts? If this wasn’t the case, I might have appreciated this song more because I expect to hear Origa’s or Ilaria’s smooth voices. This song starts with the low voice of May’n that I like, and I actually wish she kept with that kind of tone. It’s also odd how it sounds a bit off-key when she curls downward to reach the lower notes for the choruses. Regardless, even on a song like this, you could hear how much emotions she delivers in her voice, and that should make up for the rest.
7. Obelisk – Many fans in 2ch were raving about this song, probably because of the way it’s used the movie. I love both the arrangement and the melody. If this is indeed a battle song, then it does develop tension nicely at the start, and speeds up in the middle making for a good battle song. PEW PEW PEW
8. Tenshi ni Nacchatta (universal version) – I have a strong feeling no one will ever listen to the original arrangement again after hearing this. It is still bare, but not so much anymore. The violins were written to counterpoint May’n's voice and it worked simply but beautifully. And as I’ve said in Eien Ni, these kinds of songs tap the qualities of her voice the best in my opinion.
All in all, I think I’ll be listening to Aenai Toki, Obelisk, Tenshi ni Nachatta, Pink Monsoon. Though I still have a wish that these songs be sang by other people, I still think that they’re listenable on their own, and I’m sure with Kawamori in the directorial seat, these songs would not be wasted with the visuals!!!
Related Articles:
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- Gira Gira Summer in Macross F Radio (and more...)
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November 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
A review already? Don’t tell me a full version of the album has already been leaked? Or is this based on the samples found at Nico and Victor?
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Full. This is Macross we’re talking about, things are released at the speed of space time fold.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
that’s really awesome that you were able to get your hands on the full CD. I had no luck with finding it so far. I am really excited for tracks #1, #4, #6 and #7 myself so I can’t wait to get my hands on the full version sometime XD
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
❤ Thanks Kanno and May’n for giving us this piece of heaven ❤
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I like Universal Bunny but I feel you, from min. 3:15 to 4:30 the song is a total mess, although I like the “My fairy tail will never end” part, it’s like someone is mentally breaking down. I personally have a battle with Gira Gira Summer, it’s catchy as hell but I don’t like the arrangement at all, argh.
Izorado also reminds me of a certain 80 song, I might listen to my father’s music folders and see if I find it. On another note, I don’t know where they wanted to go with this song. Do not like.
I love Aenai Toki. Calm and nice, one of my favorites. Eien is not as bad as I thought and Obelisk has “I’M A BATTLE SONG” written all over it, and I really like the song too. I can’t wait to see the movie.
This Tenshi ni Naritchatta version is beautiful. Now I want one with only the violins and May’n's voice.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Izolado for me has two parts – the verses and everything else. If I could remove the verses, this is the kind of song that I absolutely love. It’s completely the electronic, harmonized, rock song with mellow parts that is prominent in GITS:SAC (that parts that I love were the ones where I found May’n's voice to be unfit though, so well… Just imagine Origa singing this. It’s written with “WIN” all over it) It depressed me a bit hearing the full version because that’s when the verses were revealed, and I didn’t like it at all.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Again? Where the heck did you get your hands on it?! Darn Mai, you’re being selfish.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Oh come on, it’s in the usual place (s)!!! One of them is out in the open even, and hasn’t been caught by their admins yet? It’s against the rules of _that_ board right? *__*;; I can’t post the stuff here of course! Ask around for people advertising they have it in forums, I’m sure they will oblige!!!
…have you joined YKDB yet?
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
LOL I CENSOR YOU (or you censor yourself)
-admin
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Oops. I wasn’t supposed to say that. Remove the comment above please.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Thanks mai!
Gira gira summer! WTH I’m hooked!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
The chorus (easily the best part) for Giri Giri Summer is totally catchy, hopefully the Bluray has some extended scenes featuring Giri Giri Summer.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I was hoping for something ala-Diamond Crevasse, but I guess Aenai Toki makes it up for this one on a short note.
Daisuki yo.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Actually, I think Tenshi ni Nachatta did that. Can you imagine the song coming up on an emotional part of the show? I can! And her “Anata dake ni” at the end of the chorus is easily one of the most beautiful she’s put out! DC, especially Shinkuu had the advantage of visuals, but in terms of song beauty and emotion, Tenshi ni Nacchatta does not fall short.
As an aside, I remember one post by May’n where she sounded like she was kiddingly complaining about how Kanno was pushing her to her vocal limit on a song with a head tone, and I have a strong hunch it’s this song. She hardly uses her throat voice at all in this song!!! It has a nice tone in the upper notes and I like it!
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I haven’t heard the universal version. Of course, I did hear the PV, and I love the strings! <3 Still listening to Gira Gira Summer. Will listen to it later.
But I really love that “Daisuki yo” part of Aenai Toki. Was just wishing that it’d be a little longer song (2 minutes is such a “kakabitin” song).
And here I was saying that I was disappointed with it back when I listened to the PV. It’s so catchy and it’s making me dance like Vice Ganda. Haha!
Just listened a while ago to Obelisk. It’s kind of like Northern Cross, only a little bit… umm… how should I call it… weaker or something? (I’m bad with adjectives.
)
Wonder which version of DC they’ll feature in the movie with that new costume of Sheryl? Excited to watch the movie! X3 Gira gira summer!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I already own this full album. Oh…god… it’s amazing, I like all of it… err…except for Izorado, I am little disappointed. Well, I can’t wait for Theatrical Feature Macross F (Frontier) – Itsuwari no Uta Hime : CM Ranka on December 16th
November 24th, 2009 at 1:51 am
I’m actually liking all the songs on the album (maybe less for Eien Ni), which is a big feat because I never liked Northern Cross, Lion or Infinity! I know shoot me please… Well I tried to listening all the time, hoping that I’d grow to like them (because everyone was raving about them), but I just couldn’t…
Anyways, my favourite is Tenshi ni Nacchatta — the new arrangement is just heavenly — and Obelisk
Btw, May’n once said that this new album was supposed to be more ‘RnB’…. er, what’s so RnB about it?? *confused*
November 24th, 2009 at 2:00 am
I’m still thinking if I should buy this CD or wait for some compilation album with songs from Macross F movie.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:36 am
The bridge in Universal Bunny is extremely similar to the one in Rise from GiTS. O_O
November 24th, 2009 at 3:05 am
@ Paliodor
I think you should wait compilation for both Sheryl and Ranka’s songs. There’s a chance that they will be release it
@ stormy panda
Are you already watched this movie?
November 24th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Of course not. T___T I live on the other side of the world…
November 24th, 2009 at 8:47 am
@stormy – aside from that, there are many songs here that remind me of GITS, only sang by… May’n.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Since some of the guys here are talking about a Sheryl/Ranka compilation album, lemme butt this question in. Do you think that maybe they’re going to create another Lion-like song (Obelisk kind of reminds me of Lion, plus a little bit of Northern Cross)… you know, a duet?
Aww…. I really wish that they would! I love the duets of May’n and Mamegu!!
November 24th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Digressing – the Izorado verses are kinda like Black Dog by Led Zeppelin, or Iron Man by Black Sabbath. I guess it was a general style in those days?
November 25th, 2009 at 3:32 am
not much Iron Man there but yeah, that riff could be straight from Page’s head and does have more than passing resemblance with Black Dog (on the other hand nothing in here reminds me of Iron Man…guitar tone and riff are both clearly different). Not that I’m whining about this resemblance
November 25th, 2009 at 3:50 am
ahh, guess that didn’t exactly answer the question. If by “in those days” you mean 70s hard rock scene, yeah. That riff is *very* archetypal 70s guitar riff. As a classic rock fan I really dig those verses.
(albeit once layered parts come track gains far more “modern” sound, overall)
(while it doesn’t remind me of Iron Man it does remind me of one another Sabbath song which I just can’t remember… but, well, the world of guitar riffing was so dominantly formed by Zeppelin & Sabbath in seventies it shouldn’t be surprise.
)
hmm, might as well write my own short reviews of songs… not that I think anyone is interested, just writing for sake of it =P
November 25th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
[...] too want to see the Macross films, soon. Posted by omo in Macross, English-Language Modern Visual Fandom, [...]
November 27th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Phew. Finally got it.
Fave tracks: Universal Bunny, Eien, Gira Gira Summer (Ranka would be a better vocalist for this) & Obelisk.
There’s something familar about the ‘reason for your love’ part in Obelisk, just after the 1st chorus. Where have I heard it again…? o.O
November 28th, 2009 at 4:16 am
completely forgot that I intended ot write review of sorts ^^’
Universal Bunny: mixed-bag but is propably epic when visuals are counted with it. I really like the urgent “pumping” whenever song speeds up and the chorus is great high-energy frenzy. But as has come up often the entire C-part/bridge (I think both are there) is utter mess. Verses are okayish so overall this is somewhat above average. And what’s up with keyboards in the beginning? I don’t like their sound much…
Pink Monsoon: best track and I very much agree with mai how it fits Sheryl etc. It’s surprisingly original one and once I got over the initial bafflement it caused I’ve started to enjoy it greatly. I wouldn’t call it “sexy” though. Filtered, fuzzied, manipulated etc. to hell to great effect. I love this track.
Gira Gira Summer: as has come up couple of times there so needs to be Ranka cover of this song in second film. *Must* be. I’ll go and kidnap Kawamori and make him write such scene to second film if nothing else works.
Fun and very catchy. But this really needs Ranka cover of it, the “watashi no kare wa pilot” vocal style would be absolutely perfect for this track. And though I like this I have to say Gira ain’t Kira to me! 
Izorado: my reaction to verses is exact opposite to mai’s one. I really dig them – I never thought I’d hear tribute to classic rock in MF. May’n can do rock vocals well. I also dig the choruses (since vocals are manipulated, sliced etc. to hell I’m not sure how much we’d gain from Origa singing this overall *shrug* ) and I love the contrasting overall structure of the song. It’s quite original. Another favourite of mine
Aenai Toki: FINALLY Sheryl song of this style (ballad? whatever) that’s good and memorable. One of May’n better vocals and the beautiful melody certainly helps with this. I still really don’t like her nasal – which distracts me at some parts – but overall this is great performance and good track. But for some reason – just like with Yousei – I can barely remember this song afterwards. I don’t know why =/
Eien Ni: utterly forgettable and quite boring.
Obelisk: Only one able to challenge Pink Monsoon. I love the melody and chorus is *awesome*. All around this is Northern Cross-lite, I feel. Really great track. Reminds me of GitS for some reason. With reasonably stunning visuals would propably emerge as my favourite song.
Tenshi ni Nacchatta (universal version): vastly better than single arrangement. I rather like it when listening to it but afterwards I barely remember anything about the track. It’s the same thing as with Yousei – while listening to it I think “this is beautiful” but afterwards… nothing. This song just doesn’t involve me on emotional level and I don’t know why. =(
Well, these are my thoughts on album. Feel free to disagree etc.
Overall – while slightly disappointing in comparison to other MF OSTs – this is good album which most importantly *feels* somehow very in character. I’m not listening to May’n singing, I’m listening to Sheryl. For some reason this album reminds me a lot of 80s though. Maybe it’s all the processing etc. going on?
Ones I listen to most: Pink Monsoon, Obelisk, Izorado and Gira Gira Summer. And Universal Bunny even if only for choruses.
Xard
November 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Went to see the movie today. Bit of a train wreck…No spoilers here though. Obelisk was indeed a pretty awesome song. All of the songs featured were used very well. It was Sheryl’s movie basically.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Listening to the album as we speak…I really, really like ‘Eien’ (it’s like an Ayumi Hamasaki song, I swear!…but I like Ayu so no worries there) and ‘Aenai toki’ *_* I wish they’d been used but there was no room for them at all. The lyrics are perfect on ‘Aenai toki’…love ‘em.
Obelisk is indeed t3h awesome – see it in action guys
the beginning sounds a bit like one of the instrumentals off the Macross F OSTs, doesn’t it? The chorus was like OMG in the film ^_^ it’s all about the chorus in this song. The lyrics of the last chorus feel like an instruction on how to do CPR haha
By the way Yousei made a little appearance in the film too ^^V
Gira gira summer = Kylie. For real. Meh, I’ll skip this and Izorado
Tenshi ni nacchatta…so nice…sleepy….