音時雨 ~Regentropfen~

✿ Ar Tonelico III Hymmnos: review part.2 – yet still nice

Yesterday I talked about A.T. 3 Hymmnos concert red side, and I was a bit disappointed in it, because it’s not that A.T.-ish. Today, I’m going to talk more (?) on another album: the blue side. However, these reviews are only my totally personal feelings. I don’t expect you guys accept them. I just want to say what I felt at my first a few times of listening. I’m also planning to write something (maybe not), after I read the booklet and get more ideas from the game context.
[SAKIYA=RUMEI side:]
1. GUST – Legend of Ar tonelico III
Still, this is an introduction, with more legend-telling-like ambience.
2. Akiko Shikata/志方あきこ – utau oka/謳う丘~Harmonics TILIA~
Like the previous works, the famous opening theme song “utau oka” starts the whole hymmnos concert. This song was in the preview, at the very beginning. But I didn’t recognize the part in the preview was a variant of “utau oka.” This time, this main melody changed a lot; only the rhythm and tempo were kept. But, I like it; it has a lot A.T.-elements!
3. Akiko Shikata/志方あきこ – EXEC_EP=NOVA/.
OMG! I loved this song since the preview has been out! It’s so cute (even the booklet has a special cute page for this song xD)! It seems to be a story about the daily fight between two cats, and cuteness is THE thing you can find out in it in most times. In the background, Akiko sang the “nyanya~” and made me couldn’t stop laughing!! I can do nothing when listen to this song!! This song would not be a standard A.T.-ish song, but, it IS bright and cute. It also reminds me the song “Pepen” from the A.T. orgel arrange album!
4. Akiko Shikata/志方あきこ – EXEC_FLIP_ARPHAGE/.
Nice song it is. This song also led the whole preview. Although I think it’s a bit like Akiko’s album “Harmonia,” what else can I say but this song is epically wonderful? Akiko used the multi-voice to render the song and gave it a feeling of an ancient scene: the story inside the song was begun. Then, the melody was opened widely, she sang more intensely. The story went on. Finally, the melody returned to be quiet. The song ended, yet the story would still continue. A story was told in a language no body knows.
5. Akiko Shikata/志方あきこ – toki no suna/トキノスナ
This is also a typical Akiko-ish song. However, when I firstly listened to it, I thought it would also have some eufonius-like elements. I couldn’t tell and still don’t know why. Both of the melody and the way of chorus and the arrangement were like what I can feel from some eufonius songs. Hmmm… who knows? xD
6. Yoko – EXEC_METEMPSYCHOSIS/.
Yoko Ueno, I only have ever heard a few of her songs, but she is a nice composer/singer. Her voice is clear and strong. I’m wondering if they took Yoko (and/or KOKIA) to replace the position of Yuuko Ishibashi… Anyway, this song is basically good. The Yoko’s multi-voice is nice too!
7. KOKIA – EXEC_REBIRTHIA=PROTOCOL/.
Ahhh, finally, here comes KOKIA. Although I would have repeated for several times, I still wanna say, the performance of KOKIA in A.T. was such a surprise!
This song was the ending song of the preview mix. The melody is very KOKIA-ish! I like it (especially the introduction)!! This song is very similar to KOKIA’s “hoshikuzu no vocalize/星屑のヴォカリーズ” from her balance albums. However, listen to this song, I don’t think I’m listening to A.T. Hymmnos concerts, and what I feel should be I’m just playing a KOKIA album. lol
8. KOKIA – EXEC_COSMOFLIPS/.
This song…………
KOKIA sings Hymmnos……
…………………
It’s way too epic to say more here. I loved it, and was looking forward the whole version right after I listened to it from the preview.
Too nice…
Too awesome…
Too epic…
……………
We’re listening to a divine song…. *_____*
Afterwards, I checked the booklet. KOKIA wrote the lyrics, composed the music; the arranger of it was Masumi Itou (also known as Hikaru Nanase)!!! MY GODDESS!!! Remember “KARMA”? Remember “Transparent”? This is her! KOKIA herself also mentioned in her blog that she likes Hikaru Nanase’s music. Yes, I agree that the two can make good music! Awful ladies……… m(_ _)m
9. KOKIA – 光の中に
It is another typical KOKIA song. Here, again, I get the feeling that I’m not listening to the A.T. Hymmnos concerts but a typical KOKIA album. lol Anyhow, a good song it is sure enough.
10. Akiko Shikata/志方あきこ – Ec Tisia
Yay, Akiko is the queen of Ar Tonelico Hymmnos! I like the melody and singing in the first part of the song. A medley of previous A.T. songs were presented here too, and it’s pretty nice too.
11. GUST – Planet Gene
The background rhythm was like the heartbeat. The melody was slow and calm. Only to read the title, what I can say could be “our story has ended, but the planet is going on, and there will be more and more stories to be told in future.”
Overall.
I was pretty satisfied by this album. I strongly recommend this one especially the KOKIA’s “divine song”. Akiko and KOKIA (I’m also so glad that KOKIA chose to use “KOKIA” but her real name “Akiko” lol) did a nice job. The Yoko song is very good as well. Also, again, again, and again, I will say: “KOKIA’s join is so nice”! Although I miss Yuuko Ishibashi’s performance, KOKIA’s presence balanced the absence of Yuuko. The only weak point of this this album could be that it is too bad that some songs have no translation from the Hymmnos in the booklet. >_<