Furu Anime Panikku

This is what I have been looping for the past few days ever since Bump of Chicken’s new album’s latest album was released a few days ago, on the 19th of December. Just in time for Christmas ^^

17 tracks and 1 hidden track. Let me do a brief run through all the 18 tracks. Of course, I have selected some music samples that would be provided. After all, what good is a music review without the readers being able to listen to the music firsthand?

1. voyager : The album starts of with a rather soothing track. The track begins with in a rather silent way, with the guitar strums and the satellite-like sound, transporting the listener into space. In my opinion, this is their best opening track so far, totally suiting the theme of the album.

2. 星の鳥 (Hoshi no tori) : An brief smooth instrumental track which is derived from the tune of Mayday. Despite it lasting for less than a minute, I felt that it possessed the feel of “outer space”. Also, it marks the beginning of the listener’s journey.

3. メーデー (Mayday) : From the previous instrumental track based on the same tune, there is a smooth transition into the actual song. Despite the song being named after a cry for help, one would expect it to sound depressing and desperate. Instead, it is fast-paced and lively.

4. 才悩人応援歌 (Sainou Hito Ouenka) : This song continues to maintain the hype and life of Mayday. I found this song have a slight resemblance with an older Bump of Chicken song, 乗車権. With this being first full length song that has not been featured in any past Single release, I took quite a liking to it.

5. プラネタリウム (Planetarium) : Time to lay back and gaze at the stars in your mind’s planetarium. A slow and soothing song. Bump of Chicken seems to excel in slow songs. Although this song was released 2 years ago, I still find it fresh each time I tune in.

6. supernova : This is the best slow paced song on this album. The tune is simple, but the lyrics are rather profound. This is another song released in a Single 2 years ago.

7. ハンマーソングと痛みの塔 ( Hammer Song to Itami no Tou) : A rather average song, not one of their best, but still decent. Still, I realised its rather addictive after a couple of loops.

8. 時空かくれんぼ (Jikuu Kakurenbo) : I expected this song to be another of their calm slow songs, but it seems that the song had more liveliness injected as it went on. I didn’t really like this song as much as the other tracks.

9. かさぶたぶたぶ (Kasabuta Butabu) : A light hearted song for easy listening. I’m not really sure what this song is about, but the parts with “Kasabuta Butabu” made it sound like a rather fun-filled song.

10. 花の名 (Hana no Na) : This song was released as a Single on the same date as Mayday. It is an awesome song in its own aspect, but still unable to score higher than Supernova. Perhaps it’s the lyrics that give a slightly weaker impact than Supernova did.

11. ひとりごと (Hitorigoto) : This song feels similar to Kasabuta Butabu. I might have to loop it a few more times before I can say anything more about it.

12. 飴玉の唄 (Amedama no Uta) : This definitely has to be the favourite song that has not been released as a Single. The introduction of the song somewhat reminds me of the first ED of Eureka SeveN, Himitsu Kichi. I am unable to express why I love this song so much, except that it gives me a warm fuzzy feel, so you would just have to listen to it for yourself.

13. 星の鳥 reprise ( Hoshi no Tori reprise) : I have no idea why this track is placed in the middle of the album. A short break for the listener, I presume.

14. カルマ (Karma) : A song released in the same Single as Supernova, and also the theme song for the Playstation 2 game, Tales of the Abyss. This song is on-par with Mayday, both claiming the best upbeat song in Orbital Period.

15. arrows : This slow-paced melodious song has caught my attention, but my Japanese sucks and I can’t understand the lyrics. If only I could, the song’s value to me would increase by 100%.

16. 涙のふるさと : I’m not sure about what others think or feel of this song, but it gives me the feel of going on a journey. An emotional journey.

17. flyby : The closing track of the album. The songs starts of slow, followed by a sudden blast of energy. It’s definitely a good way to end the album with the listener feeling recharged with life. This track shares the same tune as the opening track, but it a notch above it.

18. BELIEVE : This is hilarious. With the whole band starting of with the word “believe”, they sidetrack and start singing about various random stuff, such as their single release sales and such. This is a bonus track not listed on the official track list which is meant to poke some fun, so do not expect anything out of it.

I have had a fun time listening to this album, although only a few songs in the album stuck to the album’s theme. And I hope that you had awesome time too.

Anyway, the samples are there to promote this album, so please make a purchase to support Bump of Chicken, if you liked the songs.

My copy of Orbital Period has already been ordered, but it won’t be shipped until late January, together with my Gurren Lagann DVDs 6 and 7. Sigh, such a long wait. Damn international shipping for being so expensive :<

And now for another 2-3 year long wait for the next album.

P.S. Any kind soul would like to help translate some of the songs’ lyrics? I would be really grateful if you do =)