Bikkuri Project

I said I would write a review of C-ute’s new album, 3^rd Love Escalation, and I would never break a promise to you all, so here we go.

Overall-

I’m a bit disappointed. There are some good things, but overall I think it’s too safe. Aside from one particular track, the new songs lean heavily toward the generic. It’s not bad, but I think that C-ute’s other albums are both better. Also, I don’t know how it escaped my attention that none of C-ute’s major singles had been albumized before, but this album has all four of them. Four singles on an album with only 10 tracks makes for not very many original songs, which is kind of to be expected from a h!p album I guess, but I was still a bit sad. I do appreciate that they’ve continued with having each member participate in either a duet or a solo. It gives us a chance to hear some of the less utilized voices in the group. Here’s a track by track review of just the new material.

2. Image Color- Airi/Maimi

Honestly, I expected better from the group’s two main singers. There is nothing the least bit vocally challenging in this song. An Airi/Maimi duet should be spectacular, and this was just kind of forgettable. I swear, Airi almost sounded like Nakki at some points, and that’s not a good thing. The song reminds me a bit of ‘Aozora ga Itsudemo..etc’ so if you like that one you might like this. Rated so low not because it’s really that terrible but because it should have been SO much better. 1/5

3. Otome Kokoro

This one is slower, and glory-be, I can hear a fair number of Chisato lines! It’s a nice, relaxing sort of song, with a pretty chorus. A bit boring, but I rather like it. The image I get is of the girls lying on their backs in a nice sunny meadow somewhere looking up at the clouds. 3/5

5. Honmerare Nobiko no Theme Kyoku

This is my favorite of the new group songs. Once again, there are Chisato lines which is worth an extra star right there. The song it’s self is more dancey, kind of in the style of Bishoujo Shinri (but not as powerful). It’s pretty catchy, and they didn’t forget the hooks this time, but I feel like the tempo should have been just a bit faster. It would have given it more energy, and the song runs out of steam by the end. 4/5

6. Sweeeets Live- Chisato/Kanna

The intro starts out with an ethnic sounding beat, and then some computerized effects, giving me hope that this will be an interesting song. Then the verses start, and I am utterly disappointed by the lack of actual singing. The verses are kind of monotonal and ‘talked’ through, much like a Koharu song. It’s just a crying shame to give Chisato and Kanna a Koharu-style song, because they both deserve better. They sing quite well, and the chorus is okay, but neither ever get a chance to really open up and sing. “Bokura no Kagayaki”, with the awesome Chisa introduction, was so much better. This is the second biggest disappointment on the album, after the Airi/Maimi duet. 2/5

8. Hare no platinum Doori- Mai/Saki

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s really about as good as it could be, being a Mai/Saki duet. I think those girls voices are too similar for them to be paired for duets, but maybe that’s just me. The sound is really old-fashioned, like golden age of idols old-fashioned. Well, it’s not great, but the melody was nice enough, and it could have been a lot worse. 3/5

9.Do don ga don ondou- Erika

Just when I thought this entire album was utterly boring and safe, Erika comes along and saves the day with her tribute to that Odoru 11 song. Is Erika trying to show more personality? Because I fully support that idea. Behind all the silliness and childishness there are some strong vocals. Erika’s singing really has improved. She might just be moving up in my C-ute ranking soon. 5/5

I wanted to love this album, but I was left feeling a bit ho-hum about the whole thing. Maybe I’ll like it better when I hear the songs in concert.

Whatever,

~Celestia~

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