Crystal Kay [ALL YOURS] (Seventh Album)

Konna ni Chikaku de… (So Close…)
Dream World
Anytime
Anata no Soba de (By Your Side)
Cherish
STILL
Butterfly’s Garden
きっと永遠に Kitto Eien ni (Certainly Eternally)
ESCALATOR
Sugar Rain
I WANNA BE
Lonely Girl
Midnight Highway
Last Kiss

The album starts off with the rather grandiose Konna ni Chikaku de… (So Close…). I was a little too in love with this song when it first came out, I still kind of am. I love how grand the arrangement is, its so classical and is definitely different from anything I’ve ever heard from Kuri. The way it opens the song is just love. Kuri-chan’s vocals are a bit hit or miss on the other hand. I actually really like Kuri’s voice, but I don’t know, lately she’s been sounding a bit like she’s losing her voice. I did enjoy how she got into the song, and from a certain point of view she gave a pretty strong vocal performance especially when she hit that note towards the end: ‘i’m so in love with you!’ which is my favorite part of the song. This was a great opening to the album.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Dream World. I use to really dislike this song, and honestly I can’t really say why. I think it was because I just didn’t like how pop friendly it was, I don’t know. It does have a dabble of rnb in it, though it sounds a bit tribal if you ask me. I mean its pretty interesting and does go with the whole flow of the song. Kuri sounded a lot content in this song and I really liked her casual vocal performance, she sounded not so losing her voice in this track. Its a pretty upbeat song, that has a nice catchy chorus and I think its really grown on me.

The next track is the slow and sure Anytime. Oh, I really like this song. Its light rnb and just plays so nice. The arrangement is typical for a song like this, but its very fitting and I like how it seems to wash over you. Kuri’s vocals were all right, though I didn’t too much like it I still thought she did a good job, emotion wise. This is a new sound, rnb wise from her and I like it. It gives you a rather desperate feeling in regards to loving someone.

The next track on the album is Anata no Soba de (By Your Side). I use to really dislike this song, I mean there was just something about it that I didn’t quite like. I’m starting to think it was the video, though I guess its because its sounded so different from what I was use to hearing from her and it kind a threw me off. This sounds like a more tamer version of ‘Konna ni…’ and the arrangement is lot more upbeat, less classical sounding and more  rnb and pop. I liked it. Kuri’s vocals were pretty good in this, I really enjoyed the chorus it was a lot of fun, though I don’t think that was the intention. It just really makes me want to sing along to someone I’m interested in. I mean compared to the last track, this gives you a certain hopeful feeling in regards to love.

The next track on the album is the charming Cherish. This is hands down my favorite song on the album, I loved it then and I still love it now. The arrangement is a rather nice piano piece, it sounds sparkly and seems to just flow. Kuri’s vocals were near perfect on this song, I mean I loved the verses and most definitely the chorus. I mean its an rnb song but it has a sort of class to it, that her old rnb tracks didn’t have. It seems a lot more adult and I liked how it sounded like she was really telling you how she felt about whoever this guy is that she’s missing. I mean she put the right amount of emotion into her voice and it really made this a good listen, one of her best songs.

The next track on the album keeps the slow jams coming with STILL. This is the Japanese version of As One and though I like this song the English version is a bit better in my opinion. The arrangement is sad and intimate at the same time, I really like it and it goes so well with the whole flow of the song. Kuri-chan’s vocals were good as well, but she strains a lot and its almost ridiculous in a sense because this song doesn’t really ask for much. Still, this is a good down-tempo song from her and seems to be a part of this classy rnb she had going for her with this album.

The next track on the album is the whimsical Butterfly’s Garden. This song always seems to play like an interlude to me and maybe if it had I would have liked it. I really want to like this song so bad, because its not a bad song, it just doesn’t really offer much. The arrangement is gorgeous and if it had been a straight instrumental I would have most likely enjoyed it more. Kuri-chan’s vocal performance really ruins this song, she strains way too much and for a song that should offer some sort of emotional intensity it really falls flat. I always think this song is going to grow on me, but it never does.

The next track on the album is the power ballad きっと永遠に Kitto Eien ni (Certainly Eternally). I always find myself flip-flopping with this song, when I first heard it I hated it, listened to it again and I found myself actually liking it, now I’m just sort of ‘meh’ about it. The arrangement is gorgeous and creates such atmosphere, its Kuri’s vocals that make this song so hit or miss. I just really hate how strained her voice sounds during those higher parts of the chorus, it just makes me wonder if she’s losing her voice or something, because she did not sound like this in Call Me Miss…. I don’t know, I’m on the fence with this track, but I don’t like it at the moment.

The next track on the album thankfully ups the pace with ESCALATOR. This is definitely the most refreshing song on this album and one I find I always enjoy on each and every listen of it. The arrangement is a bit on the techno side, perhaps synth? It manages to carry an edge an attitude to it though despite being pretty upbeat and rnb-ish. Kuri’s vocals were a bit fine in this, if she strained I hardly noticed.

The next track on the album is the throw-back sounding Sugar Rain. This is definitely old school rnb, though light, I really love the sound of it. The arrangement seemed to really reflect the title, I mean I kept thinking of sparkling rain falling from the sky and tasting like sugar and Kuri-chans: ’sugar rain is falling down’ doesn’t help much with that imagery. I thought her vocal performance was pretty good, the song doesn’t ask for much so her vocals didn’t strain as much or at all really. This is a nice song.

The next track on the album is the tinkling I WANNA BE. I mean that as in, it has this tinkle melody sound that is strangely fitting. Just like ‘butterfly’s garden’ I really want to like this song, but I can’t. The arrangement is fine, its Kuri’s vocals that ruin this track. She sounds like she needs a lozenge and those backing vocals are tired. This song is all right in a sense, but it annoys me like no other song from her has managed to do before and it just boggles my mind.

The next track on the album is Lonely Girl. The latter half of this album tends to drag, but next to ‘escalator’ I’ve always liked this song a lot. The arrangement is rnb, I can’t even really say its pop, because its not, it some sort of hybrid dance rnb or something–the arrangement is different but it really fits the song. I liked Kuri’s vocals in this song, she seemed to really get into this and I didn’t notice any strain. I always enjoy this song when I listen to it, most notably the chorus.

The second to last track on the album is the long-winded Midnight Highway. This is quite possibly the only song on this album that I really dislike. I’ve stated before how much I loath songs with ‘midnight’ in the title and well I can add another one to my list. The arrangement is generic throwaway pop and rnb and how cliche was the motorcycle starting up at the start of the song? Kuri’s vocals are near ear-bleed inducing and I’m honestly not getting why her tones are so off, when she got into the song–for reasons that are beyond me–and started ad-libbing and hitting those ‘i need a cough drop bad’ notes I wanted to click the song off. I just really don’t like this song and this is definitely one of my least favorite Kuri-chan tracks.

The next track on the album is the strain fest Last Kiss. I still like this song though, imagine that. I think I heard trumpets in the arrangement, if so, very nice. I love the old school feel of this song and how it gives off a very nostalgic and charming atmosphere. Kuri did not give her best vocal performance, but I’m sure she did the best she could. I mean its glaring, but I like the song so I’ll overlook it. The only other really problem I had with this track aside from Kuri’s vocals is that this song seemed a bit long and that kind of dragged it down, because I found myself becoming anxious for it to end. Nice song, not the best album closer.

-GRADE: B+
Rating: ** stars

Crystal Kay’s seventh album ALL YOURS was a pretty decent album, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to her previous album Call Me Miss…. I thought it was nice how she let go of the heavy rnb sound and went for a more lighter approach in concerns to the genre. It made the songs as well as the album seem and sound very mature, and it was a welcome and rather different listen from what I was use to listening to from her. However, Kuri-chan’s vocals are the worst I have ever heard and most of the time she sounded like her voice was going out and it was all rather painful and ruined some potentially good songs. The first half of the album blew me away, it was good song after good song, then after ‘butterfly’s’ garden’ the album seems to slip into something else entirely and the second half became pretty much hit or miss for me. ALL YOURS is still a good album though, its actually her most experimental album to date–well Color Change! as well, but I haven’t listened to that fully so I can’t really comment. I wish she would take more advantage of this specific sound and maybe her next studio album will be even more of an enjoyable listen.

Crystal Kay [ONE] (25th Single) +ONE Pokemon Edition~

ONE
Suki
ONE (CORNELIUS MIX)
ONE (DEXIPISTOLS MIX)

Crystal Kay’s 25th single starts off with the a-side ONE. I remember being a bit disappointed with this song when it first came out, I still kind of am. The arrangement is nice in a sense and rather fitting, but its really quite bland and doesn’t do much but what it should. Kuri-chan’s vocal performance was decent, but I hate how her voice sounded a bit hoarse mostly on the somewhat more higher notes of the song. Kuri seemed to be a bit into this, but I really thought she could have put more into it, because though I like this song I didn’t feel a connection to her at all. This song seems to play and you’re like: ‘what a nice song…’ and then it ends and you’re wondering if you were listening to a song at all? Its pretty forgettable and one of her weakest if not weakest ballad to date.

The next track on the single is the b-side Suki. This song really always surprises me and manages to outshine the lukewarm a-side. The arrangement is techno-pop, but its kind of edgy and sexy and I like it. It certainly kept my interest especially considering it has a bit of variety. Kuri’s vocals were a bit serious, I mean the way she says: ’suki’ seems to give no room for argument. I also liked the slight vocoder-ness of her voice in certain parts, it really went well with the song and made it a lot more enjoyable then it would have been had the techno elements been absent and she opted for a full rnb track. This is a good b-side and a whole lot better than ONE.

The single also comes with two remixes: ONE CORNELIUS MIX is all right but gets kind of annoying fast and ONE DEXIPISTOLS MIX which I didn’t like at all.

-GRADE: B
Rating: ** stars

Crystal Kay’s 25th single ONE is pretty hit or miss, but in my case the only thing good on this single is the b-side. ONE is all right, but as an a-side its too weak and forgettable. Suki certainly brought interest to this album by bringing variety and putting the a-side to shame. The remixes were just filler. I hope her next single isn’t as disappointing.

ONE
ONE w/ Pikachu & Shaymin

Crystal Kay’s special Pokemon edition single starts off with the a-side ONE. There really is no difference, its just that this one seems a bit more livelier.

The last track on the single–which comes after the karaoke version–is ONE with Pikachu & Shaymin. Its the same song, just with Pikachu and this Shaymin character talking excitedly over Kuri-chan’s vocal performance. It was all rather annoying. Also, I was under the impression that they were going to have Pikachu sing with Crystal.

-GRADE: D
Rating: 1/2 star

There’s not much to say about this single really. I mean I still like ONE because I just do, but its sounds just as bland an uninteresting on this single as it did on the regular edition. The Pokemon edition was worthless and I feel sorry for whoever wasted their money on it, I mean even die-hard Pokemon and or Pikachu fans should skip this. It makes me think, ‘what was the point?’

Crystal Kay [637 -always and forever-] (Second Album)

Girl’s Night
interlude~my ex
Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
CURIOUS
He Will Be Mine
ANOTHER BEST THING
Guardian Angel
interlude~conditioner*
Honey Glue
Tsuki no Nai Yoru, Michi no Nai Basho (月のない夜　道のない場所; A Moonless Night, a Roadless Place)
Holiday Fighter
Couldn’t Care Less
LOST CHILD [ORIGINAL VERSION]

The album starts off with the up-tempo Girl’s Night. I use to really not like this song, I thought it came off as so wannabe and fake, I really disliked it. I mean the song starts off with Kuri-chan dedicating this song to all her girls, then she starts naming them (Cherish???) and that’s when I use to always turn my ears off. I finally decided to give this song a real listen, and well its not as bad as I first thought it was. The arrangement is pretty interesting, very robotic sounding in the beginning then it gets into the beat and it pounds into you, perfect for a party, you could really hang and have fun to this beat. Kuri’s vocals are good, she hits all the right notes and really brings energy and urban flavor to this song, to make it quite the engaging tune. ‘It’s my time to shine!’ I mean you can get down to this. I thought the, ‘Yo’ [insert name here] where we going next?’ was cute. Nice start to the album.

The next track is the brief and ultra whack interlude~my ex. Its strange because this guy calls his friend up and asks him where Kuri is, the dude responds with some ‘you don’t have your girl on lock?’ and he’s like, ’she’s not my girl’ so then its like, ‘then why do you want to know where she is?’ Its a really lame interlude track, but it was a very amusing one.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Ex-Boyfriend feat. VERBAL. This is another song off this album that I didn’t really like at first, because I thought it was stupid. However, now I can totally relate. The arrangement is your typical rnb flare, with enough beat and rhythm to keep it consistent and interesting. Kuri’s vocals are pretty tame in this, mostly during the chorus, but I still thought it was a good song, with a bit of attitude. The chorus is definitely the highlight. VERBAL’s part was brief, but didn’t detract. The only problem I had with this song was that after awhile the chorus can become a tad annoying and it seems to go on for far longer than it should.

The next track on the album is the surprising CURIOUS. This song really surprised me in a good way. The arrangement is very light rnb with a simple piano arrangement that is easy on the ears. Kuri’s vocals were also light and very nice, mixing perfectly with the easy-going arrangement to make a nice and memorable little rnb number. ‘I’m not madly in love, but I guess I’m just curious’… well that explains a lot.

The next track is the mid-tempo He Will Be Mine. This is a pretty hit or miss song, but I’ll say I like it. The arrangement is almost like pop and rnb, and it has enough rhythm to it to perhaps get your body moving. Kuri’s vocals are good in this, I like the somewhat aggressiveness of her voice, and how she brought a bit of personality to this song. This isn’t a track I would normally like, and in truth I probably won’t even listen to this song again unless I happen to go through the whole album, but its still an all right song, even if it is a bit stale and repetitive. It also sounds like another version of Girl’s Night.

The next track on the album is the acoustic ANOTHER BEST THING. This song is pretty inspirational and light, and reminds me of a more tamer version of her song Fly Away. The arrangement is very minimal, all I heard was a nice guitar melody throughout, that stayed consistent. Kuri’s vocals were decent, her voice got high a bit mostly during the chorus and it sounded a bit strained, or like she was running out of breath, but all in all she really did a good job on this song.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Guardian Angel. This song has really grown on me, because I don’t think I really too much liked this when I first listened to it. The arrangement is rnb, a bit of synth and rhythm blended to make this quite the track with attitude. Kuri’s vocals were nice in a sense, her voice was pretty docile during the verses, then when the chorus comes, in comes the attitude and it kind of pops out at you, snaring your attention. This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the attitude this song exudes, its a pretty good track.

The next track is the hilarious interlude~conditioner. This is one of the most ridiculous but most endearing interludes I have ever heard. It sounds like she’s in a mall and they’re talking about herbal essence conditioner. Then to my shock Kuri says, ‘what the fuck is conditioner? It’s conditionaaaa…’ I couldn’t believe my ears, she was so underage during this and she said it so casually. I loved the, ‘do, do, do, do’ parts, very cute. I say interludes don’t get anymore amusing than this.

The next track on the album is the odd Honey Glue. This is one of those songs I like one minute and hate the next. I’m not sure how I feel about this song right now. The arrangement is very folk-like and country, which gives it a bit of variety and appeal. It also has an acoustic like vibe to it. Kuri’s vocals are pretty decent in this song, though when her tones weren’t low, they were pretty strained and seemed to require a lot of effort, from a song that doesn’t ask for much. I don’t get the whole ‘honey glue’ of the title, that little tidbit always seems to throw me off, but this song has a light charm to it, even if it can become annoying and impossible. It seems to be telling a story. I’ll give this song the benefit of the doubt, its all right.

The next track on the album is the melancholy Tsuki no Nai Yoru, Michi no Nai Basho (月のない夜　道のない場所; A Moonless Night, a Roadless Place). When I first really listened to this song, I remember being very moved by it, moved like I was when I first heard Darling P.P.P. off her first album. The arrangement is minimal, but the sad thrumming of the guitar really creates an atmosphere of lost hope or failed dreams. Kuri’s vocals were really up and down in this, low during the verses, high during the chorus. I liked her vocals in this though. The low-ness of the verses sets the pace, and then she brings us home with the high lilt of her voice during the chorus. This track invokes such loneliness inside of you, but an even bigger feeling of hope.

The next track on the album is the endearing Holiday Fighter. I’m inclined to like this song, I really am. The arrangement holds a bit of variety, I actually really liked the guitar throughout, except at the end, because it sounded so out of place. Kuri’s vocals were decent, but only were they good during the chorus. In fact the chorus is the whole reason why I like this song, since the verses are pretty unmemorable. I wonder if Kuri-chan was in an inspirational type mood when she went into this album, because this marks the third in a series of sad yet hopeful tracks.

The second to last song on the album is the weepy Couldn’t Care Less. I say weepy, because honestly no matter how many times Kuri says she doesn’t care, I know she cares. This is the only song on this album that is in all English. I wonder why Kuri-chan doesn’t put out another English album this time with all NEW material, instead of her Japanese songs translated (god I hate when they do that). The arrangement is very simple, but it serves its purpose and creates the right dejected but resolute mood. Kuri’s vocals were pretty good as well, especially at the end when she was ad-libbing. I didn’t like this song at first, but it has grown on me.

The last track on the album is the semi long-winded LOST CHILD [ORIGINAL VERSION]. I use to really loathe this song, and honestly I don’t know why. I guess its because when I first listened to this it came across as very boring and bland to me. It still sort a is. The arrangement is really lovely, sweeping and orchestra like. It makes me think of snow. Kuri’s vocals were lovely in this as well, she went with high tones and they blended in perfectly, not once getting annoying. The problem I have with this song is that it goes on forever with no immediate end in sight. Its over six minutes long, and that’s just too long for a song that doesn’t really have much to offer. Still, this is a nice listen and a comforting and warm way to end the album.

-GRADE: B+
Rating: **1/2 stars

Crystal Kay’s second album 637 ~always and forever~ is a really good album, to my complete surprise. I may never know why she decided to put the ‘637′ in front of ‘always and forever’ but it doesn’t matter, the title for some reason always makes me feel nostalgic, that and the cover, which is my favorite Kuri-chan cover, because it reminds me of how I was when I was a teenager, vibrant and carefree. When I first listened to this album, I actually really hated it and it took me a minute before I actually went back in gave it another shot. Girl’s Night and Ex-Boyfriend I actually really disliked, but now I really love them, if only because I relate to them so bad, especially the latter. A lot of the songs on here seemed very inspirational to me, and it makes me wonder if Kuri was going through some things and just wanted to pick herself up: ANOTHER BEST THING, Guardian Angel, Honey Glue, Tsuki no Nai Yoru, Michi no Nai Basho, Holiday Fighter, and LOST CHILD really give me that vibe; they all succeed in accomplishing that emotion of feeling hopeless, but knowing that hope does exist. Kuri also got a bit too rnb and showed her black side with songs like He Will Be Mine, CURIOUS and Couldn’t Care Less. Oh and let’s not forget the classic ‘conditioner’ interlude. 637 ~always and forever~ reminded me of that youthful, fun and experimental (rnb wise) side of Kuri-chan that I loved. I find that I miss this side of her.

Crystal Kay [Namida no Saki de (Before the Tears)] (24th Single)

Namida no Saki de (Before the Tears)
Girl Move On
Dream World SOIDOG MIX
Namida no Saki ni (SOIDOG MIX)

Crystal Kay’s 24th single starts off with the a-side Namida no Saki de (Before the Tears). This is an up-tempo song, that is just pop, pop, pop and furthermore pop. I was so excited to learn that Kuri-chan was coming out with some new material, because I loved ALL YOURS and it could only get better from there. I mean when I heard this song in its entirety, the sheer poppiness threw me off, but then once I really got into it, I found that it was a really fun song. The arrangement is very bright and vibrant, it gives off a feeling of summer and its really upbeat and somewhat danceable. Kuri-chan’s vocals were a bit strained, but they were still good and consistent, and really drove home the whole never give up motto I keep reciting to myself. I thought this was a great song, I really adored the chorus and thought it was something new and different and fresh. This song is certainly a-side material.

The second track on the single is the b-side Girl Move On. This song really surprised me and in truth I thought I was going to hate it, but as I got more into the song, I realized that it was actually pretty good. The arrangement has such a Spanish influence to it that I really like, because I adore Spanish music as much as I adore Asian music. I thought it was a bit sexy and sensual, and certainly a song you could get up and couple dance too. Its also pretty aggressive and I liked that. Kuri-chan’s vocals were pretty good in this, she brought a lot of energy in emotion to this track and really made it stand out when it could have easily become forgotten. She’s done better b-sides, but this isn’t half bad. Also the title is oh the truth.

This single also features two remixes Dream World SOIDOG MIX and Namida no Saki ni (SOIDOG MIX). Needless to say, I liked neither.

-GRADE: B+
Rating: **1/2 stars

Crystal Kay’s 24th single Namida no Saki de was a pretty different but pretty good single from her. It was the first of only two singles leading into Color Change!, and I believe the only one that garnered any attention for the album. Namida no Saki de is a fun little pop number, that’s sure to make you feel good, mostly about yourself. Girl Move On is a nice little Latin-influenced number that is sure to get your body moving. The remixes were pointless and I actually wish she would have put on another b-side.

Crystal Kay [4 Real] (Fourth Album)

Boyfriend ~part II~
I LIKE IT
nice and slow
I’m Not Alone
What Time Is It?
CANDY
Can’t be Stopped
lead me to the end
Kataomoi (片想い; Unrequited Love)
OVER THE RAINBOW
Do You Like It?

The album starts off with a new version of one of my all time favorite Kuri songs, Boyfriend. Boyfriend ~part II~, is a more up-tempo version of Boyfriend, as to where the original is more slower-paced. I did enjoy this version, it made it much more up-beat, fun and a tad bit more fun to sing. However, I didn’t like the dance-break-esque segment towards the end of the song, it was very lame, and the bridge was a bit weak, as to where it was very strong in the original. Other than that it’s a good version, and makes me love this song all the more.

Next is the up-tempo and jarring, I LIKE IT. I can’t believe I actually liked this song at one point, what was wrong with me? It’s a collaboration with M-Flo, and despite the ‘I like it’ chorus being so catchy, this song has nothing to offer but annoyance. The intro, where Kuri says: ‘yo’ shorty, the way you flow is so shorty’ what? Really lame. And then towards the end, she attempts to rap and it’s just awful. This song is terrible.

Kuri slows it down a bit with the next track, nice and slow. A very sexy song from Kuri, that I really like. It’s a welcome relief from the garb that was the previous track, and Kuri gives us a nice, fresh vocal performance and let’s the sex-appeal of the song speak for her. I love when she starts aud-libbing towards the end and the arrangement, which fits this song so perfectly.

The next track slows it way down with the album’s first real down-tempo track, I’m Not Alone. I first heard this song a few years back, but not this version, the English version, and I fell in love. This is such an inspiring song, and Kuri’s vocals as well as the arrangement is just lovely.

This is what I LIKE IT should have been. The next track picks up the pace mid-tempo wise with the catchy, dance track What Time Is It?. I always wondered why every time I heard I LIKE IT, I expected to like it, only to end up disappointed. Because that song, and this song are very similar, only difference is, What Time Is It? is actually good. I got such a fun and warm feeling from this song; I love Kuri’s vocals, the arrangement really makes you want to get up and dance, and the ‘what time is it?’ sequence at the end was very catchy.

CANDY the next track, is one of my favorite Kuri tracks EVER, and one of the first songs I ever heard by her. The arrangement is very consistent, keeping you interested in the song without distracting. Kuri’s vocals are great, especially when they go high during the hook, and then she slams into the chorus. The song is basically about a girl named Candy, who loves this guy, but he doesn’t notice, so it’s basically Crystal trying to let him know that she’s a nice girl and he should pay attention to the signs she’s giving him. A fun song to sing and dance along too.

I really love the next track, Can’t be Stopped. It’s an up-tempo track, with a fun arrangement and flow going for it that screams ’summertime!’. Kuri’s vocals are really good as well, and just make this song such a fun one to sing along too. I’m very surprised that this wasn’t a hit, Kuri has some really good dance songs and this is one of them. It makes you want to grab your friends and go dancing in the sun, or something to that effect. ‘Listen to my heartbeat, now/listen to your heartbeat, now’.

The next track is down-tempo, and Kuri brings on the waterworks. lead me to the end, is one of Kuri-chan’s best ballads, and she has a few: Darling P.P.P. and Tears just to name a few. The arrangement is very quiet, and very beautiful, and Kuri’s vocal performance is just love–she really brings the right amount of emotion to this song; it really touches you, especially how her voice shifts during the chorus and the, ‘lead me to the end’. It makes you think of how much you may really need a person.

We pick the pace up with Kataomoi (片想い; Unrequited Love), a track that I have a hard time really liking despite it not being such a bad song. The beat is basic, but interesting and Kuri’s vocals are good, except for when she tries to hit that high note towards the end, that was just all wrong. It’s an all right song. I still don’t think she should have included it on CK5 though.

OVER THE RAINBOW is one of the greatest songs of all time, and trust me I’ve heard it covered enough to not want to here it covered ever again. Kuri-chan decides she wants to take a shot at it, and well she doesn’t half-ass it. It’s not the best cover of this song, but it’s all right, one of the few covers of this song that I can actually tolerate. Plus I love the note she hits towards the end, and the fresh re-arrangement of it, which makes it less of a bore, and more modern.

The last track on the album is the even more underwhelming remix of I LIKE IT, entitled Do You Like It?. I say it’s a remix because it’s the exact same song, only mixed up a bit, under a different title. This version of the song is even more grating and lackluster than the original; I’m really wondering why she decided to add this track to the album, it was pointless, and only made me dislike the song even more. I really hate that whole, ’shorty’ part in the beginning, and not only that but this song is just ten different kinds of annoying and lame. Utterly forgettable.

-GRADE: A-
Rating: **1/2 stars

Crystal Kay’s fourth album 4 REAL is actually quite good, despite it being my least favorite album from her. All the songs have that flavor that is all Kuri’s own and when they come on you know it’s her. I like her approach to rnb music, because she really pulls it off without sounding like everyone else I’ve grown to associate with the rnb genre and she really has some incredible songs under her belt. Kuri’s shied away from her pure rnb sound, going for one more mainstream and I can’t say I’m too enthused by it, because now she does sound like everyone else. I like nearly every song on this album with the exception of I LIKE IT and it’s counterpart. Also, Kataomoi I don’t too much like either, but it’s still a good song. Kuri has some of my favorites on here like: nice and slow, I’m Not Alone, Candy, Can’t be Stopped and Lead me to the end. 4 REAL was a good album, and Kuri continues to impress me, I have not as of yet been disappointed with one of her albums (I’ve yet to listen to Color Change!) and I don’t think I ever will.