Bennie K. [Japana-rhythm] (Fourth Album)

Haru ~Opening~ (Opening)
Utopia
Happy Drive ~Taste Your Stuff
UNITY
Natsu ~Interlude~
Dreamland
OSAGA
Puppy Love pt. 2
Aki ~Interlude~
Tabibito
Sky
Moonchild
Fuyu ~Interlude~
a love story feat. Seamo
The Christmas
4 Seasons

The album starts off with the intro Haru ~Opening~ (Opening). It opens with the gorgeous sounds of water falling into water and birds chirping. CICO talks in English as well, but truthfully it sounds like nonsense, not her English, just what she’s talking about.

The next track on the album is the up-tempo Utopia. This intro transitions right into this, rather smoothly. The arrangement is very fresh and really gives you the feeling of an ‘utopia’ like an infinitely beautiful place. YUKI’s vocals were good, it seemed like she was having fun during the chorus but I found that I didn’t too much care for them. CICO sounded a bit annoying, because it seemed like she would just pop up out of nowhere really. This song is OK, since its a lot of fun in a sense, but I’ve never liked it and I doubt I ever will. It just does nothing for me.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Happy Drive ~Taste Your Stuff. I actually expected to not like this song, because the title seemed really stupid to me. The arrangement is light and gives off a very airy flow. It also seems to reflect the whole, ‘happy drive’ and ‘let’s get out of here’ thing they were going for. YUKI’s voice is gorgeous, I love the chorus, its fun. CICO was good as well of course, her deep voice managing to blend right in with the pop of the arrangement. I believe M-flo was in this as well and they didn’t detract from the song in the least, though their parts were unmemorable.

The next track on the album is the heart-warming UNITY. Oh, wow. This is another song I didn’t expect to like, because I don’t think I’ve ever liked this song in the past, that or I never really listened to it. The arrangement has a bit of variety and its kind of hard to explain it, but it gives off a warm atmosphere and makes you think of someone smiling warmly at you. This song is talking about one of either two things: love or friendship, I’m going for the latter, because the whole vibe of the song seems to lean more towards that. YUKI’s vocals are great, they always are. CICO did her thang I guess, though I can’t really recall her parts. This song makes me smile from the heart, really.

The next track on the album is the interlude Natsu ~Interlude~. This was nice, sounds of splashing and laughter, I’m guessing they’re kids. It gives me a chilling feeling though.

The next track on the album is the light Dreamland. This is another song on this album that has grown on me. I use to really dislike this track, because it couldn’t be farther from what I was use to hearing from them. It has a poppy arrangement, which is glaring and really makes you think of summer. There are drums and some sort of wind instrument that I can’t pinpoint. The best part of the song was the chorus, because YUKI sung it of course and it made this song a lot engaging. CICO ad-libs all over the place and they are not  very memorable ad-libs either. This is an all right song.

The next track on the album is the odd OSAGA. Honestly, before the song even started I new I wasn’t going to like it, I just had that feeling. I’m a fan of Bennie K.’s more out there songs, but I really just couldn’t get into this and found myself either bored or annoyed most of the time. I mean not even YUKI’s sparse vocals could save this song, its just clunky and utterly forgettable.

The next track on the album is the laid-back Puppy Love pt. 2. This song is really nice. When I first listened to it, I didn’t like it. The second time I did, and I still like it now. I love the water sounds in the background, it sounds like water crashing up against the shore. I also like how the guys voice is on vocoder, sounds like some Zapp and Roger type stuff and it was really neat. YUKI’s vocals were pretty in this and she sounded really content as did CICO. This is the type of song you listen too to unwind. Its really nice on the ears, especially those water sounds.

The next track on the album is another interlude, Aki ~Interlude~. This interlude was pretty interesting, what with the grainy film sound at the start and finish and then the accordion which was crazy because I wasn’t expecting it. CICO talks throughout and she has a nice voice, but the interlude isn’t really memorable or all that interesting.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Tabibito. This song is interesting in its own right, but I just felt disinterested while listening to it. The arrangement is a bit lively but in a very underwhelming and dull way, so I hardly cared for it. YUKI’s vocals were good, but its just I wasn’t feeling her and its definitely one of her weakest performances, vocal wise. CICO I can’t really recall. This is one of those songs that should be good, but it really isn’t.

The next track on the album is the breezy Sky. This song in a sense can go completely over your head, but it does have enough going for it to keep you grounded. The arrangement is of the light pop variety and sounds no different from what we’ve already heard on this album, just a bit mellowed down and somber sounding. YUKI’s vocals were good and so were CICO’s ad-libs, I didn’t have a problem with either. Though I can’t recall CICO’s parts at all and I’m wondering why that is? I expected this song to be a bit more on the ‘happy drive’ side, in a sense it was, but the difference is in the moods they both set. Happy Drive seemed a bit more lighter in spirits than this.

The next track on the album is the quirking-ly dull Moonchild. This song is very strange, but I’ve heard stranger from Bennie K. The dialect at the beginning kind of threw me off, because I had at first thought it was African, I believe it was Indian because the arrangement that followed sounded very Middle Eastern. The vocal performance from YUKI sounded very uninspired and it made this song a lot more boring than it actually was. I don’t recall hearing CICO. This song in just uninteresting and forgettable.

The next track is the albums third and last interlude, Fuyu ~Interlude~. Its nothing really just a simple instrumental that sounds way laid-back and a bit rnb.

The next track on the album is a love story feat. Seamo. This song is pretty hit or miss, but I guess I like it. I don’t really care for Seamo or CICO’s parts to be truthful, because they are so all over the place and really bring this song down. YUKI on the other hand makes this song a bit interesting and relevant, the chorus being very refreshing. I mean the approach is pretty creative, but it all just seemed so unnecessary. I like YUKI’S parts though (the song also isn’t half bad).

The second to last track on the album is the random The Christmas. I’m wondering where the Christmas song came from? It sounds a bit pop-rock and that in itself is a bit underwhelming. YUKI’s vocal performance was decent but I didn’t care for it and once again I can not recall CICO’s parts like at all. This is a pretty pointless song that plays like filler and not even good filler, but the: ‘why the hell is this song even on here?’ type filler. Pass.

The last track on the album is the mellow 4 Seasons. I like this song even if it is pretty forgettable in a sense. The arrangement is nice but nothing we haven’t heard a zillion times before. YUKI’s vocals were appropriately emotional and CICO’s parts were fine even if I hardly ever noticed them. This leaves the album out on a pretty forgettable note, but I enjoyed it somewhat.

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

Bennie K.’s fourth album Japana-rhythm is next to THE WORLD their weakest album to date and one out of two of my least favorite albums from them. I mean on a serious note, before I heard ‘the world’ this was their worst album, but that album is much worse and this comes in second place. I’m wondering if they were going for some sort of oasis type fantasy world theme with this album because nearly all the songs give off that vibe. I’m surprised that I like so many tracks on here though, because when I first listened to this album I don’t recall liking anything. This album is different, very different and it is a different I don’t really like. I gave it a C+ instead of an even C only because the songs I did like were fun and or good in their own poppy little way. Japana-rhythm is for those who’d like to hear a more pop oriented side to the duo, the rnb fans of their music will be very disappointed, this album is pretty forgettable.

Bennie K. [MONOCHROME] (13th Single)

MONOCHROME
Speak no Evil
HOME with 2BACKKA

Bennie K.’s 13th single starts off with the a-side MONOCHROME. This song really surprised me as I wasn’t expecting it to be as down-tempo as it was. I mean Bennie K. has a few down in the tempo songs, so I wonder why it still always surprises me when I hear one from them. The arrangement is pretty laid-back, mostly the drums, but it creates such an atmosphere and makes you think of lazy days long gone. If that makes sense. YUKI’s voice is gorgeous as usual, she’s actually one of my favorite singers, she has a great voice. CICO’s rap was well placed and honestly she’s one of the few rappers in a group or whatever that actually always delivers when its her turn, I never find myself adverse to her rapping, she has a very unique and deep voice that actually pulls it off whether she’s rapping or talking. This was a good song, though not really what I would call a-side material, its  still a nice and rather mellow listen.

The track on the single is its first b-side Speak no Evil. Call me crazy but I like this song, even if it seems to go absolutely nowhere and plays like a track that’s meant to vent some anger. The arrangement is very consistent and to best describe it I’d say it sounded very frustrated and or upset, I just got that vibe from it, what with the electric guitar and hard hand clapping!?. The best part of the song was of course YUKI; CICO certainly brought the fire though, especially when she has everyone shouting: ‘FUCK THAT SHIT!’ I think I’ll have to second that, seriously.

The last track on the album is its second b-side HOME with 2BACKKA. This song sounds so familiar, like the beat is exactly like one of their old songs, I’m leaning more towards Sunrise but I’m really not sure. I didn’t too much care for this, which is crazy because normally I love Bennie K’s collaborations, but this one went clear over my head. I didn’t like 2BACKKA’s parts, they seemed terribly elementary. I don’t really recall CICO’s parts, if she even had any. YUKI was the best part, her voice gorgeous and flowing, but it just wasn’t enough, plus it just sounds too much like one of their ‘japana-rhythm’ or ‘synchronicity’ songs.

-GRADE: B+
Rating: ** stars

Bennie’s K.’s 13th single was all right but pretty weak at the same time. MONOCHROME was a nice little down-tempo tune, but not really a-side material. Speak no Evil was a fun song, that’s good if you want to vent some much needed anger, but it really seemed to come out of nowhere and clashed crazily with the a-side. HOME sounds like one of their old songs (it really drives me crazy because I think I know which one it is but I can’t think of the title, I’d have to hear the song) and it sadly didn’t do much with it and ended up going completely over my head.

Bennie K. [1001Nights] (12th Single)

1001Nights
echo
UNITY ~Episode 1~ (BENNIE K with UNITY a.a.s.)

Bennie K.’s 12th single starts off with the a-side 1001Nights. I thought the single version was a lot better than the one on the album, because for some reason the one of the album just sounds so dead and uninspired to me. This one on the other hand sounds very lively if not a little sad. I love YUKI’s vocals in this, she has such a great voice and she brought such a wistfulness to this song that is very hard to describe. CICO’s aud-libs were good as well, she has a great voice for talking, she really does, because it doesn’t sound distracting or pointless, it comes across as very natural. This song really brings forth a atmosphere of traveling, its very strange, like seeing the world for the first time and realizing that its full of unseen or unappreciated beauty and the thought saddens you. A feeling of wanting something you’ll never obtain.

The next track on the album is the b-side echo. This is another song that I didn’t too much like on the album, because it just didn’t sound right. This song has a very quiet and Island like feel to it in the arrangement, I really enjoyed it. I don’t know it almost gives you this feeling of purpose and worth. YUKI’s vocals were good, as usual. She did a few nice high tones during the chorus that were neat, and brought a lot of mood and atmosphere to the song. CICO did a talk segment, and though it was a little weak I still liked it because it fit right in. This is a nice calming song, and just like 1001Nights, its one of the few songs on their latest album that was worth anything.

The last track on the album is the second b-side UNITY ~Episode 1~. Its a collaboration. ‘When I close my eyes/I feel your oneness,’ I really like this song because it gives off such a complete and whole feeling of friendship, and how it should be treasured if its real. I thought this was one of their best collaborations, everyone did their parts well to bring forth such a great message and create a really good song. I definitely loved the chorus, it was just love.

-GRADE: A
Rating: *** stars

Bennie K.’s 12th single 1001Nights really blew me away with how good it was. I really wish that 1001 Nights and echo had sounded like this on the album, but I don’t know maybe I wasn’t really listening to them fully. UNITY is a really good song, that always makes me smile when I hear it. This was a good single, too bad it preceded a bad album.

Bennie K. [essence] (Second Album)

CRYSTAL
ALRIGHT
Tegami (手紙)
Better Days
HIDE
MUSIC
Hinadan (ひなだん)
Sunday noon
Nagori Natsu (なごり 夏)
MY WAY

The album starts off with the sparkly CRYSTAL. I like how the title is crystal, and it sounds like a crystal. Its weird, but the arrangement sounds like how a crystal would sound if you could hear one. Its a pretty basic and mellow arrangement, but its nice. YUKI’s vocals are good as usual, she sung this song in a lilting like way that I really enjoyed, bringing a little interest to the song. I can’t really recall CICO’s part, but I remember hearing her deep voice throughout. The chorus is really the only thing that makes this song stand out, and is the main reason why I like this track.

The next track is the up-tempo ALRIGHT. This is a pretty nice song. The arrangement is fresh, and gives you this feel good feeling of contentment. YUKIs vocals were nice and airy, and of course CICO did her thing by aud-libbing briefly, but she was strangely absent in this song. I also like how this song has a definite summer-y flow to it, and it really gives you this, ‘everything’s gonna be all right’ feeling on the inside. A nice song, that I didn’t like at first, but I really enjoy now.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Tegami (手紙). This song is pretty hit or miss. On the hit side its a pretty nice song, on the miss side its pretty forgettable. The arrangement is very light rnb and has a nice flow to it. CICO did a few aud-libs to the song, that blended in well and YUKI’s vocals were nice, though she went for very high tones that made it sound like her voice was going out, or that she couldn’t quite reach the range she was trying to achieve. This is a rather nice song. I didn’t like this track at first, but now I kind of do.

The next track on the album is the heartwarming Better Days. This is one of my favorite Bennie K. songs, because it just exudes nostalgia like nothing else. CICO shines in this song, she really does. Her tone while she was rapping was very thoughtful and deep, and that really absorbs you. YUKI’s vocal performance in this song was just gorgeous, because her voice sounds so wistful, longing and weighed down by emotions. This song makes me think of when I was younger, and how things seemingly made sense. I always have the urge to cry when I hear this song. I miss those days.

The next track on the album is the somewhat down-tempo HIDE. This is what I would label as smooth rnb, because it has such a nice pace going for it, that really stays consistent and keeps you interested. The best part about this song is YUKI’s vocals during the chorus, which stands out more than anything and CICO’s aud-libs afterwards which brought a lot of personality to this track. I’m not sure if that was this songs intention, but it comes across as very melancholy to me. Definitely one of my favorite Bennie K. songs.

The next track is the urban and somewhat Arabian MUSIC. This is an interesting song, that would be great to play at a party because its pretty darn danceable. I love YUKI’s deep vocal tones during this song, made it very urban sounding along with the beat that gave me this feeling of mystic and secrecy. The rap parts even added flavor and appeal to this song, and I found that I quite enjoyed them. I’m not sure if it was CICO though, but it most likely was her rapping. This is a pretty decent song.

The next track on the album is the quirky Hinadan (ひなだん). I get a Middle Eastern, Arabian like vibe from the arrangement, which is a good thing, adds a lot of mystic, sensuality and secrecy. I also really liked how experimental the arrangement was, adding a dapple of variety to this album. YUKI’s vocal performance was really good, the tones she used really brought a lot of intrigue to this song and kept it going when you would have long gotten bored or tired with it, especially when she hits that odd note towards the end… for some reason I can’t recall CICO’s parts?

The next track is the laid-back Sunday noon. This song really does remind you of a calm Sunday morning. The arrangement is really smooth, and I like how it doesn’t do much but still stays interesting and consistent. YUKI’s vocal performance was really nice. She sung in an un-hurried tone, that really set the right mood and pace. CICO’s part as well were very easy-going and blended right in. I get the whole, ‘why can’t i leave him alone?’ vibe from this song, especially when YUKI says: ‘i’m still callin’ your number’. Hmm?

The second to last track on the album is the heartwarming Nagori Natsu (なごり 夏). Oh, I really just love this song. It’s so wonderful. The arrangement is really just gorgeous, setting such a somber mood, enveloping you with such isolating sadness. It also offers contemplation. YUKI’s vocals are wonderful, wonderful, I love how she sung this song as if her voice was weighed down. It was like the sadness was just moving through her, and she conveyed that perfectly. CICO’s vocals were also very somber, and thoughtful. I really liked the emotion they conveyed in this song, it really is a song that can just move you to tears.

The last track on the album is the feel good MY WAY. I really love that Bennie K. chose to end the album on this song, because its just really one of those songs that just brighten your day, and makes everything seem worthwhile at the end of it all. I love the arrangement, its so upbeat without really doing too much and it stays interesting and consistent with just enough rhythm to it to get your body moving. YUKI’s vocals were airy and full of love, and self-assured-ness. CICO also did her part, her deep voice bringing a lot of character and variety to the song. I mean its like no matter what, I’m glad I’m ME. Its the perfect way to end a great album.

-GRADE: A+
Rating: *** stars

Bennie K.’s second album essence is ten times better than I thought it would be. I mean when I first heard this album, I thought it was good of course, but not as good as I think it is now. I was really surprised that I found myself liking ALRIGHT, Tegami and Hinadan, but mostly Hinadan. I’m really surprised at just how much I enjoyed this album, and that I enjoyed every last song on here, which is very rare. I would have probably gave this album four stars, but its much too short, and the album, though good, never gets to that point. CRYSTAL was a nice and fresh way to start the album. Better Days, HIDE, MUSIC, Sunday noon and Nagori Natsu really fills out this album nicely, and managed to play like straight album material songs, instead of pointless filler tracks. MY WAY ended the album on a sure note, and makes you want to listen to it all over again. This album managed to exceed Cube, and this is in truth my favorite Bennie K. album, and sadly the last of that true rnb flavor they incorporated into their sound. I’m not saying they don’t do rnb anymore, but just not like they did it in essence or Cube. essence is the last of a great and brief era in Bennie K.’s music career. I really hope they return to this sound someday… soon.

Bennie K. [Cube] (First Album)

SCHOOL GIRL ~Tokyo Ver.~
Sunshine
NAI
Silence
Hole In Da Tribe
Saishuu Kessen
Riyuu 1 ~Interlude~
Melody ~night fly~
Title Call ~Interlude~
Crazy Day
P-DAD
Superdome

Bennie K.’s Cube starts off with one of my favorite Bennie K. songs and the best track on the album, SCHOOL GIRL. This is actually the Tokyo version of the song, and I must say it’s a lot like a school girl anthem. Yuki’s vocals are great, as usual, and Cico of course adds her flare with her deep voice. This is also a fun song because it’s so engaging and kind of rebellious in way…goodness knows I hated High school.

The pace slows down a little with the next track, Sunshine. I didn’t think this song was going to be so down-tempo, but it’s a smooth rnb number, with nice vocals from Yuki and Cico adding her aud-libs along the way. It’s not a memorable one, but definitely a nice song to relax too on a sunny day, while driving in your car.

We pick up the pace with the next track, the oddly titled NAI. (I’m wondering if it’s an acronym or something) I have a very eclectic taste in music, sometimes to the point that it shocks me. This song by anyone other than an eccentric or a hardcore Bennie K. fan, would think this song was cheesy and terribly pointless. Cico really shines in this, and really I recall only hearing her, because her voice is so raw and in your face. I’m not sure if I’m right but I think at points during the chorus she says, ‘can’t fuck with me now!’. I do enjoy this song, it’s so different and lame, but a good kind of lame.

The next track is down-tempo, and has mostly vocals from YUKI as where the previous track was more of a CICO song without actually being a solo song. SILENCE is a nice smooth rnb song reminiscent of Sunshine, but a lot more laid back and melancholy in a way. Yuki delivers, and though Bennie K. aren’t as popular as they should be, Yuki without a doubt has one of the best voices in J-Music I have ever heard.

The next track is one of those songs by Bennie K. where the title really makes me think, ‘this song is going to suck’, Hole In Da Tribe is one of those songs by Bennie K. that is really hit or miss for me. The song started out promising, and delivered in a sense, I mean the ‘hole in da tribe’ part of the chorus actually meshed well and in a way it’s not a bad song, it’s just ridiculous. Like some of their songs tend to be.

Saishuu Kessen the next track, has this odd Arabian and stealth thing going for it, because the whole instrumental sounded very spy-like. I’d have to say this song is a cross between mid-tempo and down-tempo, but it’s very uninteresting and forgettable. Absolutely nothing but the odd arrangement stands out, and it plays more like filler than an actual track.

The first interlude on the album bleeds in next, Riyuu 1. Which is a strange title. I hear thunder and I believe CICO says: ‘words can not express the feelings that I have, but the music can’. I suppose they were going for dramatic but the whole thing was very bland and uneventful. CICO’s English was good though.

I feel really bad that I dislike this next track, because it has so much potential. Melody ~night fly~ is boring in every sense of the word and even YUKI’s sorrowful vocals could not save this song from mediocrity. I also thought that CICO’s segments though all right in there own way took away from the song, and made it not only boring but weak. The arrangement is very pretty though, this songs only saving grace, that and YUKI. NOTE: This song isn’t so much boring this time around, its pretty laid-back and mellow.

The second and last interlude on the album is Title Call, and it’s even more bland and forgettable than the other one. At least YUKI’s vocals are strong.

I’m really fond of this next song, Crazy Day. It’s very urban and edgy and a lot of fun. I definitely love the chorus, because CICO really brings it to life. It’s similar to NAI, only a lot less lame and a whole lot better.

The second to last track on the album P-DAD really surprised me, because I’ve listened to this album before, and I’m not sure if this has ever caught my attention. It’s probably the most rnb-influenced song on the album, as where some were more hip-hop flavored, and it definitely gives one the feeling of familiarity. I loved YUKI’s vocals in this song, because they’re very clear, and nearly forces you to sing along because the chorus is very catchy. It’s almost like a party song, but not quite.

The last track on the album seemed like one just tacked on for last minute reference and to perhaps make the track list seem longer. Superdome delivers nothing, not even amusement, and is forgotten as soon as it ends. I really wish they would have ended it with P-DAD, then the album would have left one with a feeling of fun and contentment.

-GRADE: B-
Rating: ** stars

Bennie K. is another group that I never see reviewed when I go to J-Music review sites and it’s really irritating, because I would like to see others opinions concerning them, and maybe a little reassurance that I’m not the only one that thinks they’re very talented, different and extremely underrated. Anyways, Bennie K.’s first album is not as good as I hoped it would be, mostly because it’s entirely too short, with twelve tracks, ten excluding the interludes. It is just not enough to get the point across. They have some really unique songs on here, such as NAI and Crazy Day, and I absolutely adore SCHOOL GIRL and P-DAD which are the two best tracks on the album. Cube isn’t a dud album, it’s one of their best actually, but as a debut, it’s just not good enough and way too short to make much of a stand. Nostalgic for Bennie K. fans, because they don’t really do this type of clear-cut rnb music anymore, but for casual fans, it’s worth one listen.