[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to HALCALI - cyborg oretachi

April 6, 2008 by KNDY

ARTISTS: HALCALI

ALBUM: cyborg oretachi

LABEL: EPIC RECORDS

CATALOG #: ESCL-2986

DURATION: 51:06

RELEASED ON June 18, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Doo THE HAMMER!
It’s PARTY TIME!
Koi no Bububun
Twinkle Star
endless lover’s rain
LOOK [Special Edition]
Cyborg Oretachi
Drivers License
Fessu de Ouissu!”
Tougenkyo
Tip Taps Tip
Harukari Michi~19 no Yoru

As HALCALI prepares for their US performance at Anime Central in Chicago on May 16-18, it’s time to break out their last album which was released back in June 18, 2007.

HALCALI which features teen pop duo Haruka and Yukari from Tokyo features a promising young music act that are noted for their unique fusion of infectious styles from hip-hop, dance, techno to new wave.

Classmates of a dance school since childhood, HALCALI released their debut album “Halcali Bacon” in 2003 and the group peaked at #5 on the Japanese Oricon Album Charts. The girls also became fashion icons for teenage school girls and have graced may fashion magazines and collaborated on the popular street apparel brand, “Lovers House”.

In 2005, HALCALI signed with Epic Records Japan and scored hit singles such as 2005’s “Tip Taps Tip”, “LOOK” (2006), “Togenkyo/Lights, Camera, Action! (2007) and have been selected to sing theme songs for animation such as “Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven”, “Demashita Powerpuff Girls Z” and “Getsumen Toheiki Mina”.

So, what we have on “Cyborg Oretachi” are their hit CD singles from 2005 through 2007.

My last HALCALI album that I have listened to was back in 2005 with their “HALCALI Mix”, so was curious to see how their last album would be. What I learned is the album would feature a tremendous amount of collaboration with many music artists to give the duo a different sound for each track.

The first track “Doo THE HAMMER!” features a pretty cool piano driven arrangement from Dr.kyOn and also brass horns by NARGO, Kitahara Masahiko and GAMO from TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA. For me the collaboration for this track is pretty cool and I actually dig the arrangement and the girls vocals/rap on this track.

The second track “It’s PARTY TIME!” is a collaboration with Tanaka Tomoyuki of Fantastic Plastic Machine. Interesting to see how they integrated the sampling of THE HIGH-LOWS “Nichiyoubi Yori no Shisha” shalalala’s on this track. The song is very happy in the essence of “Fantastic Plastic Machine”.

The third track “Koi no Bububun” is another collaboration track and this time its produced by VERBAL of m-flo (lyrics/music) and Deckstream (arrangement). I know, the thought of m-flo involvement would probably get many people salivating but it’s an ok track, very non-m-flo like to be truthful. Definitely, an old school groove that reminds me a bit mid-80’s J.J. Fad style of hip-hop.

The fourth track “Twinkle Star” is another collaboration with RIP SLYME members RYO-Z and DJ FUMIYA of O.T.F (Oshare Track Factory). The lyrics are by RYO-Z of O.T.F. and instruments by DJ FUMIYA of O.T.F. The duo have been involved with HALCALI in their first album but it’s really cool to see the groups infuse elements from the film “The Magnificent Seven” into the track. A very cool track!

The fifth track “endless lover’s rain” is a collaboration with the group Nathalie Wise. For those who are familiar with music from Tokyo No. 1 Soul Set will probably be familiar with the band which Takano Hiroshi utilizes a combination of guitar, glockenspiel and Saito Tetsuya with the Piano giving an interesting musical direction for this track. I actually like it a lot!

The sixth track “LOOK ~Special Edition~” is one of the CD singles released by the duo and a track that is less rappish and more pop-based and definitely catchy.

The seven track “Cyborg Oretachi” features a collaboration with POLYSICS. There’s not much too say but if you dig the blips and bleeps and digital music of the POLYSICS, then you will probably dig this song. One thing this album showcases is the duo embracing various musical styles through their collaborations and this collaboration with the POLYSICS is something definitely fresh and unique for the group.

The eight track “Driver’s License” features a collaboration between HALCALI and Japanese hip-hop’s RHYMESTER. This track is the more hip-hop sounding track with the bass drum, smooth flow of lyrics and some “Boom Boom Shaka Boom Boom”.

The ninth track “Fessu de Ouissu!” features a collaboration with YOUR SONG IS GOOD. A track with that Summer, tropical feel to it.

The tenth track “Tougenkyo” is a collaboration with HONESTY and features a rock track. Actually, when I was listening to this track, HALCALI didn’t come into mind. Ami and Yumi of PUFFY did. But again, this album is about the duo embracing various musical styles and in this track, bringing together rock and hip-hop.

The eleventh track “Tip Taps Tip” is another track that was released as a CD single and another pop-based track similar to “LOOK”.

And track twelve features “Harukari Michi~19 no Yoru” which features a collaboration with RAM RIDER. Actually, it’s a pretty cool track and when RAM RIDER is producing or arranging music, I expect to hear a lot of vocalizer or some use of chiptune or something different. You do get the vocalizer with the ladies but all in all, a fun track.

As for the CD insert, the actual cover is a six-part fold out which features pictures of the duo in miniature robot outfits running from the cyborg robot.

And then the insert booklet is in a plain white booklet with the lyrics and track credits in dark pink.

This is a judgment call that depends on your tastes. If you want the urban feel of ARIA, then you go for someone like ARIA or some oldschool Heartsdales. If you want fun, hip-hop in the mihimaru GT sense, then you can go towards their style of music.

HALCALI’s “Cyborg Oretachi” is a mix bag because it includes various collaborations with different artists known for their style of music for their respected genre. The tracks infuses that music along with the groups vocals and rap music and all in all, you get a smörgåsbord of music that those who enjoy something fresh and new for the ladies, might appreciate it and the duo for trying something new.

But at the same time, those who enjoyed their style of music from the past may feel a bit cautious towards this album because its not exactly representative of the style of music from their earlier years that some may have fallen in love with prior.

Personally, may it be the direction of the women wanting to go for a mature sound or a label direction to do something different with their music, I don’t know. But all in all, I enjoyed the album because of the fact that each track had something new and different.

But this is one of those albums which it comes down to your personal taste. And for me, I give it a thumbs up.

Check HALCALI out live at Anime Central in Chicago, IL in May 2008!