Chihiro Onitsuka - Insomnia (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Wakey wakey.

Caffienated Yak | your foot | 07/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ah, Chihiro... the J-pop version of, say, Dido does Sarah McLachlan, with the vocal power of LeAnn Rimes and the soft tones of - again - Dido and Sarah. Think all three voices mixed together. That's Chihiro's... but in a league all her own.Hers is the sort of music where there's never a dull moment, and even the ones that border on remotely forgettable (Dining Chiken and the album version of LITTLE BEAT RIFLE are the only two to date) are breathtaking, and her lyrics pull you in even if you can't understand them. If not that, then the raw emotion in her voice, the frankness she exudes.Here is a n album mostly hit with low-key, gentle, warm ballads all styled in the ways of keyboard, guitar, piano, quiet drums. The occasional synthesizer makes itself known, but the mood establishes itself as mellow from the orchestral, tear-jerking opening of Gekkou (which gets revisited in an album version at the end of the album, stripped down moreso to sweet lullaby piano. I love the album version best, actually)The closest this album comes to rocking out is when it DOES rock out - which is when INNOCENCE ranges from haunting, spine-tingling, ominous piano and screams forth all of a sudden into a chorus of snarling, rocking guitars. BAM! Kick it up a notch!The most upbeat it gets other than that is the sparkling, glittering, hopeful Cage, and the country-laced, quietly fun We can go, both serving as more than beautiful sections of this big, gorgeous quilt.And standouts come in the form of a single and a b-side: Aside from Cage and the end version of Gekkou, memai (the single) and edge (its b-side) sparkle alongside the rest, the former gently grand with a beautiful violin solo and a happier sound than what she usually gives, the latter gaining a soft sort of momentum and sounding pleading and breathtakingly beautiful, also sounding a little more positive despite its esoteric lyrics.What are you waiting for, anyway?Shouldn't you own this by now?"

In the style of Tori and Sarah

Stephen Horowitz | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Onitsuka Chihiro's debut album is an absolute winner in my book. I've lived in Japan for a couple of years now and so I know first-hand that most Japanese music deserves its bad reputation. Imagine, then, my surprise when I heard the opening chords of "Gekkou" ("Moonlight"), the first track on this CD. Unlike the emotionless, generic Japanese sound, Ms. Onitsuka's original lyrics, beautiful piano backgrounds, and haunting sound really pull the strings of one's heart. My favorite track on the album, "Shine," is a really shows off the incredible range and pure sound of her voice. I highly recommend this brilliant debut CD for anyone who likes Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan-esque music -- Well worth the price of the import."

Worth Every Penny!

Vinudb | Trinidad | 01/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chihiro Ontsuka's debut album is one of the best albums around and in her career.This album features a run of impressive singles including "Gekkou" which was the theme for a drama series ans was her best selling single for this album...listen to it and you'll see why.She also writes all her music and composes her songs as well...her talent is displayed very well in this album.Chihiro's words and music were honored in public as she was awarded The Best Lyircs Award for "Memai" at The Japan Record Award (December 2001) and Rock Album Of The Year for this album "Insomnia" at The Japan Gold Disc Award (March 2002).Also, "Rasen" was used in the Luc Besson film "WASABI" starring Jean Reno and Ryoko Hirosue.
"Insomnia" also topped the oricon (Original Confidence)sales charts ,japanese equivalent of the billboard charts,on its first week of release!
It also includes "Innocence" which in 2001 was featureed in an Applied Materials Ad which aired on CNBC and CNN among other channels.
This album has some of the most beatiful music i've ever heard.Chihiro's vocals are also very strong and powerful and grasps your attention from her first breath.She uses a nice variety of instruments and keeps it all natural i.e. no computer generated sounds...this is the raw and beatiful stuff.Even though this album is very raw, it ranges from upbeat happy songs to haunting-ly beatiful songs to soft sweet ballads..never a dull moment on this cd!so there is something for everyone and it is very unlikely you'll get bored of this cd.There are also new arragements of three of her singles for this album.This Album is highly recommended."

Onitsuka is haunting...

Tsukikage | Texas, USA | 12/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an avid fan of Onitsuka Chihiro. I absolutely adore her music. Most of her music is folk/rock music with lots of ballads. It's usually very, very mellow and just beautiful. There is no need to understand what she is singing about, just close your eyes and listen to her music and feel the emotion she puts into every song and you will probably feel the same way. I feel her music can reach even those who feel that because they cannot understand the lyrics they will not enjoy the song; the music and her powerful and beautiful vocals will peirce your heart and mind, and you'll fall in love with her music.

Every single song on this album is worth multiple listens, but I'll point out a couple of my favorite.

Gekkou uŒŽŒõv - "The Moonlight". This one along with "Rasen" are the most haunting songs on the album. This song consists mainly of her vocals with piano and some drums and strings as the music. The beauty of her voice and the emotional power she puts into her music really shines in this song. The end of the song is so emotionally packed, you'll want to listen to it again and again, I'm sure.

BACK DOOR - Starts off with beautiful piano solo as does many of her songs. The vocals in this song are powerful and full of emotion. I feel a sense of sadness in this song, and longing. The added strings to this song just make it even the more beautiful. This is a song that one can easily get lost in.

Memai u-Úá¿v - "Vertigo". This is a song about a love. It has all the usual aspects of a song of Onitsuka's (piano, acoustic guitar, drums). This is probably one of my favorite songs of the whole album. I love the rythm and melody of this. The chorus will have you singing along with it the first time you listen to it.

Rasen u-†ùv - "Spiral". I believe this is the most haunting song on the album. The piano and rythm of the song along with her vocals can really affect you if you can let the song touch you emotionally. I have a hard time putting into words the beauty of this song. Words are hard to come by to describe it. I think this one of the songs that you'll listen to over and over again.

Over all I think that Onitsuka's music is worth every penny spent on it. She has a beautiful talent, and I believe that we are lucky that she shares it with the rest of the world. I also think that even those who haven't listened to Japanese music before will find her vocals gorgeous and unforgettable, and will fall in love with Onitsuka Chihiro's music."

Powerful voice

DK from the Bay | Bay Area, California | 01/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my favorite singers... Oni... she doesn't have a flawless voice, but it is so powerful and so emotional it keeps the listeners longing for more. Some also describe her voice as haunting and/or mysterious. Most know her through soundtracks from animes, but since I don't really watch anime I heard her song for the first time on a commercial (Innocence) here in America, and I looked it up because her voice just intrigued me. Innocence is a very catchy, mellow pop rock song. My favorite, Gekkou is breathtaking, emotional and beautiful all in one. After listening to a few other songs of Oni's online, I bought the album and it was a big mistake! I'm hooked and I want to buy every album she will ever release. Japanese CDs are so expensive, this is only my second Japanese CD I've ever bought and it was worth every penny, and more. Sorry to say, the other one wasn't.

From what I've read on the web, she is Christian and many of her songs reflect her beliefs. My only complaint from her is that her English isn't very good, and you will notice it in her songs as she likes to throw in a few English words here and there. I am glad to say that in later albums her English pronounciation improves a bit, but don't let that deter you from enjoying her songs. Her lyrics are meaningful and powerful, and best of all she isn't a one song wonder.

My favorites on this album:

Gekkou, Innocence, Edge, We Can Go, Cage, Memai... almost all of them. Its that good."

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	Chihiro Onitsuka Insomnia Genre: International Music Track Listings (11) - Disc #1 Gekkou Innocence Back Door (Album Version) Edge We Can Go Call Shine (Album Version) Cage Rasen Memai Gekkou (Album Version)
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