Believe In The 12 Signs - Why@Doll's 1st Album, Gemini - New Age Idol Album Review
First and foremost, I planned on making a video review but I enjoy writing more so I decided to do that instead.
I'm sorry.
I still hope you read this and deeply consider purchasing this great album.
I do plan on releasing a group review, technically a duo review of Why@Doll here soon but I really plan on something big for that one.
According to the astrological signs, me (Taurus) does not have great compatibility with a Gemini.
They were wrong.
Let me say that this album has 14 tracks total which include six from their second and third singles, plus seven studio recorded tracks and a bonus song as well.
In my opinion, that sounds like a fantastic album.
You get my point.
When I saw this album on the release list, I flashed back to my trip to Tokyo when I saw them perform live and I knew I had to get it pronto.
I enjoyed them so much during that event because I had front row access to my top duo in the idol world.
Sorry, I kind of got side tracked.
This album was released on February 10th, 2016 and the lovely people over at CDJapan delivered it to me on the 10th here in Oklahoma, so I'm happy for that.
Also, as of this articles release, the wait is now 3-5 days on most sites to receive this album.
The album also released at number 20 on the Oricon album chart, which is really great, honestly.
Again, I got off track.
I just really love this album.
Album Review
Let's get on with it, shall we?
The first track is titled, Gemini, and basically it is a overture song. For those of you who do not know what a overture song is, it is a instrumental to introduce the album in a roundabout way.
I honestly like overtures and this one is one of the best.
- After Gemini, comes the second track GAME.
This song is what I love about Why@Doll. It has a catchy beat with the bass guitar and drums and adds a little piano plus a electric organ.
The whole track is so upbeat and their vocals just completely harmonize through most of the song.
It is one of those tunes, where you could be head bobbing to (like I am now) and really feeling it.
I can get hyped up listening to it while driving down the road and getting weird stares by people at red lights.
It happens.
- The next song on the album is Ringing Bells.
Obviously throughout the song their is going to be at least some ringing bells.
This songs beat and melody match pretty perfectly.
I always love when lyrics are being sung and the beat drops off and focuses only on the vocals and it happens a couple times in this song.
I know I didn't explain much about that song but there will be more explanation on others.
- The fourth track is their song, Signal.
It is very upbeat much like the past two tracks but this one kicks it up a notch.
It is very peppy and the high notes that are hit early in the song are really fantastic.
When the chorus hits, it gives me chills because I don't really expect it or I really enjoy it.
Both members sound really good in this song. They both play into each others harmony so well.
I do like the retro vibe to the melody as well.
That is what makes Why@Doll so darn good.
Again the instruments cut back a little and allow the vocals to come back in and send chills.
As the song ends, you get a lovely instrumental to jam to if you'd like.
- As for the fifth track, Tactics, it goes one-up on Signal.
It has a great jamming electro-pop vibe to it.
The lyrics are really packed into this song and I love during the chorus that some vocals and echoed in the background.
A very rocky chorus hits in the middle of this tune and livens the mood even more.
I really enjoy this side of the duo as well.
This song has some major bass to it where at certain points I have to turn it down so I don't blow out my speakers, which is perfectly fine.
- The sixth song for this album is titled Bekutoru.
Once again, this one has a rock vibe but a little more jazzy which makes for a great song.
I like the guitar that plays in behind the vocals lightly.
This song is road trip material by the ocean.
The wind blowing in your hair while in a luxury convertible (I can dream).
The lyrics and voices are ultra strong in this song.
About half-way through, they hit a major instrumental part followed by a light guitar with vocals to everything again.
You can jam out to this one without regrets.
- Track number seven on this great album is shu-shu-star.
I keep saying it but I really like the vibe of this tune,
The vocals one again are great with the up and down vocal movements ( I can't describe it).
When the chorus hits and you just start singing along while looking at the stars it sends shivers down your spine.
I believe every time the words, midnight star, were muttered that happened.
Again the instruments cut out in the track just releasing the talented voices they have.
The whole melody of this song matches the composition that just keeps you listening over and over.
- The eighth track of the album is a very popular song I heard them perform titled, Aimai Moon.
I'm just warning you this song is really jamming.
It once again has this electric pop vibe but with more of a disco feel.
It is very up pace and will keep you wanting more of this song.
I have heard this song many times and I do not get tired of hearing it.
The bass be on fire throughout this whole song.
The vocals of course are outstanding and very easy to listen to.
Towards the end it makes you just want to clap while driving down the road (Do Not Attempt).
At this point in the album, mostly all the songs have been uptempo but the next two are very slow songs that I can't listen to for a long time due to the tone of the melody.
- Track number nine, Setsuna SHOOTING STAR, is a emotional roller coaster.
It starts with a heartbeat and Morse code which set this song apart from the get-go.
I am going to be completely honest.
I have heard this song a few times now and about 20 seconds in, tears start welling up.
Call me a sissy, I don't care.
Anyways, the songs beat is really uptempo but then the vocals kick in and it takes it to a whole new level.
I get the chills each and every time when they start singing,
It sounds so beautiful.
The composer killed it in this song. I don't know if they did it on purpose to evoke some sort of emotion but, I can say they did a great job.
I keep saying towards the end they cut out the instruments and no joke they are perfectly harmonized.
I honestly love these types of songs.
- For the tenth track, you get Arigatou.
After listening to Setsuna Shooting Star, this one took it even further and made my symptoms worse.
The song catches you off guard because it immediately starts with them singing, with a lovely piano background and at that point you know what kind of song it is.
You can feel the emotion just releasing from the song.
At the beginning of the first verse, I am already in tears.
It sounds so heartfelt that it makes me love them more.
The vocals are perfect in this slow song. I am not kidding.
The melody of this song is so fresh and airy that it takes you by surprise.
It has a great guitar riff and then back to vocals which gives me chills and then it hits like a climax which makes them worse,
The song picks up and hits a higher climax and then drops back down to a piano and a little drum to slow it down a little.
As the songs keeps going the more you want these kind of songs.
Throughout the song they are saying thank you, but it should be me whose thanking them.
The instrumental part at the end is so pretty that it takes your breath away.
- For the eleventh track, Byousoku Party Night begins.
Unlike the previous two, this one goes back to the root of the others.
This one has like a 80s' feel to it with the electric piano riff.
It is dramatically uptempo and you want to clap when you have the chance.
It makes you want to go to the roller rink and skate to this with a headband.
I feel like this would be a song I would listen to when I need something fun to listen to.
I really like the melody and the chorus of this song.
I want to listen to this over and over.
The instrumental in the latter half makes it a lot more retro-ish.
I still like the electric piano riff though, Good touch.
- As the twelfth track, CANDY LOVE starts, you know it is going to get a bit funky up in here.
Just the funky band sound makes this song a great listen.
I really enjoy this song as you could jam out to this a lot.
ChuChuChuChuChu Candy Music!!
I am literally dancing to this because it is so upbeat and you would want to have a party to this.
Towards the end, you get a little bit of the Bruno Mars song, Uptown Funk, kind of beat, which is pretty dope.
Then they start using words to pick up the pace and it makes it even better with the jazzy guitar and band instrumental followed by more:
Candy Love!!!
As you can tell, I am feeling this song.
ChuChuChuChuChu Candy Music!!!!
Yeah!!!
- After that track, you get the lovely song Clover for number 13,
This one is one of my top favorites from the group no doubt. The song is really funky as well which perfectly matches the previous one.
Day By Day, Step By Step
The choreo to this song is pretty easy to mimic as well.
I have tried it embarrassingly.
I love the melody and the tone of this song as it presents itself in a way you could jam to.
The funky guitar again just brilliantly plays through the usual instrumental.
I think they did a great job making this song and I hope to hear more music like this from them in the future.
- Finally, number 14 has arrived with the title, LOVERS on EARTH.
As you can tell by the title of the song, it is one of those.
I actually listened to it for the first time on the drive home from work yesterday and it hit me about as hard as Setsuna Shooting Star and Arigatou.
The song starts with a lovely vocal opening and continues to impress as the song goes along.
The beat is really good for this song as it is not too fast or slow.
Then the chorus hits and sends shivers down your spine.
The vocals in this song are absolutely amazing.
They have their second verse followed by the chill chorus and it makes you want to bob your head along.
Then the guitar starts and rips through this song with a amazing force.
Once again the chorus starts and hits you with a punch that they have shown throughout this album.
Lalalalala....
-Claps with the beat-
As the song ends, you really wish it wasn't over.
Overall Review
As you could tell by my opinion of this album, I really love it. Why@Doll did a fantastic job at organizing songs and releasing a perfect album.
A+
I have shown many people the music of this group and they absolutely love them.
I would purchase this album for them all but I would be really broke.
I honestly hope you go out and buy this and support them with all your might.
They are seriously underrated,
I hope you felt the same way as I did on this crazy journey. If not, I don't blame you.
Purchase Links
CDJapan
HMV Japan (Includes Song Samples)
Tower Records Japan (Includes Song Samples)
Amazon Japan (Includes Song Samples)
Official Links
Official Website
Official Twitter
You can follow me on Twitter or feel free to leave a comment. I do not mind.
*And as always, Have A Wonderful Day No Matter Where You Are
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