Hisakawa Aya – Hi-Ka-Ri [CD album data + review]

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format: CD album
label: Vap Inc
disc#: VPCG-84247
price: 2913 yen
release date: 1995-03-01
track time: 0:49:45

    Larger images: [ jacket: front ] [ CD case: back ] :: First press extras [ box cover ] [ photobook ] [ calendar ]

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# Track title | Comments Lyrics
1 Tila-so-Tilalifo~風を感じて~ | Tila-so-Tilalifo ~kaze wo kanjite~  
2 青い空を抱きしめたい | Aoi sora wo dakishimetai  
3 Shiny Day   translation
4 ピースケのうた | PIISUKE no uta  
5 水のラビリンス | Mizu no RABIRINSU  
6 HALLELUJAH  
7 人生、祭りやっっ | Jinsei, matsuri ya  
8 赤い砂時計 | Akai sunadokei  
9 Rainy blue  
10 Sunday  
11 Hi-Ka-Ri  

Review

Hisakawa Aya, best known as the voice actress for Sailor Mercury of worldwide Sailormoon fame, goes full charm ahead in this classic album. There is no aggression in this collection of uplifting and gentle songs, just a good dose of sweetness tempered with maturity, similar to Aya’s contemporary, Iwao Junko–another popular 90’s singer/seiyuu.

The album opens with the mid-tempo happy number, “Tila-so-Tilalifo ~kaze wo kanjite~” and continues with the next two tracks, to the catchy “Shiny Day,” which was aired as the opening theme to Aya’s radio station “Shiny Night.” The march of songs in major key temporarily slows with the cutesy “Piisuke no uta,” accentuated by silly water droplet sounds, then takes a more dramatic turn with the wistful “Mizu no labyrinth.” Aya handles the minor key ballad with delicate skill. “Hallelujah” reverts to the cheerful, moderately catchy theme of the album. “Jinsei, matsuri ya” takes another odd turn with its chromatic progressions and strange background chanting, reminiscent of martial arts kiai. This is the weakest track on the album, partly because of the unconvincing attempt at being experimental and partly because Aya’s straight-forward, on-pitch singing does not add anything to the instrumentals.

The album picks up again with the dramatic “Akai sunadokei,” a very classic 90’s J-pop song, complete with jangly rhythm track. “Rainy Blue” is a pensive, slow ballad, perfect for Aya’s soft voice. The moderately-slow upbeat song “Sunday” (released as a single) and the inspiring title track, “Hi-Ka-Ri,” round out the rest of this disc, with bells and chimes evoking the light that the album’s title alludes to.

Overall, Aya’s vocals are straightforward and pleasant. This album was recorded in the era before Auto-Tune, so there is no doubt about the accuracy of Aya’s pitch. Although she does not have the fancy vocal techniques or the gusto of mainstream J-pop singers, she creates plenty of atmosphere with her sweet and charming voice, without overstepping into saccharine territory. Hi-Ka-Ri is a thoroughly enjoyable album, a companion for rainy day blues, and a must-have for any classic seiyuu music collector.

Favorite tracks: “Sunday”, “Shiny Day”, “Mizu no Labyrinth”

MC G rating: 8.5/10
MC L rating: 8.2/10
Fan factor: 10/10

Shop: where to buy

This album is now out of print and may be difficult to buy. The first press edition comes with special cardboard packaging, a mini-photoboook and a fold-out mini calendar for 1995. Used copies, as sold on Ebay or Amazon, may not contain all first-press extras.

Amazon Japan – Hi-Ka-Ri (CD album)

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Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 1990s from Japan, Albums

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