On the same day when I went back home, my copy of KOKIA's "long journey" has also arrived. Superb.
I didn't wanna buy this mini-album at first, because there are only four songs in one disc, which may be a small waste for the rest blank space on the disc. However, since this was the very first song KOKIA recorded before the born of KOKIA, the song "For little tail" is thus valuable enough to buy… ^^;
This album was just excellent. Yet, I don't want to talk about "Road to Glory" again. I love this song, and I DID use a large space to talk about it in my "REAL WORLD" review.
"Daybreak" is an image(?) song KOKIA wrote for game "Dragon Nest". There was a Dragon Nest trail version coming with the mini-album. I played it a bit, and I felt like to continue it when it becomes available in NA. I guess this song must be fitting the conception of the world of Dragon Nest very well! However, "Daybreak" is a beautiful song itself. The beginning of the song can be said as calm, but in the middle, it gets to be grander and more intense – I love that part especially the background chorus, which is clean, neat, and powerful. The arrangement was in consistence with the theme song "Road to Glory", which has been done in an intense and ethnic way. The slight and rapid beating of drums is also very neat. I can get the feeling that's similar to the image of "REAL WORLD" – indeed, the booklet was using some photos from her REAL WORLD photobook.
Now, "For little tail", my favorite. Even though KOKIA mentioned in her blog that she likes the new arranged version, I prefer the original version. KOKIA's singing skill was not as mature as now, but I found the exactly same feeling of her albums released in her earlier stage – I'm saying "trip trip", and I LOVE that kind of voice too!! On the other hand, I also love the melody and the arrangement. Ohh, wait, this song also has something similar feeling to "daybreak", not in melody, it should be something deeper, the "core conception (don't know how to describe it though, orz)". Well, I know the two games have the same staff, so that's the reason! Anyway, I love this style. :D I especially love the repeating phrases: "zabiatsuta… zabiatsuta…." KOKIA has already done the chorus well since that period, the chorus is so perfect and powerful, which made that part so sweet and catchy!! This song was done 13 years ago, before the born of KOKIA – now, this song has went beyond the time, and we were finally able to enjoy the "phantom" KOKIA song, which was not officially released until now. How can you not collect this album if you really like her? It has KOKIA's earliest work in it!!!
The last track, "For little tail ~once~", which is a rearranged version. It is slower and calmer than the original. KOKIA's voice… ohh, still the beautiful voice and she was doing more excellent chorus works in it. Comparing to the original, this one is thicker in melody and chorus; it has a completely different ambience from the original. However, I really prefer the original, hmm, personal suggestion, and I do love this version very much. :3
I was so glad for getting the limited version of this album. Now, what I'm expecting is the day of the coming of Dragon Nest in NA! XDD