Customer Reviews

Shinshoku Dolce

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fantastic Cd if you enjoy Jpop/techno pop and classical crossover music.
the music is sweet, slightly dark, slightly childlike and beautifully unique.

Shinskoku Dolce is goth-lolita heaven: lush music, dark lyrics, with more than a splash of fashion. Kanon Wakeshima didn't get to write the music this time around (her producer wrote all the music), but she did write the lyrics. I look forward to when her producer gives her more creative freedom, because she's clearly got the talent. I recommend looking up lyrics translations; it makes the songs much richer. Songs I normally wouldn't have liked on this album I've come to appriciate after understanding the lyrics.

Sweet Ticket: A short intro into Shinku No Fetarythm.

Shinku No Fetarythm (Rythmn of Fatalism): Wakeshima-san sings in a lower register, easier on the ears of Western listeners, and enchants with flourishes of her beautiful cello playing. The low rapid beat is hypnotic. 5/5

Kagami (Mirror): Sparkling bells give way to rich cello and darkly merry percussion. Wakeshima alternates between softly girlish tones and desperate wails in an ominous take off Snow White. 5/5

Still Doll: Gets the award for creepiest outro to an anime. The entire song gives off a creepy vibe, especially when Wakeshima-san nearly hisses "Hi Miss Alice." Awesome cello solo. 4/5

Maboroshi (Illusion): Not my favorite song on Dolce. Lighter, at least musically, than the intro songs. The weird rythmn and cadence of this song just doesn't work for me, especially the chours. It doesn't have the same fluid grace of the previous songs. 3/5

Ennui Kibun! (Feelings of Ennui!): An intro of bits of sound--cats and telephones and running water, with Wakehima-san whispering something. It sets the tone for an off-the-wall song about Wakeshima-san's dissatisfying day that involves a cat, ringing machines, and her new shoes. Cute, weird, funny. About that order. 4/5

Suna No Oshiro (Castle of Sand): If you haven't heard of this song yet I'm not sure how you wound up at this page. (Second outro for the anime Vampire Knight.) In any event, an intense, epic song with operatic vocals and an amazing intro. 5/5

Monochrome Frame: An understated, melancholy song. The violins are particularly beautiful, and Wakeshima-san shows off her lower register again. 5/5

L'espoir -Mahou No Akai Ito-: Aaaand back to the high-pitched nasally voice. On a more interesting note, she sings the intro and outro in French. 3/5

Kuroi Torikago (Black Caged Bird): In this song the complex beats work well, with some beautiful violins gliding over the top and under Wakeshima-san's vocals. 5/5

Skip Turn Step: Dreamy lighthearted song with poetic lyrics. You can almost see Wakeshima-san skipping ahead as the orchestra follows after. I didn't appreciate this one until I read the translation. 5/5

Shiroi Kokoro White Heart): Melancholy song, like a rainy summer afternoon. Wakeshima-san's cello work isn't as elaborate as in other songs, but it gives the song a wonderful rich undercurrent. 4/5

Sweet Dreams: Outro.

If you like it dark with a generous dose of sweet, pick this one up.

I'm so glad I bought this CD. Kanon's music is truly wonderful, and the CD is a great buy whether you like japanese music and anime or whether you're simply a cello fan. Her cello playing is AMAZING. (She's a prodigy too, started playing at age 3.)

If you're a "Vampire Knight" fan, the CD is a MUST BUY, it has the ending themes of seasons 1 and 2 in it, and it's the much longer versions of the songs.
I was delighted by the longer intro to "Still Doll" as well, it's lovely and was quite a pleasant surprise.

CD was great perfect condition. She plays the Chello excellent! Highly Reccomend this cd to anyone who likes Japanes music.

1) Goods arrived earlier than expected. 1 months grace earlier
2) job well done. THANKS!
3) only problem was that the packaging was not able to protect the cover. It left a crack on case but ultimately, CD was still in tack.

I randomly clicked on Kanon's Still Doll music video on you tube and I loved it. After listening to this CD on you tube, I wanted to buy it. So I did. :) I like having my own copy of things... Ha.

Completely satisfied.

Kanon's music is interesting. It's a mix of classical and Japanese pop, some describe her music as dark, but there are some livelier beat music on the CD.

In some songs, her voice is more poppy Japanese than others, high-pitched. Japanese singers usually have that type of voice and it takes certain people to learn to like it. I am one of those people who like it...
I think it's cute. And Kanon is a way better singer than some other Japanese singers that I've heard.

:) Complete with her classical feel and awesome cello playing, it's fun to listen to. Enjoy.

I became a fan of Kanon Wakeshima when I was listening to anime openings/endings and heard one for Vampire Knight. It has this eerie feel to it that draws you in and entices you to want to hear more. A lot of her music is darker, while there are songs on it that are a bit more cheery. I absolutely love her cello playing as well. She has an amazing talent singing and playing. While at times I did skip a few of her songs because at the time I wasn't feeling like listening to them, overall, the cd is amazing. Anyone wanting Japanese music should check into this.