Fans who are anticipating another breezy pop-rock album from Ogata-sama will be disappointed –
Stop, and Go is nothing like
MO or
"rain". In its varied, theatrical execution,
Stop, and Go bears a marginal resemblance to
Multipheno.
But this album often emphasizes message over musicality. Two or three of the more...unusual arrangements make me want to ask, "
Oneesama, what the hell were you thinking?"
Still, I admire her convictions; I've never heard of a seiyuu making an overtly political album. And although she has written her own lyrics before, this time she has also composed much of the music, making this her most personal album yet.
Surprisingly, the liner notes are entirely in (poorly translated) English. This makes me wonder: Is she using English as a universal language to communicate her ideas to a wider audience, or is this album directed at American provocateurs of global conflict? The opening track features samples dialogue that sounds like a radio communication between two American soldiers, and the other tracks include an English translation of "can't go back my mission" as well as three American songs: a brief instrumental of "My Favorite Things" from
The Sound of Music, the Bette Midler standard "From a Distance," and even the gospel classic "Oh, Happy Day."
I will post my impressions after I listen to the album again, and I'll translate her new songs as soon as I have the time. In the meantime, here are the liner notes and the new, English lyrics for "can't go back my mission."
The [sic] is implied throughout.
( Dear someone somewhere in this world...Collapse )
chipper
giggly
okay
curious
sleepy
hopeful