crossroad
KICS-964 ¤ 2002.09.04 ¤ 3,000 yen

Review written by Teresa Ko.

Overall : In her album dedication for "crossroad", Makkun wrote that she hoped everyone who heard this album would find a song or two to be especially touching and meaningful. With this in mind, "crossroad" is a fairly eclectic collection of songs with a broad palette of mood and sound that, I think, achieves its goal. I always feel like I'm going on a road trip whenever I listen to this album. Not only because of the album title, but because of the unique atmosphere of each track and the thoughts and places they remind me of. And like any true road trip, this album has its notable ups and downs, but by the time it's over, I feel like I've gone someplace new and found something wonderful from my trip.
This album is the first that was entirely self-produced by Makkun, and that fact becomes quite obvious once you're well on your way through the CD. The general mood is more contemplative and peaceful that Makkun's earlier albums, and the general music style is decidedly rock. I'd have to say, though, that "crossroad" sounds more mature than Makkun's previous works, and it looks that way, too. The lyrics booklet is on par with that of "DEVOTION", with high-quality stock paper and an elegant layout used throughout. There aren't many pictures of Makkun in this one; each page has the lyrics to one track and a small, well-chosen picture that seems to represent the theme of that track. And the last page has a terrifically quiet photo of Makkun working on her music, with the words "Never-ending motion" written underneath. Truly, this is a turning point for Makkun and a memorable new experience for her fans.

01. Scramble
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: Monta
I highly prefer Makkun's usual high-adrenaline, ultra-energetic album openers, but this is a pretty upbeat track. I think it's really fitting for this album, though, as it has a kind of optimistic energy about I always feel when I'm starting out on a road trip.

02. Love Rocket ni Natte
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: Monta
I love the opening rock instrumental. Fairly eye-opening, especially after the soft tones of 'Scramble'. And the first few lines of each stanza are catchy, especially with the fun guitar riffs going on there. In fact, all the e-guitar work is terrific. ^_^ The chorus adds the perfect ambiance. lyrics are fun and on the silly side; they fit the track just right.

03. Kimi to Boku ni Dekiru Koto
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: YAMACHI
Wow, I love this track. The melody is upbeat and Makkun's vocal work here is really interesting (she kind of does that characteristic sliding thing with her voice, which I can only otherwise attempt to describe as semi-yodeling). Anyway, with the excellent arrangement, everything just clicks and comes together as a great song. Good work by both Makkun and YAMACHI.

04. HAPPY PLACE
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: D.R.Y
This is the vehicle track for the CD single that was released shortly before this album was, so you can guess (correctly) that this is a good song. It has a memorable melody that could have actually sounded quite depressing if it was given a slower tempo and different instruments, but it works quite nicely as an upbeat tune, too. One little nitpicky thing about the song, though, is that I notice the instrumentals in the background sound kind of muffled and hollow when Makkun is singing the chorus, as if there's not much of a back-up band except for a drummer using a dampened drum set. I think this song suffers and drags a little from that muffled sound. But it's a detail that's easy to ignore, and really, everything else about the song easily makes up for it.

05. strawberry fields
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: Monta
The imagery in this song is just wonderful... I've only been to a strawberry farm once in my life. I think it would feel quite dream-like to stand in the middle of a strawberry patch on a moonlit night... Anyway, very powerful singing by Makkun in this one, and though it sounds a bit bizarre to me having Makkun sing a duet with herself near the end, I think the song is quite beautiful.

06. stillness
lyr: JUN OHTOMO + okui, masami, mus: JUN OHTOMO. arr: YAMACHI
This definitely rivals 'Iiwake' for saddest track of the album. JUN OHTOMO makes an impressive debut with this touching song, and again, you can't go wrong with YAMACHI doing the arrangement. Very beautiful.

07. mission
lyr: okui, masami, mus & arr: Monta
It usually takes me a few listens to warm up to a track I've never heard before, but 'mission' really grabbed my attention on the very first try and didn't let go. This Spanish kind of music style is a first for Makkun, and it's a terrific success. The AC guitars, the interesting beat, the melancholic and mysterious lyrics... Great song.

08. NECESSARY
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: TAKAYUKI YASUDA & HAYA10
I think 'mission' deserved to have a louder, faster track follow it. 'NECESSARY', though not a bad song, is a bit forgettable; moreover, it feels like a let-down from the build-up that was 'mission' and doesn't transition well into 'be free'. The melody is nice, though. The strength of this track, though, is in the lyrics, which are surprisingly direct (and in that respect it reminds me of 'Himawari' from Do-can).

09. be free
lyr: okui, masami, mus: Monta, arr: HIDEYUKI 'Daichi' SUZUKI
Hm... I'm not a fan of loud heavy-metal rock kind of stuff, and this kind of on the border... This song is arranged by the same person who wrote & arranged the OP theme to the popular, introverted anime series 'Witch Hunter ROBIN', so I was a bit disappointed, as I was expecting something with a more developed layering and an overall good song. But since Hideyuki was only in charge of arrangement this time, I think he did pretty well with whatever he got, and there's nothing wrong with the choice of instrumentals here. Anyway, I do like the four-line stanza just before each chorus, which have kind of an airy feel, as if Makkun were throwing her voice across a canyon or something (strange imagery, I know, but that's the mental picture that pops into my head). Unfortunately, the 'hallucination' chorus thing just degenerates into disturbing half-yelling, half-singing...

10. bird
lyr: okui, masami, mus: KOJI YAMADA, arr: D.R.Y
From the soft static noise that opens this track to the restrained AC guitar work all throughout, the arrangement of this song is quite nice. I think the picture in the lyrics booklet captures the mood perfectly: I feel like I'm sitting on at the edge of a high mesa overlooking a canyon, with the sunset in full view and a large hawk or eagle off to the side lazily winding its way through the breeze. 'bird' is a peaceful song that picks up some force near the end; a very good listen.

11. high high high
lyr: okui, masami, mus & arr: Monta
Hm... I have mixed feelings about this one. Well, first off, this song reminds me of the Beatles. It's a fun, upbeat song, not one with a very complex melody, but it's nice to listen to. I just have a problem with the ending... er, the lack of it, actually. This happy song deserved a really satisfying climax and instrumental conclusion, but instead, it goes halfway to the climax and then... stops. Suddenly. Abruptly. Without warning. It ALWAYS throws me off whenever I listen to this track, because it's at that point where it's almost over and you're anticipating a really nice big, drawn-out conclusion to a happy, fun rock song and... it just ENDS. There. No. Explanation. At. All. Is it just an error in my CD, perhaps? Can anyone e-mail me about this?

12. Iiwake
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: YAMACHI
I hope that Makkun and YAMACHI continue to work together, because they produce excellent stuff. This is quite the opposite of 'Kimi to Boku ni Dekiru Koto' in many ways, as where the earlier song is upbeat and light, 'Iiwake' is very sad and contemplative. I love the melody, though I wouldn't say it's catchy, exactly, but it fits the lyrics very well and sets the mood of the song very nicely. The lyrics, too, are very beautiful and bittersweet.

13. Nemurenai Yoru ga Kureta Mono
lyr & mus: okui, masami, arr: Escargot & Monta
This ending track really reminds me of 'Dareka ga Dareka wo' from Do-can (though this track is softer, more laid-back than 'Dareka'), so I've gotta like it. ^^ Once again, Makkun sings with the support of a single instrument, this time an acoustic guitar. The lyrics are contemplative and, I think, can easily speak to anyone. The arrangement is simple and gives a sense of honesty and directness. Great little song, a reassuring and uplifting end to a good CD.