Review: Nakanomori Band - OH MY DARLIN' ~ Girls having Fun ~

Released: Jan 10, 2006

Artist: 中ノ森BAND

Nakanomori Band is not a band I would recommend based on musical talents. To be blunt, they're not talented at all. However, what they lack in technical skills, they make up for in personality. Each and every track on their new album screams "FUN!". Like cotton candy, Nakanomori Band's debut album "OH MY DARLIN' ~Girls having Fun~" is light and fluffy, slightly sweet, has little substance but still nice to listen. They're a throwback to a rosy high school teenager's life that involved;
1. Conflict with parents and society
2. Does that person like me?
3. I want to see you
4. Let's go party~

1. smile & wild The album opens up with a guitar/bass duet. The drums joins in a few beats later, followed by Ayako singing the first verse. The song is standard pop/rock with a strong chorus and bassline. Because Ayako is only a rhythm guitarist, I expect nice bass sounds from Yucco in this album. Let's see if I'm disappointed. It has a nice buildup and introduction, and overall a decent introduction song. ☆☆☆☆

2. ピンクモンスター (Pink Monster) The next track starts with talking and a clapped beat. "Interesting!" was my first thought, especially after the typical sounding first track. The guitar plays the same beat just a tad behind the clap. The drums join with Ayako, who is once again, doing her half yell/half singing style. I can't say it works well for the verses, but in the chorus it's fine. Her voice sounds strained at parts, but it's nothing a bit of practice can't fix. When she's not singing, the instrumental returns to the minimalist guitar/hand clap. It's a nice break and makes the song varied and interesting. ☆☆☆1/2

3. Whatever This was their second single. I don't have much good to say about this song - from the bad English pronunciation "Walever!" to the muddied composition, this song doesn't have many shining merits aside from the lyrics taking the basic "go against the grain!" motto, which, in my book, will always be a good point. ☆☆☆☆

4. Oh My Darlin' Ah, what a nice pop song - their third single. The chorus is catchy, the lyrics are simple, the composition is simple, and for once I can actually tell what parts are played by Miss Cinnamon, the keyboardist! This song carries their trend of removing all but one instrument at parts, only this time they added a vocal. A lovely example of a fluffy pop number. ☆☆☆☆1/2

5. 恋愛 Express (Renai Express/Love Express) A drum solo/loop opens this song. Ah, but not the drums you would expect - I think it's a congo. It plays throughout the song, even when the normal drum set comes in. Cinnamon's synths play a heavy part in this song, providing the instrumental's melody. The vocals express a longing and ecstatic tone well (for the verses/prechorus and chorus, respectively) because Ayako manages to balance a normal singing/half yelling tone that should've been done in the first two tracks. A strong performance from Yucco anchors the song as well as having a nice minisolo at the end. The song has the first guitar solo of the album, most likely performed by a studio musician. The only one I can't give accolades to is Cheeta's drumming, because it's rather boring, as her drumming has been for the entire album. Easily the best song of the album. ☆☆☆☆☆

6. TOY After the previous strong track, this one seems weak in comparison. I can't really say much about it - it sounds exactly like all the other pop you would hear on the radio. So imagine simple chords, a weak chorus, and repetitive lyrics and you have this song. ☆☆☆

7. ラブ・コントロール (Love Control) After the previous disaster of a track, this one sounds good. Yucca and Cinnamon steal the song, providing a nice bass sound and countermelody. Ayako continues to find difficulty in controlling her voice, she sings the entire song with so much power it's difficult find any peak. ☆☆☆

8. クイックサンド (Quicksand) This song starts out slow, so I expected another ballad. It speeds up a bit so we get a mid-tempo song. Like TOY, there's nothing special in this song. ☆☆☆

9. 空 (Sora/Sky) This begins with Ayako yelling "Oh yeah!" rather weakly...and again we have a studio musician with a guitar solo who will be doing a lot of guitar work in this song. This is a nice driving song with a straightforward beat. This is the first song I have liked what Cheeta has done, she is the driving force behind this song. ☆☆☆1/2

10. 磁石 (Jishaku/Magnet) And now we have our real ballad. Cheeta shines again here, being the only member with an active part. Her drum beat is simple and repetitive, but it plays well against the strum a few notes every three seconds of the guitar. The only part I was really disappointed in was the lack of Yucca movement. She too, plays a few notes with the guitar. Cinnamon even includes a few organ chords here. After the drivel before this track, it's nice to have the album pick up. ☆☆☆1/2

11. サテライト (Satellite) The album continues to pick up with this track. I like the chanting/singing combination that is done with the verses. The composition remains simple and straightforward. It has the tastes of a good pop song that failed to reach its potential. ☆☆☆1/2

12. new world Oh, here we go. A nice fast tempo. The verses are sung over a bass line. She sings with the instrumental's rhythm at the end of the chorus, can't say if I like that - the instruments drain out her voice. Yucco carries the song yet again. Though Ayako sounds strained at parts, this is her second best vocal performance on this album. ☆☆☆☆

13. シークレットプール (secret pool) The album continues its slow ascension up with this track. I can imagine the pre-teen crowd eating this song up. Other than that, nothing special, though it isn't the train wreck that is TOY. ☆☆☆

14. ラズベリーパイ (Raspberry Pie) And their debut single closes the album. This song reminds me of Oh My Darlin'-lite. It's the same sweet love melody, though "Say you will be mine" is nowhere near as catchy as "Oh my Darlin'". Still, compared to the mediocre tracks leading up to it, it remains a wise choice to end the album as it gives a false impression of sweet catchiness. ☆☆☆1/2