Yui - Good-bye Days
By Dygo
Release Date: 06/14/2005Price: 1223 yen
Type: Single
My Rating
Sound Quality - 8/10Length - 7.5/10
Vocals - 8.5/10
Songs - 8/10
Overall Score - 7.5/10!
Overview
Rising 19-year old singer-songwriter YUI was chosen for the lead female role in the movie "Taiyo no Uta" (Song of the Sun) which is a drama about a adolescent/teenage girl with a condition called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP for short). XP is a chronic disease that makes her skin and nervous system highly susceptible to UV rays, forcing the girl to live her life in the dark of night. The girl’s love for music brings her out to street corners and train stations at night where she performs acoustic her own songs. This single contains the three songs in the movie, written and performed by YUI.Review
Having been a big fan of YUI since her first breakout song "LIFE" (which was also aired as a BLEACH anime intro), I’ve had a chance to listen to all of her songs and her recent album "From Me to You" (owing its title to the Beatles ) that was released a few months before "Good-bye Days". Her earlier works shared a lot in common with Michelle Branch. Her music generally incorporates her hopeful lyrics with solid acoustic/guitar.It should be said that as with any movie tie-in, the song’s emotional attachments are a lot easier to understand after having watched the movie. Otherwise the lyrics may be confusing, although the vocals are really some of the best in the genre. The Beatles’ influence is apparent in the general tone and instrumentation, and she generally doesn’t try anything *quite* new. Her mix of mainly Japanese lyrics with dispersed English is very typical of Japanese songs (her accent is obvious...), but it’s not trying to be too "cool" for itself. All in all, the songs are very content with themselves.
Track Listing
1. Good-bye Days (5:29) - 8.5/10
This song doesn’t make much sense without seeing the movie, but when you hear it in the movie, it will make you want to cry!! The understated emotional drama behind these lyrics are stunning, and the orchestral track is a part of the movie (trying not to spoil things). Imagine a girl singing her heart out because she knows she may die soon- YUI’s vocals hint her own tears. 7/10 for non-movie people, 9/10 for Taiyo-no-Uta.
2. Skyline (4:58) - 8/10
Less dramatic than the title song, Skyline is more characteristic of YUI’s acoustic/soft-rock roots. I’m not a big fan of the high-pitched verse "I want to fly away", but the song soothes with YUI’s gentle, hopeful voice. Nothing that will jump out at you, but may roll onto your leisure playlist.
3. It’s Happy Line (3:47) - 6.5/10
This is actually a "re-release" of one of YUI’s first songs that helped her get on the radio. Originally an indy-release, it fits in with her other two songs as well as theme of the movie in terms of a lonely singer-songwriter. The lyrics are a little bland, and the mellow tone can either soothe or ask you to skip. Nothing overtly wrong with this song, but it sounds a bit desperate and reminds me of Avril Lavigne.
4. Good-bye Days Intrumental (5:24) - 6/10
I can’t see anyone trying to mimic YUI’s amazing vocals- this one’s for the karaoke experts and wannabe singers, and everyone else probably won’t listen to this track.
In conclusion, a good single by YUI, although nothing fantastic. The movie is being released on DVD tomorrow (November 17, 2006). Her first album "From Me to You" is a wonderful compilation of her songwriting, and Good-bye Days is sure to find itself onto her next album.
Where Can You Buy the CD?
YesAsia
CD Japan
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