Tomiko Van - Van.

Tomiko Van’s fourth album in total comes after VOICE and VOICE 2. It is one of her original albums and is currently her last released solo work. At the beginning of 2009, she reunited with former partner Owatari Ryo and they revived Do As Infinity, so you should enjoy Van. because it may be some time before a successor is released.

Enjoying the album shouldn’t be a big problem; already, the very first track fascinates with its cheering, light-hearted atmosphere and the beautiful melody. The following Utopia is a bit faster but just as light. After that follows a set of more dramatic songs, with dark guitar playing and a sluggish basic melody. However, with Brave, this terrain is left behind because the song is full of hope. Tomiko worked some flutes, a piano and strings into this composition .

carry out captivates with its rising volume, an Arabic touch, the sometimes alienated voice and a rousing melody. The next few tracks tracks are a bit calmer, but remain lively ballads. They are all interpreted in a very sensitive way, and almost all of them are accompanied by strings or a piano. The last song, which happens to be the title song, is a relaxing and meditative instrumental number possessed by an Indian spirit that is unfortunately far too short at just under three minutes.

In comparison with her first work, Tomiko is playing more with melodies on Van., and she brings a new style to the album with randomly occurring changes in tempo. The top three stand out tracks to listen to are carry out, message. and Van. Interestingly, on almost every track an electric guitar solo is featured, and it's not of bad quality at all.