The Green Tangerine

The version I am reviewing is the First Press Limited Edition, by Gackt.
I was very impressed when I had received this in the mail. The box was heavy, and safely packed by YesAsia. Inside, the whole thing was shrink-wrapped, which I was very careful to remove.

I wasn’t any less impressed when I removed the ribbon to reveal the gorgeous golden box, which slid open to show off a metallic-gold CD-case. After removing the CD I found two lots of postcards, one in silver, and one in gold.

The big white thing taking up all the space was Gackt’s aromatherapy lamp, which is powered by an electric bulb, but has to be plugged in via an 110V (Japanese or American) outlet. Somewhat useless to an Australian, but it still can be used with a regular candle, as the bulb is easily removed

The alabaster (I think that’s what it’s made of) is inscribed with a simple Christmas message from Gackt.

What really impressed me is the quality of the CD. I didn’t realize until I received this one the difference in sound quality between an Australian single, compared to a Japanese one – they really know what they’re doing over there, the sound is absolutely amazing.

The CD tracklist is as follows:

1. 12Gatsu no Love Song (2004 Edition)
2. December Love (New Recording)
3. 12Gatsu no Love Song (Chinese Version feat. Leehom Wang)
4. 12Gatsu no Love Song (New Korean Version)
5. December Love Song (New Version)
6. 12Gatsu no Love Song (With Background Chorus)
7. 12Gatsu no Love Song (Chinese With Background Chorus)
8. 12Gatsu no Love Song (Korean With Background Chorus)

Track 1 – 12Gatsu no Love Song (2004 Edition)

This is the original version of Gackt’s song. It was written for the people of New York – Gackt was distraught at what happened on 9/11. On the PV you can see him filming it in New York itself, with it’s people holding up signs of hope and piece. You can view it below:

I still love this song, after all this time. The violins are wonderfully balanced with the percussion and light guitar in the background. I love the bells also, they do set the Christmassy mood, although it is no way a generic Christmas tune – Gackt’s enormous range does away with that.

Track Rating: 4/5 Stars

Track 2 – December Love (New Recording)

This is the English version of the 12Gatsu no Love Song, but an updated version (I think it’s a little bit shorter). His English has improved somewhat (although at some points still illegible – which does lose some marks – fans have loving dubbed his English “Gacktese”), although I found that I liked the old lyrics much better e.g.

“As Lovers pass me by” became “As couples pass me by”

The background music is the same as before, there’s more emphases on the chorus and I found I enjoyed the balance of this song much better than the older version.

Download the old version here.

Track Rating: 3.5/5

Track 3 – 12Gatsu no Love Song (Chinese Version feat. Leehom Wang)

The Chinese version has always been my favorite version of the song, I just love the way the song was arranged better (I do believe its in a higher key compared to the others). I don’t know Chinese myself but my friends assure me that his Chinese is not too bad. Gackt’s dynamic vocal coupled with Leehom Wang’s honey-dipped voice is something to be admired. I love the way Leehom Wang’s vocals are perfectly suited to Gackt’s song, and they sing very well in unison. There is quite a contrast in both voices, Gackt’s being more powerful, whilst Leehom’s remains gentle.

I enjoyed this mix very much. The extra quality of the disc really did it justice.
You can download the Chinese version here.

Track Rating: 5/5

Track 4 – 12Gatsu no Love Song (New Korean Version)

This version is somewhat longer than the others, and features gorgeous chimes and a fuller string sound – otherwise there’s not much difference from the Japanese version.

Gackt still has powerful vocals, the arrangement is still gorgeous.

Track Rating: 4/5

Track 5 – December Love Song

This is another Korean version of the song, sung in duet, although I’m not sure who with (it does say the lyricist is Pang Chang Hark). If anyone can tell me who is, I’d much appreciate it, because whoever it is, has a beautiful voice… and I’m positive I’ve heard it somewhere before. I enjoyed this version much more than the one above, the background music is somewhat the same.

Track Rating 4.5/5

Tracks 6-8 are all instrumentals of the song, with the backup vocals (mostly by Gackt) still intact. So, listening to all these, I do realize that there are subtle differences in all the songs… interesting…

Okay, so overall rating. This thing was EXPENSIVE. I had to save up a long time to get it. I was, and still am very impressed with the quality of everything. I wish a DVD with the PV had been included also, and for that price it really should have been. Because this item is limited release, and really is a must-have for a Gackt fanatic – it won’t be long before they’re all gone (CDJapan are already out) – plus everything is just so beautiful.

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

It loses a star for the price.