May'n and Megumi Nakajima - Lion (Macross Frontier OP/ED 2 Single)

RELEASED: 08.20.2008
LABEL: flying DOG, Victor Entertainment
TRACKLIST:
1. Lion
2. Northern Cross
3. Lion (without vocal)
4. Northern Cross (without vocal)

Macross Frontier is probably the only other anime where I'm totally in love with the music. The other one is NANA, which incidentally introduced me to Japanese music in general. I can't figure why -- whether the music is good because the story is good or maybe it's the other way around. One thing is certain: music is so much a part of these two series that when you take one out, the show just won't be the same.

So about Lion. It's the third opening theme for Macross Frontier performed this time by both fictional singers, Sheryl Nome (May'n) and Ranka Lee (Megumi Nakajima) while the b-side track, Northern Cross, performed only by May'n (if Megumi Nakajima sings in this track, I can't hear her) is -- I think -- the sixth ending theme.

The single is the fifth for May'n and the second for Megumi Nakajima, whose first single (Seikan Hikou) is also tied up with the Macross Frontier franchise.

BUY:

Macross Frontier OP/ED 2 Single - Lion @ Play-Asia
Macross Frontier OP/ED 2 Single - Lion (Japan Version) @ Yes Asia

The tracks are very synthetic sounding and hence very "Sheryl-esque." While Lion has the makings of a high-strung pop number, Northern Cross is more along the lines of bubblegum rock. This kind of music suits May'n's voice very well since she has that quality of soaring above all the techno stuff and coming out strong and solid. Not so with Megumi Nakajima whose soothingly tiny voice gets too often drowned out by all the synthetic muddle. Worse still, when she sings the chorus of Lion with May'n, whose more powerful voice definitely drowns her out, reducing her to no more than side noise.

IN CONCLUSION: While May'n and Megumi Nakajima both have good voices, their overall tonal qualities just do not mix. Listening to the single, it's all May'n so if you're more of a fan of Megumi Nakajima, you're better off with Seikan Hikou.

MORE INFO:

Megumi Nakajima Official Site (Japanese)
Megumi Nakajima Wikipedia
May'n Official Site (Japanese)
May'n Wikipedia
Macross Frontier Official Site (Japanese)
List of Macross Frontier Music @ Wikipedia