Tenjochiki - Sweet Flower

Tenjochiki worked really hard during the initial stages of their Japanese debut, what with their first three singles being released within four months of each other. It's almost hard to believe that it was back in 2006 when their first Japanese singles were released yet it is interesting to look back and see how they've progressed in these two years.

The limited edition version of this release comes with four tracks (Sweet Flower, Rock'n'Roll Star (ft. Lina) and their corresponding instrumentals) and a DVD featuring the video for Sweet Flower and some "off shot" footage.

The first, and title, track; Sweet Flower starts off deceptively. The start is pleasant enough. It is sweet and summery, with nice harmonies from the girls and a repetitive twanging guitar sound throughout. Very quickly it becomes obvious that, while the song is very nice, there is something missing. Although for most of the song it seems like nothing is going to be done about this, at the half way point the song "breaks down", giving the song some much-needed punctuation. This section is followed by a rap part, giving the listener a much-needed change in pace. These interludes and changes keep the listener captivated.

The second song on the single is Rock'n'Roll Star (ft. Lina). This song is, in essence, a ballad. The song doesn't really feature any of Tenjochiki's trademark harmonies, just a single voice, which, in some ways, makes the song more powerful and heart-warming. While the first verse makes the song seem like a typical ballad, the chorus changes the feeling of the song completely making it a rock ballad, something that is hinted at during the intro. The song builds up beautifully and subtly throughout, so subtly that you might not realise it has happened unless you listen to it more than once in succession. Overall, the song is perfect. It isn't trying too hard to show off in any way, it is what it is and that is what makes you appreciate it so much.

The video for Sweet Flower fits the song fairly well, showing the girls dancing happily in a desert setting with occasional shots of them lying in flowers, both of which give the video a complete summery feel. During the song's breakdown, there is a thunderstorm and the girls do some more vigorous dancing before coming full circle.

While it's unlikely that this song could be described as the group's strongest or most memorable, it is a pleasant and summery song that is easily enjoyed. The b-side, however, is a beautiful and well-structured track, adding a new level to the single. It's difficult to find too many faults with these girls, simply because of their sweet voices and wonderful harmonies. It's difficult to say how far they've come but one thing's for sure: they got off to a good start.