first soundscope is Garnet Crow's first album on the major record label, and it is in many ways their best album, with their signature sound at its strongest and the overall best collection of songs.

The album begins somberly with mizu no hai hareta umi he, with arpeggios getting put to wonderful use here, and a great vocal performance from Yuri Nakamura.  A great opener.

Then comes kimi no ie ni tsukumade zutto, a single that was also on the their Indies mini-album, first kaleidscope, that was released a bit before this one.  This updated versions adds more layers of instruments, more electronics, and an overall better vocal performance, as Nakamura resonates much more deeply in this version.

Then comes another single, natsu no maboroshi, that was used as the 10th ending theme for the anime Detective Conan.  This has most likely been said elsewhere, but natsu no maboroshi is one of the best songs penned in Garnet Crow's career.  It just has the perfect blend of instruments, a beautiful main melody, and a catchiness to it that would be fit for any romantic comedy flick.

Next is yet another single, futari no rocket, that was also on their Indies album.  Unlike the other song, there really isn't much difference between this version and the first kaleidscope version.  Anyway, I never really liked this song much, but it does have some very nice drumwork.

meguri kuru haru ni is a nice ballad type song, with a sweet vocal performance from Nakamura.

Then comes HAPPY DAYS?, a more upbeat song with a slightly depressing song.  Great dynamics on this one.

Next is Mysterious Eyes, another single, that was used as the 7th opening theme for Detective Conan.  This is also one of the best songs that Garnet Crow has ever done.  It flows beautifully from one section to the next, has a wickedly catchy melody, and has a truly magnificent vocal performance to top it all off.  Great, great song.

Rhythm is catchy as hell, and contains fantastic musicianship from every member of the band.  This is one of the more complex pieces on the album.

I don't really like the next song, Holding you, and swinging.  It's the only song on the album to really utilize a hip-hop like drum loop, which sucks, but at least the vocals are really nice on this one.

flying, another single, is next.  Most people seem to really adore this song, but I think it's okay, it being one of the more straightforward pieces on the album.  The melody and vocal performance of flying, though, are wonderful in that they really evoke the imagery that was intended for the song.

sen ijyou no kotoba wo narabetemo is the next song, which is also another single.  I usually end up skipping this one, as there's nothing really musically interesting about it, and I don't really like the melody.

wonder land fares a little better, but I usually skip it to get to the incredible final track, the secret arranged version of natsu no maboroshi.  This new arranged mix has the guitar and studio piano much more present in the mix, with the verses being slightly more atmospheric, and with some really tasteful keyboard work.  I really can't decide which mix of the song is better, as they are both really wonderful.  Great way to end the album, though.