Maybe "harmless elevator music" was a bit harsh.
Listening to it 5 times in a row (as I just have), does allow some of its charm to peep through, even if I can't escape the thought that, if this wasn't
Halcali, I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought, let alone listen.
Yet, as has been pointed out by fans of the song both here and over at
Halcali Sensation, the sound does seem to have matured. I think this gets to the heart of what I have been struggling with for a while though. While no one expects, wants or needs them to keep making
Halcali Bacons their entire career, I think they have been 'matured' on to a point where many of the rough edges that gave them a lot of their earlier charm have been ironed rather flat.
Multiple listens show that there is nothing wrong with this song at all, but there's nothing really interesting about it either, just another airy middle of the road pop ballad sitting just the right side of average. Just right for a bit of mid-album or mid-set filler perhaps. And if you're wondering why the b-side (
Orange Sunset) is so forgettable, look no further than its composer,
Yusuke Tanaka, who graced us with
Halcali's career worst releases
Tip Taps Tip and
LOOK.
I know that the chances of them getting another regular producer seem a bit slim, so I'll take my schizophrenic
Halcali, faults and all. I'll do this because I know, I absolutely know, that their next killer tune might be just one single away.