+bonus track+ Paradox
If you rewind from Track 1 on the CD, you can find this bonus track, which was previously only available as a limited release single. This is a really upbeat, electronic sounding song that sets up the album nicely. In the song, Kirito sets up the fact that he is looking for answers to a paradox, and the album represents this journey "to know everything". However, Kirito raises the question that if everything is already scripted out, why bother to even try? That's the paradox. I like the hard edge of this song, and how it frames the concept of the album.
Rating: 5/5

1. Heaven
Continuing Pierrot's trend of starting albums with weird sounds, this one has something akin to a camera focusing. You know, that little whirring sound. Anyway, the song kicks into drive with some wonderful driving guitars, which cut out once Kirito enters. His vocals are almost tender, but with that slight edge that makes his style so unique. The bridge gets a little heavier, and while I hate to use the expression, the chorus really soars. It's not slow or dramatic, but there is so much energy and emotion. I am constantly amazed by Pierrot's ability to write instantly memorable songs. We then get a lovely little guitar solo, and that awesome bridge again. Is it possible for a bridge to be as good as the chorus? This one is.

Lyrically, this is one of my favourites of all time. Kirito seems to be searching for answers, because the world is such a dark and lonely place. "Ah... yet, I'm still not satisfied at all/what should I protect from here on out?" Like always, the lyrics suggest a love song, but there is some deeper meaning to be found. "If I could meet you, hanging your head,/in a corner of heaven I'd surely notice/what these arms that can't even remember how to fly,/can do beyond this." Who is it that Kirito has been searching for throughout "Finale" and "Private Enemy" and into this album?
Rating: 5/5

2. shingetsu
I love this song. It is short, fast and to the point. The percussion is particularly good, driving the song forward like a racing heartbeat. Kirito's tone when he sings "sneering moonlight" is absolutely perfect. The guitars and bass are pure rock and roll, brisk and refreshing.

In this song, Kirito seems to be saying that even though life is merely a cycle over which we have no power, we continue to have hope of a brighter future. "I quietly let myself to go to the buzzing in my ears/closing my eyes to asure myself that I'll eventually find the hint I've been searching for."
Rating: 5/5

3. Dramatic Neo Anniversary
I forgot to warn you that there will be a LOT of fours and fives for this album, as I consider it one of the best albums I have ever heard. I thought that even before I was a Pierrot fan, and I still believe it today. Anyway, this was a single. It has this cool electro-punk flavor that I really enjoy. The verses are nicely restrained, which allows the bridge to build with energy until the chorus explodes with the word "DYNAMIC". That is quality songwriting, let me tell you. The guitars are really... cool in this song. God, is that the best adjective I can think of? Guess so.
My one complaint about this song is that the lyrics are rather repetitive. That may be intentional, but it still frustrates me. To summarize the song's meaning, I'll quote Centigrade-J, whose translations are superb. "This song seems to partially be a look at modern japanese youth, or youth in general. Kirito has said in interviews that rather than looking at their lack of foreward thinking critically, he has taken a position to see it in a positive light. The characters of the song are clearly enjoying themselves despite the fact their lives are going to be wiped out." Thanks, Boo!
Rating: 4/5

4. Home Sick
I like how this album alternates the mood with each track. Whereas DNA had an upbeat, positive feel, this one has more edge, more anger, and more longing. You know how you can be somewhere, having the best time of your life, and still be homesick? That's how I feel when I hear this song. The combination of acoustic and electric guitars, synths, and bass is really effective, and Kirito gives one of his more nuances performances.

"Right now, I want you endlessly, so much I'm crying out/My wish which could never come true, becomes wounds on my shakey memory." The lyrics suggest that what Kirito actually wants is to return to the womb to be reborn, but of course that can never happen. So, we just have to continue with our wounded hearts.
Rating: 5/5

5. Love & Peace
This is the first really loud song on the album, and it shares some characteristics of songs from "Private Enemy". The shrieking guitars and constant percussion, particularly during the bridge, really drive this song toward the chorus. The chorus itself though is a strange blend of electronic sound effects and Kirito's vocals. Of all the songs on the album, this is probably my least favourite.

In this song, one person makes it to Heaven, while another is left behind. This causes hatred and resentment as that person can only stare up at the sky in longing. "A line of tears stream down your cheek you spread your wings... to the sky a line of tears stream down your cheek I'm left on the ground, looking up at you."
Rating: 3/5

6. Coccoon
Another single, this one brighter and slightly more "pop". Kirito's vocals sound hopeful, almost like he's smiling (!) and for some reason the imagery I get is blue skies and sunlight. Don't ask why. But that's the best word for this song: sunny. It's sure to bring a smile to your face. (Hey look! I didn't mention the guitar solo! Oh, wait... err... nevermind.)

"I wonder if on this holy night, the blessed illusion will draw even wishes which won't come true. / I wish to carry you away and out of the darkness with this flashing bright wave of light." Aww... how can you not be touched by lyrics like those?
Rating: 5/5

7. Believer
Now, of course, we get something darker. Weird synthy guitars and bass... it's all very strange. In a cool way, but strange. There really isn't a lot of accompaniment to Kirito's singing, at least until we reach the chorus. This is more traditional rock sounding, with a nice pounding conclusion. Again, not one of my favourites, but it adds some nice diversity to the album.

Kirito is very cynical in this song, saying that "Life is more precious than anything else; it needs to be treated on a case by case basis though." In other words, of course life is important, but some people's lives are more important that others. Ah, Kirito, so sarcastic in your young age. For a continuation of this theme, see "GOD BLESS xMExxxx" on 'ID ATTACK'.
Rating: 3/5

8. Automation Air
Ah, how I love this one! It begins with some repeated percussion, then bass, then light, dreamy guitars. Kirito sings softly, quietly, the way you would if you happened to be singing in a library. There is a little techno influence in this song, but it shouldn't bother anyone too much. The verses go on for a while, never really building, until the bridge. Some very pretty harmony here, a little crescendo, and then the chorus. This sounds like someone spreading their arms wide and singing so EVERYONE can hear. A beautifully emotional moment.

Again, I have to quote Centigrade-J, whose interpretation is so thought-provoking. "This has some of Kirito's most poignant lyrics in my opinion. The song seems to be about Kirito losing his memory as time cruelly passes by and things continue to change around him, as if his feeling never even mattered. The singer's memory is slowly slipping away until even "you" is gone and is replaced by some "la la la"'s." Perhaps the answers llie elsewhere on the album... or not.
Rating: 5/5

9. kowareteiku kono sekai de...
If you're a Pierrot fan, the title should seem familiar, as it is the first line of the chorus in 'nuklear (clear) sky'. So, this of this as a variation on a theme. This is the album's ballad, and a lovely one it is. Gorgeous, meandering guitar-work, and gentle vocals from Kirito, who sounds as if he truly is praying. Like most Pierrot ballads, this one refuses to stay so quiet, and builds into a mid-tempo chorus that is just... inspiring. The bridge section, with a simple awesome guitar solo courtest of Aiji, ties the whole thing together and pushes it toward a final repetition of the chorus.

The two people in this song, "you" and "me" don't necessarily represent two humans, but rather two countries, ideologies, religions etc. "at least please smile under the same pale moon because we can't go back so at least please smile in the same world falling apart because I haven't given up on anything just yet." For all his cynicism, Kirito really is a Romantic at heart, and refuses to drown in pessimism.
Rating: 5/5

10. Overdose
Whee! It's loud and absolutely thrashy. This is the Kirito of "FREAKS" and "CREATURE" singing now, sneering at us, tearing apart the world he sees. I get the impression of someone just ranting about all the terrible, insane things he sees. The bass and percussion give this song a great, strong backbone. Really great stuff, including the line "Just overdose, but not emergency."

"the future I saw with clenched teeth
is this beauty a dream or an illusion
it's impossible to escape reality
so I have to accept it."

Yup, life sucks. In this case, the singer tries to escape reality by using drugs, and it makes him feel like a god. Kinda scary, huh?
Rating: 4/5

11. Rebirth Day
Now, we return to something more akin to "Heaven," at least in sound. More great guitars, and I love Kirito's voice here. He just keeps improving in tone and pitch. This is a nice, polished song, melodic and catchy. It lacks a little of the emotional punch of the others, but overall it's very good.

Kirito seems to be saying that people are too disconnected, that we don't really realize the things that are going elsewhere in the world. "Atrocities on the otherside of the world, are just tragedies through our screens." No matter how horrible, things happening far away seem distant and unreal.
Rating: 4/5

12. Birthday
Kirito begins with very little accompaniment, save some quiet percussion, singing softly and almost desperately. The chorus crescendoes, adding in an orchestra (!) as well as the rest of the band. The mood of the song is hopeful and optimistic, as if depsite all the terrible thing Kirito has told us, it's not time to give up.

In "Private Enemy," life was equated to Hell. No matter what anyone did, the result was always pain and suffering. Here, life is just that: life. It is what we make of it, for good or for bad. While that may not be the happiest ending, it is sort of comforting to think about. I'll always hold you, when you're body shivers in fear. so I'll sing this song of blessing untli the day you understand."
Rating: 5/5

+bonus track+ Super String Theory
Hah, it's not really the end! If "Birthday" was solemn but hopeful, this is the happy ending. Kirito and "you" meet up at last, as the guitars blaze away joyfully. "you met me like this at the same point and time we gaze at one another, that's the answer. the scenery of a heaven I never could have imagined, is so simple and beautiful." This song just fills me with so much happiness; it's like a promise of a brighter future. Yeah, I'm a sap. Oh, well. It's the perfect way to end a masterpiece of an album.
Rating: 4/5

Overall Rating: 5/5