The album was well received by Japanese music critics , and was chosen as one of the eleven finalists for the 2011 CD Shop Awards . Toshitomo Doumei of '' Skream ! '' named the album his third favorite of 2011 , feeling that the album had simultaneously created new genres of alternative rock and pop music . He felt the album 's music was catchy , and that its success was expected due to its high quality . Entertainment Media Kulture called '' Kikuuiki '' the album that established Sakanaction 's current style . Yuji Tanaka of '' CDJournal '' felt the album was more cohesive than their previous works , praising the band 's skill progression and Yamaguchi 's lyrics , which he described as " literary-style " and " cynical " . He was struck by the " heroic march " after the album 's introduction in the song " Ushio " , which made him feel " suddenly intoxicated ... like being in the ocean " . Takayuki Endoh of '' Skream ! '' similarly believed the album showed growth in the band . Although their previous releases incorporated dance and rock music , Endoh felt that the music on '' Kikuuiki '' had struck a better harmony between the two , and had simultaneously become more rock and dance – oriented . He praised the album 's " poppy floating feeling , highly literary lyrics , and romantic electro sound " , feeling that the band was unique in the music industry
CD Shop Awards
CD Shop Awards
Kikuuiki