A maaaaad jmusic ramble~!
Kurai's Translations has one Kuroyume translation archived that bothers me for quite a many reasons. This quoted part being amongst them:
--What have you gotten a lot of as presents?
Kiyoharu: We've gotten quite a lot of candy.
Hitoki: Aa, yes, I have something I want to say here. None of us eat it, candy that is. We don't eat it so there's always candy lying around.
Shin: Candy, little tiny clothes, UFO catchers are the kind of things we get. I don't really know what we're supposed to do with them.. we can't throw them away..
Hitoki: There was a rumour that I loved Pocky, and since then it's all I've received.
Kiyoharu: I have cavities, so its a problem when people send stuff like candy.
Shin: My parents love sweets so I give it all to them.
Kiyoharu: Fans who give candy and the like dont make much of an impression on me. But if they give this kind of stuff (motions to accessories/jewelery he's wearing) they make a wonderful impression...!
Hitoki: That didn't come out very well.. (laughs)
Kiyoharu: So if you give me something to wear, I can wear it for magazines and in photos, but I can't really have candy in photos can I. Also, there's fans who come wearing extravagant clothes, and when they approach me I get my hopes up thinking "oh, it must be clothes" that theyre going to give me, but it ends up being a box of assorted candy or something. Give me clothes, everyone!
Hitoki: (laughs)
Kiyoharu: Clothes, accessories, earrings, rings. Watches are a problem, even though I've received so many. But however many clothes I have it will never be a problem.
Hitoki: "what watch shall I wear today.." (laughs)
--Have there been any curious or interesting things happening with the band lately?
Hitoki: Making the support drummer laugh.
Kiyoharu: During a live show I was singing to the crowd with a very serious expression on my face, and when I turned around to the band the 3 of them were laughing and smiling! In general everything about this band is curious, it seems amazing that we've come this far. There's been hardships too, but I'm enjoying this.
Shin: I try to show an interest in everything, but things that have attracted me lately... not so much an interest in the band, but rather I've had a steady interest in new musical things. But I'm really wrapped up in the band, so...
Kiyoharu: I want clothes. Write this down so people can see it.. "I want clothes". (laughs). I have an interest in clothes. (laughs)
I can't decide whether Kiyo's being impeccably rude or adorably straight-forward. Towards the end the topic "Kiyoharu wants clothes" becomes a joke but... Uh huh. *shakes her head*
I'm still cracking up at Hitoki: "That didn't come out very well..." well it indeed didn't xD
Okay, this interview takes place in the year 1993 so no wonder it's slightly rough. But what I find interesting is that the album Nakigara o they're discussing later became one of the most influential visual kei albums ever released. It did the same to the Japanese vk genre as Beatles's SGT Pepper, Nirvana's Nevermind or Sex Pistol's Nevermind the Bollocks did to the Western rock scene when released. However, it's somehow very sweet how Kiyoharu and especially Shin keep criticising the finished product, claiming they'd re-record pretty much everything on the album. It was rather exciting for me to read about Kiyo's habits and tendencies of writing lyrics. I liked how he said he wants to make songs that 9/10 people comprehend correctly.
I've been on downloading spree for the couple of past nights. Mostly, because inspired by this interview, I wanted to get my hands on some Garnet (the result was poor, though *lol*) but ended up downloading other rather interesting, not that widely recognized indie bands. Also, aside reviewing the downloads, I'm also saying a thing or two about my latest purchases (yes I feel very talkative today xD)
Miss Rii's entry featuring the following:
.Kiyoharu Aibu
.9GOATS BLACK OUT devils in bedside
.Gullet Mad Bless&Hide&Sick
.Auncia Hanairo
.Anjyu' Henai Meikai Quarter
.Alasta Family Alasta Theme
.La Vie En Rose Atarashii Asa
.the STUDS Gaze
.eight illational
.Age of EP re;born
.GeKiGaKuTai Tokyo
.Fujifabric Surfer King
.aicle Suimashen Deshita
.hannah (ex-karen) Ikirutame no kakera
.SMILE Sayounara, Watashi no Aishita Ito
.alice nine. MIRROR BALL
.KuRt sweet LEMON BROKER
.Serial<=>Number GO!YA!NUMBER ~nuchigusui
.Saga. Ai to Shi Wo
So, someone wanting to chat about music with me?^_-
9GOATS BLACK OUT "devils in bedside"
...ajshfajsagsahsjjfakskl.
When I get paid, this will be my next purchase *flails*
I didn't have much expectations when downloading this, I simply enjoyed the name of the band. Whilst waiting for the download to finish, I watched their PV for the opening track sink and oh ho shit, that was it♥ The beautiful setting pulled the rug from under my feet: the pv doesn't jump straight to presenting the band. It takes its time to create the right kind of atmosphere by drifting strongly emotion-loaded images to our sight. The song... has a melodic, melancholic rock sound I haven't heard ever before. Encouraged by this observation, I unpacked the .zip very eagerly, ready to explore the rest of the album. The entire album is utterly beautiful, not disappointing at its slightest. Despite its short lenght (only six tracks) it paints a lovely, heart-capturing world of melodic, innovative music. My favourite track is deliriously fantastic float that can't be put into any specific music genre. The slowly dripping(!) beginning leads into fabulously sang song that combines soft verses to breathless choruses in a way that reminds me of a some American band I can't quite put a finger on at the moment. float is friggin' haunting, bearing easily 18837+ listenings in a row~
As an interesting side note I have to mention that one of the tracks has been named in Danish xD Den Lilla Havfrue, "The Little Mermaid", more than presumably refers to the Andersen tale of the same name.
sample ---> 9GOATS BLACK OUT -float
Age of Ep "re;born"
Haha, well here we have a fun band ;)
Age of Ep, formerly known as Acqua EP, is composed of real life hosts x) (*cough* the reason I originally downloaded Acqua Ep *cough*) Whereas Acqua EP recorded mainstream boyband music with cute little twists, Age of EP has tried its wings within rock and visual kei, more precisely. The concept of the band is really fun, if not having much of street cred.
Alive kicks off the single. KAT-TUN GOES ROCK xD xD xD Oh jesus christ superstar, this song is made of crude win♥ Yo, all JE fans out there thinking how Jin would sound wearing a lolita dress, here's your answer~ *giggles*
I was about to swallow my tongue when Aa Mujou began because it sounds scaringly alike to Tokio's kick-ass piece Traveling Man that is the ending theme of my current favourite drama, Yaoh.
Furious has a more creative touch and without its GreeeeN-ish vocals, it has managed to capture something rock-ish, reminding me a wee bit of Orange Range. As a pop band this band is excellent. If only they could admit it, not trying to make it in the visual kei world ;_;
sample ---> Age of EP -Alive
aicle "Suimashen Deshita"
Normally, cute boys in pink lolita dresses aren't for me but aicle manages to delight my heart greatly :) Suimashen Deshita is an uplifting, soothing little visual song with nice piano and cheerful vocals.
Alasta Family "Alasta Theme"
*dies giggling* Oh my dear lord, where to begin with this group! ♥
This is a some kind of collaboration project, I believe. (I wasn't able to find much information on this group.) At least the vocals vary greatly.
This is a pure feel-good orchestra :D
Midnight Weather has a lovely wintery feeling to it, spreading warmth to my heart like a candle illuminating a room. I bet this would make a sweet ending to any rock concert~<3
Tendou-sama. Gatsu-sama. Tsukare-sama. Awwwz. If you love Disney and Disney music, this is for you :D The low, bear-like vocals of one of the singers brought Sebastian of The Little Mermaid to my mind x) This is so a cute piece I can't stop awww-ing! *lol*
My favourite of all the three tracks, however, is Yoru ni Labyrinth because the beginning of it sounds like a some weird re-mix of Reetu's Tsingis-kan sung in Miku's voice xD xD (non-Finnish people won't get it *lol*)
Seriously. One of the vocalists sounds exactly like Antikku's Miku. If it's not him, someone could make crazy money out of imitating him in matsuris O.o;;
sample ---> Alasta Family -Yoru ni Labyrinth
alice nine. "MIRROR BALL"
MIRROR BALL is once again one of those single releases that disappointed me greatly as I was listening the cd through for the first time. It was so poppy, loathing the image I had of an excellent, versatile rock band. MIRROR BALL seemed to be just continuation to the endless-seeming row of two-bit releases. (My dislike towards TSUBASA hasn't dissolved anywhere.)
However. After a few weeks of listening to it, I suddenly realised the beauty of the three-tracks-long release :D I just... fell for it, madly, for no reason. MIRROR BALL has a magnificent guitars and Shou's voice conveys emotions too numerous to count. The PV looks pretty and the water effect is cool but other than that, I still think the band's music has more visual potential than this.
Kiseki kills me. Kills. At first I was upset because I adored the end's soft whispering that floats over the addictive guitars and I felt the rest of the song didn't bring justice to that crazily gorgeous part. I still feel the song would sound a whole lot more different if made in hard rock but heck it, I'm satisfied with this♥
I've never grew to like Eraser the album version. It's quite nonsense, going in from one ear only to go out of the other only a few secs later. Good grief! I wasn't even going to recognize the single version when first listening to it :D With Tora's touch-light acoustic guitar Saga's beautifully wistful composition comes into flower. I'm glad they re-recorded Eraser. It is so stiff and heavy on the album. Eraser ~memoire d'une fleur is bubbly, perfect, making my heart hurt for some reason. The entire single does it. I feel a bit lonely when hearing the flawless co-operation of all the instruments that can only be attained when all the musicians work in complete mutual understanding.
Anjyu' "Henai Meikai Quarter"
Too Koi fades in in a rather curiousity-evoking way but the song never grows into the lengths or depths it suggests it will. The alice nine-ish guitars drew my attention on around 4 and a half minutes but that's it.
Koi Shizuku is one of those drowsy, forgettable songs no one plays twice.
Auncia "Hanairo"
For some reason, I waited more from Auncia. No matter how hard I try, I cannot find a single reason to like the band. Not to say they sucked but... they just aren't talented or unique enough to spend time with :/
eight "illational"
This album has so many sides to it that it's almost overwhelming. The Asagi-resembling singer does wonderfully: rarely I've heard such stomach-tearing rage emitted that can compete with Tatsurou although the means of the singers are completely different.
Inochi Hi grows slowly into insane pain and bittersweet beauty. All the instruments embrace each other, creating harmony that could be compared to Kagrra's Utakata. I love this song :)
Igan da Seishun surprised me big time when it started. The mad, almost maniac vocals remind me of Kurt Cobain and a couple of other masters of hatred. This song halts. I have never before found growling this artsy^_^
Maybe, the songs get a bit repeative on the long run, because the album includes 13 tracks in which the Stabbing Westward-like anxiousness is constantly present. But, I definitely recommend all of the hard rock/metal fans out there to give it a try, since its pros utterly overshine the cons.
sample ---> eight -Inochi Hi
Fujifabric "Surfer King"
I have no idea what this band is or how their style should be described! *lol* They're a very genki group from head to toes. They have attributes similar to Orange Range's qualities but these boys aren't as nuts or as experimental in genres. Very bouncy, fun wind instruments, jazzy vibe... Music doesn't have to be serious. Sometimes entertaining is just enough^^
GeKiGaKuTai "Tokyo"
I downloaded this after getting fond of La Vie En Rose. GeKiGaKuTai is a collaboration between MUCC's Miya and LVER's Nezaki Kazuei, involving Ooshima Tsuyoshi and Yoshida Masatatsu as well. The compositions are nice, quite flawless in style, having evident traces of MUCC's works without being annoyingly similar. However, what makes MUCC MUCC is Tatsurou's voice. When MUCC-ish songs are combined with LVER's Kyohsuke's voice, you'd expect the result to be something mind-blowing, yeah? I'm definitely buying this album soon but I'll never become obsessive about it. It just lacks certain melodic edge I was waiting for to hear.
Gullet "Hide&Sick"
Because 9GOATS BLACK OUT is the best thing since discovering bis, I went after Gullet after learning it was the previous band of 9GBO's Ryu.
The whole single is a bit draggy. In A Withered Flower it can be heard clearly but in it, it's more like a mean than a... result? Very hard to explain. When the song calms down for a moment, it reflects the surrounding parts of the song fascinatingly.
Pool has drive. :D it doesn't pale in a bit when put next to MUCC's songs Rojiura to Kimi e, Gerbera or Rave Circus Instrumental, not to mention another Gokusai treasure Nageki no Kane. Basically, the song has nothing in common with the listed tracks, but... then again, it does xD My favourite of the Gullet one's I've listened to so far<3
Gullet "Mad Bless"
Mad Bless's opening track has been named (intriguingly xD) as Arisu. The first verse doesn't give much except for some nice falsetto moments but the last two quarters of the song are luring in some unexplainable way. It seems like the song's very average and I guess that what it is but something in it makes me enjoy it.
Instance is like AnCafe's Miku on drugs. Gives me kicks ;)
All in all, this single isn't nearly as good as Hide&Sick. Of four songs three are more or less uninteresting.
hannah "Ikirutame no kakera"
One of the most impressive single releases I've ran into so far :D I like the styles the band has included into one release: the first track invisible lover is almost everyday rock but with superbly nice guitar solo that reminds me a wee bit of Ayabie or older alice nine... sucha soft, wistful element in the middle of the pained vocals sounds refreshing.
The second track, Transparent Sleep is a heartbreakingly divine instrumental. It's very autumn-like, having so a clear story that a couple of times I really had to focus on the song because I thought I was hearing singing there :) Very beautiful, worth checking out if you're into instrumental music at all.
Kochou no Kioku has lovely Spain-influenced guitar at the beginning of it. This song crowns the single perfectly, leaving the listener with a very happy heart^_^
Kiyoharu "AIBU"
This is a very generic release of Kiyoharu. Its amazingly mesmerising beginning left aside, the opening song of the single doesn't bring anything new to the table. The beginning is followed by a harsh, hectic, very Kiyo-like guitarring that doesn't impress me much this time around, especially when the vocals that accompany it are very maneric. The chorus could be placed in some movie. Believe me, it's commercial enough for that.
The other two tracks on the single... Kyouki no STAR DUST doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The vocals drift from one style to another, ranging from erotic, raspy screaming to somehow off-key, bored, grunge-toned yelling. Messy, yes. Kagerou, then again, shows a little more tender side of the soloist, the composition having almost imperceptible echoes from Kiyo's Kuroyume era. I like it when Kiyoharu sings slowly and low.
What makes Kiyoharu an interesting solo artist is that he has managed to create a solo style that makes a clean break to both his SADS and Kuroyume works. Kiyoharu sounds like Kiyoharu does and SADS sounds like SADS should.
sample ---> Kiyharu -AIBU
KuRt "sweet LEMON BROKER"
KuRt was amongst the first jrock bands I tried out, because of the cool PVs, but I truly discovered them sometimes last year. (Of course, after they disbanded *lol*) Bit by bit, I've got to know their material and the more I listen to, the more I grow to love the boys. Tenten's vocals alone are simply wowing.
Kanashimi o uru ongakuka isn't one of their best songs, quite far from it. I like the melodic parts of it, but other than that, the song doesn't evoke any sort of feelings in me.
Saitei saiaku, sugee saigouna uta, then again, I WORSHIP. In music I can hear some arrangement things that make me think about alice nine., maybe I subconsciently lean on that observation. This track, to cut it short, has all the qualities I've learned to love in KuRt and it's unmistakebly one of their most capturing creations, making me really sad I didn't find the band sooner.
The name song, sweet LEMON BROKER. At first I didn't much care about it, but now I'm prone to like it. It's a cool way to end a single, leaving a nice taste behind. Tenten dominates this 100 percently. The ending is great, and I can only imagine how wonderful this would've been when heard live D:
La Vie En Rose "Atarashii Asa"
First of all. It was surprisingly difficult to find any LVER samples to download O.o
But, all the trouble was worth it: Atarashii Asa, the last of LVER's studio albums, is magnificent, currently one of my all-time jrock favourites :) Yuta's voice is softly punk-ish, having fascinating undertones. Of the album my absolute favourite is Kudaku Saibou. It's one insane track! At first it seems random to the point of being chaotic: a bass solo that appears out of the blue gets overrun by a seeminly irrelevant, erratic drum solo. After that, however, if you are still hanging there, all the elements blend together, creating the catchiest, funniest, most mischievous rock pieces ever! ^^\o/ If you aren't chanting 'DARLING~ DARLING~ DARLING~' with smoky Yuta at the end of the song, I don't know what's wrong with you.
Christmas no you ni is another pearl of the album. It's light-hearted and much fun to listen to. Even though it has jinglebells and the chorus goes, 'Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas...', the song can be listened even in the hottest days of summer. I love it ♥
If you have a car and want to go all out, boomboxing a song whilst driving, then I'd recommend LIVE!LIVE!LIVE!^.^ It has a perfect roadtrip feeling to it~
sample ---> LVER -Kudaku Saibou
Saga. "Ai to Shi Wo"
*flushes* YES. I downloaded the single just because of the band's name. Shoot me? -.-;;
(but c'mon, they even have the dot in the name! *flails*)
The first track begins so beautifully (featuring an old, scratchy LP) that I was praying, 'Let the vocals be good, let the vocals be good!' For me, the vocals come first. If I don't like the vocals, I'm incapable of listening to the songs, no matter how brilliant the compositions are.
The vocals are very basic stuff. I know very little about music's technics and such but I doubt that this guy doesn't really know how to sing? *lol* At least the vocals sound a bit awkward and uneasy every now and then. The B-side doesn't help the matter. The singer sounds as if being constipated. The music isn't that good either, bouncing from one effect to other. It's almost like they're trying to hide the fact the songs are very mediocre. Well, this isn't the worst single I've listened to, so you can give it a try if you wish.
Serial<=>Number "GO!YA!NUMBER ~nuchigusui"
:D :D :D :D :D :D
Almost by accident, I downloaded the pv, and immediately right after that, I had to get a copy of the single^^~<3 This is my theme song for the summer 2008!♥ It's almost giddy how cuuuuuuuuuuuute and hip-swaying the song is *cuddles the boys* Even without the vegetables (xD) the song makes me smile with my entire face~ Plus, 'nuchigusui' is probably the funniest word ever♥
SMILE "Sayounara, Watashi no Aishita Ito"
I FRIGGING LOVE THE OSHARE VOCALS!! *.*
Kasumi♥ He knows how to go from almost poetically fragile to way harder tones in a second or so. I have never before felt as strongly on a vocalist like Kasumi :) Usually I'm tempted by manly vocals, such as Ryo of 9GOATS BLACK OUT or Tatsurou of MUCC. Of all the stuff I've recently downloaded, this single comforts me the most.
The B-side continues on the name title's tender-ish way, throwing in almost Mana-like keyboards and growling, not to mention the heavy guitars. The song never becomes suffocating, thanks to Kasumi's duck-like singing that reigns the song with its fast speed.
sample ---> SMILE -Raji karada o matsurisawagi !!
the STUDS "Gaze"
Because of my 9GOATS BLACK OUT/Gullet craze, I went nuts when learning the STUDS has a Gullet connection as well^.^
The first song of the single, Gaze begins with guitars that have clearly been under Kuroyume's influence. The similarities between Gaze and Nite and Day are striking. Striking, yes, but not bothering, because the band mixes deeply unique singing with the electric guitars and the rhytmn squad does steady job in the background.
as it is continues on the Kuroyume-ish way when it comes to starting off a song. I really like the title :) It leads one's mind to wander on interesting paths.
Advanced Insane doesn't have as arresting tools to capture listener's attention as the first two tracks have but nonetheless I enjoy it enormously. I have a feeling this band will grow on me in no time^^
*shaking people fallen asleep* Hey there, I wasn't that boring! *lol*
I added some sample download links to the entry, to promote my favourite discoveries^^b
And now I rush to open the telly because MISS JAY OMGWTFSTFU♥ is visiting Finland's Next Top Model! ^__________________^
--What have you gotten a lot of as presents?
Kiyoharu: We've gotten quite a lot of candy.
Hitoki: Aa, yes, I have something I want to say here. None of us eat it, candy that is. We don't eat it so there's always candy lying around.
Shin: Candy, little tiny clothes, UFO catchers are the kind of things we get. I don't really know what we're supposed to do with them.. we can't throw them away..
Hitoki: There was a rumour that I loved Pocky, and since then it's all I've received.
Kiyoharu: I have cavities, so its a problem when people send stuff like candy.
Shin: My parents love sweets so I give it all to them.
Kiyoharu: Fans who give candy and the like dont make much of an impression on me. But if they give this kind of stuff (motions to accessories/jewelery he's wearing) they make a wonderful impression...!
Hitoki: That didn't come out very well.. (laughs)
Kiyoharu: So if you give me something to wear, I can wear it for magazines and in photos, but I can't really have candy in photos can I. Also, there's fans who come wearing extravagant clothes, and when they approach me I get my hopes up thinking "oh, it must be clothes" that theyre going to give me, but it ends up being a box of assorted candy or something. Give me clothes, everyone!
Hitoki: (laughs)
Kiyoharu: Clothes, accessories, earrings, rings. Watches are a problem, even though I've received so many. But however many clothes I have it will never be a problem.
Hitoki: "what watch shall I wear today.." (laughs)
--Have there been any curious or interesting things happening with the band lately?
Hitoki: Making the support drummer laugh.
Kiyoharu: During a live show I was singing to the crowd with a very serious expression on my face, and when I turned around to the band the 3 of them were laughing and smiling! In general everything about this band is curious, it seems amazing that we've come this far. There's been hardships too, but I'm enjoying this.
Shin: I try to show an interest in everything, but things that have attracted me lately... not so much an interest in the band, but rather I've had a steady interest in new musical things. But I'm really wrapped up in the band, so...
Kiyoharu: I want clothes. Write this down so people can see it.. "I want clothes". (laughs). I have an interest in clothes. (laughs)
I can't decide whether Kiyo's being impeccably rude or adorably straight-forward. Towards the end the topic "Kiyoharu wants clothes" becomes a joke but... Uh huh. *shakes her head*
I'm still cracking up at Hitoki: "That didn't come out very well..." well it indeed didn't xD
Okay, this interview takes place in the year 1993 so no wonder it's slightly rough. But what I find interesting is that the album Nakigara o they're discussing later became one of the most influential visual kei albums ever released. It did the same to the Japanese vk genre as Beatles's SGT Pepper, Nirvana's Nevermind or Sex Pistol's Nevermind the Bollocks did to the Western rock scene when released. However, it's somehow very sweet how Kiyoharu and especially Shin keep criticising the finished product, claiming they'd re-record pretty much everything on the album. It was rather exciting for me to read about Kiyo's habits and tendencies of writing lyrics. I liked how he said he wants to make songs that 9/10 people comprehend correctly.
I've been on downloading spree for the couple of past nights. Mostly, because inspired by this interview, I wanted to get my hands on some Garnet (the result was poor, though *lol*) but ended up downloading other rather interesting, not that widely recognized indie bands. Also, aside reviewing the downloads, I'm also saying a thing or two about my latest purchases (yes I feel very talkative today xD)
Miss Rii's entry featuring the following:
.Kiyoharu Aibu
.9GOATS BLACK OUT devils in bedside
.Gullet Mad Bless&Hide&Sick
.Auncia Hanairo
.Anjyu' Henai Meikai Quarter
.Alasta Family Alasta Theme
.La Vie En Rose Atarashii Asa
.the STUDS Gaze
.eight illational
.Age of EP re;born
.GeKiGaKuTai Tokyo
.Fujifabric Surfer King
.aicle Suimashen Deshita
.hannah (ex-karen) Ikirutame no kakera
.SMILE Sayounara, Watashi no Aishita Ito
.alice nine. MIRROR BALL
.KuRt sweet LEMON BROKER
.Serial<=>Number GO!YA!NUMBER ~nuchigusui
.Saga. Ai to Shi Wo
So, someone wanting to chat about music with me?^_-
9GOATS BLACK OUT "devils in bedside"
...ajshfajsagsahsjjfakskl.
When I get paid, this will be my next purchase *flails*
I didn't have much expectations when downloading this, I simply enjoyed the name of the band. Whilst waiting for the download to finish, I watched their PV for the opening track sink and oh ho shit, that was it♥ The beautiful setting pulled the rug from under my feet: the pv doesn't jump straight to presenting the band. It takes its time to create the right kind of atmosphere by drifting strongly emotion-loaded images to our sight. The song... has a melodic, melancholic rock sound I haven't heard ever before. Encouraged by this observation, I unpacked the .zip very eagerly, ready to explore the rest of the album. The entire album is utterly beautiful, not disappointing at its slightest. Despite its short lenght (only six tracks) it paints a lovely, heart-capturing world of melodic, innovative music. My favourite track is deliriously fantastic float that can't be put into any specific music genre. The slowly dripping(!) beginning leads into fabulously sang song that combines soft verses to breathless choruses in a way that reminds me of a some American band I can't quite put a finger on at the moment. float is friggin' haunting, bearing easily 18837+ listenings in a row~
As an interesting side note I have to mention that one of the tracks has been named in Danish xD Den Lilla Havfrue, "The Little Mermaid", more than presumably refers to the Andersen tale of the same name.
sample ---> 9GOATS BLACK OUT -float
Age of Ep "re;born"
Haha, well here we have a fun band ;)
Age of Ep, formerly known as Acqua EP, is composed of real life hosts x) (*cough* the reason I originally downloaded Acqua Ep *cough*) Whereas Acqua EP recorded mainstream boyband music with cute little twists, Age of EP has tried its wings within rock and visual kei, more precisely. The concept of the band is really fun, if not having much of street cred.
Alive kicks off the single. KAT-TUN GOES ROCK xD xD xD Oh jesus christ superstar, this song is made of crude win♥ Yo, all JE fans out there thinking how Jin would sound wearing a lolita dress, here's your answer~ *giggles*
I was about to swallow my tongue when Aa Mujou began because it sounds scaringly alike to Tokio's kick-ass piece Traveling Man that is the ending theme of my current favourite drama, Yaoh.
Furious has a more creative touch and without its GreeeeN-ish vocals, it has managed to capture something rock-ish, reminding me a wee bit of Orange Range. As a pop band this band is excellent. If only they could admit it, not trying to make it in the visual kei world ;_;
sample ---> Age of EP -Alive
aicle "Suimashen Deshita"
Normally, cute boys in pink lolita dresses aren't for me but aicle manages to delight my heart greatly :) Suimashen Deshita is an uplifting, soothing little visual song with nice piano and cheerful vocals.
Alasta Family "Alasta Theme"
*dies giggling* Oh my dear lord, where to begin with this group! ♥
This is a some kind of collaboration project, I believe. (I wasn't able to find much information on this group.) At least the vocals vary greatly.
This is a pure feel-good orchestra :D
Midnight Weather has a lovely wintery feeling to it, spreading warmth to my heart like a candle illuminating a room. I bet this would make a sweet ending to any rock concert~<3
Tendou-sama. Gatsu-sama. Tsukare-sama. Awwwz. If you love Disney and Disney music, this is for you :D The low, bear-like vocals of one of the singers brought Sebastian of The Little Mermaid to my mind x) This is so a cute piece I can't stop awww-ing! *lol*
My favourite of all the three tracks, however, is Yoru ni Labyrinth because the beginning of it sounds like a some weird re-mix of Reetu's Tsingis-kan sung in Miku's voice xD xD (non-Finnish people won't get it *lol*)
Seriously. One of the vocalists sounds exactly like Antikku's Miku. If it's not him, someone could make crazy money out of imitating him in matsuris O.o;;
sample ---> Alasta Family -Yoru ni Labyrinth
alice nine. "MIRROR BALL"
MIRROR BALL is once again one of those single releases that disappointed me greatly as I was listening the cd through for the first time. It was so poppy, loathing the image I had of an excellent, versatile rock band. MIRROR BALL seemed to be just continuation to the endless-seeming row of two-bit releases. (My dislike towards TSUBASA hasn't dissolved anywhere.)
However. After a few weeks of listening to it, I suddenly realised the beauty of the three-tracks-long release :D I just... fell for it, madly, for no reason. MIRROR BALL has a magnificent guitars and Shou's voice conveys emotions too numerous to count. The PV looks pretty and the water effect is cool but other than that, I still think the band's music has more visual potential than this.
Kiseki kills me. Kills. At first I was upset because I adored the end's soft whispering that floats over the addictive guitars and I felt the rest of the song didn't bring justice to that crazily gorgeous part. I still feel the song would sound a whole lot more different if made in hard rock but heck it, I'm satisfied with this♥
I've never grew to like Eraser the album version. It's quite nonsense, going in from one ear only to go out of the other only a few secs later. Good grief! I wasn't even going to recognize the single version when first listening to it :D With Tora's touch-light acoustic guitar Saga's beautifully wistful composition comes into flower. I'm glad they re-recorded Eraser. It is so stiff and heavy on the album. Eraser ~memoire d'une fleur is bubbly, perfect, making my heart hurt for some reason. The entire single does it. I feel a bit lonely when hearing the flawless co-operation of all the instruments that can only be attained when all the musicians work in complete mutual understanding.
Anjyu' "Henai Meikai Quarter"
Too Koi fades in in a rather curiousity-evoking way but the song never grows into the lengths or depths it suggests it will. The alice nine-ish guitars drew my attention on around 4 and a half minutes but that's it.
Koi Shizuku is one of those drowsy, forgettable songs no one plays twice.
Auncia "Hanairo"
For some reason, I waited more from Auncia. No matter how hard I try, I cannot find a single reason to like the band. Not to say they sucked but... they just aren't talented or unique enough to spend time with :/
eight "illational"
This album has so many sides to it that it's almost overwhelming. The Asagi-resembling singer does wonderfully: rarely I've heard such stomach-tearing rage emitted that can compete with Tatsurou although the means of the singers are completely different.
Inochi Hi grows slowly into insane pain and bittersweet beauty. All the instruments embrace each other, creating harmony that could be compared to Kagrra's Utakata. I love this song :)
Igan da Seishun surprised me big time when it started. The mad, almost maniac vocals remind me of Kurt Cobain and a couple of other masters of hatred. This song halts. I have never before found growling this artsy^_^
Maybe, the songs get a bit repeative on the long run, because the album includes 13 tracks in which the Stabbing Westward-like anxiousness is constantly present. But, I definitely recommend all of the hard rock/metal fans out there to give it a try, since its pros utterly overshine the cons.
sample ---> eight -Inochi Hi
Fujifabric "Surfer King"
I have no idea what this band is or how their style should be described! *lol* They're a very genki group from head to toes. They have attributes similar to Orange Range's qualities but these boys aren't as nuts or as experimental in genres. Very bouncy, fun wind instruments, jazzy vibe... Music doesn't have to be serious. Sometimes entertaining is just enough^^
GeKiGaKuTai "Tokyo"
I downloaded this after getting fond of La Vie En Rose. GeKiGaKuTai is a collaboration between MUCC's Miya and LVER's Nezaki Kazuei, involving Ooshima Tsuyoshi and Yoshida Masatatsu as well. The compositions are nice, quite flawless in style, having evident traces of MUCC's works without being annoyingly similar. However, what makes MUCC MUCC is Tatsurou's voice. When MUCC-ish songs are combined with LVER's Kyohsuke's voice, you'd expect the result to be something mind-blowing, yeah? I'm definitely buying this album soon but I'll never become obsessive about it. It just lacks certain melodic edge I was waiting for to hear.
Gullet "Hide&Sick"
Because 9GOATS BLACK OUT is the best thing since discovering bis, I went after Gullet after learning it was the previous band of 9GBO's Ryu.
The whole single is a bit draggy. In A Withered Flower it can be heard clearly but in it, it's more like a mean than a... result? Very hard to explain. When the song calms down for a moment, it reflects the surrounding parts of the song fascinatingly.
Pool has drive. :D it doesn't pale in a bit when put next to MUCC's songs Rojiura to Kimi e, Gerbera or Rave Circus Instrumental, not to mention another Gokusai treasure Nageki no Kane. Basically, the song has nothing in common with the listed tracks, but... then again, it does xD My favourite of the Gullet one's I've listened to so far<3
Gullet "Mad Bless"
Mad Bless's opening track has been named (intriguingly xD) as Arisu. The first verse doesn't give much except for some nice falsetto moments but the last two quarters of the song are luring in some unexplainable way. It seems like the song's very average and I guess that what it is but something in it makes me enjoy it.
Instance is like AnCafe's Miku on drugs. Gives me kicks ;)
All in all, this single isn't nearly as good as Hide&Sick. Of four songs three are more or less uninteresting.
hannah "Ikirutame no kakera"
One of the most impressive single releases I've ran into so far :D I like the styles the band has included into one release: the first track invisible lover is almost everyday rock but with superbly nice guitar solo that reminds me a wee bit of Ayabie or older alice nine... sucha soft, wistful element in the middle of the pained vocals sounds refreshing.
The second track, Transparent Sleep is a heartbreakingly divine instrumental. It's very autumn-like, having so a clear story that a couple of times I really had to focus on the song because I thought I was hearing singing there :) Very beautiful, worth checking out if you're into instrumental music at all.
Kochou no Kioku has lovely Spain-influenced guitar at the beginning of it. This song crowns the single perfectly, leaving the listener with a very happy heart^_^
Kiyoharu "AIBU"
This is a very generic release of Kiyoharu. Its amazingly mesmerising beginning left aside, the opening song of the single doesn't bring anything new to the table. The beginning is followed by a harsh, hectic, very Kiyo-like guitarring that doesn't impress me much this time around, especially when the vocals that accompany it are very maneric. The chorus could be placed in some movie. Believe me, it's commercial enough for that.
The other two tracks on the single... Kyouki no STAR DUST doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The vocals drift from one style to another, ranging from erotic, raspy screaming to somehow off-key, bored, grunge-toned yelling. Messy, yes. Kagerou, then again, shows a little more tender side of the soloist, the composition having almost imperceptible echoes from Kiyo's Kuroyume era. I like it when Kiyoharu sings slowly and low.
What makes Kiyoharu an interesting solo artist is that he has managed to create a solo style that makes a clean break to both his SADS and Kuroyume works. Kiyoharu sounds like Kiyoharu does and SADS sounds like SADS should.
sample ---> Kiyharu -AIBU
KuRt "sweet LEMON BROKER"
KuRt was amongst the first jrock bands I tried out, because of the cool PVs, but I truly discovered them sometimes last year. (Of course, after they disbanded *lol*) Bit by bit, I've got to know their material and the more I listen to, the more I grow to love the boys. Tenten's vocals alone are simply wowing.
Kanashimi o uru ongakuka isn't one of their best songs, quite far from it. I like the melodic parts of it, but other than that, the song doesn't evoke any sort of feelings in me.
Saitei saiaku, sugee saigouna uta, then again, I WORSHIP. In music I can hear some arrangement things that make me think about alice nine., maybe I subconsciently lean on that observation. This track, to cut it short, has all the qualities I've learned to love in KuRt and it's unmistakebly one of their most capturing creations, making me really sad I didn't find the band sooner.
The name song, sweet LEMON BROKER. At first I didn't much care about it, but now I'm prone to like it. It's a cool way to end a single, leaving a nice taste behind. Tenten dominates this 100 percently. The ending is great, and I can only imagine how wonderful this would've been when heard live D:
La Vie En Rose "Atarashii Asa"
First of all. It was surprisingly difficult to find any LVER samples to download O.o
But, all the trouble was worth it: Atarashii Asa, the last of LVER's studio albums, is magnificent, currently one of my all-time jrock favourites :) Yuta's voice is softly punk-ish, having fascinating undertones. Of the album my absolute favourite is Kudaku Saibou. It's one insane track! At first it seems random to the point of being chaotic: a bass solo that appears out of the blue gets overrun by a seeminly irrelevant, erratic drum solo. After that, however, if you are still hanging there, all the elements blend together, creating the catchiest, funniest, most mischievous rock pieces ever! ^^\o/ If you aren't chanting 'DARLING~ DARLING~ DARLING~' with smoky Yuta at the end of the song, I don't know what's wrong with you.
Christmas no you ni is another pearl of the album. It's light-hearted and much fun to listen to. Even though it has jinglebells and the chorus goes, 'Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas...', the song can be listened even in the hottest days of summer. I love it ♥
If you have a car and want to go all out, boomboxing a song whilst driving, then I'd recommend LIVE!LIVE!LIVE!^.^ It has a perfect roadtrip feeling to it~
sample ---> LVER -Kudaku Saibou
Saga. "Ai to Shi Wo"
*flushes* YES. I downloaded the single just because of the band's name. Shoot me? -.-;;
(but c'mon, they even have the dot in the name! *flails*)
The first track begins so beautifully (featuring an old, scratchy LP) that I was praying, 'Let the vocals be good, let the vocals be good!' For me, the vocals come first. If I don't like the vocals, I'm incapable of listening to the songs, no matter how brilliant the compositions are.
The vocals are very basic stuff. I know very little about music's technics and such but I doubt that this guy doesn't really know how to sing? *lol* At least the vocals sound a bit awkward and uneasy every now and then. The B-side doesn't help the matter. The singer sounds as if being constipated. The music isn't that good either, bouncing from one effect to other. It's almost like they're trying to hide the fact the songs are very mediocre. Well, this isn't the worst single I've listened to, so you can give it a try if you wish.
Serial<=>Number "GO!YA!NUMBER ~nuchigusui"
:D :D :D :D :D :D
Almost by accident, I downloaded the pv, and immediately right after that, I had to get a copy of the single^^~<3 This is my theme song for the summer 2008!♥ It's almost giddy how cuuuuuuuuuuuute and hip-swaying the song is *cuddles the boys* Even without the vegetables (xD) the song makes me smile with my entire face~ Plus, 'nuchigusui' is probably the funniest word ever♥
SMILE "Sayounara, Watashi no Aishita Ito"
I FRIGGING LOVE THE OSHARE VOCALS!! *.*
Kasumi♥ He knows how to go from almost poetically fragile to way harder tones in a second or so. I have never before felt as strongly on a vocalist like Kasumi :) Usually I'm tempted by manly vocals, such as Ryo of 9GOATS BLACK OUT or Tatsurou of MUCC. Of all the stuff I've recently downloaded, this single comforts me the most.
The B-side continues on the name title's tender-ish way, throwing in almost Mana-like keyboards and growling, not to mention the heavy guitars. The song never becomes suffocating, thanks to Kasumi's duck-like singing that reigns the song with its fast speed.
sample ---> SMILE -Raji karada o matsurisawagi !!
the STUDS "Gaze"
Because of my 9GOATS BLACK OUT/Gullet craze, I went nuts when learning the STUDS has a Gullet connection as well^.^
The first song of the single, Gaze begins with guitars that have clearly been under Kuroyume's influence. The similarities between Gaze and Nite and Day are striking. Striking, yes, but not bothering, because the band mixes deeply unique singing with the electric guitars and the rhytmn squad does steady job in the background.
as it is continues on the Kuroyume-ish way when it comes to starting off a song. I really like the title :) It leads one's mind to wander on interesting paths.
Advanced Insane doesn't have as arresting tools to capture listener's attention as the first two tracks have but nonetheless I enjoy it enormously. I have a feeling this band will grow on me in no time^^
*shaking people fallen asleep* Hey there, I wasn't that boring! *lol*
I added some sample download links to the entry, to promote my favourite discoveries^^b
And now I rush to open the telly because MISS JAY OMGWTFSTFU♥ is visiting Finland's Next Top Model! ^__________________^