Some old music reviews . . .
Air (Chachamaru; Crown Nippon)
Classic guitar rock for the new century!
Chachamaru's new progressive-rock solo album "Air" is one of the best things to come out of Japan this year. While the work encompasses a variety of sounds and styles, it is always solidly based in classic guitar rock. Indeed, the album begins with an experimental-sounding acoustic guitar solo and ends with the soulful, bluesy guitar of "Grieve." In between, every track, whether featuring a big brass sound reminiscent of Chicago, a techno-industrial mix of electronic music, the lush orchestral sounds so dear to some visual kei groups, or guest-star Gackt's sophisticated vocals, returns at some point to chacha's dazzling guitar work. The bonus track, "Grieve," is the best cut on the album. I suppose chacha chose to "officially" end the album with the previous track "Canone," since it ends with the same "air" sounds as the opener starts with. In this case, however, he definitely saved the best for last. His work recalls the best of Hendrix, Clapton, Vaughan, and other guitar gods of the past, while exhibiting a freshness and energy that soars into the 21st century. But it's all good. If you love real rock music centered around stunning guitar riffs, you'll surely enjoy "Air."
(A YesAsia Best Review)
Zion (Crack 6; Euclid) http://www.euclidagency.com/crack6/top.php?
If you like your music loud, fast and sexy, Chisato’s 3 new songs should please you. The lyrics may not be sensitive and poetic, but the music is melodic hard rock that makes you want to dance, shake it, and, frankly, get it on.Not as much dazzling guitar work as he exhibits with Penicillin, but all three songs have earned permanent positions on my frequent-play list. Can’t wait for the next maxi-single!
Persephone (Crack 6; Euclid)
Persephone's 3 songs sound like old-style Chisato, pretty, melodic, lots more guitar. I liked the hard rock sound, but I'll probably listen to these more often.
Cloud 9 is a pretty ballad. The mixing seems a little off--the vocals, especially in the beginning, seem too overshadowed by the guitar, but that seems to improve as the song progresses, so maybe it is intentional. Romantic-sounding and sweet.
Exile is more of an up-tempo pop-style song, although it is musically more interesting than typical pop. It's catchy, gets a little monotonous, but it's fun to listen to.
Perfect Day is a cover of a Lou Reed song. I like Chisato's version better. He sets it into a kind of funky, not quite hip-hop framework that differs from Reed's dry, somewhat sardonic sound in the original. I find Chisato's rendition rather fresh and interesting.