X Japan - Music Box
This album contains music box versions of various X Japan songs. While it feels distinctly unlike X Japan and therefore cannot, in my opinion, compare with their originals, comparisons are a bit silly when this album was obviously supposed to sound different.
The music box effect is pretty overall. It can also offer a fresh perspective on the songs and highlight aspects that stand out less in the originals. Not noticing the missing drums and vocals and guitars is impossible, though. I think of this album more as 'lovely, tinkling offering of familiar melodies' than as an X Japan release for that reason. But as a music box album, I'll also have to admit I prefer Lareine's Crystal Letos in terms of arrangements. This isn't bad at all - I'm not sure Yoshiki is capable of that - but I enjoyed the layering of different sounds more in Lareine's album.
However, in a way, it's rather nice to be able to listen to something by X Japan that doesn't demand my undivided attention. I can study while this album plays, whereas I'd stop everything to listen to the originals. This is a refreshing change in its own way, and I think anyone who likes X Japan might want to grab it. No headbanging, and probably no tears, but it's definitely very listenable nonetheless. Who can resist having more versions of the songs anyway?
Download links can be found here.
All comments appreciated.
Last updated on 17/07/06.
The music box effect is pretty overall. It can also offer a fresh perspective on the songs and highlight aspects that stand out less in the originals. Not noticing the missing drums and vocals and guitars is impossible, though. I think of this album more as 'lovely, tinkling offering of familiar melodies' than as an X Japan release for that reason. But as a music box album, I'll also have to admit I prefer Lareine's Crystal Letos in terms of arrangements. This isn't bad at all - I'm not sure Yoshiki is capable of that - but I enjoyed the layering of different sounds more in Lareine's album.
However, in a way, it's rather nice to be able to listen to something by X Japan that doesn't demand my undivided attention. I can study while this album plays, whereas I'd stop everything to listen to the originals. This is a refreshing change in its own way, and I think anyone who likes X Japan might want to grab it. No headbanging, and probably no tears, but it's definitely very listenable nonetheless. Who can resist having more versions of the songs anyway?
Download links can be found here.
All comments appreciated.
Last updated on 17/07/06.