March '10 VK Reviews (+ 1 Jpop)

Today's 1pm show of Endless SHOCK will mark their 700th performance. Congratulations to Shock Company for continuously making new miracles on stage! *standing applause*

Feeling stupid for not copying Buzzer Beat into my PC (^^ ;;) I decided to go ahead and work on those postponed reviews.

Notes on stuff I listened to but wont't work on:

1. Damijaw [Muryoku na Jibun ga Yurusenai] - Solo effort from Janne Da Arc's guitarist that I don't have the heart to write about.


2. DuelJewel [Will] - Officially not gonna bother about them anymore. Such a waste.


3. L'Arc~en~Ciel [Quadrinity ~Member's Best Selections~] - Not very motivated to talk about a 28 tracks album when all I liked about it is the inclusion of songs from "Heart" (1996), "ark" and "ray" (both 1998). Ken's Best is the better one because I loved most of his choices. Tracklist is here.

	Title: TATTOO Band: 12012 Verdict: 2 stars. Mmm, a failed throwback to their older image although the instrumental track sounds cooler. And what is with the half assed ballady coupling song? This song makes even 'MAR MAROON' appeal better to me. I... should really stop hoping, yes? Doesn't seem like they'll be getting back on their feet anytime in the next 5 years. Go for: 'TATTOO' if you're not a fan.

	Title: 風がめくる頁 (aka Kaze ga Mekuru Peji) *HOT* Band: D Verdict: 4 stars. I don't remember them being this good! D has completely overhauled themselves into this amazing band all of a sudden. From their latest PV "7th Rose", I can't wait for their new album out this 24th. Go for: 'Wagateki wa Ware ni Ari', 'Kaze ga Mekuru Peji'.

	Title: 春めく僕ら (aka Harumeku Bokura) Band: DaizyStripper Verdict: 3.5 stars. Wow. Slightly dorama ending-ish but yeah, wow. Sorta brings an image of soft rolling waves but I've yet to study the real meaning of this song. 'Kill the King' is... ok, I guess? Go for: 'Harumeku Bokura'.

	Title: World End Band: Frantic Emiry (aka DaizyStripper) Verdict: 3 stars. Right. I don't understand the concept of having an emo alter ego when they sound all too similar. Either that or they ain't heavy metal enough. 'World End' sounds good but not something I'd call ass kicking. But the other track is at least hitting the right spots. Go for: 'Senjou, Shoudou, Genocide'.

Title: WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC Band: LM.C Verdict: 3.5 stars. Finally gave them a Full Album Trial. A few pretty strong standalone tracks that share the same 'joie de vivre' vibe. Overall, there were some hit and misses in this experiment. I dare say GHOST HEART rings truer to their 1st album and somehow... I prefer that side of LM.C. Go for: 'GHOST HEART', 'It's a Wonderful Wonder World', 'PUNKY HEART', 'Boku no Mirai'.

	Title: R Band: Matenrou Opera Verdict: 3 stars. Clear cut and promising. Looove the guitar solo. Now if only the vocalist would change his glass-shattering nasally voice or sing with more heart. Oh yeah, Matenrou is still a bit off eventhough this slowly gets my attention. Go for: -

Title: MOON SPIRAL *HOT* Band: Satsuki Verdict: 4.5 stars. (Please excuse caps in spazzy review) THANK YOU, SATSUKI. Thank you for releasing this brilliant maxi single so I can erase the two lousy ghei ones from before. THIS! THIS is how you should sing. With all your heart and soul in it. Like how you used to do it. Beauty and rough edges collides together which is guaranteed to leave an imprint in your mind. This is what a former Rentrer member should produce. Go for: 'MOON SPIRAL', 'PRAY FOR THE SUN'.

	Title: sleep Band: SID Verdict: 3 stars. Not strong enough to be marketed as a single. Could've work better as an album filler. The second track is more outstanding for me. Highlight of this single would actually be 'Aikagi' which now has got me wanting to watch their concerts. Go for: 'Aikagi (live)', 'Utahime'.

	Title: Prana *AWEFUCKINGSOME* Band: SUGIZO Verdict: 5 stars. Taking on a different style this time, this song is a coming of age rave that I didn't think he could succeed at. Prana is his absolute best work that it may even surpass 'Spirituarise' (the remix by Juno Reactor). So so so good I had it on repeat every morning on the way to work to activate my brain. Go for: -

Title: advance / また朝が来る (aka Mata Asa ga Kuru) Band: TOKIO Verdict: 3 stars. While 'advance' is too cheerful but fresh, 'Mata Asa ga Kuru' is typical TOKIO yet nothing new. The most memorable song from this single is the surprise sleeper hit 'Period' in which Yamaguchi steals the limelight from Nagase. Now this is one performance I'd love to see. For one thing, who'll be playing bass? Go for: 'Period'.