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'.

March VK Reviews

What's this rumour going around about a Luna Sea Asia concert in 2010?? USO! Hong Kong?! ARE YOU CRAZY? I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY SO SOON AFTER MY JAPAN TRIP! WHAT THE *tooooot*!!

Title: 球体 (Kyuutai) *AWEFUCKINGSOME* Band: MUCC Verdict: 5 stars. If I once said their previous album, 'Shion', was missing some fine tuning then they’ve got it perfected here. SAIKO! After creating a definitive new sound through 'Ageha', there's an awesome improvement to their composition. This album is loaded with their lovely trademarks: soaring vocals, vivid choruses and deep lyrics. The songs are less showy and experimental but the ballads... Wow. 'sanbika' is one of the most classy I've ever heard from MUCC. I've always loved how they can easily express their music into a somewhat feast of visually pleasing stimulation: rise and fall of waves, birds flying over mountaintops, raindrops pattering down a window, freefalling from a cliff. You could almost imagine a PV for every song. Although I had a bad impression of 'Sora to Ito', I'm completely digging Tatsurou's synthesized voice. At least, it doesn't grate on my nerves anymore. Obviously because they chose not to overdo the techno-jangle in the whole album (that's some wise advise for girugamesh). Go for: 'Ageha', 'Oz', 'Hide and Seek', 'sanbika', 'Sora to Ito', 'hanabi'. Oh well. All the songs, then.

Title: REDEEMER Band: D'espairsRay Verdict: 3.5 stars. It's great that they've finally made their way back to home ground, been missing their edgier and oppressive side. But sorry to say, after the first 3 songs I find myself spacing throughout the rest of the album. I don't listen to them for their preppy and dandy slow numbers so this one's a bit hard to fathom although you do get some nice boost from 'REDEEMER' (which has a cool PV, btw). I hope they won't burn out too soon. Go for: 'REDEEMER', 'Lizard'.

Title: 極彩色 (Gokusaishiki) Band: Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGoD Verdict: 2 stars. Oh-kay. I can't stand the high-pitched wailing but let's give credit to the unmistakable talents of these guys, right? I tried to like this album. But fail. So they make great singles that are throwbacks to the 90's, we all know that. Yet 'Gokusaishiki' just doesn't blend in well because the songs sound so repetitive and bland. Frankly, there's not any standout new songs except for 'Kanaria'. I hope they learn from this mistake. Go for: 'dou', 'Kanaria'.

Title: MAR MAROON Band: 12012 Verdict: 3 stars. I keep reminding myself that 12012 is no longer the old heavy-ish 12012. And how do you even pronounce their name? Forget the expectations, people. What you have now is the kind of sappy music Alice Nine does. Entirely listenable, but… Sigh. Go for: 'As', 'Psycho Virus', 'Aitai Kara'.

Title: MASTER OF ROMANCE Band: Sadie Verdict: 4 stars. Never paid them any attention before, maybe because I've listened to them but I don't remember or I didn't wanna remember. Either way, 'Master of Romance' is good stuff. It has a balanced pace between the slow and fast tracks which never goes too heavy or too boring at any part. What I love most about this album is that it doesn't scream of mainstream pop, definitely deserves more stars for their effort. Go for: 'Ice Romancer', 'Ageha no Nakigara', 'Kagerou', 'Swallow Rain'.

+ Bonus review:

Title: silk tree. *HOT* Band: kei. Verdict: 4.5 stars. I like the simplicity - bare of all unneeded complexities. The soft singsongy melodies are a somewhat fantasy laden getaway. It's an album you can listen to to de-stress after a day at work. The Jpop-ish appeal will sadly differ for everyone, so judge it yourself. Go for: 'vesperbell.', 'pitiful emotional picture.', 'end of Sunday/black hircine.'.

Title: DISTRESS AND COMA Band: the GazettE Verdict: 3.5 stars. I've wondered for a long time where their latest direction will be, hoping they'd get off their lazy asses and come up with something as riveting as 'Filth' or 'NIL'. My griping might come to an end but not in the form of the title track tho. No, no, not the flaccid 'Distress and Coma'. Say hello to 'Headache Man', the b-side that reminds us so much of the old Slipknot-esque Gazette. Now this is what we've all been waiting for! However, I reserve further judgement until the full single is out in a few more days. Until then~ Go for: 'Headache Man'.

March VK Heavyweights

New albums from good bands cropping up so suddenly after 2 months of nothingness from downloadable VK Land.

If only the speed can move above 35kbps. Like, NOW. Aaaargh! *kicks P1 W1MAX for not having limitless data transfer limit, making us Malaysians suffer under TMNet*

Reviews should be in order (if I manage to get the rest):

1. MUCC - Kyuutai [Album 2009.03.04] because thank God, MU was good to me 2 days ago.


2. D'espairsRay - REDEEMER [Album 2009.03.11] 45% more *crosses fingers*


3. NoGoD - Gokusaishiki [Album 2009.02.25]


4. 12012 - mar maroon [Album 2009.03.11]


5. Sadie - MASTER OF ROMANCE [Album 2009.02.25]

January VK Reviews (+ 1 Jpop)

Uiihh. I almost fell asleep while cleaning up my tags. =_= Old age. Maa~ maa~ Let's round up this month's music reviews:

Title: 空と糸 (Sora to Ito)
Band: MUCC
Verdict: 3 stars. So maybe I had expected too much of another 'Ageha' after a loong wait. This new single is solid especially with Miya's sexy chorus, but it doesn't deliver that same punch. Hey, PV is out! And to top it all off, I'm already heady anticipating their album in March. PFFFT SOMEBODY GIMME MONEYH.
Go for: -

Title: 約束 (Yakusoku) *HOT*
Band: KinKi Kids
Verdict: 4 stars. Such a beautifully sad song. I assume their vocals aren't strong here in order to portray the 'Guy-gives-up-on-love-when-girlfriend-strays'. Hearing it live is even better. Oh yeah, this is so fangirl-bias.
Go for: Truthfully, I could only stomach 'Yakusoku' and 'Loving'. The other two tracks are bleh.

Title: GHOST
Band: Gackt
Verdict: 4 stars. Not baaad. This guy finally ditched all those lame 10 minutes sappy shit and came back with stuff he really should be doing esp. his previous single 'Jesus' (which I haven't listened to yet).
Go for: Both tracks 'GHOST' and 'Blue Lagoon ~shinkai~'.

Title: vesperbell. *AWEFUCKINGSOME*
Band: kei
Verdict: 5 stars. Wha-WHO?? kannivalism member? Hmm can't say I listened to them before, but this kei guy is EXTREMELY talented in a certain Sugizo + Inoran + Jinkaku Radio way! To sum it all up, all three songs are completely sweet, completely dear and completely cool. You have to try it.
Go for: 'vesperbell.', 'pitiful emotional picture.' , '4letter word.' (yes, with the dots)

Title: As
Band: 12012
Verdict: 2 stars. Right. Ignore this song if you've never heard their songs and go try 'Aitai Kara' instead.
Go for: 'flower'.

Title: STRENGTH (anime Soul Eater ED)
Band: abingdon boys school
Verdict: 4.5 stars. The TV rip doesn't do justice. But damn if they can ever make a bad song. :DD
Go for: -

November VK Reviews

Oops. I haven't listened to Wheesung's album yet. A certain album below totally made me forget.

Title: MUSIC Band: girugamesh Verdict: 3 stars. It was great on its first couple of runs. But heavy repeating mashes the metal-loveliness into a pile of same-nothings cos the usage of techno-jumble in almost all the friggin tracks is overshadowing the drums and riffs. My advice? Pick a few favourites and just stick to that. Go for: 'puzzle', 'ISHTAR', 'enishi'. Er yeah, basically the last 3 songs are the most worthy ones.

Title: モノクロのキス (Monokuro no Kiss) Band: SID Verdict: 3.5 stars. SID's pretty consistent with their brand of ballads. Tho I'm too much of an RES fan to be enamoured with this for too long. I like SID's heavier self compared to this 'going nowhere' kind of pace. Anyhow, I can still accept them for what they are. Go for: 'season'. a soft 'sway in the breeze' summer song to lift your mood.

Title: 逢いたいから.... (Aitai Kara…) Band: 12012 Verdict: 3.5 stars. EH? A ballad?! So I didn't guess correctly from the name. I didn't know they can do this genre. Surprise, surprise: It's nice! A little bit of GLAY that I cannot for the love of God remember any title to name of. Yuuwake? Be.. er, Be... Oh forget about it. All joking aside, they may be experimenting around considering how young they are. Go for: 'HERO'. Seriously. Why am I again reminded of GLAY??

Title: UROBOROS *AWEFUCKINGSOME* Band: Dir en grey Verdict: 5 stars. THIS is what I've been waiting for them to do. Not making shitty albums like 'Withering to Death' and 'Marrow of a Bone'. It's a new brand of desolate mellowness so diverse and righteous that you'd just fall down to your knees and weep. And please don't tell me 'Ware, Yami Tote' and 'Inconvenient Ideal' wasn't reminiscent of Luna Sea to you too. Go for: 'Gaika, Chinmoku ga Nemuru Koro', 'Toguro', 'GLASS SKIN' Japanese version, 'DOZING GREEN'.

+ Bonus review:

Title: 碧の大地-アヲノダイチ- (Ao no Daichi) *HOT* Band: Shinkou Shuukyou Gakudan NoGoD Verdict: 4 stars. Finally, kohais that I would love to see making it big. Very late 80's influenced. They're really good on the heavies and the mellows. Go for: Haten daishishi and Kijin Fukanshou just for the sing-songy guitars.

November VK Heavyweights

I'm on a rrrroll. 4 new releases from my favourite bands (well, except Diru lah). Mwahahah.

My house is packed with relatives, can't listen to 'em right now. So expect these reviews, sorted by listening order, up by next week:

1. girugamesh - MUSIC [Album 2008.11.05]


2. SID - Monokuro no Kiss [Maxi-single 2008.10.29]


3. 12012 - Aitai kara... [Maxi-single 2008.10.29]


4. Dir en grey - UROBOROS [Album 2008.11.12]

Aaaand let's not forget Nwar's hubby:

Wheesung - With All My Heart and Soul [Mini Album 2008.10.29]

Damn I hope Wheesung's new album is good. I'm still miffed over Jong Gook's - which was bland like stale bread.