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'.

December VK Reviews

After yesterday's heavy spazzing over KinKi's lovelove performance on Music Station Live, today I shall handcuff myself to the keyboard and write an overdue VK review post. Who shall I eliminate today? Hmm...

Oh! I've finally listened to Plastic Tree! PuraTori's been around for a long time, ne? During my first few years of VK fandom, I found their music to be too soft (?). But being a judgemental fool, I cursed them for being as un-Jrock as Ryuichi's solo career without even understanding what the meaning of Rock is.

I was too absorbed in Diru, Laruku, Luna Sea and Pierrot that I kept comparing other groups with them. So I wasn't an exceptional Jrock VK fan back then boooo and was stuck in that mode until only recently (ehh the past 2 years, prolly). Maa maa, experimentation in a period where torrents and broadbands didn't exist was truly a barrier.  Augh! Why do I suddenly sound like an old woman?!

Obachan here would like to suggest all readers to put aside all reservations and listen to as many numbers of bands so in the future it'll be easier for you to go "I've heard this before" and "They write better songs now". Then you can show off to other people the total of bands you've heard or liked! 8D

[ reviewer!Arfah: "Is that the whole point of this story, obachan?!!" ]

Title: NOW Band: girugamesh Verdict: 3 stars. First of all, what's with the cover art? Yeesh. giru's suffering the same Gazette-like symptoms of churning out the typical heavy-beats-and-heavy-riffs but lacks depth and skill. I can't name one that really captures my attention except 'Arrow' due to its milder course while everything else sounds the same after 2-3 plays. A pity 'crying rain' isn't included, it could've been their only salvage. Go for: 'Arrow', 'I Think I Can Fly'.

Title: ドナドナ (Dona Dona) *AWEFUCKINGSOME* Band: Plastic Tree Verdict: 5 stars. Brilliant! Not what I thought I'd be expecting, a different path from the usual roads I tread but not bad. If you like kei (of Kannivalism) then this band's an excellent choice to like. Dona Dona is wrought with emotive calm and expressive riffs. Ryutaro's voice took me a while to get comfy with, but it suits them. But what I'm in love with is the instrumental: 'Anten'. A subliminal song, from its calming melody to the epic entrance at 3:20. Go for: 'Anten', 'sunset bloody sunset', '1999', 'Fukuro', 'Gagaji'.

Title: GHOST†HEART *HOT* Band: Lovely Mocochang aka LM.C Verdict: 4 stars. I'm surprised I've never once reviewed them. They're my guilty pleasure :3 Sort of I'm getting back at Kirito for breaking up Pierrot so I'm gonna like Aiji's band more than Angelo. Never had the chance to collect their discog but from what I do have, none are disagreeing with me. This single's pretty decent and 'A Blueberry Night' is cute. Mmm can't think of what to say. Need to find their albums. Go for: 'GHOST†HEART'.

++ Bonus review

Title: Murder Scope *HOT* Band: Matenrou Opera Verdict: 3.5 stars. Ohkaay, I was so wrong to have given them such a low rating for 'Anomie'. Their live tracks are really good! I may need to give that album another chance *sheepish smile*. In the meantime, the 2 new songs are majorly awesome especially the title track. Go for: 'Murder Scope', 'Cocoon', 'Hiai to Melancholy (Live)', 'Eve (Live)'.

++ Super Bonus: Highlight of the month

Title: Canticum Band: forbidden days rhapsody Comment: fdr is founded by Mika (ex-RENTRER EN SOI drummer). Look out for their 1st mini album! No uploads in sight yet, but the CM is up at his official site which also serves as theirs. Mika previewed their first trance/house song called 'Refill (Rough mix)' in August and it was awesssome so I've been waiting for something from them since then. Sounds promising!!

June/July VK Reviews

I really need to spend time and think on writing reviews that people can understand :S

Title: alansmithee *HOT* Band: the studs Verdict: 3.5 stars. Damn. No wonder their vocalist sounded familiar! I used to like his old band Kagerou but I only liked their first album to be precise. Not sure when he started the studs tho' I think this three-man band has been around for a few years. Simple and clear songs, not really all powerful but seems like ballad is more their forte. You definitely definitely need to try out 'Ano Oto'. Go for: 'Ano Oto', 'tobari', 'grieve', 'Shokuzai no Hitsuji'.

Title: Anomie Band: Matenrou Opera Verdict: 2.5 stars.After I've calmed down a week after heavy replay, I think they ain't as good as I first thought. The only song that gets me now is the title track. A bit unimpressive when you focus on the details. Sigh. Go for: 'Anomie', 'Last Game -Anomie edition-'.

Title: Hikari *HOT* Band: SID Verdict: 4.5 stars. Congratulations on finally having their debut major album! Only a few songs are new, but I love the others tracks cos they're basically the best singles they've made. It's great 'on repeat' stuff for new and old fans alike, so I reckon people won't get bored so soon. Go for: All the tracks mwahah:)

++ Bonus reviews

Title: LOST ANGELS Band: Gackt Verdict: 4 stars. Glad Gackt hasn't lost his touch after all the sickening albums after 'MARS' and the S.K.I.N hullabaloo (Boo to Yoshiki for giving us false hope!). His latest 3 singles are absurdly brilliant. A definite must-listen is the coupling song 'Suddenly' which is like WOAH. Go for: 'Suddenly', 'LOST ANGELS'.

Title: ALIVE Band: girugamesh Verdict: 2 stars. I completely forgot they have a new single which I'd already listened to. Must've been cause I felt like I'd heard the same old thing in the albums before this. I don't want to be overly harsh on them again but their songs aren't individually unique, ya know? It's like they copy-pasted bits and pieces from all their previous songs and gave it two new names. BORING! Go for: 'Gamble' if you prefer to not let them improve.

Title: THE INVISIBLE WALL Band: the GazettE Verdict: 3 stars. Frankly I'm tired listening to Uruha and Aoi's half-assed job. WTF happened to all the pent up emotions they exuded in 'NIL'? No more oredi kah?? Ish. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong.