15 posts tagged “jrock”

VELTPUNCH are an underground, but apparently popular, Japanese alternative rock band that formed in 1997. I discovered them through the opening for Nabari no Ou, CRAWL and after much searching thankfully found the rest of their discography. They are an amazing band with a similar style to LAST ALLIANCE (Who I also adore). Their style is heavy but melodic like LA, and packed with power and emotion. Something quirky I notice about them also is that all of their covers feature the same style of crude cartoons XD Well anyway, this is their first album (I think) released 2000.07.20.

The album opens with Hand with a gun, a track with a lengthy but interesting introduction that gives the song a bit of a punk feeling. The song has a pretty light and playful feel despite the dark undertones. It's not fast paced, or hurried and slowly builds up at its own pace. It soon loses that punk feeling after a while, but remains light whilst gaining a rather melancholic mood (especially in the chorus'). The vocals are pretty bad but in the way that so many Japanese bands manage to make work. Although there is a lot of repetition the track changes for a really pretty bridge (I love how the instrumentation dominates apart from the soft, almost haunting vocals), a more powerful in your face chorus and finally right at the end the loud, frenzied, instrumental break. This is a cool opening, starting lightly before ending loudly and in your face: I'm guessing most likely some of the other stuff that follows will be in this same kind of style.

Next is Six, which has a pretty pop-rock opening and feeling throughout. That rebellious feeling of teen music you know? Much like the song before it is a rebellious and playful track, although this one doesn't have the same melancholic feel. However it does build up to gain a slightly heavier, angrier feeling. Actually, I really like the dynamics of the song, how the vocals are almost spoken quietly at points and although it is a pretty repetitive song, I'm glad for the instrumental break which makes a good change as well as right at the end the vocalist uses a beautiful falsetto.  This track doesn't stand out as anything special, even less so than hand with a gun but it's good so far.

One thing I'm noticing also is how well the album flows. I didn't even notice when after six the third track began. Each track flows that smoothly to the next. Well, Fine is a bit different from what came before it. The short track begins with some really cool bass before the rest of the instrumentation comes in, and it is a lot heavier than the previous tracks but also has a bizarre jazzy feeling. It's quite upbeat. But loud. The instrumentation dominates the song, smothering the vocals. I think this track is giving the instrumentalists a chance to shine, and technically although I'm no expert I think it is really great. The song goes through some very interesting changes throughout the song. It's a fantastic track in a way, although I sort of think of it as a short instrumental interlude (despite the brief vocal section).

So moving swiftly onwards for ヒヨリングマンディ(Hiyoring Monday). This is a pretty grungy track, opening sluggishly with heavy bass and guitar. Again the vocals are smothered by the dominant, heavy instrumentation. But this creates an interesting mood to the song. And it soon changes; losing the heavy feeling and gaining clearer vocals for the moody chorus where again the vocalist uses his higher register beautifully.   It's an extremely moody track, but really pretty in it's own way. There is something almost haunting about it once is loses its earlier grungy feeling (whilst remaining pretty heavy in a different way). I love the constant changes and shifts in the instrumentation, and I think the vocalists sound good here.  The repeating spoken bit at the end is slightly creepy though XD

Track 5 has a bizarre title- picopicoman.  The opening is awesome though, as is the really high guitar part that comes in- the song feels so urgent but yet so dark and threatening. Really it reminds me of something but I can't place it. I love it though.  There is something very dark about this song, and it feels very urgent.     

Track 6, All the same is a sad and far more toned down track. It opens with a very mellow guitar part, and some really gorgeous female vocals that blend into the background creating a haunting atmosphere.  It's not a heavy song; it feels calm, quiet and reserved. The focus is like Fine on the instrumentation.  I was expecting it to change dramatically though, and it does.  About half way through it suddenly becomes louder, more choppy and frenzied and the female vocals also become more prominent. It changes again, staying loud but taking on that gentle feeling again. I love songs like this- ones that start so quietly and gently then suddenly change. Powerful stuff.

Starting with just drums, Rice 100g then builds up to be another funky number like picopicoman and the later fill in the blanks. Muffled vocals, slick instrumentation heavy distortion deluxe. And of course, awesome title here to make it even cooler. Without even realising (in fact I began reviewing as if they were one song) the almost purely instrumental tracks slides into Repeat(loud version) You can treat them like one song, with Repeat as the chorus. Just when you Rice100g is another  one of these groovy numbers it slides into Repeat which suddenly amplifies the muffled vocals and instrumentation for the chorus, dying down again and taking on a more urgent feeling and then becoming louder once more. Like the title suggests, there is a lot of repetition. But there is one more surprising change towards the end, for the final chorus which is pretty desperate and less muffled whilst still pretty distorted. How...completely interesting. Veltpunch knows how to create some very interesting, surprising music.

The next track 地下(Chika)  has a pretty quirky opening quickly becoming a fast paced rock number with the same kind of mood as the beginning tracks of this album.  I love the feeling of this song, and the vocalists’ voice is much stronger here: sounding pretty good (in context). The track flows by quickly without dragging or growing boring; filled with power and emotions. 

There is one weird opening for Steel Need. I think we have gone back to the style of the earlier tracks, because this one has a mighty long intro just like Hand with a gun. It's very mellow and laidback, with only the faintest traces of vocals. After a pretty grating few seconds opening, it tones down to becoming quiet bitter and regretful like some of the later tracks. It's really gorgeous…like all the same but with a totally different mood to it. But yes midway it becomes loud and angry, gaining back that choppy feeling of the opening. There is then a bit of distortion before it tones back down. And repeat. But as I mentioned earlier, I love it when Veltpunch do songs like this. And they do these songs so well.

The next track Fill in Blanks has a pretty groovy introduction, with some cool bass going on.  The muffled vocals combined with the instrumentation gives this an almost sexy bordering on sleazy feeling...which is odd and something I wouldn’t expect from this group. Really the distortion and heavy bassline...it is all there. But it's got a dominant 'cool' feeling. The track is quite short too, short and sweet I would say.

Then the last track, ♪Feel♫ which is such a beautiful song. Starting with gentle guitar, soft muffled vocals come in- contributing to the overall sad feeling of this track. There's something almost haunting about it. Slowly the song builds up, introducing stronger guitar chords over the other part whilst the vocals still remain soft, holding back.  It builds up...builds up... growing louder, stronger instrumentation before everything stops holding back for the bitter chorus packed with regret, pain, sadness- it's overwhelming. It's loud and it's powerful. Notice how this song is dominated by the female vocals too, and I'm a sucker for females doing rock. But the song slips back to become quiet again, and throughout the song it moves through different dynamics like this. The band works together so well here- each member getting their moment to shine yet coming together to create something amazing. This song is over 8 minutes long, but it's a glorious, epic 8 minutes packed with powerful emotions that cheesy as it may sound- really makes you feel. What a way to end this album.

Overall rating: 10/10 (Amazing)
Favourite Tracks: ヒヨリングマンディ, all the same, 地下, Steel Need, Feel

Veltpunch ♥♥♥♥ Feel was the best way to end this album, because that is one of the strongest and most gorgeous songs on the album however the entire album is brilliant in itself. Veltpunch's music is some pretty powerful stuff. And all the songs here are so different and unique. There are some which are fast paced and in your face throughout, some which are cool and slick numbers, whereas my favourite style is where they slowly build up the song blending loud and quiet sections effortlessly. Either way the albums flows beautifully, ties together by definite music styles whilst each songs remains unique and different from the last. Just listen ok? If you like rock, you like bands like LAST ALLIANCE then you need to listen to Veltpunch. Their music ranges from good to incredible. You wouldn't think this is their first album, because it sounds so perfect.

So I started reviewing LAST ALLIANCE and then put off their latest album, the sum being slightly disappointed after hearing it (I didn't download before I bought it- just pre-ordered it. I love LAST ALLIANCE this much :D ).  This is LAST ALLIANCE's 4th album released in June 25th.  This album has alot of new material and for some reason ALWAYS ON MY HEART didn't make it o_0 Which is bad as that makes another single I'll have to buy caus' I kinda like the song!! Alot of people complain about lack of new material on albums, but I like it when there's all the A-sides and B-sides- means less money I spend!! Anyway, the album does include each single from "Signal004" through "Drag On," the track "Katahiza no Yogore" from "Always in My Heart," and more for 12 songs total.

The album opens with the fast and gritty Change by 1. As you can expect from LAST ALLIANCE there's good intrumentation, and vocals. The song has some very interesting rythmns to it too and I like all the different variation that goes on in the song. A good opening.

Next is Proud of Scar. The opening with just the guitar really sets the pace, fast and frantic before breaking out into the full instrumentation to be a very dark and gritty number. The chorus is realy wierd how he uses his voice, and he pronounces "proud of scar" a little wierd but overall it's pretty cool. The song has a really good feeling to it, and of course it's technically brilliant.  

Then it's Mujuuryoku ONEWAY SHUTTLE. This has a very quirky opening with some very interesting rythmns throughout the song. Halfway through the song that instrumentation totally changes too, which is very startling almost like a new song, before it goes back to the norm- this is quite an interesting effect. The has a much more upbeat feeling compared to Change by 1 and Proud of Scar but not without a bit of en edge. I love the verses where the vocalist takes on that really  good tone adding a good feeling to the song. I love the use of the voice distortion too, and how they overlay two vocal parts at times. The backing vocals are slightly annoying, but not out of place. This is a fast and upbeat song with a bit of an edge to it.  Really fantastic techinically and brilliant to listen to.

Track 4 is Sabaku to Gensou, a very dark and moody song. The opening is quiet before it builds up becoming very angry and loud.  I love the dark  feel to the song. There's a fantastic instrumentantal near the end too, and the bridge that follows where the vocalist is smothered is pretty cool. The bridge I don't like how loud his breathing is, sounds like he's gasping desperatly for breath but I guess that's what makes the atmosphere in a way.  Good thing it's short with that ending  because it would definitly become boring if longer and withpout that much needed variation.  

Katahiza no Yogore follows, starting with some really quiet and atmosphereic instrumental quickly, franticly building up to be very loud and strong with that angry edge to it. The guitar part is so damn awesome- I love how the one guitar  sounds so delictate compared to the rest of the song-  and the song is so in your face after such a peaceful opening- really grabs your attention and holds it. The vocalist sounds so angry too. I love how much he puts into it, his ad-libbing at the end is pretty cool to.  Ah...this song has so much attitude to it. Really awesome.  Loud, angry and fast with a slight softer edge to it- like the reverse of so many of their songs which have a sort of angrier edge but are really soft.

Then comes PERFECT GAME. A pretty upbeat song with a rather rebelious feel to it. Despite being technically brilliant, can't help but feel the song really drags on at times. 

Yureta Byoushin is next. the song opens with quiet guitar and vocals only. The song has a pretty messy, but in a good way, opening before it all comes together and the song really begins. It's still got that odd disjointed feeling to it, gives it an interesting feeling. A pretty sweet and relaxing song. Got such a beautiful, laid-back feeling to it and I love all the different dynamics to it. The song is very soft with a much sadder feel compared to alot of the songs presented so far. I love this side of LAST ALLIANCE though. Their songs like these are always very emotional and with a very subtle power to them. 

Track 8 is Lonesome World- a laid-back meloncholic song. Nothing new presented nor for me to say but still very nice. Gotta love the title ; )

Drag On follows. I love the use of the voice distortion on the verses, and how the vocalist is kind smothered by the loud instrumental- before the instrumentation drops and his voice becomes stronger and clearer. The voice and the instrumentation really blend well- both strong and loud in their own right. A fast and  meloncholic song with a bit of an angrier edge. The song has a really great feel to it. Awesomenes :)

Next up is WORLD IS MINE, another fast and edgy song. Got a really cool instrumental. I hate it when they shout "world is mine" though. The rest of the song is kinda cool but those loud shouty vocals let the whole thing down.

the album is nearly over with Ameagari ni Graffiti. This opens with such a beautiful guitar part, really gentle. The song builds up to incoporate the rest of the instruments, and it's still quite soft and laid-back. The song has very pretty instrumenation, some very interesting rythmns and I also love the vocals. Both come together for a wonderful laid-back meloncholic number with a bittersweet feeling to it. A very pretty song with alot of emotion in it.  

Lastly it's Gunjou Kurage, a very gentle guitar part and soft vocals start the song, slowly building up to be a bit of a fast and grittier number. The song has a great hopeful feeling, appropriate to end the album. 

So my thoughts. This will be long : D  I pre-ordered the album and the packagaing is absolutly  gorgeous. Like Epik High pieces part one- all cardboard and fold out. I love the cg art. Rather nice. I was disappointed ALWAYS IN MY HEART wasn't on here though. Furthermore, Tears Library and Me and your borderline both had a very sad feeling to them, very soft. Compared to Underground blue which had a very angry sound to it. the sum has the same angry sound that Underground blue did. Which sorta bad because I prefer their softer, some may say slightly more powerful and emotional stuff but nvm. The album started loud and angry, toning down at points for more meloncholic numbers at points.   I think technically it's brilliant as always though some of the songs were more the sort you put on and relax to, they don't really hold the attention well enough to be able to listen to them on their own. I don't like how some of the songs seem to follow the same formula, just tweaked a bit and presenting new emotions etc. I really don't like how on this album a few of the songs seem to sound the same so it gets a little boring. There wasn't really stand out numbers, like on Me and your borderline there were Akai Hana and Gray end- just for example. There were some great songs though, like oneway shuttle. Also, I do like the use of silence and dynamics on the album. Alot of the tracks had really quiet or silent moments, often halfway through the song- creating an interesting effect. And some of the songs had other interesting effects like odd synth I think, and a bit of voice distortion. As I said technically it's fantastic stuf and it's not bad to listen to (apart from WORLD IS MINE) but compare it to some of their more powerful albums like Tears library and Me and your bordelrine and it pales.  Slightly dissapointing personally, but still a pretty good album. It pains me to have to rate a LAST ALLIANCE album so low, but really....this album was pretty boring at points : (  

Ps. No more images. No wiki.theppn. Sorry!

Kaya I only just discovered today. I was like "wow...". Kaya's music sometimes reminds me of Kozi, it's really weird but in the totally good way. It draws on alot of synth and electronic effects, creating a bizarre but interesting sound.  On the other end Kaya's ballads make me think of Gackt, the same beautiful and orchestral instrumentation, the deep and emotional vocals. Either way, Kaya's music is good. Really good. The cover of this one is wierd, it's a girl and a boy version. It's wierd caus' Kaya suits both! I prefer the boy version, which typically is the limited edition!

Well, this is Kaya's second album and a compilation of previously released material. It was released on 2008.07.16 - my birthday! (that toally makes it even more awesome btw)

The album opens with Carmilla,  drawing on synthetic sounds and effects alongside a rather nice violin part that pops up now and then. Also has a noticeable dance beat to it. It's quite slow though , with a very dark and romantic feel to it. Not the best of songs, but a good introduction of what to expect from this album. 

Next track is Walkure, and sounds like a dance tune to me. Reminds me of a certain genre of dance music I've since forgotten, but it's got that fast, heavy and darker feel to it. Rather interesting song. I do like the dance feel to it yet at the same time it still retains that darker undertones I've come to expect of Kaya's music, that sort of underlying hints of sadness or regret.  Awesome song really. Kaya really has a wonderful voice which really brings out alot of emotion in the song.

Then it's my first Kaya song, and a favourite, the strange but awesome Paradise Lost. The song starts with deep plucked string part, immediatly conjuring up a feeling of (twisted) faerytales and the feeling of marching. Backed by a frantic synth instrument, which continues throughout, it all combines to have a very urgent and twisted, darker,  feeling. The instrumentation is wierd and experimental, drawing on alot of electronic sounds and effects,  but at the same time it creates a very interesting feeling. Kaya's vocals are distorted in the verses, and still slightly for the chorus. There is effective use of female voice too. Overall this is a dark and strange song, but it's really really cool.

Track 4 is the beautiful funerary dream, and unfortunatly it's limited edition only! Sucks. The song itself is lovely. It has a bit of a dance beat to it, with that high piano part that you'd expect from an older song (pre-millenium). Ah..but of course there's alot of other synth and effects mixed in, giving a very interesting feel. It's like a ballad, with that sort of emotion presented through the instrumentation and Kaya's beautiful and heartfelt vocals. The epic use of Strings (obviously fake but still as good) alonside the piano at points is truly moving. A rather beautiful song, and quite relaxing to listen to. Got a very regretful feel to it.  

Psycho Butterfly is next, starting with a light and airy instrumental before developing into a much darker song, reliant on synth and effects..and strangely it has a bit of a dance beat to it, almost a dance song underlying the darker synth and more sorrowful vocals. Talking of vocals, Kaya's vocals are beautiful and emotional. Despite everything I've said, the song has got quite a soft and gentle feeling to it, with slightly darker and sadder undertones. A really good song. The ending is very interesting too, with the repetetion and then dying away till it's only that light and airy instrument. Very effective.  I think pyscho butterfly, that sort of contrasting image, is rather fitting to the overall feel to the song... 

Masquerade follows, starting with a violin part, building to include more strings and finally becoming an alternative  tune, with heavy use of synth and effects. It's got quite a jazzy feel to it actually, and I quite like the rythmns and the distorted/keyboard strings. It's strange how in the chorus it suddenly feels like a pop number! It's got that upbeat feeling of a pop number, the rythmn and feeling of a jazz piece, and the rest is electronic and alternative with a bit of darker edge. A strange but interesting song. I don't find it amazing, but it's decent.  

Epicurean is track 7. I hate the take off opening, but the heavy dance feeling to it is pretty cool. The song goes through alot of variation, gives very different feelings at times.  It's got a very dark feeling to it, and sometimes sounds a little sleazy (?!) yet other times it sounds perfectly innocent and upbeat. The screaming or whatever is a little strange too as some of the other effects. Alternate but in that awesome way, and it still has that dance feel to it like alot of the tracks. It's quite cool.  

Then it's the stunning ballad, Silvery Dark. I even twittered this, I was that wowed by it. The song combines a beautiful piano part, some strings and with alot of synth- giving it a soft and dreamlike quality fitting to the image created by the title. Kaya gives a very emotional, not to mention beautiful vocal performance. The song is sorrowful, and very beautiful- driven by Kaya's wonderful vocals. There's alot of dynamic changes and variation, the song constantly builds up and down. This song is definitly moving. Like when you listen to Gackt, you stop and you listen and you feel so moved by the beauty and emotion of the song. Wonderful- an epic  ballad. 

Next up is Kasha -shining flowers-, which has a very grungy dance feel to it. It's fast and electronic with a more upbeat feeling to it. I really like the fast and gritty dance instrumentation, combined with a guitar part of sorts and Kaya's pretty awesome vocals. A good track. A bit of a pick up after silvery dark : )  

Track 10 is Rose Jail, another gritty dance tune in the light of Kasha or Epicurean. It has a sleazy feel to it, the whole smothering of Kaya's vocals and the way he reaches up to the higher pitches, with the backing vocals- sounds like breathing.. hmm.  I won't tell you what it really makes me think of XD His voice is downright wierd at the ending, sounds fucking crazy. The screaming and everything... Once again,  I won't tell you what it really makes me think of XD

Second to last is Glitter Arch, and it's got that old feeling to it with the heavy, computer generated feeling. Well, it's got a strong dance beat, fast as well, with use of other synth. It's actually rather upbeat and happy- quite a hopeful feeling to it whilst still retaining that darker edge to it. A very nice track. 

The album ends with Hydrangea. The song sounds quite creepy at first, but the flute and that other instrument gives it a rather traditional Japanese feel. It's very soft and quiet, Kaya's soft almost whispery vocals are stunning. The way his voice builds up power at the end, and the emotion he presents- it's stunning and quite moving. The song has a very soft and relaxing feel to it- it doesn't make major changes or build up an incredible much. It is quite ethereal, hypnotizing yet dramatic feel to it.  A great ending, very soft and relaxing way to go. :P

Overall, I'm impressed. This is quite an awesome album, it's all quite alternative and can be quite elaborate with the use of synth and electrnic sounds- yet the album has a good feeling to it, and I like all the different sounds and stuff presented. I also liked how it was like dance music, yet at the same time not. It was alot more interesting, and very creative. Tracks like Paradise lost were downright experimental though, in the coolest way.  Kaya has beautiful vocals too, and that always helps. Rather awesome album. I should have pre-ordered this when I pre-ordered Tohoshinki!  

alice nine. is the band I always hear about but have never bothered with much. Then I read Rockerica's review of their latest single and decided I might as well give it a try. So here I am sampling alice nine with their latest single Rainbows. I last listened to them many months ago, I think their alpha album. all I remember is the vocalists deep voice. Haha. This single was released on 2008.08.06 and came, like most singles do, in many wierd versions (well, three :P)

Tracklist:
1: Rainbows
2: ストロベリー ファズ (Strawberry Fuzz)
3: 胡蝶蘭 (Kouchouran)

Rainbows is upbeat and fast but with a darker feel. The instrumentation is pretty cool, especially the guitar part(s-the bass sounds kinda cool too) and the use of...was it a keyboard or some synth? Either way the overall composition of the song is really good, gives it a dark and almost sexy feel. And the vocalist sounds good; he really belts it out, lending a certain power to the song. It's pretty catchy and rather cool. Once again I'm reminded of how deep the vocalists voice is! Beautiful voice though. This song reminds me of a song I cannot think of right now... either way it's really good! Quite a powerful and catchy song.

The first B-side is ストロベリー ファズ and yeah wierd title and another upbeat song which actually has more of a pop-rock feel to it, leaning towards the rock of course. It's got decent instrumentation, once again really cool guitar and good vocals too. A nice B-side and though it's not as strong as Rainbows it's not bad- it's got a good feel too it and is good to listen to. Can't help but feel it's nothing special though, especially after a track like Rainbows. 

胡蝶蘭 is the track only available on regular edition. It's a laid back song with a more gentle feel to it- like a ballad. The song is quite relaxing, with good instrumentation and wonderful, emotional vocals. It's very pretty. It sounds like it's aiming for a certain power, and I don't think it achieves that really. It's more relaxing kinda hypnotic feel to it than powerful and in your face type ballad. That still doesn't mean it's bad, it's a great song to listen to. Just doesn't move you in the way certain songs do (see: Despairs Ray or 12012 ballads : ) ). It's a very beautiful song though, and as I said it's so laid-back and relaxing to listen to with some very beautiful and sincere vocals.   

This was quite good. Rainbows is a really cool song and Kouchouran is a nice laid back ballad like song, Strawberry Fuzz I think is the weaker track made for putting on in the background and nothing more. I also think that the look, the promo pictures for the single are reallly cool. It's quite creative how they incorporated the rainbows in there and it looks awesome. No doubt that no matter what I think of their music, alice nine. all look really good just about always XD This was quite a nice single with a couple of strong tracks, and overall the composition and vocals were clearly very good. I rate is low as I don't feel that's it's something I will put on repeat or listen to obssesivly.. so thus it's not something I would reccomend. I don't think I'm hooked on this band yet, though I may try mirrorball still. :D

what is it with the massacring of the english language by Japanese bands? This one's called Veltpunch, whatever that is or means (it doesn't sound like it means anything to me, though I could be wrong). Seems they a resonably well known with a few singles and albums already. I don't know  what single of theirs this is, though I do know it was released on May 21, 2007 and was used as the opening to Nabari no Ou.

Tracklist:
1: CRAWL
2: BANANA to BUTTERFLY (lol)

CRAWL is an awesome pop-rock song. I'ts upbeat with a dark and rebelious feel. The vocalist has a good voice, the instrumentation is very good- and surprisingly the english in the song makes sense and is pronounced quite perfectly. The two vocalists, the girl and the guy, when they sing together it works well. This is a really good track, and it's quite catchy too.

BANANA to BUTTERFLY has an odd name. It's another soft rock song wich is a bit more downtempo, a little more ballad like than CRAWL. The instrumentation is still really good, especially the guitar part, as are the good vocals. I love how it varies throughout the song, going through like phases almost, segments with different feel and emotions. The guitar really drives the song forward for this one, and Taisuke Endo has a chance to do his "screams" (that's actually what he's listed as doing, as well as drums). The song is pretty powerful with alot of emotion and technically it's brilliant. Ignore the strange title and it's a good song! 

Overall Veltpunch have a sound reminscent of the styles of LAST ALLIANCE, pigstar and perhaps ELLEGARDEN. Their music is technically good, as well as being good to listen to. Both songs hold a certain power to them. Furthermore, The two vocalists work well together, and both songs have some very nice guitar solos. This is a good single from an obviously talented band.

Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草; pulling weeds) is Onitsuka's 11th single and her first after switching labels. It was released on 2004.10.27 and was her last single before going on hiatus. Unofrtunatly the song never made an album, though the B-side was remade and put on her album LAS VEGAS released later on.

Tracklist:
1: Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草; Pulling Weeds)
2: Rainman
3: Sodatsu Zassou (backing track) (育つ雑草; Pulling Weeds)

育つ雑草 is perhaps the most unique thing Onitsuka Chihiro has ever done. It's a full blown rock track with a dark sound and rebelious, pessimistic lyrics. Though she has dabbled in rock with tracks like Innocence and later Amphibious this is probably the heaviest she's ever gotten. Even the cover is beautiful, but dark and her expression angry. The song opens with the sound of wind blowing (?) before breaking out into the fast, gritty rock part. Onitsuka's voice is deep and bitter sounding. The lyrics are dark, contemplating the hypocrisy of the world and the feeling of being numb to everything, feelings of unsatisfaction with life: "I'm free, and yet not free in the least" and "Feelin' like a stray dog, I'm dead right now" It's a powerful rock track. I love the adlibbing, like her comparison to a stray dog it's like a desperate howl. The song is so angry, so emotional. Fucking awesome. There's a part of me that wants her to make something more like it, but there's part of me that realises  this is probably gonna be a one-off and that perhaps it's better that way. 

Rainman sounds very out of place after such a track as 育つ雑草, however it isn't bad. The song is simple piano and voice, and it is etirely in english. It's a quirky and cheerful song, totally contrasting to the dark and bitter song before it. It's a nice wind down, but pales in comparison to 育つ雑草.

Overall? 育つ雑草 is one of my favourite Onitsuka Chihiro songs. It's a powerful, angry song but it still remains beautiful. Onitsuka Chihiro has a wonderful voice and she proves how versatile she is by doing such a track as 育つ雑草 is and doing it so well. The lyrics really stand out to me as well. They are incredibly powerful. Rainman is not a favourite of mine, it's actually a very bland track for me. The single is worth listening to for 育つ雑草 alone and for that reason I will give it the mark I do : )

Here is LAST ALLIANCE's third album, Me and Your Borderline, released on 2006.12.06.

The album opens with Break a mirror, a very grungy and fast paced track to start the album off. It's a very dark piece, with very long (very good) instrumental sections. When the vocals come in, it retains the grungy, dark feel to it. It's a great track, and I love the title too. Despite the dark feel, there is also a slighlty hopeful feel to it. A great start to the album.

Next track is KONOYUBITOMARE. the song starts quietly with only guitar and voice, before breaking into the rest of it. Like Shissou after it, it's quite pop-rock and happy, hopeful. The instrumentation is quite good, and the vocalist sounds good though. Not the strongest track but the instrumentation is quite nice and it's good  to listen to.

Third is Shissou, made popular by being the ending theme to Ouran high School Host club anime. It's one of my first LAST ALLIANCE songs, and I liked it then but not so much now. It's OK. It's very fast and almost got a pop-rock feel to it. It's quite cheery and hopeful. I'm not a fan of the chorus. The rest of it is pretty decent though.

After Shissou is the beautiful Akai Hana, the itsuwari no orange of the album. This song is very very beautiful, carrying alot of emotion. There is also slight use of synth or something, and a wonderful guitar part. The vocalist sings with alot of feeling, and the "namida" is heartbreaking simply for the emotion it carries, like the moment where the instruments fall away and it's almost just the voice and the vocalist sounds on the verge of tears. A powerful and emotional track, one of the highlights of the album. I really love this one :) 

Track five is Eimii Syndrome. It starts with a very lazy sounding guitar part, before starting up the expected guitar, drum etc part.  It carries alot of the same emotion as Akai Hana before it, perhaps more hopeful sounding though. It's nice song. I think it's got alot of power in it, like EQUAL REASON. 

Next up is Oto no Nai Sekai, the song starts off softly and gently building up quietly to something a little more bitter, more angry. I like how it does this. The song is quite powerful with lots of emotion. The vocal part is very pretty, especially when the vocalist reaches up to higher notes. I like the variation, the use of build up and build down and dynamics. 

The next track is SPIRAL WORLD. The beginning of this song sounds quite familiar, to more western rock. It's a very dark and angry song. I like the chorus. i think he's saying "like a spiral world" or "what a spiral world" or something. It's got nice rythmn and feel to it. I really like this song, especially the chorus. I like how the backing vocals are layered in there too. A fantastic song. 

After SPIRAL WORLD comes Zenmai. It starts with some strange instrumentation, building up into the usual powerful guitar, drum etc part. The vocalist, and the slight distortion in the song is really good. Overall, a very good song. Fast paced with alot of emotion.  

The album then moves to gray end, a very sorrowful song that fits in perfectly after Zenmai. The emotion is to me is one of being lost, hurt and confused. It's a beautiful, slow song with powerful vocals and amazing instrumentals. The song starts of slowly, building up to the chorus. Another powerful song. Fantastic vocals and amazing instrumentation. Not to mention great variation  throughout the song. The ending to this one is quite something too.   

FANTASIA is track number 10. The song has a fantasy touch, with the high pitched, echoey synth (or keyboard?) bit. The "la" bits are really nice too. I like the way the different parts are layered over each other, including the backing vocals. It's a good song. 

Lie of eternity, paint it blue. The song has a really nice introduction, and dark sounding verses with really good rythmn to it. However I'm not a fan once it reaches the chorus. The badly pronounced english is quite standout. The "yeahs" are a nice touch though. And the way the vocalist reaches the high notes is admirable! I like the rythmns of the song and most of it is pretty good.  

Next is Prometheus, much the same vain as Lie of Eternity it's got good introduction. It's a slighlty darker song though. The chorus is pretty good too. It's not a standout track, but it's a great listen. 

After Prometheus it's Sharing Sky a very upbeat, poppy song. The vocal part is great as is the guitar part. It's a nice fast paced, happy little song.  

The last track is Joueika. The song has quite grungy instrumentation part but is still pretty upbeat. The vocalist comes in and the instrumentation tones down building up the chorus. It's a pretty good track to the end the album, a hopeful feel with a dark, sadder edge. Quite a relaxed song with good instrumentation and vocal part. I like the use of varied dynamics.

Overall this is yet another fantastic album from LAST ALLIANCE. This is actually my second favourite album of theirs, and it's the one I will own in a few weeks. As usual the instrumentation is amazing, and the vocalist carries alot of power and emotion in his voice. The addition of synth (or keyboard or those extra bits) was quite good. The album also flows quite well from one track to the next. There are some beautiful, powerful tracks on this album. It's absolutly beautiful.

Their latest album came out yesterday- but I'm not listening until my copy arrives. Haha. I'll see how much that one lasts :P Anyway, time to use Caps-lock again- here is LAST ALLIANCE'S second album released 2004.11.08.

The album opens with the highly memorable South Wind Knows, which I have practicaly memorised the tune of despite even listening to the song all that much (it is that insanely catchy). I guess a year of sporadic listening to does that too you. Anyway, this must have been my second or third last alliance song. It's a good one. The song opens with very fast mesh of instruments in the insanely catchy riff, before enthuastic vocals. The vocalist makes good use of his voice, reaching up to the higher notes in the pre-chorus bit and the bridge too. It's cool how the instruments accent the vocal part. It's got a great, insanely catchy, arrangement and is a nice, fast opening to the album.

Next up is CLONE. It opens with distortion, notably they don't use extra synth but their instruments, then introduces the gritty sounding guitar part. The verses have a slighty echo, adding a dark edge to the song. There's also a bit of screamo type bits, where the vocalist speaks the lyrics quite forcefully more than screams. Adds a bit of atmosphere and doesn't ruin the song or sound of place thankfully.  The lyrics are in english, but unfortunatly not really understandable unless you look at the booklet scans. It's a dark, almost angry,  song that I'm sure carries a great message too. The song has a nice feel to it, and ain't boring. Not stand-out either.

Track 3 is Solitude. It has a very relaxed, laid-back opening- more meloncholic. The feeling of meloncholy is backed by the verses where the vocalist sings quietly and draws out notes, building up to a rythmic instrumental and another similiar verse- slighlty louder, building up even more at the end to the bitter pre-chorus where the vocalist voice takes a strange but emotional tone. The chrous is good with the "yeahs" at the end. It's  a bitter sounding tune with great vocals and instrumentation, as you'd expect from the band. I like how even though the verses sound quite laid back, they still retain that edge. The song has a great feel and brilliant use of dynamics and subtle variations. Amazing ending too.   

After Solitude comes Filter- a slighlty less angry, more upbeat song than the previous.  It's a powerful track, that is hard to review. I don't know what to right without repeating myself. It's got great varation throughout the song, amazing feel to it, great instrumentation and great vocals too. I'll point out the awesome chorus where the vocalist belts out the notes to create the "awesome" feel to the song. Love the slight distortion/electronic effect on the vocal part- though not sure how much that's down to the quality of the song (192). The guitar part at the beginning and end are cool too.    

Then it's One Hot Second. The song, like CLONE might just have english lyrics which are lost to me. The layering of the vocals in the chorus is real cool though, and the guitar part is love too. Like CLONE their is also the half speak, half sing belt it out thing. The song is short, upbeat with a grittier edge. Nice.   

Track 6 is Musou Jidai, a very grungy song with a heavy feeling. Another great track, I love the rythmn of the chorus and the distortion in the bridge. It's fast paced with a darker edge.  

Next is urge. The song starts off quietly and the vocalist sings high, before introducing a very rythmnic guitar/drum part. The song is upbeat with nice fast pace to it,  and again distortion is used for a bridge of sorts. It's an OK track, but quite bland and nothing extra-ordinary. Thankfully, it's not dragged out at just 3 and a half minutes. 

Then it's GREENS SUNLIGHT. The song has a very quiet opening, introducing a ELLEGARDEN like guitar part before going to the more LAST ALLIANCE guitar part, but still remaining the ELLEGARDEN feel to the instrumentation (freak- look at that capitalisation!). The song has very nice rythmn to it, don't really like the chorus with the dragged out notes and almost whiny feel to it. This is an OK track but personally I don't like. It's stupid because it's really catchy too >_>

Track 9 is Jikuu TRIP. The song opens with almost speaker-killer distortion before slowly introducing the instruments. The song has a very tech feel, with the introduction of some synth to give it a spacey feel. Strange. It's a slow and laid back, almost chilled out song in the verses. Building up to something darker in the chorus, yet still remaining upbeat. It's quite a good track. Not sure about the synthy spacey bit. A little cheesy neh?  

After Jikuu TRIP is Okizari ace. The song opens very quietly and simply, just the vocals over guitar before building up to be a powerful and emotional track. The singer makes the most of his voice, singing quiet and low in the verses to give across a feeling of raw emotion. The song builds up into the chorus, which has alot of drawn out notes- feeling very powerful and giving a sad feel to it. This is a powerful and emotional track. Raw emotion. Heavy, but rythmic instrumentation. Lots of variation and great vocals. I like.   

Then it's Lucky Luciano ni Utareru Mae Ni. A very quirky, upbeat song. The verses are very fast, giving it said quirky feel alongst the instrumentation. Still retains an edge to it. Not a bad song, and not bad to listen to.    

Track 12 is TRUTH IN MY ARMS. The song kills me speakers with the distortion at the beginning, cotinuing to be pain with a shouted out call and response thing for the verses. This carries on throughout the song and if you don't mind I'm gonna skip. I'm not alone at home right now..  

After TRUTH IN MY ARMS  comes another long titled song, Tadayou Yuugure ni, Kiete Yuku Hibi. The song opens with wavering guitar part, the song feels slow and the notes in the first verse are drawn, compared to the shorter rythmns of the rest of the song (the majority, the slow part returns!). It has a nice rythmn and a sad, yet hopeful undertone to it. There's alot of emotion in it, and the song has great instrumentation (gah. repeating myself...) Love how it builds up and down- and the way the vocal part and other instruments work together. The overriding feel is of hope and moving on- me thinks. Rather nice to listen to. The guitarist gets a chance to shine at the end too ^_^   

Last up is the beautiful Letter. The song opens with a sad sounding mix of gritty guitar chords and a more plucked ryhtmn before introducing the full shebang. The song has great rythmn and a very sad feel to it. When the vocalist comes in he sounds regretful, his voice is beautiful though at the pitch he sings at and has a great level of emotion. The song quietens down, before blasting out for the bitter, regretful sounding chorus. It's a wonderful song, with stunning instrumentation and lots of good emotion to it. A brilliant end to a good album.   

This isn't quite the standard as their other albums, but it's still freakin' good. It was hard to review, and I probably repeated myself alot, simply because all their songs are the same yet different. Dude, that makes no sense. Those who listen to them will understand. I enjoyed this album. I love how LAST ALLIANCE make the most of the instruments, often using their instruments to create distortion effects instead of relying on synth. I also think that they are exteremly talented, I really love how the vocalist uses his voice (epecially in this album) and the guitar parts were all love. Also they tend to end their tracks properly instead of relying on fade-outs and the like- giving their songs a very complete feel (most of the time, every artist uses fade-out at some point...). Their songs have great atmosphere, and feeling to them. This album in particular seemed quite angry in many ways compared to their other ones. Either way, It's highly enjoyable to listen to, and often the tunes stick in your brain quite a bit. This album basically continues the high standard of Tears Library. I don't think it's on the same level as Tears library and me and your borderline though, there are a few weaker or "meh" tracks on here.

To prepare and celebrate LAST ALLIANCE's new album (I've already pre-ordered!) I will be doing a review of all their current albums!

I'm not sure if you know this but LAST ALLIANCE is one of my favourite bands, right up there with SADS and 12012.  Their music is amazing. It conveys such alot of emotion. Very powerful stuff.  The singer has a...different voice but he uses it well. And the guitar and drum etc are just WOW. Everything about LAST ALLIANCE is awesome and talented. One of the most seriously underrated bands. If you like ELLEGARDEN or Asian kung fu generation you are sure to like LAST ALLIANCE, though even if you don't I'm sure LAST ALLIANCE will impress you.  (Gosh writing their name in capitals all the time is tiring!) Their name is kinda cool too, almost rebelious like "last alliance".

Tears library is their first album, released 2003.07.19.

The album opens with Boys don't cry. It starts with a call and response on the guitar before the rest of the instrumentation comes in. The song is fast paced with amazing instrumentation. It has a slight upbeat feel to it in the chorus' too. The vocals are beautiful in their own way, the vocalist lifting his voice up to higher pitch sometimes and also using dynamics to his advantage. It's an amazing opening, and straight away you know the album is going to be good.

After boys don't cry comes RUN INTO THE FREEDOM. It starts slow and rythmic, almost meloncholic feel to it. Very quiet and quite slow. This builds up into a dark sounding, almost angry verse and more relaxed chorus. It's carries on the amazingness that was Boys don't cry with fantastic instrumentation and vocals. I love all the variations the song goes through. Oh and there's english in there too...which I can actually understand :P 

After RUN INTO FREEDOM is a personal favourite, Itsuwari no orange. This song is SAD. It opens with a gentle and rythmic guitar before the drum and vocals come in: it's a very meloncholic opening. This feeling of sadness and loss continues into the rest of the song. Then the guitar comes in properly and just... it blows me away EVERY TIME (And I've been listening to this song over a year now). The vocalist sounds very sad, his voice rough almost as if holding back tears. He also goes really low at times, which once again adds a great emotion and feeling to the song. the instrumentation is astounding, especially the guitar part. The song goes through constant variation, every bit amazing. The ending really gets me with the repetetion of "namida" (tears). This song is SAD and powerful. Just beautiful really.

Next up is LAST ALLIANCE (album version). Having never heard the single version I cannot compare really. The song  starts with a really awesome, loud and in your face guitar and drum part. It's fast and noisy, but not in the bad way. 

Track 5 is REBEL FIRE.  Typical to the name the song has a rebelious feel to it. Haha. How not to repeat myself. Because like most of the tracks, great vocals and instrumentation (especially the awesome guitar part!). Also liked the use of backing vocals in this one. I think there's english, can't really tell. Love how the song ends, not sure how to describe it but it's a great ending. This song is short but fast with great feeling. The ablum continues to be awesome.  

After REBEL FIRE is beautiful. This is a very fast paced upbeat track. I think it features or is in english, can't really tell. And woa...it's short. Almost like a prelude to the next track....

The next track is Planetarium. Planetarium has a dark sounding opening, then the guitar comes in and makes it pretty upbeat. It sounds alot like some of alot of their upbeat stuff, but is cool in it's own way. The drum part is a little repetetive. This track is good, but not one of the best on the album. It has a similiar feel to beautiful before it.  

Track 8 follows, SEE YOU AGAIN.See you again is quite dark sounding, and very heavy on the guitar distortion thing at the beginning. Thankfully that dies down. It's a very fast song, with an almost rushed feel. It's got alot of attitude, especially when the vocalist says "See you again". A little repetetive, but it's short so that becomes irrelevant.  

Then comes the beautifully titled SKY IS CRYING. This song is loud and gritty. It has a dark feeling, and rough but still fantastic instrumentation. Fast and short without alot of emotion- yet another powerful track. The ending to this one is pretty cool.   

The second to last track is Hidarimuki. The second Japanese titled song on the album, strangely enough. It starts very atmospheric, fast but kinda meloncholic at points. The guitar part is sweet, and the vocalist uses a higher register of his voice. There is also use of overlapping the voice/backing vocals at points which is effective. A very nice, sweet-sounding song. Lots of variation again helps the song to stay interesting. Great emotion too.  

Last up is EQUAL REASON (Album version). The song starts quietly and gently,   before coming in with the rest of the instrumentation- but retaining the gentle, meloncholic feel. The vocalist sings real low, both in pitch and dynamic. Raising his voice up to build up to the chorus. Again the guitar part is noticably awesome.  The Chorus is very powerful, with alot of feeling in it- and much more hopeful than the verses. I also managed to find lyrics to this  , and they too are really awesome- seemingly about despite everything, keep going and be strong sorta thing- "Like clinging on anyone that has already turned around, I don’t want to choose such an escaping way". An amazing, hopeful and powerful ending to a fantastic album.

For a debut album this is amazing. Shockingly good. Excuse me for fangirling over this band so much but this is all I can say. LAST ALLIANCE is awesome. This is a very strong debut album, the highlight for me being every song. Just listen and be amazed. the album flows wonderfully from beginning to end, showcasing just how talented the band is.  Every song is much the same, however they all manage to have a different feel and to differentiate from the others in their own way. It's kinda strange like that. You'd think their music would be boring but it's actually really powerful. Quite awesome...