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We're lazy so we're listing them again. XD XD
JULY BIRTHDAYS
7/4 GACKT [Malice Mizer/solo, vocal]
7/8 SUGIZO [Luna Sea/solo, guitar]
7/11 JUN [The Brilliant Green, bass]
7/11 TAKEO [Pierrot, drums]
7/11 YUKI [Raphael, vocal]
7/15 MAKOTO [Lucifer, vocal]
7/19 DAITA [Siam Shade, guitar]
7/19 HITOKI [Kuroyume, bass]
7/19 KAMIJO [Lareine/New Sodmy, vocal]
7/24 YOU [Janne da Arc, guitar]
7/25 RYO [Transtic Nerve, bass]
7/31 ZERO [D'espairsRay, bass]
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There are two versions of Dir en grey's last single, embryo. The original lyrics, which revolved around themes of rape and incest, were deemed too controversial for mass airplay so Kyo wrote an alternate version for the single. The original version remains on their album, Kisou.
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Spotlight on recently released songs. This is a rotating mp3 list and will be changed regularly to make room for newer songs, so get 'em while you can!
[Gackt]
Missing
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http://jrock.pitas.com
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NEW WYSE SINGLE
Titled Twinkle Stars and to be released on 28 August. Check the official Wyse page for details or preorder it at CD Japan. Thanks to Wyse no Miko for the information on the BBS ^_^.
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 09:23 p.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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HYDE AND GACKT MOVIE
I'm sure everyone has heard by now, but Gackt is currently making a movie called "Moon" and Hyde will co-star in it along with him. The movie is Gackt's project, made to go along with his recently released album of the same name, and apparently according to him, "Moon" is an "ongoing project" that will consist of many different types of medium in order to tell a story. The plot seems to be some kind of vampire-type thing. (check the Shiroi Heya BBS for more details.)
There's a short Japanese article on Mainichi News Online talking about the movie with Gackt and Hyde.
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 02:34 p.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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SIAM SHADE LAST LIVE REPORT
Shou Mizuhara, the webmistress of the Siam Shade site As It Is, has written up an awesome live report on their last live at the Budoukan on 10 March 2002. The cover page to the live report is here. She spent a lot of time on this, so if you enjoyed reading it, please email her and thank her! ^_^
Also a bit of news from Hideki: he was in LA in June recording his first mini-album. According to Shou, it's titled Hideki and should be released in August. (I looked for info on his official page but couldn't find it on there, so if anyone spots it, let me know please!)
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 02:45 a.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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RELEASE NEWS!
Duel Jewel
02 September - Second album release. No title or date yet.
hide
02 July 10 - Special promo event for new single collections album Junk Story
02 July 24 - Junk Story "Best of" album out. A single collection including the never before relased song In Motion, which is performed by his backup solo band (Pata, RAN, Joe, D.I.E., I.N.A., Chirolyn, Kiyoshi) with vocals done by hide from a demo version.
Hyde
02 July 08 - English version of Roentgen out in Asia (except Japan)
Glay
02 July 24 - Single Mata Koko de Aimashou out
02 July 31 - Single Aitai Kimochi out
Janne da Arc
02 August 07 - Single Shining Ray out
Lucifer
02 August 07 - Single Realize out
Takui
02 August 27, 30-02 September 01, 05, 06, 08, 12 - CHUNKY SEVEN GOD TOUR
08/27 -> 新潟 CLUB JUNK BOX [Niigata]
08/30 -> 仙台 CLUB JUNK BOX [Sendai]
09/01 -> 札幌 KRAPS HALL [Sapporo]
09/05 -> 大阪 BIG CAT [Osaka]
09/06 -> 名古屋 E.L.L. [Nagoya]
09/08 -> 福岡 DRUM Be-1 [Fukouka]
09/12 -> 東京渋谷公会堂 [Tokyo]
Tetsu 69
02 August 23 - New single Shinkirou out. Limited first pressing includes T-shirt.
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 03:21 a.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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JUNJI (SIAM SHADE) NEWS
Junji will be holding his first ever solo live on Friday, 16 August in Shibuya (Tokyo). Special guests include La'cryma Christi's Levin, Lucifer's Yuki, and Janne da Arc's Ka-yu (why it's a solo live if he has these people is beyond me...but anyway.) You can find out more info on the Junji page at As It Is.
Also, Junji's opened a diary site (link at above page). This must be a catchy trend thing. It's like blogging for jrockers. XD
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 04:03 a.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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NEW B'Z ALBUM
B'z's next album, Green is coming out on July 3 (sorry for the late news, I was in Alaska and obviously didn't bother to check when I got back ^^;;). The track list is as follows:
01.STAY GREEN -未熟な旅はとまらない- [Mijukuna Tabi wa Tomaranai]
02.熱き鼓動の果て [Atsuki Kodou no Hate ni]
03.Warp
04.SIGNAL
05.SURFIN' 3000GTR
06.Blue Sunshine
07.ultra soul
08.美しき世界 [Utsukushiki Sekai]
09.Everlasting
10.FOREVER MINE
11.The Spiral
12.GO★FIGHT★WIN
You can go to the official B'z site for more details (they changed their website address so update your bookmarks if you have them), or order from CD Japan or HMV.
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 09:19 p.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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REVIEW:「熱き鼓動の果てに」 [B'Z]
Release date: 2002.6.5
[Hmm...again, this one is late. Single was released almost a month ago, but I was in Alaska at the time. So here goes:]
The song begins with an acoustic rendition of the chorus, with Koshi belting out "atsuki kodou no hate ni!" at the top of his lungs in his characteristic style, accompanied by Tak playing simple chords on acoustic guitar. It's a really high note to begin a song on, especially acoustically (an "A" above middle C) and Koshi sounds like he's straining a bit, but he's in tune. The drums enter after two repetitions of the same musical phrase, but Tak stays on acoustic guitar. The verse is in a minor key, and there are what sounds like backup singers in the background doing "ooooh" accompaniments. When Koshi hits the chorus a second time, it's a nice effect, balancing the minor verse with the major-key chorus.
At the end of the chorus, at 1:24, there's a sudden leap back to the minor key, and Tak switches to electric guitar. The beat also goes to cut time, so that while the tempo is the same, the drums are playing twice as fast. The little bridge part there reminds me somewhat of Calling. In all, the verse is the same as before except with addition of electric guitar and more drums.
It's in the third repetition of the chorus that we can really notice a change. Before, the song seemed like a kind of slow, dramatic, moving, almost ballad-type, but with the tempo in cut-time, it's almost like a fast dance track. Very bouncy, very catchy, very easy to move with. You can definitely hear the B'z sound within, but at the same time, it's a little lighter than their usual fare.
At 2:37, Tak's guitar solo begins, and as always, it's marvelous. Tak's solos are almost never very long, but he manages to be astounding on every one of them, and this one is certainly no exception. Koshi comes back in at 2:52 with a reprise of the end of the verse before the chorus, and then repeats the chorus with a lot of background vocals supporting him. It almost sounds like a gospel choir, and listening to this I can almost see the blinding stage lights and Koshi and Tak up there rocking away with thousands of screaming fans below.
There's a nice rhythm bit after Koshi drops out at 3:44 and then everything fades away rather suddenly at 3:49. A second later, you can hear them all come back in, but very muddy and distorted, in what sounds almost exactly like the beginning of Calling.
You probably don't even need to ask my verdict on this song, because I've loved everything B'z does, has done, and will do. Koshi uses the higher end of his range here but does it beautifully, and Tak's skills are great as always. The high points are the little backup vocal bits thrown into the chorus ("Baby!"), the minor/major switches, and Tak's solo (obviously). My only complaint is that the song is too short! (4:05...must have more B'z!) B'z has always been my definition of a band that just loves hardcore rock and roll with a little fun thrown in, and they have definitely delivered here.
- Gerald -
- Comment -
It's 09:17 p.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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LIVE REPORT: BAROQUE
Baroque made an appearance at the Asian Youth and Music Festival in Singapore last night (06/29) and we have a live report courtesy of Yev. Check it out! ^_^ Thank you so much, Yev!
- MS -
- Comment -
It's 04:42 a.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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ALBUM: MOON [GACKT]
This is late, I know. I've had the thing for over a week now but I still hadn't done the review. Part of it was because my headphones broke and I didn't want to post until I'd thoroughly listened to it. The other excuse was that it normally takes me about a week or longer to warm up to anything from Gackt that I don't immediately love at first listen. Anyway, enough of the excuses.
Insanity also did a review at the BBS and it was on time too. =P Check out his comments on MOON and Utada Hikaru's latest album, Deep River, here.
[1] Noah
This sounds like the beginning to some epic exotic adventure movie, taking place either in the mystic orient or India. Starts off with a very softly with a few isolated instruments then swells into this gorgeous orchestral piece. Very nice.
[2] Lu:na
The second hardest song on this album. Some interesting guitar effects here. Gackt's voice is low throughout most of the song but rises into the catchier refrain. The instrumental has dueling acoustic guitars accented by castanets and latin-type percussion; a refreshing contrast to the rest of it.
[3] wa.su.re.na.i ka.ra (Album Version)
This song has grown on me since I first heard it. The album version has a spiffy little intro but is otherwise the same as the single. The verses give a slight suggestion of floating or driving at a high speed. The refrain is catchy and further accentuates the movement in the song. Very pretty bridge section, as is standard with Gackt songs.
[4] Soleil
This one... still reminds me of videogame BGM (background music). Maybe it's the keyboard/brass bits. The second verse is backed by spanish guitar, giving it a nice relaxed feel. The real surprise comes in the bridge where the other instruments drop off leaving only a keyboard/organ behind otherwise a capella vocals. Very... choral sounding. Think the bridge of "U+K" with keyboard.
[5] Speed Master
Guitars, guitars, guitars. The first time I heard this, the first thing that came to my mind was that, "Oh, this is Gackt's attempt at a Dir en grey song." *ducks Gackt and Dir en grey fans* The chanting reminds me of "Schwein no Isu." ^^ The more I listen though, the more it becomes apparent that this is probably closer to "Nine Spiral." The hardest, angriest-sounding song on the album.
[6] Fragrance
Ahhh... probably one of Gackt's best experiments to date. Soft, slow, mysterious, this brings us back to the feeling "Noah" established at the beginning of the album. Drums, acoustic guitar, and some exotic-sounding instruments back Gackt's low, almost seductive voice. The end is mesmerizing with harmonized vocals interlaced with spoken words.
[7] death wish
This one reminds me of "Asrun Dream" or "Cube." Low verses, nice guitar work, and a powerful refrain. During my first run-through of the entire album, this was the song that put an end to my initial fear that Moon was going to be another Rebirth. This track is more along the style of MARS as opposed to the entire first half of the album.
[8] Doomsday (Album Version)
Ger reviewed this in more detail here when "wasurenai kara" was released. Nice bridge section- high, distorted, harmonized vocals over muted percussion. The difference from the single version includes two high tones at the end- something like speaker feedback. It's rather... disconcerting if you listen to it too long. >_<
[9] Missing
I love this track. From the first 30 seconds, I loved this track. Major key, strong melody, and the refrain just soars. It's like "dears" but a little more serious, a little more melancholy. More acoustic guitars with the electrics anchoring them in the back. Great bassline during the entire song if you care to listen to it. The bridge starts off with dueling electric guitars but then drops off into this sweet vocal interlude backed by piano. Ends beautifully with the refrain, bass riding high over the rest of the instruments. Wistful, hopeful, with just a touch of sadness. Perfect.
[10] rain
Very pretty ballad. The verses are vaguely reminiscent of some of the mystery that surrounded "Noah" and "Fragrance" but the refrain... is gut-wrenching. Along the lines of "~seki-ray~" or "EMU ~for my dear~." Piano accents the guitars throughout the song and You's violin parts are haunting. Gackt's vocals shine, especially towards the end.
[11] ANOTHER WORLD
Hum. There's been a lot said about this song already. It's a fast, fun, catchy, pop thing with lots and lots of guitars.
[12] memories
This is the other song I loved at first listen. Vocals start immediately backed by guitar and percussion. The verses tell a story of the past while the refrain speaks of a new beginning. I don't understand the lyrics but that's what it sounds like. There's a rather long instrumental interlude in the middle of it, recalling some aspects of "Noah" and the other tracks, but places them all under a more hopeful, happier light. Bridge is vocals over acoustic guitar, which swells into the soaring refrain. Excellent, grounding guitars towards the end drop off into keyboards/organ, sort of like the end of "kimi no tameni dekiru koto" on Rebirth. It quickly becomes a purely orchestral piece, mostly strings, then piano- which, once again, brings back the "epic" feel first established by "Noah." A "happy" end to the story so to speak.
There are almost two distinctive styles on this album- one following the tracks on Rebirth, the other on MARS. The entire first half, with the exception of "Noah" was Rebirth. The second, with the exception of "Doomsday" was MARS. "Fragrance" was the dividing line and stood pretty much on its own. While I love the Rebirth album, I will say that after a while, the tracks start sounding similar. When I first listened to MOON, the entire first half almost blurred together. Even "wa.su.re.na.i. ka.ra." didn't provide much of a break.
The second half though, again with the exception of "Doomsday" which to me is a Rebirth throwback, really pulled me in. "Missing" and "memories" alone made the album worth it. Add in "rain," "death wish," and "Fragrance" and this rises from just another album to a truly exceptional one. The other songs are growing on me slowly but my favorites will always remain with those already mentioned.
One thing to keep in mind when listening to this album is that it supposedly has a story behind the songs, I'm assuming similar to the fairy tale story concept behind Lareine's fierte no umi to tomo ni kiyu. Unfortunately, since Gackt requested that lyrics not be included with this particular release, it's difficult to confirm that. The "plot" as it were, does seem to be anchored by "Noah," "Fragrance," and "memories;" with the other songs serving as event/action points throughout the rest of it. It's up to each listener to make their own interpretation.
Overall, MOON is a wonderful album, bringing together most of the various musical styles and ideas Gackt has been playing with since the start of his solo career. It's got just the right blend to please both old and new fans alike; perhaps that was his intention. If you've ever been a Gackt fan, there will probably be something on this release that you'll love.
Album Information:
MOON
Released: 2002.06.19
CRCP-40009 [3,000 Yen]
Crown Records
- MS -
- Comment -
It's 02:11 a.m., and Kaoru's still playing air guitar.
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