To everyone.Īfter reading, re-reading, and re-reading the message many times over, I began to feel a sensation all over me, my intuition so it seemed. It’s been a long time coming, yet these words need to be said. As much as I love private, intimate conversations among friends, I feel it would be more appropriate to respond to this e-mail publicly. Within the cesspools of my inbox I discovered a very touching message from a cherished friend, Gacktpause. The wheels of fate began to turn this afternoon when I randomly decided to check my seldom-used e-mail account I had set up specifically for the blog. Everything seems to have slipped away from my grasp and I feel disconnected from my own mind and body, as well as the world around me. Truthfully, I’ve lost a lot of my will to live. Why have I been gone so long, you ask? Have I “outgrown” Visual Kei? Please. It feels foreign to me to be drafting this post after months of inactivity but on the other hand it’s warm and welcoming, like home. I’m unsure whether it’s vanity or nostalgia that makes me hope that I am still recognized in this community. The only songs that were memorable for me were Aitai and Glamorous Sky.It’s been a long time. Seasoned ABC fans will probably find this album to be a hit-or-miss. Go try some of their original material before you tackle this release. In Conclusion: If you’re just now hearing about ABC for the first time, then I do not recommend this album on the grounds that it is a cover album, after all. This is the gem of the album and a track that no one should miss. The arrangement was spectacular, not as hard as the original song, but it still contained the same energy, the same fire, the same intensity.
I don’t want to say it blew me out of the water, but it really did and I can’t lie to my readers. This is probably the reason why I have given up singing.Īcid Black Cherry’s cover of this song exceeded my expectations. Unfortunately, my cultural awareness was a bit too much for my peers, who booed at me relentlessly and teased me by asking why I didn’t sing in “American.” Seriously? Its tough to find people who appreciate foreign music, especially when you live out in the boondocks like me. The song I most anticipated was ABC’s cover of Mika Nakashima’s “Glamorous Sky.” (Hyde, who actually wrote the song, also recorded a version at one point, but I thought his voice was too deep for it.) This song has had a special meaning to me because I performed it in a talent show back in high school. This song reminded me of the ocean at night. Thankfully, it isn’t too long, and Yasu’s voice sounds so clear and calm. Silhouette Romance is an ethereal style piece. I don’t think Yasu’s voice was right for the song here. Hershey is totally pop, and sounds like borderline Shibuya-Kei if you ask me. Its a collection of clips showing Yasu sitting back to back with a girl and then Yasu turns into a ghost (?), Yasu’s teeth, (ugh) and the girl crying awkwardly in a filthy bathtub. I liked the song for about the first three minutes and I think the opening melody would make a cute ringtone. Its a touching and melancholy song, but unfortunately suffers from “epically long oh my gosh is it over yet?” syndrome like other ABC favorites such as Yasashii Uso and Nemuri Hime. The only track from the album to get a PV (and making-of video!!!) is Aitai It starts out with a gentle melody that sounds like a music box being played in a dream. I have always been a fan of Yasu’s pure voice. Its a fun song, not too rockish, but its sung very well. Tenshi no WINK is a fun way to start the album. What, did you think there was going to be a trick question or something? I’m embarrassed to add that many of the tracks covered on this album are by artists I’ve never even heard of. Recreation 2 is the follow-up to ABC’s last cover album titled, you guessed it, Recreation. I’ll stop this teary-eyed yammering to actually do what I’m supposed to: review.ģ.) There is a song on here that holds special meaning to me, we’ll talk about that in just a bit But now, my blog is one of the most important things I have. When I first thought “I’m going to write a music blog,” I honestly didn’t take that thought too seriously. Why? I’ve been waiting to do this review because it is my FIFTIETH REVIEW! *balloons and streamers fall from the ceiling* I am so happy that I have been able to stick with this project for this long. Hey everyone! I’m back to reviewing! I know my special articles, random blurbs about Ai Otsuka’s marriage, and incessant tweets have probably been driving you bonkers, but I’ve been waiting for a special release to come out before I did my next review. This cover makes me a bit uncomfortable, but anything is better than a shot of Yasu and his horse-teeth.