*littlelamb

Such a bummer. I doubt there's anything dramatic behind it though, he's probably just sick of the band life after two decades. Can't really blame him. I can't imagine Merry with a brand new member after all this time, but I also can't see how they'll keep playing their old material with just one guitarist. Maybe they'll just hire a support member.

Yuu actually posted a clip of the Shiver stuff on IG. I was shocked when it showed up on my feed.

Yuu's the best! He broadcasted Merry's live today on his IG (u_merry) live. Too bad it cut off after an hour, so most of the new songs were left out, but they played Atama ga zakuro and Kohakuiro no Ballad! I think it's still there for 18 hours if anyone wants to watch. Sounds amazing as always.

I think it sounds more like a run-of-the-mill DEG track than sukekiyo, let alone the original. I actually really like Gerbera and struggled to find anything familiar in that cover. It's the melodies that make that song, for me anyway. Take them away and meh. There's making a song your own and then there's completely disguising it, which seems a bit pointless to me.

I didn't enjoy sukekiyo either. Maybe I'm just over Kyo's shtick, but I was so bored. Quite an enjoyable album for the most part though. Favourites in order of appearance: BAND-MAID, THE BACK HORN, POLYSICS, cali≠gari, 矢野絢子 and MERRY. Thought they were all brilliant. Also enjoyed Ken, gibkiy gibkiy gibkiy, Plastic Tree, シド, THE ORAL CIGARETTES, DEZERT and MUCC themselves of course.

I love what they did with Ieji! It really shows off what they can do and the acoustic bits are simply dreamy. I also love that song and think it's a great choice. My favourite cover has to be オデッセイ・1985・SEX. Gara just slays that one, you can tell he was living his dream.

Ahh, I'm jealous! I really need to go back to Japan soon. And I second Merry's fans being the absolute sweetest, much like the band members themselves.

They really haven't taken a vacation once in 20 years? Good lord.

I love most of Merry's B-sides including all the ones already mentioned, but I really adore Makka na aoi haru... and ト・ロ・ケ・テ・ル. From the more recent ones (is 4 years ago recent?), I thought Waltz was a beautiful and underrated song. As for the new album, I for one love it. I thought I liked Nonsense Market, but I like this one way more (or I've just overplayed the former). It feels more cohesive, the singles are better and blend in better, especially with the new version of Happy Life, and the new tracks are ridiculously entertaining to me. So many gems! And it's very punky and energetic, so basically exactly what I wanted. I also like that it's short, which is strange in a way, but I like the songs so much I want to replay them and there's nothing that feels like filler to get through before I can do that.

I listened to the whole album on Niconico since they broadcasted the trial listening event today and I absolutely adore it! So punky, so Merry, such an energy boost! Who needs coffee, just listen to this album first thing in the morning. The only song I felt a bit meh about was gaudy, but I can see it growing on me. Black flag symptom was my favourite based on the previews and of course it's a Kenichi song. Here are the credits for all the songs, in case someone's interested: 1. 「M」World Order - Tetsu 2. MASS CONTROL - Nero 3. 犬型真性MASOCHIST - Yuu 4. gaudy - Yuu 5. 平日の女 -A面- Yuu 6. Black flag symptom - Kenichi 7. 傘と雨 - Yuu 8. F.J.P - Nero (Gara said the title stands for Future Japan, I think) 9. Happy life -reprise- Kenichi 10. SIGHT GLASS - Yuu 11. エムオロギー - Yuu

I think they said they were going for a straightforward 80's punk rock (The Blue Hearts?) feel with Happy life, but it's just too simple in my opinion. I do like the song, but it's always felt a bit empty, like something's missing. I hope the new version is more "full" and intense. I love the acoustic one. I'm hoping for a punky album, kind of like Underworld.

Cannot wait! I like the title, even though it was hard to figure out.

I would, but I think I'll stick to the A-type as well. I'm sure we'll find out one way or another though.

Knowing Merry, the pile of trash is just them being self-deprecating. Gara often refers to how they used to be called a rubbish band. Even in some MC during the anniversary lives, he said something like "Merry was called a rubbish band, but this rubbish band is now going on 15 years". I think that's what's going on in the video, they're so rubbish the streaming site stops working and just shows a pile a trash instead. I could be wrong, but I like it.

I'm a bit sad that there won't be any new B-sides. Even though I like the new song, it does remind me a bit too much of their old stuff (Souhide Sunset maybe?) and I need some Merry freshness! Hopefully a new album will follow soon enough.