*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.

It's super easy to download timeshifts with IDM. About two clicks and done. I just haven't watched my timeshift yet, since I'm always paranoid something goes wrong and then I've wasted my only chance to watch it again, lol. And the last time I shared a nico download, they put that stuff on some release and then I felt guilty for maybe affecting their CD sales. Seems silly perhaps, but they're my favourite band and they need all the income they can get. Oh and under-world is my favourite album. Might not be to everyone's taste, but I find it the most unique out of all of Merry's already unique stuff. I just can't think of anything that sounds even remotely like it, yet it sounds just right and has ever since the first listen.

They played the new song twice today. First an acoustic version during White Sheep and then the proper version during Black Sheep. Sounded good! Very retro, so seems they're continuing what they started. Can't wait! Great show today BTW. Gara was so happy and chatty.

Aww, I'm glad! Sorry, it was so long ago, I don't even remember if there was a recording, so I'm afraid can't help you with that.

Haha, I cringe just thinking about my old posts and even more so someone reading them now, but I'm glad if they've been helpful! And no need to thank me, Merry is pretty easy to love. It is almost unreal that they are still going after all they've been through and it just shows how dedicated they are and how much they love their band. It's not like they even have a big fanbase as in a monetary incentive to keep going, pretty sure they're broke most of the time. The fact that they're still making music and letting me watch them live every now and then from my sofa for a nominal fee is something I will never take for granted. They are special! As for the lives, "better than ever" may have been a slight overstatement, more like better than for the past 6 years. The BURST EP DVD is still my all time favourite. That Gekisei! Must've listened to it 50 times at least.

Oh wow, life in the Merry thread. Needless to say they are my favourite band ever, the only one I've been a proper fan of. Their music just hits all the rights spots in my brain and never seems to get old. Maybe because it's pretty "old" in the first place, not tied to some fad. I'm really happy with their current direction and I feel like ever since NOnsenSe MARkeT they've gone back to being themselves so to speak. What happened with the Beautiful Freaks era is a combination of things I think. I sort of blame Kyo as well for some of their bad decisions, I mean he was credited as producer on their releases back then. Kyo and Gara weren't even speaking for years, but then Kyo reached out to him after Merry had left Victor and were in disarray, and I think him caring and wanting to help made Gara a bit too prone to his suggestions. I do think Kyo is brilliant in his own way and I appreciate him helping Merry get started on their career, but he really shouldn't be meddling in their music at this point. That's why I'm happy he started Sukekiyo, since he clearly doesn't have any time or interest in getting involved anymore. Thank heavens for that! It's not all his fault though. From what I've read in interviews, the members were well aware that they'll never be able to outdo the brilliance of their eary compositions, so that's why they were trying to find a new direction, but it didn't really work out. Heijitsu no Onna is the product of realising you should stick to what you're good at. The period around the switch to Free-Will was also a generally miserable time for them. They didn't particularly want to join Free-Will, the fans absolutely hated it, Gara was having constant problems with his back, people close to them were dying and just when things started looking up, Tetsu broke his neck and was out for years. It's not like BF is even close to unlistenable, the basic song-writing is still there, but the arrangements are just too simple and the sound all muddled and boring. Merry is not the kind of band who should be sending their tracks to Sweden or where ever to be finished either. It's of no benefit to them. I think they sound better than ever live at the moment. At least based on the two lives they've already broadcast on nicovideo this year. They were pretty stellar. The only song Gara struggles with is the A-side of Heijitsu no Onna, but it's no wonder, since it goes so high. Thankfully the B-side version is made for lives. In case someone didn't know, they're broadcasting their 15th anniversary White Sheep/Black Sheep live tomorrow, as in 16 hours, so don't miss out! Put it on timeshift beforehand, if you don't have time to watch live or pay the 540 yen for premium membership. Epic acoustic versions to be expected. http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv280746643 BTW, I noticed the other day that someone had upped the entire nico live this summer on Youtube . The acoustic versions of Makka na Aoi Haru and Happy Life are so good!

If you pay for premium membership, you can still watch it using Timeshift. It's only 540 yen/month and you can cancel the membership anytime. I've done that so many times over the years. But if you do, make sure to not click the timeshift button unless you're ready to watch, since the recording is only available for 24 hours or so after you've started watching. You can see the setlist here: http://spice.eplus.jp/articles/38694

Another vote for Gara! I basically studied Japanese for 3 years so I could understand him, not even ashamed to admit it. He's good at creating vivid imagery, but his lyrics also usually have a point to them, a story or a clear message that is to the point. I also like the variety of topics. Some of my favourites (my translations): Rest in Peace: “Tokyo”: Gunjou (Ultramarine): Happy life: Enzetsu ~surrealism~ and [human farm] (these translations came with the European version of the album):

Hope I wasn't the only one who tuned in today, because it was amazing! Killer setlist and also very emotional, since it was the first full live for Tetsu in over two years. The other members seemed almost happier about him being back than he did himself. So sweet. Don't think there was a dry eye in that venue by the end. At least there's one good thing about the Europe tour being postoned. If they do make it over here next year, then hopefully Tetsu can join them!

Not sure where to put this, but Merry just announced that they'll be broadcasting their tour final this Sunday live on nicovideo. Tetsu is making a comeback as well! So if you're starved for some live Merry, here: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv251251670

Thanks for making me listen to RES again! I thought I'd grown past my appreciation for them like I have 99.999999999% of VK bands, but it only took 20 seconds of Thorny Rain Break to suck me right back in. They were a great a band. Beautiful and distinctive sound. Too bad Satsuki is useless without the other members' songwriting talent. I'm glad Takumi and Mika get to be part of a decent band again though. As for Lycaon, it's best I keep my thoughts to myself.