*littlelamb

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!

Merry aren't "jazzy" or "bluesy" per se apart from a couple of odd tracks. Mostly it's just kayoukyoku, which minus their punkiest oddest tracks is ever-present, because that's what they do, fuse kayoukyoku with punk and metal in order to make nostalgic sounding modern rock. It's completely different from VK bands making random "1920's hot jazz/1940's swing abortion"s, as Herpes so aptly put for once, in order to stay true to the genre-juggling, which has been made the selling point of VK since they don't have the skill to do any one thing properly.

Funny how MERRY allowed pictures for one day at their "Heijitsu no Yuu" live because Yuu wanted to do so. There's a bunch of pictures and videos floating about on Twitter, it's crazy.

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

I wish Gackt would accidentally stand too close to a candle and have half his face melt off

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

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

So people were waiting to buy tickets, because they figured the tour might get cancelled due to the incompetence of the organizers, so the organizers figured not enough people were coming and decided to cancel? Well that's just great. And they still haven't even bothered to take the tour off their website, you can still buy tickets. How hard can it be to have some semblance of professionalism?

Had a sneaking suspicion this would happen after the terror attacks and Kamijo's gigs being cancelled. Luckily I only had tickets for one gig and no travel plans, so I won't lose too much, even if they fail to reimburse. I'm definitely not expecting Merry to come back next year unless hell freezes over and they suddenly become massively popular. The whole tour and especially the number of tour dates was a bit of a WTF considering their lack of popularity, so clearly they didn't sell many tickets and figured it wasn't worth the trouble right now considering everything. Can't see it being any more worth it next year.
 
The organizers are a bunch of amateurs indeed.

Go on. You won't regret seeing Merry live! You will regret not seeing them.

Go on. You won't regret seeing Merry live! You will regret not seeing them.

Both tracks will have the same lyrics, but different music. Should be interesting.

Both tracks will have the same lyrics, but different music. Should be interesting.

Here's a rare Merry (well Gara) interview in English for anyone interested: http://mandah.media/merry/
 
Seems like the tour came about pretty fast since Gara was still saying it's unlikely they'll come back to Europe.

Here's a rare Merry (well Gara) interview in English for anyone interested: http://mandah.media/merry/
 
Seems like the tour came about pretty fast since Gara was still saying it's unlikely they'll come back to Europe.

I guess you could say that Inspiration is DEAD.

Why do most good bands become so repetitive after a few releases? I used to adore Ling, but I don't need to hear 10 different versions of what's essentially the same song. 

Why do most good bands become so repetitive after a few releases? I used to adore Ling, but I don't need to hear 10 different versions of what's essentially the same song. 

Lovely song!

Oh hey, a little Merry live! They play Happy life starting 13:24. So good! It's supposed to have a straightforward 80s punk rock feel (think The Blue Hearts etc.) and it totally does.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJPHEnym13I

the only thing that decays is my hype for this project :]]]]]

According to the description on the official site, it'll be a classic Merry retro song with a catchy melody, but the lyrics are about the sense of well-being in present day Japan. That's a nice change, since the last album was all about what's wrong in Japanese society. Can't wait!

According to the description on the official site, it'll be a classic Merry retro song with a catchy melody, but the lyrics are about the sense of well-being in present day Japan. That's a nice change, since the last album was all about what's wrong in Japanese society. Can't wait!