yakihiko

Reviving due to that new album release. I am surprised not to see any thoughts/opinions on it yet and even a review. So, what did you guys make of it?
I only listened to them occasionally and have given their albums 'The WORLD Ruler' and 'Killer Show' listens, but haven't returned to them for a bit. I enjoyed them loads though and I personally think, while this album started off pretty weak, it progressed into a strong one with stand out points in later songs. I'm not impressed, but I'm happy to have given it a listen mainly due to the later part of it being quite catchy and fun.

Good review (:
I listened to the full album, and sounds in my opinion better then THEATER.
My favorites are MY SECOND B-DAY, REM SLEEP and LAYOUT.

Good review (:
I listened to the full album, and sounds in my opinion better then THEATER.
My favorites are MY SECOND B-DAY, REM SLEEP and LAYOUT.

This is my first review here, so please be kind XD I guess it also doesn’t hurt to confess at the outset that I’m writing from the perspective of an unabashedly passionate vistlip fan. So… fair warning for people looking for unbiased reviews.

I’ve been looping LAYOUT since its release and I think I’ve soaked in it enough to form a fairly stable opinion of it (around 30 repetitions). While I haven’t had the time to go around canvassing opinions from my friends, at this point I can say that I definitely like it more than CHRONUS, and maybe a little less than THEATER, which remains my favorite vistlip album (if only because that's their very first album, and it's special for the fact that there can always only be one "first" time). I still can't decide if I like ORDER MADE or LAYOUT more! But overall, LAYOUT is an extremely satisfying album. I apologize for not doing a track-by-track review; I’m terrible at that as I prefer to focus on the "emergent" qualities of the album instead of the nitty-gritty details. Maybe someone else will review the individual tracks below.

Structurally, the album’s track placement is impeccable. REM SLEEP, released previously as their promotional PV, wastes no time in pulling the listener immediately into the classic vistlip soundscape. For me this track operates as a prelude to the trio of songs constituting the nexus of the entire album (Idea - World is mine. - By the rain.) which consolidates the signature sound that will continue to reverberate through the rest of the album. Flanked by My second B-day. / Catastrophe on one side and ROACH / Good girl gone bed. on the other, the soft and seductive core of the album is shielded by these harder, more intense tracks (reminiscent of vistlip releases like GLOSTER) that textures the overall experience as one pulls away from the mellow central portion. Period and Jack (title tracks of their last 2 singles) have been deployed by the band as the album’s 2nd and 2nd last tracks, allowing the listener to begin and end the album on a comfortably familiar note without either track being unnecessarily obtrusive to the extent that they steal the show from the new songs. Finally, LAYOUT (the track) is the proverbial icing on the cake that provides a nice denouement and closure to the album.

It's a simple but elegant setup (I’m almost tempted to say 'layout' XD); because the mistake a lot of potentially good albums make is a lack of organization, as a result of which an album that boasts many interesting ideas ends up meandering nowhere in particular and fizzling out because you simply can't tell where it's leading you. With LAYOUT, the division of labor between the tracks is clear and everything fits perfectly into an integrated whole anchored by a strong conceptual scaffolding. It's nothing too complicated, but sometimes less is more. So while it isn't exactly a roller-coast ride of an album with its share of surprises and shocks, there's scarcely any place for the superfluous.

Tohya composed most of the songs in this album, except 4 songs which were written by Yuh. Track-wise, my favorite songs off the album are Idea, REM SLEEP, World is mine., By the rain. (roughly in descending order). I'm a sucker for pop-rock with a nice beat and groove, performative vocals, and evocative lyrics. Idea is sooo pretty I need to reserve special praise for it. An energetic song driven by its robust chorus (ohh I swear vistlip kills the vi-IV-I-V progression) and Tomo's hypnotic vocals sweeping effortlessly across the mid-high range, Idea belongs in the same category as vistlip songs like CHIMERA, inc., PERFECT CRIME, insofar as they all have the characteristic bittersweet sound which never fails to gives me goosebumps ._. I can't exactly describe it: these songs are upbeat, forward-looking, yet tinged ever so subtly by a shade of 重み [idk how to translate this word.. “heaviness”?] beneath the surface. Consequently the attentive listener gets a lingering sense of something more going on – an undertow, perhaps, that does just enough to keep the album from meekly collapsing into an unrestrained celebration of optimism.

(A digression: some time ago I saw someone asking a new band on Twitter whether their sound would be 明るい (“bright”) or 暗い (“dark”), and then I realize that’s such a painfully reductive way of conceptualizing a band’s sound, because any band worth their salt would surely have enough facets in their music to transcend that simple dichotomy.)

Finally:

I'm just really excited that vistlip always strives to break new ground, but keeps enough of what makes them unmistakably vistlip. It’s a tough balance to be had. Among bands who've managed to last more than 5 years some try too hard to expand their sound where, at some point, fans can't help but pause and question if this is the band that they used to like; and then there are others who go on surreptitiously recycling their old materials until fans are bored and eventually put off. Thankfully, with vistlip this hasn’t happened, and I’m quietly confident neither of these scenarios will happen as the band soldiers on towards their 10th anniversary.

I didn't intend to give a rating, but if I have to it'll be around 8.5-9 out of 10. I’m sure my review could have been better, although if it actually manages to pique the interest of casual vistlip listeners or people who haven’t tried vistlip then I’ve succeeded in what I'd set out to do

Now let’s hear what others have to say about this! What do you like / not like about LAYOUT?

i'm here to see them fail once again and have some lulz

@Zeus 
As you know what I think of Wagakki Band (which I'll get back to you on your review about, thank you, sorry, ehehe ^^; ) I won't go on too much on this one but it's a VERY enjoyable single. I encourage others to give it/them a listen if they somehow haven't already. And that Lycaon track; magnificant. I totally agree with what you've said as you know on this one too!
 
@fitear1590
For You is a hell of an amazing song! I had previously downloaded most of their stuff but this track takes the cake on what I've heard by them already! That Wakeshima track was the one I was going to do at first aha. Just perfect all round. I gotta listen to that NEGOTO album today. You sold it to me with that blurb and track sample. And that UNiTE. song is really great. As expected, woot woot.
 

Totes agree on that OOR track. I've become even fonder of it over time thanks to you. The biggest thanks I want to give on this is to you for the theCharmPark one. I had no idea he was tied to Hemenway! I adore that band, dayum!! Awesome inclusion and find, (not exactly a find because it's all your doing!) I'm so happy to be listening to them. I realised you played these tracks in plug but I am obviously a lame plum at times. XD That Pentagon album is so much fun, brilliant choice on that one too. And finally, that Sayuu choice in which I've never seen before. Thank you once again for this one! I downloaded that album and am really looking forward to hearing it! Awesome writing and selections overall, a really great month for you it appears! ^o^
 
@CAT5
Anoice sounds really nice. I downloaded that album as soon as I saw it pop up because I knew you were looking forward to it so I was intrigued. Thanking you for reminding me about Jin-Machine and 疋田哲也+NIL in which I have also downloaded. sukekiyo and Sel'm were a great listen too, and a few I don't recognise like CARD sounds like a must listen! Also, thumbs up to what you did with the links in Jin-Machine. ;3
 
 
I didn't expect the Wakeshima album to be all round perfect to be quite honest. Since I wasn't enjoying her new approach as much as her debut style.
As for DIV, have you got to hear the album fully now? It's pretty awesome thoughout, to me. @CAT5 said Chisa sounded like UVERworld's vocalist at times, would it be them you were thinking of too? 
 
 
If you didn't dig her first stuff, I really do encourage this sound instead then. I hope you can enjoy some of her works, I can't say anything bad about her really, aha. I think there's something anyone can like in her discography because of the various sounds she's done over time.
I think only two or three sound really kawaii in that CICADA album but the girl's voice is just so adorable all the time so I hope they've done it for you this month!
I am SO HAPPY to see a positive response to them! I played them in plug but I don't think many were impressed. ^^;; So yay~ I hope they release more music like this, it's so Kpop like, it's thrilling and such a nice change/approach. x'D
 
 
Thank you very much for putting up your own picks! Great little read, highly appreciated.
marionette, hella yes, of course! And that CAPSULE album, don't get me started. xD I liked a couple tracks and I think Dreamin' Boy was one of them but I do regret not including them in this to be honest, even if I disliked the album overall.
That DIV song too, hell to the yes~ Sucha  great album, I disliked none of the tracks but obviously a few stood out most. 
 
 
I can't believe she's releasing another album and so quickly after that other one already! Thank you for the fun fact, I do adore these very much! I am so excited to hear the rest of her upcoming works. <3
Glad you enjoyed Kage, I'm surprised I liked it as much as I did but yes, a band others better keep an eye on. 
I like how we like the opposite of Wakeshima's sound/style. But I do hope you liked this release or any of her upcoming works. She is such a star and angel.
I think I was the only one in her shoutbox to shout anything good about that single, LOL. Even if it's not her best, it's still a well done and listenable single so I don't understand fans being hateful about it aha.
 
 
;3 I feel you indeed. The album packs way too much heaviness in it but that's not a bad thing. It's just much nicer to hear slower songs more often to me. Lycaon really did a perfect job on that one track! CICADA and daoko need more lovin'. u-u Even though is doing a great job on the latter lol.
 
 
So, how'd you like the selections? : 3 I hope you enjoyed a few!
Also, on Ringo too, her last album was perfect to me apart from that ONE electro track. xD That was so... so bad it's good, really aha. And this single just made my month, looking back. I listen to that the most out of everything and I can't see or hear why anyone would dislike it as much as users on Last.fm has expressed so much aha. Just stop comparing old with new and enjoy it, you know? xD
 
 
Too eager? That's great to see, go ahead! I have (you guessed it xD) downloaded it and am looking foward to trying it just because it's Morrie. I bet I'll like tracks so much and get depressed I'm too late to include them. (This has already happened ;-; )
 
#QUICK RESPONSES BECAUSE MY PC IS ABOUT TO PACK IT IN AND I CAN WAFFLE~

Well, I will post my picks too (:
• STORY by DIV
This ballad song is kind epic to me to hear, because Chisa voice is one of my best frontman when singing a ballad or slow music. The melody from the song is perfect fitting with his voice.
• marionette by Lycaon
This choice was not very difficult, not because half were past releases and intro, but because this song catch my attention when I first listened on my ipod. Also the album is a good release.
• Dreamin' Boy by CAPSULE
I have never listened to CAPSULE before, but I'm on a eletro music life period, so I tried the new album on the shower, I jumped a lot on this song, so thumbs up for it.
That's it (:

They would maybe make more money.
But they simply don't want to try it out.
They simply only want to sell/give for free to those who attent the lives.
All we can do is accept such thing.
 
sometimes we can be lucky that they will SELL it to you. But 99,999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% they simply say "no. please don't ask again, please don't ask japanese fan for help"

Artist: DIV Album: SECRET Score: It's not a secret if everyone knows the good part!
I've been a strong supporter of DIV from their debut, as I was a fan of xTRiPx before that and wanted to see the departed members do well in their new project. The three year old band has made impressive strides debuting with Danger Crew Records, and releasing fairly strong singles every step of the way. DIV have a reputation for consistency, if anything.

SECRET has an overall darker mood that contrasts the previous album, ZERO ONE. The songs on ZERO ONE had an underlying bright feeling, maintaining a palpable optimism throughout them. Keeping true to its namesake, SECRET comes off restrained with an air of mystery. I don't find the turn to more metal derivative riffs and increase of harsh vocals do a good job of showcasing the band's strengths this time around, however. Chisa's monotone growls have always felt weak to me, especially within a scene that is increasingly incorporating influences from heavier genres. The instrumentation for the aggressive parts of SECRET's songs also feel a bit one dimensional and lackluster compared to the likes of "ASTERIOS" and "Teddy" from the previous album, which in and of itself is a major letdown.

Though I can't deny the album has a strong start with the stunning "アイノウタ" (Ai no Uta) and the new classic "SECRET NIGHT", which is right up there with DIV's fun and atmospheric early work, it's not enough. Another problem with this release is that DIV relied far too much on previously released singles to carry the album. It's hard to get excited about an album full of songs you've already heard, doubly so when they're the best on the entire release! Spanning the gamut from fist-pumping head-bangers to sparkling ballads, songs "BUTTERFLY DREAMER", "JUSTICE", "漂流彼女" (Hyouryuu Kanojo), and "TASTE OF LIFE" remain as memorable and beautiful as when they were first released. Regardless of being new or old, all are indicative of the sound that DIV has made their staple, and what they still do better than most other visual bands at the moment.

So it's no SECRET by this point that it's the new, filler tracks which drag this album down. I had to listen four or five times to actually form an opinion on the three songs sandwiched between "TASTE OF LIFE" and "Point of view". They weren't bad, but they weren't memorable either, which is saying something when DIV have proven to be outstanding at emotional delivery up to this point. And not just Chisa's smooth, velvety vocal work, but also the layering of strings and piano all over their songs add an extra layer of harmony and atmosphere to solid drum lines and melody driven guitar work that pull at the heartstrings. "WING to HEAVEN", "「Dearest」" and "STARS" are painstakingly safe at a point where the album really needed a kick in the rear to keep the listener awake. Ironically, every b-side from every single was more interesting than this string of songs and would have been better placed here, and vice versa.

By the end, I'm almost disappointed. Almost. The album has no songs that are painful to listen to, or drag on for too long in one way or another. But there are many new songs that don't make much of an impact. DIV have hit the infamous 'sophomore slump' and are verging on same-y territory with SECRET. It's not an uncommon place for a band their age to be, but such a strong showing on the last album left me with higher expectations. And I certainly thought there'd be more new material. If half of the singles made their debut on this album I would have ranked it much higher, but it's a real shame so much of this album felt so familiar in the end.

HOOOAAAAAAH TT_TT
 
 
The voice over at the end of these spots destroyed me lmfao

Finally got Arche...

Great previews (:
Btw, someone noticed that? Ryo upload a cover from KPP.
Better than the original.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fla9Cdmltc

ex-MEMBER Bassist yakihiko will be a support bassist for モノクロ地獄

Oh la la:
 
@Zeus:
 
Wagakki Band - speaking of them...well, you know me already since we are on the same bandwagon, bwahaha... >:V
 
@fitear1590:
 
Kanon Wakeshima - I used to hate her a lot in the past but man, did she really toned down on faux-lolita frills? Might check her out :>
 
Negoto - wish I had more time so I could delve deeper into their repertoire since they are really the band who know their shit, seriously.
 
UNiTE. - to me, Unite was always the case of 'drastic' up-and-downs (or "hits and misses"). Seeing as the sample is much closer to the "hit" than a "miss", I might check their new single out once it gets here
 
:
 
indigo La End - the song you posted happens to be my prime highlight off their latest album, and you nailed it with your description.
 
Sayuu - What would happen if you stripped Midori down a bit more? I am very curious about these two,
 
 
@beni
 
Daoko - <33333  + fun fact: according to the girl herself, she saved "the best bits of the recording session" for her major debut while the rest went to her last indie album a.k.a this release. So we better cross our fingers for stellar material <3
 
Kuroyuri to Kage - I can see why @Uglymouth pushed this band forth in the first place: they are certainly a band who are capable of attracting people who still grieve over long-lost heydays of 00s VK  back to the scene (along with Dezert, Diaura and alike). Might not be exactly my "GOAT" choice, but definitely deserves an honorable mention from me
 
Kanon Wakeshima - read above
 
Ringo Sheena - It's good to see at least some positiveness in Ringo's fanbase once in a while (seeing as Ringobox is already on the verge of being filled with "rip Ringo" spams). The single itself might not be her best, but I'd take this over NIPPON any day, lmao.
 
@CAT5:
 
Jin-Machine  - LOL this band (thx for introducing them, @Senedjem). I *might* keep an eye on them...*might*.
 
Spookykyo...sukiyaki...I mean, sukekiyo - you nailed it with your words on them being truly "a beast of their own" (I think I shared similar thoughts somewhere around here?). Good job :V
 
Ohashi Trio - this guy used to be way too mellow for my tastes (the first time I heard of him was through Cat's plugs, and the second time was during the spin of Utada Hikaru tribute album), but your sample convinced me to think otherwise. I might check him out as well.
 
 
All in all, some positive surprises out there. Keep it up!
 
@yakihiko:   
 

 
 
 
I strongly recommend their previous "dancey" albums in case you happened to enjoy their latest effort, e.g. for starters - WORLD OF FANTASY (WAVE RUNNER and this share many similarities) and
(much more experimental)

Well, I will post my picks too (:
• STORY by DIV
This ballad song is kind epic to me to hear, because Chisa voice is one of my best frontman when singing a ballad or slow music. The melody from the song is perfect fitting with his voice.
• marionette by Lycaon
This choice was not very difficult, not because half were past releases and intro, but because this song catch my attention when I first listened on my ipod. Also the album is a good release.
• Dreamin' Boy by CAPSULE
I have never listened to CAPSULE before, but I'm on a eletro music life period, so I tried the new album on the shower, I jumped a lot on this song, so thumbs up for it.
That's it (:

I just hope they will release something else than those hard to get live-limited singles

OHP updated http://sparkliesband.tripod.com

official twitter : https://twitter.com/m_hell_OFFICIAL
official mail contact : [email protected]

I bought tickets to the show 2015/3/5 and 2015/3/6, and pre-order "C.O-Liar/影(Shadow)- 「special Lycaon tribute」".

Programmer and 7 String Guitarist of New band MONOchromE HEAVEN was announced at their live today since 03-03-15
 
 






 
Vocal. Aferni (Ex- MEMBER)
Gu. blackdoll (Ex- Umbral Horror)
Gu. Darkwater (Ex- MEMBER)
Gu. kurenaishineek (Ex- HYDES PIMP)
Ba. Gaz (Ex- /\ M ________\/ S
Dr. -ryuujii- (Ex-「God Forgive, I don't」) 

Vo. Aferni has announced live dist single named "BIRTHDAY SCREAMING" To be released at their live today because of his birthday.

モノクロ地獄 (Monochrome Hell) has announced a special 3Days Live "Aferni 誕生日のショー(Aferni Birthday Show)" at 2015/3/4, 2015/3/5 & 2015/3/6 at Osaka BIG CAT with 悠希(Yuuki) [Lycaon] as a special vocal guest.
 
2015/3/4
公演時間　　開場19:30／開演20:00
料金　　　　￥3,300／￥3,800（D代別）
出演 : Xyloride, KiR×GiR, Lazarous, Serah
 
2015/3/5
公演時間　　開場19:30／開演20:00
料金　　　　￥3,300／￥3,800（D代別）
出演 : Lycaon , Xyloride, THE BLACK SWAN,  My BACTERIA HEAT IsLAND
 
2015/3/6
公演時間　　開場19:30／開演20:00
料金　　　　￥4,000／￥4,800（D代別）
出演 : Lycaon, THE BLACK SWAN, femme fatale, D.I.D, BORN
 
Their first release "C.O-Liar/影(Shadow)- 「special Lycaon tribute」" will be release this summer (2,100 yen).
Tracklist :
01. CO-feat 悠希(Yuuki) from Lycaon
02. Liar/影(Shadow) [ReM!X モノクロ地獄 (Monochrome Hell) vers.]
 
It's also annouced at their live "BIRTHDAY SCREAMING", they will released a special X'mas Mini-Album, and they will start a two man Tour this autumn with Lycaon "モノクロ地獄 (Monochrome Hell)xLycaon - Hell in Obscura-
Details have not yet been announced.
 
They have signs under VOGUE Entertainement.

I hate Reese's....

Best New Tracks: February 2015

Best New Tracks is a new series brought to you by MH's review crew! Every month we'll be highlighting brand-new Japanese songs worth checking out, so stay tuned! Feel free to comment or discuss any of this month's picks and even offer your own as well!

@Zeus's picks:
"戦-ikusa-" by 和楽器バンド (Wagakki Band)

"marionette" by Lycaon

@fitear1590's picks:
"For You" by Czecho No Republic

"ツキナミ (tsukinami)" by 分島花音 (Kanon Wakeshima)

"endless" by ねごと (NEGOTO)
Watch the PV
"マーブル (marble)" by ユナイト (UNiTE.)

's picks:
"Paper Planes" by ONE OK ROCK

"Seven Deadly Sins" by MAN WITH A MISSION

"実験前" (Jikkenmae) by indigo la End

"Kawareru" by theCharmPark

"アカペラ" (A capella) by ペンタゴン (Pentagon)

"なくならない" (Nakunaranai) by 左右 (Sayuu)

@beni's picks:
"marionette" by Lycaon

"夜明けの街 (Yoake no Machi)" by CICADA

"そつぎょう (Sotsugyou)" by daoko

"へその緒 (Hesonoo)" by 黒百合と影 (Kuroyuri to Kage)

"Future,Super Duper,Nova" by X4

"TWO HEARTS" by 家入レオ (Leo Ieiri)

"さんすくみ (Sansukumi)" by 分島花音 (Kanon Wakeshima)

"至上の人生 (Shijou no Jinsei)" by 椎名林檎 (Sheena Ringo)

"WING to HEAVEN" by DIV

@CAT5's picks:
"all is white" by Anoice

"Ground" by CARD

"街の底" by eastern youth

"ンスターペアレンツ (Monster Parents)" - Jin-Machine

"Rep(110)%4" by loqto

"君を壊すガラスの衝動 (Kimi o kowasu garasu no shoudou)" by Lycaon

"Gengar" by Sel'm

"Foster Mother" by sukekiyo

"game over" by 大橋トリオ (Ohashi Trio)

"Setting Sun" by 疋田哲也(Tetsuya Hikita)+NIL

Thank you! It's yo-ka from DIAURA, if you didn't notice^^.
 
 
Oi! Hope you're doing well~
 
 
Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it! <3
BDS are a bit underrated if you ask me, more people should listen to them!! It's nice to see another fan^^.
 
 
Thank you, will do!
 
Nice compatibility ;D