DADAROMA: Beyond Oboreru Sakana

[platy 3018]

 

 

 

 Full disclosure: I started writing this over two years ago, but I think the point still stands! Thank you everyone who contributed~

 

 

 

After going through Dadaroma's discography, it hit me. People, myself included, always cry whenever they release something that is not Oboreru Sakana. The thing is, there are more than enough solid songs in their discography if you are willing to look past the Masturbations and Pornographs.

 

I've gathered a few that stand out to me the most and I hope these will ease your yearning for fishy metal.

 

 

 

白いゼラニウム  (THIS IS "LIVE")

lol I can't embed the youtube video for some reason, so here's a great cover instead

 

Quote

'White Geranium' is what Dadaroma excels at - heavy bass and drums, sinister vibes and sultry vocals. Its punchy chorus never fails to get stuck in my head and make me wonder about the message being conveyed (to nobody's surprise, it's filled with sexual connotations, but I'm a sucker for these sex-lyrics-dark-music songs vk seems to love dishing out).

 

 

 

 

Morphine#3  (Dadaism#2)

 

Quote

A fast paced, chaotic mess with a chorus that can only be described as the perfect rhythm for some slow and heavy headbanging. I can only daydream about being able to experience Morphine#3 live. 

 

 

 

 

私、バンギャじゃないわ   (dadaism #3)  @The Reverend

(I'm not a bangya)

Quote

 

If you liked the metal of "Oboreru Sakana" but want something a lot more fun, don't sleep on this send-up of VK culture from their third mini-album. 

 

Composed of big, djent-y riffs, frenetic drumming, background shouts that you just know are timed perfectly for fist pumping in concert, and just a little bit of big top sounding synth stabs to remind you they've got a clown thing going on sometimes, "私、バンギャじゃないわ" is probably Dadaroma's most unapologetic song. It doesn't pretend it's not built for the express purpose of having fun at lives.

 

(And of course I love the lyrics which are the most self-aware about VK this side of "I'm shit noodle, but..." Any Vk band that doesn't take themselves too seriously earns my goodwill.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ブリキ  (夢タラレバ) @plastic_rainbow

Buriki (Yume Tarareba)

 

Quote

While DADAROMA has done many blatant tracks about sex, kinks, and masturbation, "Buriki" is a mouth-watering track that isn't so quite in your face. In fact, the lyrics are more edgy and less about sex. Yet, the way Yoshiatsu sings with a soft and captivating voice on top of some trippy guitars and eerie high-pitched pianos, gives you the feeling that you're in for something luscious and sinister. As the mood picks up and you're about to climax from the overflowing sonic experience, Yoshiatsu goes nuts and screams his mad heart out. "Buriki" is both a headbanger and a ballad, ending in a tragic story, that has everything you need to satiate your thirsty and uncontrollable desires.

 

 

 

 

 

汚れる前に私を抱いて「僕はアンドロイド」 @plastic_rainbow

Yogoreru mae ni watashi o daite (Boku wa Android) 

  

Quote

If you're looking for anything "Oboreru Sakana"-tier you should definitely check out "Yogoreru mae ni watashi o daite". It's certainly not as heavy as "Oboreru Sakana", but "Yogoreru mae ni watashi o daite" does present a well-written composition with a more mature sound. The cold underground basement synths, chugging guitar riffs, pulsing drums, and elegant pianos; DADAROMA experimented quite a bit with this track and even included some nightmarish organs in the middle section. If there is anything to take away from this stellar track though, it's gotta be the drilling psychedelic guitar riffs that send chills down your spine in a good way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 年 7 月 21 日の日記 2017  (いいくすりと、わるいくすり) @tetsu_sama69

2017 nen 7 Tsuki 21 Nichi no Nikki ( Ii Kusuri to, Warui Kusuri)

Quote

 

There's a lot that's been looked over in DADAROMA's ever growing colorful discography and there's so much to chose from but "2017 nen 7 Tsuki 21 Nichi no Nikki" is definitely a stand out track by it's own rights. Granted, the track is not a massive headbanger but it makes up for it by being infectiously wonderful to listen to. If anything "2017 nen 7 Tsuki 21 Nichi no Nikki" shows that DADAROMA can compose a more pop rock influenced track and manage to give it life through amazing instrumentals, especially the melodically smooth and flawless guitar solos and riffs provided by Takashi. If you're looking for some diversity yet a smoother track then "2017 nen 7 Tsuki 21 Nichi no Nikki" is a song that shouldn't be dismissed as it's a solid b-side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

愁いリビドー (雨のワルツ) @tetsu_sama69

Urei Libido  (Ame no Waltz) 

 

 

Quote

"Urei Libido" delivers the sexually driven bops that DADAROMA excels at spicing things up with a dash of jazz infused with heavy metal. Most of the time visual bands tend to have difficulty throwing a bit of jazz melody into their songs but DADAROMA seems to have perfected the method. "Urei Libido" has some great brass instrumentals mixed in bassist Tomo's and previous drummer Yusuke's vibrant rhythm sections. Yoshiatsu's vocals shine as well going from strong and smooth to soft and melodic which helps give life to DADAROMA's signature prolific style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUCID DREAM  (dadaism#2)

 

Quote

Alright, Oboreru Sakana was great and heavy, but let's not forget 'LUCID DREAM'. Featuring a masterful use of screams and melodic vocals with a dark and whimsical atmosphere which can only be attached to Dadaroma's best work. The drums showcase what a beast Yusuke was and why it still hurts me that he had to retire due to health reasons.  The PV was also stylish and dramatic, a far cry from their recent teenage antics. This is without a doubt one of the band's best work and a reminder of why we fell in love with them in the first place. 

 

 

 

 

What are some of your favorites?  Any that didn't make the list?  DADAROMA has now disbanded and it was a highlight of 2020 for me being able to attend their last live with some folks from MH via youtube. Let's celebrate their life in the comments whether you're a fan or not!

 

[Ada Suilen 652]

I loved Dadaroma, they were so extravagant and each song of their was a true pleasure to listen to! I love all the ones you mentioned, plus I'd like to honor a so underrated tune, Day by Day, which showed their light and energetic side at best. I'd have liked to hear more songs like those from them.

[The Reverend 3566]

I don't think I've listened to Dadaroma since contributing to this piece! This will be a good excuse to spin some with a curated playlist.

 

Props to the band for putting/keeping their last live on YouTube too.

[plastic_rainbow 2162]

Wow, I wrote these so long ago I don't even remember writing them. 😅 Still good songs tho. And nice to finally see the topic up! 白いゼラニウム is also one of my favorites.

 

Since the time of writing these I think I would also add 嫣然 to the list~

 

Btw the artwork used in the Morphine #3 video was done by me, thanks for not asking me first or giving credit.....

Edited December 15, 2020 by plastic_rainbow

[chemicalpictures 1888]

damn, I wasn't even aware people held oboreru sakana this highly

 

imo they excel on the most melodic tracks, yoshiatsu voice is super emotional, songs like Kiss wo Shiyou, Hotaru, DAY BY DAY, the mentioned 2017 年 7 月 21 日の日記, imitation hero, KURT, ある日、世界は美しいと思った are among their absolute best!

 

 

[Kabukichoatmidnight 269]

Solid discography from start to finish really. I loved how so many releases throughout their entirety had their own vibes. I still spin what I own of them (everything from sutanchiku onwards) on a pretty regular basis. But as people seem pretty hyped about b-sides from releases before so maybe I need to get into that.