D - Kaze ga Mekuru Peeji & 7th Rose

Kaze ga Mekuru Peeji


Okay, firstly I must admit that I am biased. I saw the CD cover for this and immediately thought "oh noes, it's major-labelitis".

Picture from http://japanvisualkei.blogspot.com/

Asagi is clearly the focal point of the band, which I find to be unfair. Yes, it's usually the case that the rest of the band never wears as spectacular a costume as our one-eyed, pointy-nosed Nyasagi... but neither have they ever worn the EXACT. SAME. COSTUME. What the fucking fuck. And the more I think about it, the more I feel sad and angry. I had so much hope for this band but they seem to be simply going down the road that leads to more fame and money (make one member easily recognisable so it's not so hard on the dumb Westerners and other mainstream people). I secretly pray that this is not actually the case.

Now that I think about it, sad and angry feelings could also be due to PMS.

Upon listening to the song and watching the PV, my emotions become even more mixed. The song is upbeat, and the PV looks too haadokoa for it. It's no Ouka, but Asagi does look stunning in purple makeup. As usual, there is no storyline in this video, and as usual, it needs moar Hiroki. But his hairstyle is cute. xD

My question is, how many traditional Japanese-themed looks is acceptable for one band? I mean, yes it's their 'thing', and yes they do it well. But the extravagance of this PV is nothing compared to Ouka, which in my mind has always been one of the gold standards of costuming. *drool*

The actual music is not bad. I guess I'm just not used to hearing it from D.





7th Rose
I just happened to spot this on http://www.jpopasia.com/



The sound is almost as epic as Yami Yori, and the general look is even more dated than aforementioned epic song of epic-ness. I watched the first few seconds of this PV and the first thing that popped in my head was "1998". This can especially be said of Asagi and Ruiza. I haven't seen anyone rock that gothic bride look for a decade. Not counting Kaya. And Ruiza's starburst hairdo slap bang in the middle of his head almost makes me think there's a mullet hiding somewhere nearby.

Again, the band members don't really stand out since they're all in black, and the focus is on Asagi. Although Tsunehito is rather noticeable with his Hitsugi-esque red hair and shaved eyebrows and dark rings of eyeshadow around his eyes. All he needs now are about 10 facial piercings and trippy contacts. 8D

Now, I haven't really got anything against the gothic bride and the starburst and mini-Hitsugi. I think it's interesting that they chose such a look, whether unintentional or otherwise, that invokes so much nostalgia for the 90's. My only problems are the quality of Asagi's costume (ties in with the 1998 thing, all the tulle!!! And his headdress would've looked better with real or paper flowers rather than fabric ones), and as usual, the PV NEEDS MOAR HIROKI.

The song, like I said, is epic. Not sure about the almost-rap thing Asagi does, but generally this is a likeable tune. It reminds me of Kalafina's Lacrimosa at times, but that's probably cos I've been listening to that song a bit lately. Random chanting in the last few seconds makes me lol though.

Asagi really does show off his vocal range here, and I quite like that he did. On the other hand, what about the rest of them? Hidezou and Ruiza get their obligatory 5 seconds of fame. Tsunehito stops playing his bass at 2:39 to put his arm around Hidezou. Hiroki impresses as usual - I just love the way he plays. The only part where he doesn't shine so much is during the chorus, but it's a slow chorus anyway.




So my final thoughts about D are still good ones. They've managed to balance my viewing/listening experience out tonight with one song to appeal to American high school kids and one song that stands onstage with arms spread, proclaiming 'D STILL ROCKS' to all the world.