D's new album, 7th Rose, goes on sale today. But according to the US, today is tomorrow, and I can't change my timezone on Blogger. Very annoying. FYI. IT IS 11.10AM ON THE 24TH OF MARCH IN NZ, STUPID AMERICANS.
Regular Edition cover - Probably my favourite out of all the covers, but that costume still cracks me up. 1990's VK, anyone?
Limited Edition with DVD - This one looks even more hilarious. Imagine a quiet stroll in your garden, and as you bend down to enjoy your roses, A WILD ASAGI APPEARS!
Limited Edition with Photo Booklet - The explosion of tulle in the top left makes me cringe. What can I say? NEEDS MOAR HIROKI.
Miyavi always manages to do something fantastic to his guitar. Not on his guitar, but to it. Anyone can play something on the guitar, but Meev does something to his, resulting in that Miyavi-sound.
That being said, though this song is funky and gets me tapping an enthusiastic foot, there isn't much that's remarkable about this song. It sounds like a lot of the songs he's churned out in the last couple of years. Seriously. I listened to it, thought to myself, "any minute now it'll get interesting" and then the song ended. :/
I note that in this PV he has the 'samurai extensions' in his hair. He apparently hates them. I would hate them too actually, mostly for the fact that it would allow me to wear a cap like that. Hats are generally supposed to fit around your head, not hover on top of it. Silly Meev. And anyway...how does that hat stay in place?? He swings his head around so much, but the hat never moves! *cowers in fear of unshakable hat*
Super Hero
Mixed feelings about this song. It's sad but has an attitude. The lyrics are sweet and sentimental... like he is. xD But every time I listen to it, it grows on me. So eventually my feelings will be less mixed.
The tune sounds like the beginnings of something epic, with the strings and whatnot, and I love the guitar work. Still, I feel the rapping is out of place in this song. The sadditude isn't really my thing, I don't think. I kinda miss his light-hearted, more cheerful tunes. They suit sentimental lyrics more. Like Ashita, Genki ni Nare.
All in all, perhaps Meev should take a break and spend more time with baby Lovelie until he comes up with something truly kickass.
This is the AMV that got me interested in Kuroshitsuji. I initially watched it to obtain a translation for Mad Tea Party. So, really, I have to thank the creator of this for both the translation and for getting me into such an awesome series. :3
The AMV was quite cleverly made and of course, stuck close to the lyrics. I'm not entirely sure of having the lyrics all over the screen, but it works in some cases. I am guessing that it was supposed to go with the whole "mad" theme.
The song...what can I say? I adore this song. Perhaps the trumpets are a little too loud and drown out the guitars (which sound wonderful). I love the piano. I love the little extended fade-out at the end with the whistling and the bass and drums and the nyahaha-ing. I love the 'gurin raiku aa chieshya katto' - it makes me grin stupidly every time. As does the line 'when you dance, there isn't a cat who won't smile'.
If D had turned this track into a PV, it would've been kickass. If they managed to work a story into it.
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.Read more...
Regular Edition cover - Probably my favourite out of all the covers, but that costume still cracks me up. 1990's VK, anyone?
Limited Edition with DVD - This one looks even more hilarious. Imagine a quiet stroll in your garden, and as you bend down to enjoy your roses, A WILD ASAGI APPEARS!
Limited Edition with Photo Booklet - The explosion of tulle in the top left makes me cringe. What can I say? NEEDS MOAR HIROKI.
