Review: LAGING- Last Night [Single]

Tracklist:

1. Last Night

2.White Flowers and Cold Truth

3. Cry Road

I usually don't provide download links but I think these guys are definitely worth looking into.

>>DOWNLOAD<<

Credit: Byou

Last Night- I feel like the introduction to this song is a little lagging but I'm immediately taken in by the vocals. The instrumentals are really nice, the bass and drums are rockin', and the guitar line is pretty inventive. There is a slight catch about it but I think the majority of that has to do with the singer's voice. Also, the growling vocals here.......fantastic, they fit in wonderfully with the music. My favorite part of this song- 3:23 to 3:41, the music slows down and then rides right into those powerful vocals. I really dig this!

White Flowers and Cold Truth- This intro is either a really common riff or I recognize it from another song.....could be both. I'm really into this singer's voice.....it is almost softly hypnotic in parts of this song. Fantastic background vocals 2:12 - 2:27, super intriguing and nice rolling bass. Again, great and very creative guitar line. This song is......I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is amazing but DAMN! It's really good!

Cry Road- LOVE this guitar riff at the intro. I can't get over this guy's voice, it is almost like it has a million dimensions, you hear a different aspect of his voice in every song. And that's fuckin' awesome! The chorus is really catchy and the drum line here.........(I've run out of words to say great, so fill in what you'd like)!

I really recommend listening to this band, LAGING is extremely promising! And I hope they're around for a while, I'd like to hear more.

My Grade: A, 4/5

Official Website

Offcial Myspace

Both websites have samples of all three tracks up.



February 2011 Releases

2/2 Heidi- Gekkou Showtime [Maxi-Single]
2/2 Sorrys! - Sou Ima Sugu Sou Zenbu [CD]
2/2 aie - ヒカリカ [CD]
2/2 CASCADE - 煩悩白書パート2 [Single]
2/2  D'eiz - Title Unknown [Maxi-Single]
2/2 PANIC☆ch - 泣顔フェチ(nakigao feti) / Best Way!! [maxi-single]
2/2 my dragon - nijigen complex [Maxi-Single]
2/2 Fang - 牙流 [Maxi-Single]
2/2 winnie - Synchronized [Mini-Album]
2/2 BlieAN - Monolith [Album]
2/2 MODEWARP - Sound Chamber [Album]
2/2 ROACH - BREED OF THE SUN [Album]
2/2 DadaD - Touch Touch Touch [Album]
2/2 ISK;M, Lustknot., BLAZE - neo pupa [Omnibus]
2/2 valluna - COMPLETE [Best Album]
2/2 V.A. - neo pupa [Single]
2/2 Born- Dogma [Mini-Album]
2/2 Miyavi- What's My Name? [E.P.]
2/2 Kagrra- Hyakkikenran [Final Album]
2/5 Arc - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed DVD]
2/5 LIX. - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed comment CD]
2/6 -the MelT-(ex-ClearVeil Gt.ryuto continual session band) - twilight [Live-Limited Single]
2/6 LIX. - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed Comment CD]
2/8 kanon - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed Single]
2/9 strong enough - おわかれ会 [CD]
2/9 Kuroyume- Misery [Maxi-Single]
2/9 BACK-ON - with you feat.Me [Maxi-Single]
2/9 BUNNEIES - Break Point [Maxi-Single]
2/9 onmyouza - konbeki no soujin [Maxi-Single]
2/9 V.A. - FUCK THE BORDER LINE [Tribute Album]
2/9 Alice Nine- Gemini [Album]
2/9 Jealkb- Invade [Album]

2/9 NightingeiL- Suigin [maxi-single]
2/9 SCANDAL- Pride [Single]

2/9 DOG in the PWO- ONE [Album]
2/10 VURNY - Silver Gang Star [Mini-Album]
2/10 Luzmelt - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed Single]
2/11 PLASTICZOOMS - WITCH [CD]
2/12 Arc - Title Unknown [Live-Distributed DVD]
2/14 MUCC - WINTER CIRCUIT 2010 ＠NHK HALL [Live DVD]
2/14 SaT - BEST FRIEND [Maxi-Single]
2/14 Royz - toumei na yuki [Single]
2/15 CODE7203-KineSicS - 冬の陽炎(fuyu no kagerou) [Live-Limited Single]
2/15 CODE7203-KineSicS - Reversible Pain [Live-Limited Single]
2/16 8otto - Untitled [CD]
2/16 ONE OK ROCK - Answer is near [Single]
2/16 ADAPTER。 - Please Please You [Maxi-Single]
2/16 Frenzy-Mr.SaTaN solo project- - I'm Frenzy of Liberty!! [Mini-Album]
2/16 coldrain - The Enemy Inside [Album]
2/16 中山うり - VIVA [Album]
2/16 UNLIMITS - tranquilizer [Album]
2/16 Gakido- happymaker [Maxi-Single]

2/16 Megamasso- Loveless [Single]
2/16 Aoi from Ayabie & Ryohei (Megamasso) - Monochrome [Single]
2/19 edogawa paradox -Untitled [Single]
2/19 the Dopes. -Untitled [Live-Distributed Single]
2/19 Reload- KEY to my HEART [Maxi-Single]
2/19 Arc -Untitled [Live-Distributed DVD]
2/20 umbrella(LOKI Vo.Yui band) -Untitled [Live-Distributed Single]
2/20 V.A. -Untitled [Live-Distributed V.A CD]
2/21 Jackman - fantasista [Live-Limited PV DVD]
2/22 the CODE. -Untitled [Maxi-Single]
2/22 MILKY EMILY - 彩色MILKTICAL(saishiki MILKTICAL) [Maxi-Single]
2/22 AND - enjou jigokugou -TOUR FINAL- [Live DVD]
2/23 D'iez- Innocence [Single]
2/23 One Star - CHAMELEON DISCO [Maxi-Single]
2/23 Minus Jinsei Orchestra- Kami-sama, Disco ni te Datenshi [Album]2/23 TOON-FACTORY - 2Logic [Maxi-Single]
2/23 BUMP OF CHICKEN - tomodachi no uta [Maxi-Single]
2/23 DIAURA - Beautiful Creature [Maxi-Single]
2/23 V.A. - Imperial Feast [Live-Distributed Album]

2/23 SID- Dead Stock [Album]
2/23 Para:noir- Identity [Maxi- Single]

2/23 Ayabie- Melody [Single]
2/23 Outrage- Sugoi CD [Single]
2/23 Neophilia- Un Chain [Maxi-Single]
2/25 Golden Bomber- Zenryoku Baka [Live DVD]
2/25 Vallquar -AFTERIMAGE FILMS [PV DVD]
2/26 Arc -Untitled [Live-Distributed DVD]
2/27 ARTEMA -LITE SABER [Live-Limited Single]

If there are any releases that I'm missing please let me know and I will add them to the list. Thanks!!

My Top 25 JRock PV's......#7

MUCC- Falling Down

I realize this PV is still rather new and while Falling Down is by no means my favorite song by MUCC, this PV is rather ingenious and very creative. Extreme kudos to whom ever directed/ produced this. My second choice would have been Fuzz which, by the way, is my favorite song by them.

Song of the Week [D'espairsRay- Paradox 5]

My favorite song by my favorite band EVER!!!
I wish there was a PV for this but since there isn't I've posted a live, from the closer to ideal DVD, instead.

Review: NEXX- Gemini



Tracklist:

1. Dystopia

2. Velvet Ray


Dystopia- Well this song is a bit contrary to the title because we aren't being deprived of anything......apparently NEXX was unable to pick just one instrumental additive (I'm pretty sure I hear piano, some kind of woodwind, a little synth. and a string section). This song seems a little messy to me, kind of all over the place. The extra instrumentals that should be underlying are overpowering the vocals. I say keep the regular band instruments, some light synth., power up the vocals, and kick out everything else but maybe the piano or strings (but just pick one). However, I do really enjoy the way the two come together in the last few seconds of the song.

Velvet Ray- Again put some power behind those vocals! They're practically lost underneath the instrumentals. Great flow behind the guitar line here, really nice, and the string section actually fits in quite well during this song. I actually kind of like it.

My only real complaint remains to be the vocals. These songs would be 10 times better if the singers voice was distinguishable enough from the music to grab my attention, because it is immediately taken away by the guitar player. And I noticed the same problem with their last release, NEO BLACK, though actually I think they had a better handle on balancing the instrumentals and vocals.

My Grade: C+, 3/5

Review: Aim- LOST VOICE

Tracklist:

1. LOST VOICE

2. Hysteric Liar

If Deluhi and Born got together and popped out some not quite as melodically talented offspring......well, Aim would be it.......

LOST VOICE- Ummmm I don't know, LOST VOICE is a decent song, the guitar line is great, and the chorus is acceptable/relatively catchy. I'm not entirely fond of Rei's voice, it has character (which I appreciate), I'll give it that. Truthfully, I don't really have a lot to say about this song, again it is decent but not terrific. I feel it is a little lacking. In what? I'm not sure.

Hysteric Liar- I don't think I've ever heard a solo bass opening, nicely done. And the ascending/descending guitar....lovely. Rei's voice has completely changed here, almost sounds like a different person. The best thing about this song for me is that bass line and I must admit Aim has an extremely talented guitar player. I definitely prefer this song to LOST VOICE. 

 I think that Aim, for the style of music they're playing, is really good. However, I also think they could be better. Right now they're a good band, but they have a ways to go before they're a great band. I'll definitely be checking up on them in future.

My Grade: B-, 3.2/5

My Top 25 JRock PV's......#8

Vistlip- Dropnote



Love this song! Love Umi! Love Vistlip! Just love this entire PV top to bottom!

I really wish Vistlip would put out something new soon.......let's stay away from the whole Hameln thing though.....

Alice Nine: Nico Nico Live Interview

This is fuckin' hilarious!!! They're all so adorable!

Credit: haineshimizu

Jealkb: Sakki Ryouran PV

Sakki Ryouran PV from upcoming album release, Invade, on the 9th of February.

Not bad......the song gets better towards the end.

Credit: GazeRukina

This Week's Album Releases (1/26/11- 1/29/11)

1/26 Girugamesh- Go [Album]

1/26 Dir en grey- Lotus [Single]
1/26 V-last.- Taishounenrei15saimiman [Maxi-Single]
1/26 aim - LOST VOICE [Maxi-Single]

1/26 Ice0Age- FATE [Mini-Album]

1/26 Neo - VIRTUAL BLUE NOTE [Maxi-Single]
1/26 TOON-FACTORY - Chloris [Maxi-Single]
1/29 Vent Croix - FALL DOWN [live-limited single]
1/29 Vent Croix - DRESS CODE[S/A/D] [live-limited single


The following releases will be reviewed by me: Girugamesh- Go, Dir en Grey- Lotus, aim-LOST VOICE, and Ice0Age- FATE