INSOMNIAC SONG
MUSIC REVIEWS
16.10.2013
Gremlins - The Carnival
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a solo project featuring Hitsugi (Nightmare) and Kenzo (ex-AYABIE). Instead of the standard vk fare, we’re treated to a jazzy opening track. The Carnival is surprisingly good. It’s something I would have expected from a group like Acid Black Cherry. Hitsugi’s vocals are better than I would have imagined. To Die falls back into a more straight visual kei sound. His vocals still hold a charm that elevates it. I didn’t feel the growls in the background were really needed along with the clear lead vocals though. Insane picks up the pace a bit more for a heavier track than the previous two. There is a bit of processing on Hitsugi’s vocals here that detracts a bit from their appeal. Dice is probably my least favorite on the release, but it’s not a bad song. The entire release is fairly strong for a debut. I’m curious to see where the duo goes from here.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended tracks: The Carnival
27.11.2013
Juri - Blanche
The former vocalist from DELUHI has returned with an album that’s more pop than his previous efforts with a band. Let’s get together now is a strong pop-rock track that makes me think of the opening to a drama. It’s the kind of song that you could imagine being played while happy characters run down a beach and laugh. Blanche is a softer sounding song that suits his voice well. It could easily be the ending to the drama that the previous track opened. You’ll never walk alone is a pretty pop ballad. It’s sweet and soft like the previous tracks. Michi picks up the tempo to return to the feel of the first track. The quicker tempo helps break up the softness a little bit. Mirai no Hikari wraps up the original songs with another pop-rock ballad. Shade and Remember the Rain are both covers of DELUHI songs. They’re both pretty ballads that fit well with the rest of the album. However, I do think that these two are likely the best tracks on the entire release. That may be unfair to Juri a little. These are all songs that will please fans of pop music like the groups of Johnny’s Entertainment. I do wonder if his visual kei following will enjoy it though. Perhaps, Juri has gone a bit too soft and melodic for their taste.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended tracks: Let's get together now
18.12.2013
Bridear - Overturn The Doom
New Era is a rather strange introduction. The instrumental track brings up thoughts of an epic fantasy where the heroes are about to assault the villain’s castle. Pray is where the album really begins. The sound is fairly standard for a group with a metal flare. The vocals have a stretched feel as if the vocalist is attempting too hard to project her voice over the guitars and drums. Thread of the Light joins fairly well with the previous track. This song has more even vocals than the previous one. She still pushes her range a bit, but it’s fairly enjoyable. Imitation, Another Name, Voice is to Silence and Wing of Hope all follow the same pattern as the previous songs. The album is fairly cohesive with each song bleeding into one another. There are more embellishment on the vocals for the following tracks than there have been in the previous ones. The ladies play their instruments well, but there simply isn’t anything that really makes the album stand out for me. There is a lot of potential to carve out something great from the group. Let’s hope that in time they figure it out. Until then, they have stiff competition from groups like DESTROSE.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommended tracks: Thread of Light
