Akira Takasaki's "KI"

Artist: Akira Takasaki (Japan)
Album: KI

Okay, now we've got something! This is the first album so far that I have high hopes for!

See, Akira Takasaki is the lead guitarist and founder of the popular Japanese band Loudness. I haven't heard too much of them (I have two albums), but from what I've heard, they're great.

So! Please impress me, Takasaki!

Dancin' Siva is the first track. Ooh, I'm excited!... A nice, slow, whammy-bar heavy opening sets the album up nicely. Slowly, it's gaining speed. Though it's slow, it still sounds quite explosive, doesn't it? Hell, why am I asking you? Just a very good opening song, it gets me excited for what's to come!... So, what is to come, Takasaki? (lame)

Jap Gold is a-- Wow, it's about 7:40 long. As a fan of X Japan, this shouldn't sound too long, but it does. (haha) Well, it's starting out slow. I was secretly hoping for a really powerful from he beginning song as the second track, but that's okay. It still has my interest.
At aboutthe 2 minute mark, it starts to sound very middle eastern. If you haven't noticed, I adore the traditional middle eastern sound, and when I hear it, the song immediately scores higher with me, haha.
This is another slow but powerful song. I start to really get into it by about 4 minutes in. Takasaki's guitar work really is superb.

Okay, now I'm expecting a faster paced song by track three. And fucking yes, here it is! Seven Peppers certainly sounds a bit sleazier so far (I mean that in a good way). Refreshing to hear an energetic song after two very sollumn ones. This is a toe-tapper, with (of course) amazing guitar. But, that would be disappointing if the guitar wasn't amazing, wouldn't it? The guy isn't well known for nothing.

Soft Cream sounds like it has that same sleazy quality as Seven Peppers, I definitely like that! As you can tell, I'm easily excited by up-beat songs. I love somber tracks, but sometimes high energy is what I need.
I got a little bit bored by the middle of the song, but keep in mind that my attention span isn't top-notch.

Walt Man seems to be a bit heavier than what I've heard so far. For some reason, the drums catch my attention in this song. It sounds like real, genuine thought was put into them, which you don't see too much. That's my opinion anyway. I think it could use a second guitarist during the main solo, but I'm so used to massive amounts of layers in my songs that I might not know what I'm talking about. It just sounds like there's a bit of an empty void. I still like the song, though.

Death Mask. Okay, now I'm expecting something really heavy. Is this how it's going to be? Two slow songs, two up-beat, two heavy songs? What's next then? I'm betting on cowboy. Don't doubt me.
Oh, the song. Well, it definitely is darker. Now, this has layers that are nice to listen to. You know, I don't have much to say. I like it. It's not very happy. It's good.

...
(disappointed at lack of cowboy influence)
That's okay, though. Natural Mind is still really good.
Usually, an album that focuses mainly on guitar without any vocals bores me. The only other album like that that I enjoy is Radiant Heat by Hisashi Takai (AKA HISÅSIH), but this one keeps my attention.
Hey! Don't fade out! Damn! This really badass guitar solo at the end of Natural Mind just fades away!... Ah!...

Well, let's move onto Free, then..
This one doesn't excite me quite as much as the other songs. Until the great solo around 2 minutes, that is. But there's that empty hole that I hear again. It just feels like it needs something...

Anyhoo. Run About. I'm really loving this one, it feels like I could headbang to it, or something. (But I know better, I hurt myself whenever I do that.)

Voodoo Bose is the last track on the album, let's see if it leaves me feeling fulfilled. Even if it doesn't, it's still one hell of an album.
Well, it is the strangest so far, I didn't expect a piano at all. Oh holy shit I just noticed that this song is over ten minutes long. Christ. Okay, if a ten minute song doesn't leave an impression on me, then I don't know what will.
Ahh, I'm tired now.

4 out of 5.
I really, really like this album. It's a good listen, and I would recommend trying it out. Provided that you like this kind of music, that is.