Bitch Boys's "Continental"

Hey, after a long delay, here I am again. School just started so I haven't had the insane amounts of free-time to work on this useless, time-consuming waste of life.
So, welcome back, me!

Artist: Bitch Boys (Sweden)
Album: Continental

Track one is Arena, which I have heard many times before. Right from the beginning, I have always loved it. It’s an excellent opening track, everything is just perfect. It’s strange that I’ve never actually listened to the rest of the album, isn’t it?
Well, Arena is a very electronic instrumental, with heavy bass and some punk influences. It’s an interesting sound, I hope the following 9 songs can compare to Arena.

Café Cherie is track two, and it’s significantly more punk than Arena, although it’s still very electronic.
Again, it’s excellent. The vocalist is actually pretty decent. With punk bands, vocalists usually throw me off and make me kind of sick. I seem to have a lot of luck with Swedish punk bands, though.
Enough of my rambling, I really like it. It’s not quite as unique sounding as Arena; it’s a bit more of a typical sound that you’ll hear. But, it’s not boring, and it’s very fun to just sit down and listen to.

Continental reminds me a little bit of the old Megaman music. Jesus Christ, I need to stop comparing music to old Super Nintendo games.
It’s a little bit repetitive at times, but it has the same feel as Arena, so of course I like it.

Track four is Die Bahnhof Café (another Café song?). It starts with a Middle Eastern sitar sound with some explosive drums following. It’s a very interesting song, especially the chorus, which I’m absolutely in love with. I think so far this is my favorite.

It’s My Life is a strange little electronic song with nearly unintelligible English. That’s really it. I don’t really know what to think, it’s just bizarre.

Following that is Krieg. The vocals seem much deeper here, is that just me?
Fuck, it sounds like Megaman music again. I promised I would stop, I promised I would stop.
Apparently I’ve already heard this song before, because it’s rated. It’s probably an acquired taste, I can imagine that not a lot of people would like this. I, being the person I am, love it.

Track seven is Lebensraum. It’s very sinister and dark, which is an interesting addition to the album. The album is very eclectic; there are very happy songs and... this, which is slightly terrifying.
Lebensraum is delightfully evil, it’s quite the song and it leaves a great impression.

One thing I’ve noticed about this band: I adore their drums and guitar. Okay, the bass is great, too.
The album suddenly got very ominous, Mayday is very dark. Maybe not as dark as Lebensraum, but it’s dark nonetheless. It’s pretty slow and sort of watery sounding (if that makes sense).
I wish I could say more about the song, but nothing really comes to mind.

Mille Baiser picks up the speed again, and isn’t nearly as dark as the last two tracks.
I don’t know if a “normal” person would enjoy the vocals, but someone, you know, used to them wouldn’t even notice.
No, no, no, I’m not badmouthing the vocalist. I’m pretty content with his singing.
I have to say, I haven’t enjoyed Mayday or Mille Baiser as much as the previous tracks…
Well, let’s see how Tango For Two delivers.

I’m not really impressed by it until the chorus. But the chorus is so fucking catchy that I really do love it. It’s a very strange song, it skips around in pacing a lot, I’m not sure how to explain it. But, I really like it.

4 out of 5
Part of me thought it is a 3 and ½, on second thought, I know that 4 is perfect. I’m sure I’d have some disagreements, but that’s what I think it deserves.
Fans of Swedish punk music will have some fun with this.

Bad Baby's "Bad Baby"

Artist: Bad Baby
Album: Bad Baby

Well, right off the bat, I can tell this is going to be very, very dark. So far, A Dream Within a Dream has my attention, let’s just see where it goes from here.
Okay, good, good. Nice vocals, interesting sound, good instruments. Maybe we have a winner on here for once.
It’s deliciously dark. That’s a good way to put it, I guess. What would this be classified as? Positive punk, maybe. That’s a plus, because I fucking love positive punk. (Have you noticed that I’m cussing more and more as the blog goes on?)

The second track is Broken-Hearted. Already I’m loving Bad Baby’s sound, it’s very bass heavy, which usually gets my approval. I only wish there wasn’t the crackle and pops of a dirty record, although I suppose it gives it charm. I guess.
I really love the vocalist; his voice is very smooth and haunting, and the backing vocals are pretty neat too.

Salvation Army seems like it’s going to be a bit more light-hearted than the last two. By about 1:30, it starts to pick up pace and end my thoughts of it being light.
Well, it’s pretty fascinating. Salvation Army seems to be the kind of song I could listen to for days on end without getting bored. I wouldn’t listen to it for several days, but it’s not my last choice. It’s just very interesting. And don’t take interesting as “it’s bad, but unique”. It’s good and unique.

Ahh, more bass. And a really cool keyboard. Nice.
Promenade is the first song not in English, and I think it flows better this way. I hate saying this all the time, but it’s just intriguing. (haha) The whole genre is very open-ended, you won’t find too many bands that sound exactly like each other in this genre. That’s just my opinion, of course. Feel free to tell me about how I know nothing.

Track five is Glasshouses. The song doesn’t interest me as much as the others, but I have to say that the female vocals that come in around the 3 minute mark are positively lovely. Despite that, I definitely won’t forget it easily.
That’s the wonderful thing: all the songs sound different! After reviewing crap like Azz, this is a relief!

Mont Blanc is a very slow paced instrumental. I have to say, the guitars are fantastic, and the whole song leaves an impression on you. At first I was a little unsure, but halfway through I began to realize that it’s pretty incredible.

(Out of the Frying Pan) Into the Fire takes a while to gain speed, but it keeps me wanting to know what’s ahead. I don’t feel like skipping tracks because I’m getting bored with it, you know?
It’s another instrumental like Mont Blanc, but it’s very easy to sit down and listen to. I’m not trying to say that all instrumentals are painful or anything of the sort. I just think it takes skill to make a purely instrumental song interesting throughout the entire track.

Okay, so the last track is Cry Baby Cry. I have to say, this may be a favorite of mine on the record. All of it works so well, and not to mention they bring in that wonderful female vocalist again. All of it is perfect, I adore it. What an ending.

4 out of 5.
It’s a definite must listen for fans of goth music in the early 80s, although it isn’t up to par with the masters or anything, of course. I wouldn’t say that it’s revolutionary for the genre, but it definitely is a great listen.

Apogee & Perigee's "Chojiku Colodustan Ryokoki"

Artist: Apogee & Perigee (Japan)
Album: Chojiku Colodustan Ryokoki

Alright, so the Prologue just starts out with an introduction set to some space-music. Alrighty then.

Awww, Gessekai Ryoko sounds delightfully cute.
Oh my. Ohhh... dear. She...
I'm afraid I have run across a problem. Their vocalist... she's very, very bad. You can hear he catch her breath and go flat and everything...
Awww....
Regardless, it's still undeniably adorable, godawful vocals and all. What would I call this? Synthpop perhaps?

Well, maybe her vocals were irony in the first track. Yes, irony.
Processor Parsec seems to have a very hallow sounding male vocalist. Hey, I was right: an improvement! Well, I certainly like the space sound, I can't say I'm bored. I'm rather intrigued already.

Animaloid Mv II... A song with a title that strange has to be good, right?
Well... actually, yes. I have to admit, I love it. It's just weird enough, and just catchy enough for me to give it my approval. Plus, any song that features the vocalist saying "Meow Meow Meow" gets my attention (how many songs have such lyrics anyhow? I know of this and Queen's "Delilah". I will start a search.)
And yes, her vocals are slightly better in this song.

It seems to me that I will succumb to the pure cute catchiness, as usual. Sakasa Kenjin Eagus is painfully precious. And yet, it doesn't feel empty or overdone. This band is surprisingly fresh!
Fresh.. That's a word not used enough on this blog, it seems.

Ahh, Theme of Apogee (Spece Folklore). No, that is not a typo, my iPod says it really is "Spece". That aside, there is the male vocalist again, along with "Pop-pow-pow-pow pop-pow-pow" in between verses. Um, it's definitely one of a kind.

Track six Queen Graysher. I admit, I have no idea what a "graysher" is. Google doesn't know either. This song is a bit more mainstream sounding than the others. Instead of a quirky synthpop, Queen Graysher is a bit more of a pop-rock that you'd hear in the 90s. Not my favorite on the album so far.

Theme of Perigee is--- Okay, what's going on here?! Her vocals in Queen Graysher were quite good, but suddenly they're terrible!! Are these two different people, or does she just have very good days and very bad days? And wonderful, I can't seem to find much info on this either.
I suppose my questions will have to go unanswered.

As confused as ever, let's go to Sinku Kiss. As usual, it's just too damn cute for me not to like. I'm not sure if it's good in a technical sense, but it doesn't feel unoriginal. That's probably the tenth time I've said that, but that's alright.

So, the album comes to a close with Hope--
Oh wait, oh wait a second... Is that voice... Is that Jun Togawa? That explains the singing in some of the tracks! Haha! I am confused no longer!
I managed to find some info, and yes, that is Jun Togawa. Sorry, Jun, you're voice really is quite terrible! (haha)

Well, that's all for that album, so I'll give it a
4 out of 5
I would probably give it a 3 and 1/2, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I really enjoyed listening to it and damn, it's just too damn catchy.

Amadeus's "Mikan no Gosennfu to Kurayami no Meikyuu"

Artist: Amadeus (Japan)
Album: Mikan no Gosennfu to Kurayami no Meikyuu (1996)

Okay, let's get this over with.

Track one, Mae Kyougen, appears to just be a narration... Of course, my Japanese isn't near good enough for me to know what the hell he's saying, so it's rather boring.

OVERTURE is the second track, an instrumental, and already I'm hearing a very Klaha-era Malice Mizer sound. Basically, very neo-classical and gothic. For following up a boring intro, it really raises my spirits. OVERTURE is interesting and unique and powerful, I really like it.

Kyouzou no Kami again sounds like Malice Mizer, except much more synth-based. I suppose you could compare this to their Gackt-era Ju te Veux (I promise I'll stop comparing them to Malice Mizer soon).
I'm surprised... I really love it. The vocalist even has an interesting voice, which is a plus because one of my biggest peaves with V-Kei is the lackluster vocals.
And there's even a female vocalist that really gives Amadeus an even more original sound. The contrast between the two is interesting to listen to.

So far so good, Amadeus.
To Banai Tsubasa is very good, which only raises my hopes for this album. I can honestly say that this band have a very original sound. I know I compare them to Malice Mizer, but that's beside the point.

Uh oh. Jinsei wa iti gyou no Baudelaire Nisikanai appears to be another purely narration track. Luckily it's only one minute, so let's just move on.

Track six, Ludwig no Shouzou... Okay, seriously, enough with the skits. I can imagine that even if I could understand it I would be getting annoyed.

Going on...
Bakkou (L.va.Beethoven Piano Sonata) is what it sounds like. Very heavy with piano and very classical. The vocalist has surprisingly strong vocals even in a song as slow as this. There are many appealling aspects of the song, and... not much else to say.

I have actually heard the song Kokuhaku before, and I've always liked it a lot, and I still like it despite my tastes changing so much since then. I really just don't think you'll hear a lot of bands that sound like Amadeus. I realize that there are a lot of sort of neo-classical goth bands, especially in 90s Japan, but Amadeus have a sound all their own.

(crosses fingers) Please don't let Kubaku to Watashi be another act...
Okay, okay, singing. Good, good. This one bears more resemblence to Lareine, but again, there is much more synth, and the vocalist doesn't sound like he always has a cold (sorry, Kamijo. Your voice is cool regardless).

TELL ME TRUTH. Ahh, Engrish.
It's not quite as exciting as the other tracks, I'm not sure if I'll remember it a few minutes from now. Just a bit too bland for my tastes. It's not bad, though.

With Kasumi, I'm beginning to miss the gothic elements of this album, it definitely is taking a more classical turn. I must say that I prefer the female vocalist for these slower songs, her voice is pretty spectacular, and it's so rare hearing a female in a Visual-Kei band. Other than exist+trace, Danger*Gang and such, but they don't count because they're really quite bad. Yeah, I said it, come get me, internet police.

Fuck. Talking. In the Mist is another damn skit.

Imawatada Shizuka ni Anata no Motoni brings in the woman again, which makes me very happy. (I notice another similarity with Klaha-era Malice Mizer: They're song titles are ridiculously and unnecessarily long.)
The song is very short, but very lovely.

The last track of the album is their take on Ave Maria, where they take advantage of their female vocalist's amazing voice once again. It's incredibly beautiful, and an excellent way to end a really good album.

3 1/2 to 4 out of 5
Confusing rating, I know, but I just can't choose. I really like this album, but the narration songs get repetitive sometimes. I definitely prefer their gothic songs as opposed to their more classy tracks, but either way, Amadeus are definitely a gem that should be more appreciated. I plan to get ahold of some of their other work.

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.

After Dinner- "Editions" and "Souvenir"

Artist: After Dinner (Japan)
Album: Editions (released 1983)

I don't know much about this band, but from what I know, After Dinner can be described as an avant-folk band. Very underground, very cult, very weird. I've heard a little before, and I definitely got that impression. Well, let's start.

...
.....
... I'm not sure what to think. Um. What is this? It's not bad. It's just... next track, maybe I won't be as confused.

.... I still am. Sepia-Ture just the woman vocalist singing very softly with very quiet guitar, bass, violin and drums that sound really toned out. I'm not sure what to think.

The third track (An Accelerating Etude). So far, it's just the vocalist singing, "Ahhhhh" with forest sounds in the background. Um, now she's singing with some kind of answering machine, a siren... little girls breathing and singing... This is the most bizarre song I have ever heard. And that's saying a lot. I kinda like it... Let's go to the next song. I'm obviously going insane.

....
.... It keeps on getting weirder!!
What am I listening to?!?
Pots and pans... synths... some sound going in reverse... child-like vocals... bubbling water... a baby-creature-thing cooing... Yes, that is what I'm listening to. That makes up all of Soknya Doll.

Shovel and Little Lady starts off with a narration that sounds like Microsoft Sam. I don't know why they chose now of all times to tell me what this track was recorded with... Especially because this song is a melody-less horn tooting, the singer singing a tune in the distance while banging a tambourine. There are some random sounds thrown in here and there, and her voice fades in and out, sometimes leaving the tambourine the only remaining sound in the song.
This is... bizarre. So bizarre.

Cymbals at Dawn... Please, please make sense. I'm so confused.
So far, a peppy little marching song. Dare I say, it's rather cute. I really love it, it's quite fun.

Glass tube starts out with... something that sounds like someone blowing into a hollow plastic tube (it should sound like a glass tube, though, shouldn't it?). Um. This one is rather interesting too. Her voice is skipping all over the place in pitch, it sounds like the random plucks on the guitar in the background. I'm.. not sure what to think.

With Dessert, I'm beginning to notice a pattern... All the instruments are random!! This sounds like an elementary class's jam session!! Ahhh! I feel like I'm losing my mind! And that's honestly all this song is to the very end. I don't even think it has a melody. It's weird.

Here appears to be the second part to Sepia-Ture. Again, the random bursts of instruments that make no sense.

Okay, okay... This song is called "A Walnut"... Great.. What a normal title.
A Walnut seems to be performed live? There are dogs, though, I don't think they would allow dogs in the venue. It has that same middle eastern flair as After Dinner. I really, really like it. I... really, really... like it? Peculiar.

Umm... It seems that there's another track named Cymbals at Dawn? Is this one different than the other one, or did I just add it twice somehow? Oh, well... the vocals on this version are nearly inaudible. I wonder if this is a live?

Oh! Re begins with a male vocalist! I had no idea there was more than one. Not too much to say other than that, it's normal (in comparison).

Kitchen Life sounds kind of polka-ish, maybe... I'm just trying to compare this to something. I can't explain any of this in words. I like this song, too. Don't know why, I just do. Even if the vocals are so low at parts.

Again, there is another Glass Tube. Is this one different? It's much quieter and softer, I can barely hear most of it. To be honest, it's kind of giving me the creeps. It just sounds rather haunting and unsettling.

The 'would You Like Some Mushroom' Variation....
The 'would You Like Some Mushroom' Variation.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!
I didn't think it could be any stranger... (slump) I'm getting worn out.

Well, Ironclad Mermaid really is similar to the rest of it. Equally strange, confusing, quiet, etc.

So, here is the track, After Dinner. This song really just represents who After Dinner are. Very middle eastern with quick bursts of.. loudness. I'm not sure how to explain it. At least the guitar solo is very "normal".

The last track on this 18 track album is The Room of Hair Mobile. I don't even... Let's just end this review, it's already an essay.

Really, the only thing you need to know is that this is the strangest album I have ever, ever come upon. I don't know why I love it... but I feel slightly crazy after listening to it. I think I'd actually really recommend getting this album. The members of After Dinner are obviously very creative people, because this is easily one of the most interesting records I have ever heard, and it leaves a very big impression on me. Not one I'll be likely to forget. And yes, it is very good.

4 out of 5.

... What? I have another album by After Dinner?
Well, kind of.

Album: Souvenir (1988)

It seems as if all eight tracks on Souvenir also appear on Editions, except they are much better quality. I'm not sure if any of them are different other than that. That's how poor of quality Editions was in, haha.
Anyhow, the tracks are After Dinner, Kitchen Life, The Room of Hair Mobiles, A Walnut, Sepia-Ture, Cymbals at Dawn, Glass Tube and Soknya Doll.

Because of how radically improved the audio quality is, I'd also recommend this album, but Editions includes An Accelerating Etude, Shovel and Little Lady, Dessert, Sepia-Ture II, Re, The 'would You Like Some Mushroom' Variation and Ironclad Mermaid, so get that one too.

Hell, I love After Dinner now.