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Here I am with the final part of October’s themed week in “Lyrical Love”! Today’s subject is a song by the visual kei band Gotcharocka, precisely Ash, the lead-track of their eighth single with the same name, released on 9th November 2016. This song features all the band’s key elements, with an energetic rock sound accompained by a really positive message.
THE MUSIC
The song starts with pretty energetic and paced guitar notes, leading up to a flowing and dynamic theme; Jui’s voice is quite fast and passionate, well accompained by the guitar notes, in a catchy and engaging rock track, pretty easy to listen and emphasized by Jun’s awesome guitar work, especially in the second part.
Lyrics (Romaji)
“Mata kurai kao shichatte douse kangaegoto nan desho?” GARASU goshi ni utsutta jibun o mitsumete wa umaku nante ikanai ne… kinou to onaji SERIFU narabeta ashita mo kitto kawaranai no desu ka?
“Ii desho? kore ijou” “ii desho? ima ijou” “nayami komanakute ii”
“Kono sekai ni kimi wa tatta hitori sa kimi no kawari o enjiru hito nado inai”
Kagiri naku nibiiro ni chikai sora no shita de akiru kurai iya na koto ga aru noni kawaranai dakedo tachidomari wa shinai kara ikura namida koboretatte waraeru sa ima kanashimi ni todome o
“Mada NIGAi kao shichatte douse omoidashita n'desho?” nanigenai hitoiki ga tameiki ni kawatta wasurerarenai doushite… youyaku rikai shita yo hito ni wa hanarerarenai kako ga arutte koto
“Ii desho? ima kara de” “ii desho? osoku wa nai” “umarekawareru no sa”
“Sukoshi kurai yasashisa nagesutete shimaeba ii kokoro ga oreru kurai nara”
Tsurakatta azayaka ni nokoru kako no kioku ima mo kokoro tokiori sashikomu kedo mou nidoto omoide no maigo ni wa naranai ikura namida koboretatte waraeru sa ima kanashimi ni todome o
Let’s sing a merry song. Let’s dance together. Keep playing until your grief is gone.
Kagiri naku nibiiro ni chikai sora no shita de akiru kurai kujike tsudzuketa keredo kawareru sa koko de tachidomari wa shinai kara ikura namida koboretatte waraeru sa ima kanashimi ni todome o hikari sasu ashita e
Lyrics (Translation)
“Do I have again a gloomy face or is only a thought?” Looking at myself, reflected in the mirror It is not good… Disposing words from yesterday Will it change tomorrow?
“Is everything alright? Not anymore.” “Is everything alright? More than now.” “You don’t have to worry.”
“You are unique in this world nobody can replace you.” (I)
Under the sky, closer to grey I am tired of this It doesn’t change, but it doesn’t stop It doesn’t matter how many tears will be shed, you can laugh Now stop the sadness. (II)
“Do you remember you still have a painful face?” A casual breath, becoming a sigh Why I can’t forget… Finally I understand that for people There’s a past which can’t be separated.
“Is everything alright? From now, yes.” “Is everything alright? It’s not late.” “I am reborn.”
“Throw away the kindness for a little if it breaks your heart.” (III)
A painful and vivid memory of the past Even now, sometimes I insert my heart Don’t lose yourself in memories It doesn’t matter how many tears will be shed, you can laugh Now stop the sadness. (IV)
Let’s sing a merry song. Let’s dance together. Keep playing until your grief is gone.
Under the sky, closer to grey I am tired of this I can change because I won’t stop here It doesn’t matter how many tears will be shed, you can laugh Now stop the sadness The light shines on tomorrow. (V)
THE WORDS
Written by the singer Jui, the text appears quite simple and contained, fitting with the band’s musical style. The single where the song is features follows a sort of conceptual path about feelings, since the other two songs, …Murideshita(…It was unreasonable) and She Luvs “Pop Star”, deal respectively with emotions seen by a female point of viewandthe fanatism in musical world. The lead-track is about an inner conflict between positive and negative thoughts(explaining the presence of lines written in quotes), where the protagonist jumps in and out, finding himself drawn into a maze of memories and pain, which he can’t get out from. So he realizes to have a new goal, which is to find the happiness and the positivity in an hard time, even if he has to leave his past and his feelings behind. And now… let’s analyze the song!
I) The text starts with the protagonist having one of his inner thoughts, about his face, become gloomy (”Mata kurai kao shichatte douse kangaegoto nan desho?”); he realizes that it is like that after looking to his self at the mirror, thinking that it is not a good thing for him (GARASU goshi ni utsutta jibun o mitsumete wa/umaku nante ikanai ne…) and he asks if his future will change, whether he uses the same words of the previous day (kinou to onaji SERIFU narabeta/ashita mo kitto kawaranai no desu ka?). He is aware that something is wrong on him and tries to motivate himself (“Ii desho? kore ijou”/“ii desho? ima ijou”/“nayami komanakute ii”), considering himself as unique and irreplaceable, probably as someone has said to him (“Kono sekai ni kimi wa tatta hitori sa/kimi no kawari o enjiru hito nado inai”).
II)He finds himself under a sky which is almost grey (Kagiri naku nibiiro ni chikai sora no shita de, the grey is symbol of absence of feelings or, more specifically, of depression) and he is tired of living in pain (akiru kurai iya na koto ga aru noni), since it doesn’t change and doesn’t stop at all (kawaranai dakedo tachidomari wa shinai kara). Despite the tears shed, he says that his mate, the reader, can laugh, and asks him to free his mind from sadness (ikura namida koboretatte waraeru sa/ima kanashimi ni todome o).
III) The protagonist wonders if he ever remembered of having a painful face (“Mada NIGAi kao shichatte douse omoidashita n'desho?”), leading a casual breath to become a sigh (nanigenai hitoiki ga tameiki ni kawatta) and to questioning the reason behind his inability to forget the past (wasurerarenai doushite…), and slowly he realizes that each person has a past which he can’t be separated from (youyaku rikai shita yo hito ni wa/hanarerarenai kako ga arutte koto). Being aware of his condition, he realizes that he can be reborn (”Ii desho? ima kara de"/“ii desho? osoku wa nai”/“umarekawareru no sa”) and that the kindness he used to feel is the cause of his pain (“Sukoshi kurai yasashisa nagesutete shimaeba ii/kokoro ga oreru kurai nara”).
IV)In his mind one of the memories of his painful past comes out (Tsurakatta azayaka ni nokoru kako no kioku), stimulating in some way his own heart (ima mo kokoro tokiori sashikomu kedo) and he hopes to not being lost in memories anymore (mou nidoto omoide no maigo ni wa naranai). The sequence ends with the repetition of the final lines from the second part.
V)The final sequence starts with a whole strophe written in English and not by case, since it encloses the core message of the text, an invitation to sing, dance and play until the pain fades out (this part might be a sort of signature of the band’s concept), ending with a repetiton of the second sequence, where the protagonist knows that he can change his path (kawareru sa koko de tachidomari wa shinai kara) and that his future can shine (hikari sasu ashita e).
In troubled times of our life there’s always a ray of light and happiness awaiting for each one of us, which must be found in order to leave behind an hard and painful past. Gotcharocka goes beyond their cheerful style, building up a really mature song, without betraying the positive energy they usually bring on each their work.
That’s all folks! This is the final post of this 2020 and next year we will be back with new reviews and not only… but don’t forget to stay tuned for the “Album Selection of 2020″!
Here I am with the week-end band review in “Focusing on”! Today’s subject is a noisy but colorful trio, whose unique duty is to rock wherever they are. I am talking about the visual kei band Gotcharocka, formed on 2011 and composed by Jui (vo.), famous singer of bands like Luinspear,VidollandKisaki Project, Jun (gt.), the famous guitarist of Phantasmagoria,atticandSpiv States, and Toya (gt.), from the short-lived band Charlotte (they had also a bassist, Shingo from Sugar, but he departed on 2015). The band name is a portmanteau between the Japanese onomatopeic word “gaccha gaccha” (meaning the sound of clattering) and the word “rock”, as if the pronounciation is “got to rock”; in fact their concept can be summarized in “making rock anywhere at a maximum level”. Their genre is indeed a powerful rock, with all its possible shades, united to the fashion and the attraction of visual kei aesthetic (you can see a strong attention to the looks in each new release). Their debut occurred on July 2011 with the first single, Gotcha6ka.
The title-track features an energetic and bizarre rock sound, with auto-tuned vocals and an engaging vibe; the song is literally the musical manifesto of the band, based on music and strong noises. It has been followed by the single Hydrag and by the first mini-album Virginity(reviewed here).
The title-track, with a seducing atmosphere, has a beating and fascinating sound, with a passionate vibe; the song is about an invitation to love and the loss of innocence. It has been followed by the single Poisonous Berry, the first album Crisis(reviewed here) and the singles ShortcakeandGekiai(Conquering love).
The title-track (the best one from them in my opinion), is decise, powerful and rebel, with strong folk presences and a wonderful attention to the outfits (a mix between traditional and dictator-esque look); the song is about a love which conquers whoever stays at its range. It has been followed by the singles Alarm,8kaiki(Eight times per year),GPSandEmotion/Director’s Cut.
The first title-track is a soft and nostalgical ballad, where the energy of their sound is still present and relevant; the song is about the emotions felt by who is in love. It has been followed by the second album Royale and the single Marry me, ‘cause I hate you.
In conclusion, Gotcharocka is one of the few modern visual acts that managed to remain unique and pretty unpredictable, alternating normal tracks to tunes which leave a deep sign to whoever listens to them. Their potency, greatly given by the good names which compose this band, is characterized by a harmony between colors and powerful sounds, which perfectly works, even in simpler themes (where we can see a great growth of Jui as vocalist, who was great with Vidoll and here even greater). So if you love the rebel and warm concept of this rock trio, you have to check out the second mini-album, Rainfall, released last Wednesday, whose lead track goes quickly in your minds.
Who might enjoy: who misses Vidoll’s music or, generally, who wants a colorful and unpredictable rock band.
That’s all folks! See you tomorrow for the monthly chart in “Best of… May 2016″!
Thanks for the reading!
*Sorry for the delay*
*REBLOG + UPDATE*
Following up the single Marry me, ‘cause I hate you, the band continued with the second mini-album Rainfall, the single Ash, the third album Screamy, the compilation Gotchabest, the mini-albums BaccaratandGuerilla, the single Chirality and the fourth album Polychrome(reviewed here).
Here I am with the second part of October’s themed week in “Throwback Thursday”! The subject is always related to the visual band Gotcharocka, but this time we go back to their first album, Crisis, released on 17th July 2013. The album represents the band’s musical manifesto, bringing out the image of crisis as a moment where there’s a conflict of ideas and melodies, translated throughout the whole tracklist. And now… let’s review!
-Count down [lack of time]: the album starts with a short track, opened by strong guitar lines; Jui’s voice is soft, but it becomes more energetic, along with the theme, which sees a fast evolution; a good way for starting things. —> 8/10
-Yuujo (Prostitute) [pleasure has a price]: bright guitar notes open up the song, leading up to an energetic and pretty paced theme, mainly driven by the guitar; the vocals are fast and piercing, with an hint of aggressivity which shouldn’t be neglected; a catchy and quite pleasant song. —> 8.5/10
-C U [difficulty of leaving love behind]: the lead-track of the album sees Jui’s clear vocals introducing the theme, with a fast rhythm and a well fit guitar, building up a pretty romantic melody; a nice rock track, a mix of passion and energy, thanks to the distinctive guitar work. —> 8.5/10
-Poisonous Berry [love which hides something else]: the lead-song of the third single with the same name is kicked off by an high-sounding guitar, leading up to a freaking and fast rhythm; the vocals are balanced and accompained by a dynamic guitar work, where the refrain is simple and well fit into the whole thing; a good song, with a really nice guitar solo. —> 8.5/10
-Byousokuai (Love per second) [love lived second after second]: this song is opened by a decise guitar, leading up to a quite sustained rhythm; Jui’s vocals are soft, keeping up a pretty energetic and fascinating melody, bringing up a quite unusual vocal interpretation, compared to what heard previously; a quite good and bold song in its own. —> 9/10
-99bangai no je t’aime (I love you at 99th avenue) [romantic bind with a place]: traffic noise open a song featuring a relevant retrò atmosphere, where it’s literally a lighter’s click to kick off the theme, where a dynamic guitar goes swiftly in a paced rhythm, with seducing and energetic notes; the vocals are fascinating, bringing up a nice performance, for a quite unusual and romantic track. —> 9/10
-Hydrag [freaking with the mind]: the lead-song of the second single is opened by a strong guitar and a quite fast rhythm, where the vocals are freaking and more rapid than usual, bringing also a bit of aggressivity into the song; a quite nice rock track, with a simple and flowing structure. —> 8.5/10
-Many Merry Moments [joyful life]: this song is opened by a balanced guitar, following up a paced and dynamic rhythm; Jui’s voice is cheerful and bright, working quite well within a pleasant melody, empowered by Jun’s compelling guitar work. —> 9/10
-Qtie [money win over the feelings]: strong electronic effects open the song, featuring a quite steady rhythm; the vocals are piercing, alternated with some choir part, building a song with a quite different style than the previous ones, with a relevant electronic component, but maintaining the band’s core style. —> 8.5/10
-The Lyrical Jet Sky [absolute freedom]: this song sees a freaking rhythm, accompaining an energetic guitar, where Jui’s vocals appear more aggressive than usual, with a fast and dynamic touch making them more appealing; an interesting track, which mixes positivity and heavyness all in a single bit. —> 8.5/10
-Gotcha6ka [ambiguity of human life]: their debut song starts with absurdly effected vocals, leading up to fast and quite paced song; Jui’s vocals are mixed and irregular, along with an unexpectedly mature vibe, making this song even better than expected. —> 8.5/10
-Beautiful Life -Type A only- [beautiful but short life]: the bonus track of the album’s Type A starts with soft vocals, kicking off a theme made of light notes, with a simple and flowing rhythm; a pleasant song, driven mainly by Jui’s nice tones. —> 8.5/10
-Lily187 -Type B only- [ideal world]: the bonus of Type B is opened by rain drops, followed up by thin guitar notes and a soft rhythm, where the guitar takes over the rest within the melody; the vocals are light, almost whispered, driving up a warm ballad, which gets some energy in the second part. —> 8.5/10
Final Vote —> 8.5/10
On 2012 Gotcharocka came out with good propositions and a line-up which gave them an huge advantage within the scene. Featuring members from notable projects, like Vidoll,CharlotteandPhantasmagoria, the band went quickly into the audience’s heart, thanks to a refreshing sound and coloured outfits. The first album Crisis marked their debut in the visual kei world, bringing out energetic and cheerful themes, driven by good guitar lines, but also softer ones, with some experimentation along the road. The album results being a compact and pretty nice musical experience, showing the talent of each member and bringing on the plate an interesting variety of melodies, easy and fit for each listener. It’s impossible to not being invested into Gotcharocka’s musical world, especially after listening to this album. An album for who needs to rediscover Gotcharocka’s energetic and colorful musical world, which shouldn’t be missed.
That’s all folks! See you with a new song analysis in “Lyrical Love”!
Here I am with a new review, and first part of October’s themed week in “Let’s Listen to”! Today’s subject is the latest work by the visual band Gotcharocka, the fourth album Polychrome, came out on 14th October 2020. This album, expected for the Summer but delayed because of the pandemic, is the first full release in three years and summarizes all the best “colors” of the band, musically speaking, showing off their best cards. And now… let’s review!
-Hyper Next World: the album starts with its lead-track, kicking off a pretty energetic sound and a quite decise rhythm; Jui’s voice is bright, moving pretty well between all the notes and keeping up the energy of the song; a brilliant opening track, helped by a distinctive guitar work. —> 9/10
-Asian Night: this song features folk notes, leading up to a relevant melody, driven by drums; the vocals are pretty seducing and a bit effected, keeping up in a pretty structured theme, especially in the catchy refrain; a “softer” track, but in line with the band’s style. —> 8.5/10
-Human Board Game: an electronic guitar starts the song, leading up to a steady and quite fast rhythm; the vocals are cheerful, accompained by a paced guitar, which draws the melody with an unique touch of energy. —> 8.5/10
-Creators: this song sees a stronger electronic component, with beats kicking off the whole thing, along with a funk-ish guitar, bringing the sound of the album in an upbeat direction; Jui’s voice is more electronic, but not so hard to follow, building up a clearer and nice track. —> 8/10
-Baccarat: taken from the second mini-album with the same name, this song is opened by Jui’s retrò vocals, featuring clear and melodious tones, but also energetic and paced touches, provided by the guitar; a pretty good track, empowered by the awesome guitar solo. —> 9/10
-Shiroi Dia (White Dia): seducing bass lines open this song, lighter than expected, but anyway featuring Jun’s energetic guitar; the vocals are soft, accompained by fresh guitar notes, keeping up the whole thing in a catchy approach; a good and enjoyable track. —> 8.5/10
-Monochrome: electronic notes open the song, along with cheerful vocals, leading up to a paced and pretty electronic theme; a quite structured song, which sees a good use of English by Jui and a distinctive bass work. —> 8.5/10
-Prayer: clearer notes kick off the song in a bright and paced rock theme; Jui’s vocals aim to a cheerful and vibrant interpretation, keeping up an upbeat and nice rock track, along with a good guitar work, making it even more flowing. —> 8.5/10
-Guerilla: taken from the fourth album with the same name, this song sees a relevant use of electronic, mixed up with a good rhythm and Jun’s distinctive guitar work; the vocals are balanced and pretty various, according to the many shades seen in the melody; an interesting song, with a top-notch guitar, as expected. —> 8.5/10
-Tenbin (Balance): this song is opened by a fast and energetic guitar, leading up to a steady rhythm; Jun’s voice is clear, accompained by electronic effects, bringing up a quite nice vocal interpretation, the best highlight of this good song. —> 8.5/10
-Out of Service: slower guitar notes introduce the song, with Jun’s intense and clear vocals leading up to an energetic song, conceived for being performed at a live stage; the vocals are versatile, helped by a catchy atmosphere and a compelling guitar, in a song which summarizes at best Gotcharocka’s musical world. —> 9/10
-Chirality: the lead-track of the ninth single is introduced by bright and paced notes, building up a quite flowing melody; Jun’s voice is soft and balanced, in a light song, without any big feat, but anyway characterized by the vocal interpretation and a quite good structure. —> 8.5/10
-Suddenly: this song starts with slow and vibrant notes open a song which appears quite different by the previous ones, especially in the structure; Jun’s soft vocals in a fleble rhythm open the theme, which builds up more and more thanks to an astonishing vocal interpretation, a compelling guitar and a not negligible folk vibe; a really good ballad. —> 9/10
-I ♡ JJTGR (Bonus track): the album ends with a song opened in a pretty peculiar way; before the proper song starts, there’s a sort of radio presentation of the band and the song, then it starts, featuring a catchy melody, which reprises such in a way the style offered in the album, offering a pretty simple but nice track. —> 8/10
Final Vote —> 8.5/10
Gotcharocka is a band which surely got a wide audience thanks to their line-up, made of musicians coming right from notable visual kei bands of the 00′s. During their career, the band became quite successful thanks to an addicting and refined rock sound, up to 2014, when their historical bassist Shingo left the band. Despite this key change in their formation, Gotcharocka never stopped delivering good works and Polychrome, first full work in three years, is a good summarization of their best styles. For sure there’s a major presence of electro-rock melodies, with some rhythms refined than the others, without forgetting the only ballad, probably the best song of the whole tracklist, and that’s a demonstration of how the band doesn’t want to get more complicated than usual, with the unique purpose of entertaining and making happy their audience at a maximum level. With this fourth album the band confirmed their own status in the scene, delivering a nice and addicting product, with melodies hard to forget. An album for who likes Gotcharocka’s catchy music and needs to get into it as soon as possible.
That’s all folks! See you with the second part of October’s themed week in “Throwback Thursday”!
