Manatsu no Tobira (****) – Like many other J-Rock fans out there, I prefer this version of Manatsu. The opening and the added drum/guitar solo really makes the song complete and the fact that the pace is more intense and fast. Also, the bit when Teru sings ‘Rekishi no atama da dare yori mo takaku…” he goes a notch higher in “dare yori”, giving it a better and more memorable touch. Not as refined as the SPEED POP version but it’s the ‘roughness’ that makes it better.
Kanojo no Modern (****) – This version is quite funny, due to the fact that the SPEED POP one is more intense and guitar emphasis there is heavier. I prefer the SPEED POP one to this but there are some entertaining moments in this song you wouldn’t want to miss.
Kissin’ Noise (****) – After buying the ‘pirate’ version of GLAY’s Best Videos 1994-1998, I watched and heard Sen No Naifu and this song, the reason why I group these two together, and after watching MAKUHARI, I always think of LADY CLOSE and TWO BELL SILENCE in succession. This song starts out with a catchy guitar tune and a catchy drum beat. The whole song will make you want to scream along with Teru “GOOD LUCK!!!” There’s a funny catch in the song where the whole tempo slows down and it goes really weird. But the best bit is when Teru sings so slowly and suddenly……he goes…”DAKARA!” Arrangement of this whole song is excellent!
Hidoku Arifureta Howaito Noizu Wo Kure (****) – There is no way to describe this song. Especially the catchy guitar rifts in the beginning and during the middle of the song. Just read Kougaiji’s description for that. I have never heard a song like this before! This song is soothing with a pinch of poignancy GLAY’s famous for adding and as usual a whole cup of catchiness throughout! A nice edge to this song is that during the chorus, he repeats a word, and in the next line, he sings another word that rhymes with the previous word and repeats it. Like, “odoru odoru” then “mawaru mawaru”. Clever ain’t it? Also, watch out for the bit where Teru shouts out the last line of the chorus!
Rain (Glay Version) (***1/2) – Not much difference, in this case though; refined is much better. (Being the case as this sounds like an X Japan song!)
LADY CLOSE (****) - One of my favourites in this album!!! Don’t ask me; on the first listens, I actually preferred LADY CLOSE to TWO BELL SILENCE. The dark and mysterious feel of the whole song really turns me on. The ingenious guitar solo Hisashi plays to the intense chorus of “LADY CLOSE x 4 AUDREY…IN NEW YORK…” this is one of GLAY’s ‘cool’ songs. As much as I’d hate to admit, Kougaiji’s right about the fact that it sounds really seedy. A song I can see ‘visual’ GLAY doing, but not right now. Another great thing about this song is that, it’s fast but fast and fun enough to sing along to, unlike:
TWO BELL SILENCE (****)- I don’t know. This song is literally impossible to sing. I think Takuro purposely wrote those tongue-twisters so that people’ll get frustrated. Want a sample? Sing this very, very fast: Dakara kara kara karada. Looks simple but it’s not. If you try sing it at Teru’s pace you’d be left in the dust. A fast-paced song that’s so rock yet so good my sister, Queen of Sappy Ballads, likes this song a lot. My favourite bit is when Teru shouts “GOT TO FEEL ME!” Funny, how Kougaiji pointed out Teru sounds ready to cry during the bridges. The violins towards the end are a nice touch and the elongated guitar solo is a nice surprise. A true GLAY classic along with:
Sen No Naifu Ga Mune Wo Sasu (****) – Rockers will be misled by the dark opening to this song. However the bridge is definitely the best part where you will eagerly anticipate the catchy bit where Teru goes “anata no”. Extremely pop is what Kougaiji claims it to be and I agree with him. GLAY manage to spread blinds over their pop song and show the whole world it’s a rock song. Very clever of them. I believe if you haven’t heard these three songs yet (TWO BELL SILENCE and LADY CLOSE) and you’re a GLAY fan, you’d better.
BURST (***1/2) – “BURST for you, I would if I could” this song is often if not always performed during concerts. It’s okay, the main reason why I like to watch it is because Teru does cute little antics during this song. Anyway, the best bit of this song is when Teru sings real seductively about stripping his clothes of one by one!!! I love the opening as well, where Teru goes “Uh!” This song is really pepped up right towards the end unlike:
If ~ Hai to Daiyomondo~ (****) – I love this song. Teru’s performance here is awesome. Whoever said Teru was flat? Every note is clear and sweet and emotion through music is what matters. Just acoustic guitars, backing vocals and Teru’s voice is all you need. Very soothing and just like Miki Piano of Beat Out! This will ease your mind. Don’t sleep just yet! This song sounds sad but with that typical GLAY “I’ve-got-the-courage-to-overcome-depression-and-my-life’s-not-over-yet” motto. Kakkoi deshou?
*Side note: Teru’s voice varies so much from then to Unity, it’s scary how much practise (or vocal alterations) was made or done to make it sounds more refined. However, Teru without any vocal alterations, could still pull if~Hai to Daiyomondo~ off easily! Also, his power is slowly going. In Hai to Daiyomondo, you’d be impressed by Teru’s outstanding power and energy! He has lots of it!
Also, I notice how Takuro likes to write about falling into depression, but gathering your courage to look to the next day. Perhaps for Teru to sing it better and for people to relate to? Teru because he made lots of ‘mistakes’ when he was younger….need I explain further? Read ‘Glorious’. And people nowadays are depressed and need something to lift spirits. Those grunge rock bands don’t help at all! I like Takuro’s view on life and I especially admire how he believes that to be strong is very important; so that we can fight for our happiness. That’s what GLAY’s all about. ‘Living is to love and to be loved’. ‘Piling on the strength to live, to live for love’. ‘I sing my dream forever, I wish you will be happy life!’