The Frustrated is GLAY’s new album and it marks the beginning of a new and improved Glay. Songs are diverse and interesting to say the least. Let’s move on to the reviews, shall we?
HIGHCOMMUNICATIONS (****) – A fantastic number that just oozes “cool”. Strangely the lyrics to this song are missing. Maybe Takuro intended the fans to guess Teru’s (bad pronunciation of) English. He keeps everyone in the dark, especially about the elusive Kombinat-12. Nevertheless, this song is much better off sounding polished as compared to the concert version. This song will just get you singing along to “whoa whoa whoa” so no worries if you don’t know Japanese!!
The Frustrated (****) – Wow. Is Takuro frustrated or what? This song is almost entirely in English. It has a wonderful guitar intro (kudos to Hisashi). The verses have a slightly dreamy psychadelic feel, then the first bridge is pretty toned down. But once you get to the second bridge, Teru pretty much starts shouting. He does a good job on trying to convey the ‘frustrated’ and ‘angry’ feeling. My favourite line in that song is “Lookin’ for the real enemies”. It can go so many ways and I’ve thought of two. It could apply to the current events right now, (terrorist, hint hint, wars, hint hint) or Glay are trying to find their true fans. What do you think?
All I Want (***) – I did not take to this song at the beginning when I first heard it on the concert DVD. The CD version however, has upped my opinion on it but I still think there are some things lacking in this song.
Beautiful Dreamer (****) – Anyone who does not like this song should be dragged out into the street and shot dead. Oh well, there’s no accounting for taste. Still, this is one of the best songs in the album. The simple melody of the strings in the beginning will really pull at your heartstrings but wait! There’s more. Teru’s performance here is more than perfect. I am amazed at how gentle is voice can be, especially during one particular line in the chorus “Omae data ka na…” Each successive chorus builds up more and more passion up to a climax and soars down beautifully. It is a song worth listening to. Definitely. I agree with Kougaiji though, the ending for the single is better than the album version.
BLAST (****) – I love this song and it has nothing to do with the fact that Teru wrote and composed it. The first two minutes has a rushed feel to it. Surprisingly the “oh yeah” part does not seem repetitive to me and Teru adds to it by singing little phrases. The limelight is the slow, soulful and thoughtful bit where everything goes slow and the tune and feel changes to REGGAE. Yes reggae. We all know Glay has not failed us when it comes to that and this is another stunning piece. It’s simply too beautiful for words. Then it goes back to the main melody. Another point for Teru!!
Ano Natsu Kara Ichiban Tooi Basho (****) – I should introduce a new system : ten stars out of four for those fantastic songs. Okay, I admit it, this song is my favourite song in this album! (Runs away from Kougaiji with fingers plugging ears). All the other songs come close by a million decimal places but I get chills and an overwhelming feeling whenever I hear this song. It starts out nostalgic, with the MOST beautiful guitars, Takuro, Hisashi’s who cares? I salute whoever played it. It’s slow but so beautiful. I say time and time again to Kougaiji and my Internet pals, “When I first heard this song, I wanted to cry, not because it was so sad, but because it was so good!” Yes people, the little guitar tunes while Teru sings the opening verse really shines and the bridge and verse really really uplift the chorus. There’s so much build up you feel like your heart is going to explode with emotion during the chorus. Teru is so emotional at the final part, yes… I really am crying now, just thinking about it. The colours I get are so vivid and subtle and so varied it’s just too overwhelming. When Teru sings “Ocean Drive” is sounds like “O shan Zai”, but it stands out in my head. It’s overwhelming and poignant and uplifting at the same time.
Mugen no Déjà vu Kara (***1/2) – It really is a shame that this has to come after such a wonderful song. I really like this song, but the chorus and verses do not really mesh well with each other. It’s soft and gentle, but Teru brings in the rawness as usual. After reading the translation, it seems as though they’re still hovering between dreams and reality…
Toki no Shizuku (****) – I love this song. I really do. I told Kougaiji he had the wrong impressions and you can read his review on it now. The guitars at the beginning sound like delicate bells and this whole song is just delicate. An Internet pal of mine told me this song is from the POV of a woman. Well, no wonder. This is once again Teru’s song. His passion really brings out the best in this song. It makes you want to break down and cry your eyes out because you feel the singer’s pain and sadness. Yes, it’s that good. It isn’t really typical Glay ballad, but it’s really refreshing. After listening to 16 Siam Shade songs, this song was literally godsend.
Billionaire Champagne Miles Away (****) – Listen to this song and you know Glay is back and better than ever! I was fooled by the opening (sounds much like a Unity song) but knew it was going to lead to something fantastic and mind blowing. What’s “Sgt. Hollywood”? I don’t know but who cares? Teru’s English is as strange as ever but we welcome it with open arms. So much energy and passion, you cannot go wrong with this song.
Coyote, colored darkness (****) – Another one of Hisashi’s masterpieces. I absolutely adore this song. The line “You leave me darkness spin me down” is memorable and the only English line in this song. Reminds me of Giant Strong Faust Super Star and Brothel Creepers and Shitto all in one mix. My favourite part is Teru’s hushed and desperate (not to mention seductive!) whispering in the opening and the second chorus, after the guitar solo where it gets more intense. He never fails to surprise me. I wonder what coyote has to do with this song though…
BUGS IN MY HEAD (****) – I loved it when I first heard the sample. Very catchy and full of fun and games, this song has a jazzy feel but it’s not jazz. It’s got very interesting lyrics as well. Those who love singing/screaming will love the chorus where Teru screams “BUGS IN MY HEAD!” A very good song to let out your frustration. A very catchy tune that’ll grow on you. Jiro really should compose more songs!!!
Runaway Runaway (****) – This song is much better than the concert version, although I did love those organs that are absent in the album version. Like Kougaiji said, those simple English phrases are memorable but in a different way from other songs. Those phrases will really pull at your heartstrings but the biggest highlight of the song is the guitar solo. The bit leading up to it is the stairway to heaven and the guitar solo itself is the heaven. Yes, it is that good. It may be simple but the melody is just so fitting and so well arranged. Teru sounds so sweet and passionate here, and he manages to give the song the atmosphere of ‘being freed’.
Street Life (***1/2) – This song reminds many of Pure Soul. Teru is really passionate here and his voice really goes over the top. My favourite part however, is the opening and ending as well as the part where he goes “Bokura sukoshi dake kokoro…” where everything is soft and solemn after the storm.
Minami Gochi (****) – Ah, Kougaiji truly loves this song. There was a lot of discussion on how to pronounce the words. In my opinion, this makes a better sing a long song than I’m in Love. Anyway, this song is just plain, pure happy but who would have thought plain, pure happy would be just so darn good? After a heavy beginning, Takuro ends the album with a happy ending, reminding everyone not to be too depressed and to DANCE DANCE DANCE! This song really wraps up the whole album perfectly and demolishes every single angst-ridden song ever written. Yuki adds on quite well to this song. One of the few songs that paint actual images in my head. While most songs in this album remind me of colours, this song makes me think of green hills with a rainbow decorating the cloudy sky. But the sky isn’t all cloudy, there’s a corner where the sun is breaking through and towards the end, everything is shining.
Special review:
Soshite Kore Kara Mo (****) – One word I would choose to describe this song would be cute. It’s short and sweet and it’s adorable. Sounds like a puppy dog? The chorus sounds a little like Itsuka but more laid back and gentle. The tinkering gentility of the bells really help boost the atmosphere of the song. Incredibly pop but who cares as long as it is good? I love it when Teru sings “Hontou ni taisetsuna mono wa nani?” It’s a song worth listening to when you feel like relaxing.