Hai To Daiyamondo ALBUM REVIEW
This is GLAY's very first indies album under Extasy Records - an independent label founded by Yoshiki (of X-Japan). Here, GLAY sounds really raw and unprofessional but their talent shines from the high quality of their songs. Their excitement and eagerness in making this album is evident and though this is their first professional album, I enjoy listening to it very much. A rare collection for any GLAY fan to realise how far they have come from their indies days.
*Note : Manatsu No Tobira, Kanojo No "Modern..." and RAIN would not be reviewed here as they have already been reviewed in SPEED POP.
Recommendations : Manatsu No Tobira, Kanojo no "Modern...", KISSIN' NOISE, RAIN (GLAY version), LADY CLOSE, TWO BELL SILENCE, Sen No Naifu Ga Mune Wo Sasu, BURST.
KISSIN' NOISE
This is a song with a very interesting structure in terms of tempo - it switches from mid-tempo to slow (by utilising the bass and giving Jiro space to show his talent) and then to fast and GLAY does it very smoothly indeed (in contrast to Will Be King). The effect here is brilliant. Also, the guitars sound good albeit a raw. This is one song I am personally fond of.
Hidoku Afureta Howaito Noizu Wo Kure
An unimpressive song that doesn't maximise any of GLAY's rich talent in all aspects. The mediocrity of this song is reflected in the fact that besides being found in this album, I don't recall GLAY ever performing this song in any of their "live" concerts again to date. A song best left forgotten.
LADY CLOSE
A really cool rock song. Both the guitars and the basslines are very impressive. I love the solo here and I believe that if Hisashi performs this again today, I would be luxuriating in ecstasy. The only flaw in this song is Teru's pronunciation of the English lyrics. I didn't even know what he was singing until I read the lyrics and I cracked up when I finally realised what he was singing exactly. By the way, I think the "Audrey" in question may refer to Audrey Hepburn - I can't think of any other Audrey who created a sensation in US unless it's an imaginary figure.
TWO BELL SILENCE
Another impressive rock number in this indies outing. This song reminds me of SURVIVAL the way the lyrics become a tongue-twister at the beginning of the song. Again, there are scintillating guitar solos by Hisashi and Takuro and the addition of the violin provides a refreshing edge to the song. Performed again by GLAY in their ground-breaking SURVIVAL EXPO '99, this is one great song by the young GLAY who has since matured, taking this song along with them.
Senno Naifu Ga Mune Wo Sasu
Included in REVIEW, this song is considered by GLAY as one of their best works and rightly so too. It's a Hisashi and Jiro song basically and I love the part where the bass is given all of 2 seconds to itself and it's beautifully carried out by Jiro. A great song coolly executed by GLAY.
BURST
I love the way this song begins - it sounds as if I am being sucked and send spinning head-down to a music bonanza! A fast, funky number, the "live" potential of this song can never be overestimated. GLAY seems really high when performing this song in their "live" concerts- they just go berserk! Teru's yelling is first rate here and it really pumps up the energy and verve!
if ~ hai to daiyamondo ~
A song with the quality of Savile Row, the acoustic guitar adds to the hillybilly feel. This is a sweet song with Teru's tender singing. He even has his own (and very cute) pronunciation of the word "if". The only minus point is that this song ends rather abruptly.
*Review dated 5.6.2000