HEAVY GAUGE ALBUM REVIEW
This album has a heavier pop flavour than the past Glay albums which leaned more towards rock. It should be an acceptable or even an enjoyable album to new fans of Glay even though, one should note that this newest Glay release is a departure from their previous style, which is typically more hard rock and less pop. Older fans of Glay may be disappointed by this latest outing but the rock songs here are worth noting.
Recommendations : HEAVY GAUGE, SURVIVAL, HAPPINESS, LEVEL DEVIL, Winter, again, Savile Row.
HEAVY GAUGE
A great song to start off this album. The strong basslines here appeal very much to me and it turns into a Jiro song. Look out for the mini bass solo at the mid-interval of the song - a refreshing use of the bass here. Another refreshing addition is that of the cello. However, this is marred by the "Chinese" stint which immediately follows after - guitar solos are an essential part of Glay songs but this part of the song is just corny. Other than that, great song and strong singing by Teru.
FATSOUNDS
A love song singing of social issues? Nonetheless, this is an upbeat rock song with great guitars and basslines - it took me quite a while to realise this but this is a Jiro song no doubt again. This would have been my favourite rock song together with Level Devil if not for the way Teru pronounces the English lyrics. I didn't even know that he was singing in English until I picked up the lyric book.
SURVIVAL
Guitar enthusiasts tell me that Hisashi made a mess of this solo but I can't really tell. I do like this song because of the way Teru executed this tongue-twister of a song. The fast tempo of the song coupled with its long lyrics makes it a nightmare to sing but Teru makes it seem so effortless every time he sings this song. Great.
Koko De Wa Nai, Doko Ka E
This is one of those Glay songs that can't quite measure up. A very pop sounding song that makes for easy listening but it won't go down in Glay's history as a good Glay song. However, I do enjoy listening to it from time to time. Do note however, if you are not fond of pop songs, repeated listenings of this song may grate on nerves, since it's way too long to be a pop song.
HAPPINESS
My favourite ballad in this album because of the touching lyrics. A Teru song because Teru sang with so much emotion that tears brim in my eyes whenever I listen to it. Don't expect too much of the guitars and the bass though. Nevertheless, listen to this song for Teru's heartaching rendition.
summer FM
Fans of The Beatles tell me that it seems as if Takuro lifted a part of The Beatles' song for this song, so the originality quotient here is low. This is a HAPPY song for me, evoking memories of summerdays at the beach with a carnival-like feel. Like Koko De Wa Nai, Doko Ka E, this is an easy-listening pop song. I like the way Teru pronounces the phrase "summer FM" - it's so uniquely Teru! Look out for the little piano stint at the end of the song - I felt as if I was lying down on the grass, looking up at the clear blue summersky, a very peaceful and soothing feeling.
LEVEL DEVIL
My favourite rock song in this album - this song is FANTASTIC! The Indianesque introduction to this song is very interesting and adds a touch of mystery to this sexy song. The sudden burst of energy when Teru starts to sing is infectious and my favourite part of the song goes like this "gan gan gan gan buppanashite mitai ganko ga kimi no sono de ruuru nashi desutoroiyaa It's showtime! It's showtime!" where Teru really hots up the sexual and sensual quotient. Strong performance from Glay makes this a great rock song to listen to over and over again.
BE WITH YOU
I heard the singles version recently and I must say, it's not half as cheesy as this album version. It must be the arrangement of the song that turns me off. Also, the lyrics are way too corny for me. I don't really fancy this song at all though it seems to be a hot favourite with Glay fans.
Winter, again
One of my favourite rock ballads from Glay. The introduction to this song is great as the guitars evoke images of a winter wonderland for me. The lyrics are very touching and tender and it seems to me as if Glay is singing fondly about their hometown, Hokkaido. I like this album version better than the singles version because I feel that the melody flows more smoothly here. The guitars and the bass here sound really great and coupled with Teru's emotional rendition, this is one of Glay's best works to date.
Will Be King
A hot favourite with Glay fans BUT not me. This song moves too slowly in the beginning and the tempo switches suddenly in the second half - and this has the effect of sounding patched-up to me, as if Takuro was writing this song halfway and decided to stop for tea and crumpets, losing the inspiration to continue after that. Also, Teru's pronunciation of the English lyrics here is plain bad and I DISLIKE the accompaniment of the gospel choir. It's just too corny and unnecessary.
Ikigai
The guitars in this song sound great and the lyrics are meaningful too but that's just about it to this song. This is one song one is apt to forget once it comes to an end because the melody is not outstanding enough. It's a pity because I felt the title of the song was a pretty impressive one - Reason for Living.
Savile Row~3 Banchi~
This song is like a raw, unpolished gem waiting to be discovered. Like Chika said in her review of this song, it opens up like a tender diary. I can just imagine Takuro travelling on the red London bus and recording all his feelings in a diary and Teru sketching in Hyde Park under the warm afternoon sun. Tender singing by Teru brings out the best of this hidden gem. A nice song to end off the album.
*Review dated 20.05.00