If only. Unfortunately, I think it will be quite some time before I truly get over my job rejection. However, I needn't act that way all the time.
Instead, I will keep up with my resolution to maintain this blog (on a daily basis? surely you jest!) with my random thoughts concerning things Japanese. Because hey, why not? I like to write it, I'm sure there's someone out there amongst the world's six billion that likes to read it. The odds, they are in my favor.
Today, we will continue on in the vein of music review/suggestion, simply because it was the first thing that came to mind. Also, quite frankly, it's the easiest thing for me to write about. I'm not claiming any deep musical knowledge (I play guitar after all, I can't even read music), but I am familiar with a fairly wide set of Japanese artists, so I at least have something to play off of.
Today's discussion will be on Superfly, a band (or... well, technically solo act, but it used to be a band... She was compared to TM Revolution, if that helps you out at all) I discovered through watching SMAPxSMAP. Yes, I adore SMAPxSMAP. We'll get to that later.
According to Wikipedia, "Superfly is a Japanese rock act that debuted on April 4, 2007. Formerly a duo, the act now consists solely of lyricist and vocalist Shiho Ochi with former guitarist Koichi Tabo still credited as the group's composer and part time lyricist." So there you have it. (I love Wikipedia.)
While the song she performed with the SMAP guys was Allright!! (which can be heard/watched here), which is a very catchy song that prompted me to go out and listen to the album from whence it came (Box Emotions) the song I wanted to talk to you all about today is a non-single, アイデンティティの行方. (It can be heard here, but there's no PV for you to watch.)
First of all, you must know that I don't traditionally like female vocalists. Namely, because I'm not particularly fond of high feminine vocals. Notice Superfly's sultry voice. Major points. (This is also why I have a particular fondness for Mai Yamane... something we will also get into later.)
Also, in particular regards to アイデンティティの行方, I have a strange liking for vocals that seem to be... oh, I don't know, jerked off of the tongue in a rush. スガシカオ does this kind of thing a lot (like in the verses of this song.) When it seems like a normal person would be tripping over singing the line, but in fact it comes out perfectly? That sort of thing. The verses in this song have a lot of that going on.
Not to mention the above average level of vocabulary. Maybe I'm just easily impressed, but, really. Because when you're using 金輪際 to say never, that's pretty darn cool. If you're so inclined, you can see the lyrics here.
I don't mind telling you that this is one of those songs that I've found myself listening to over and over again... I really need to stop doing that. Somehow I develop cravings for a song which just can't be satiated with one play-through. Do you ever feel that way? Or am I just a special kind of crazy?
In a final note, I'm not really sure what genre to call Superfly. Clearly, she is rock, but "J-Rock" has such connotations... namely, V-Kei ones, which it shouldn't. Oh, heck, watch me break stereotypes with my tags. Whoo-pee!
Until next time, this is Edo, signing off. (... I may stop doing this last bit eventually.)
4 weeks ago
2 comments:
While I have seen Superfly in long flowing hippie dresses, I have never really given her a good listen. I shall try to remedy this, especially since you claim that her voice is enjoyable by those of us who do not usually like female vocals.
I also have to listen to things on repeat sometimes... you are not alone!
Definitely at least try the song I link to here; admittedly, I think it's the best on the album, but her voice is consistently nice through the whole thing.
Ah ha, that's good. XD I wonder sometimes if I shouldn't have grown out of it already...
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