Garnet Crow is a new JPop band that I've just started to check out. They are formed in 1999, and similar to Do As Infinity, their lead singer Nakamura sounds a lot like Tomiko Van. This is their 7th album, released in 2009. Sorry if the review is a bit brief--I'm in a hurry and got no time to check out the meaning of the lyrics. Plus, I'm not really good at describing songs, just know how to tell if they're catchy or not S:

1. Hello Sadness 4/5
Sounds rocky from the start. Sounds really upbeat and catchy, yay!
2. 百年の孤独 5/5
This song starts with sad guitar sounds. Nakamura sounds deeply regretful. Although it has a jazzy feel with the improvisation of vocals, this song is more serious. The chorus is powerful and sad.
3. 花は咲いて ただ揺れて 5/5
The song starts with some haunting piano melody, followed by wailing violins. Then comes the drums for an epic feel. I’m beginning to like this album already (: Nakamura sounds sad again. Something about destinies—so deep the lyrics are! The chorus is powerful—Nakamura has a great set of lungs.
4. Elysium 3/5
Really beautiful vocal performance, and sincere delivery, but other than that, this song is ordinary.
5. Doing all right 2/5
I hate the parts where they go doing all right in a choral kind of way. It just sounds so cabaret like. Distracts me from the song. I guess this is the only track I don't like here?
6. ON THE WAY 3/5
Really cool verses, but the chorus is a bit flat
7. Stay 2/5
about the most boring song ever. Guess I just got impressed by the strong opening of this album.
8. 日々のほとり 3/5
starts out with some cheery guitar strummings. Then the gentle whisperings of Nakamura. Seems to be a slow song.What's up with all the filler tracks in the middle?
9. 夢のひとつ 4/5
Finally, another decent song. This is a slow quiet song. But powerful lyrics about dreams. Looks like Garnet Crow is back on form after the string of boring track fillers.
10. Fall in Life~Hallelujah~ 4/5
seems to be a rock song. Opens with vigorous guitar strummings. Quite catchy
11. Rainy Soul 3/5
starts with cool whisperings filled with rainy background effects. I like the quiet guitar strummings (: Very gentle song. However, it is kind of placid.
12. 恋のあいまに 3/5
some electro-pop effects at the start. Seems to be a slow ballad as well? Is it just me or does Nakamura sounds like Tomiko Van from Do As Infinity? But GC>DAI, in my opinion, now that Dai is gone from DAI. This song is very flat, sorry!
Overall, I feel that this is the best album by GC yet. If you ignore all the fillers in the middle, this album has a lot of strong tracks which are potential singles. if you're new to GC like me, check this out!
Recommended tracks: 百年の孤独, 花は咲いて ただ揺れて
Overall rating: 41/12=3.42

Labels: music review