We've got Aa-chan gone Goth, and it is good.
Sokudo Ningyou | Somewhere Nowhere. | 07/05/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, so it's another direction for the band, and with it comes a distinct love of clowns. I mean, really. Clowns. I don't know if we can blame Imai or Aa-chan for this, but I think we know who was directing the descent into full-blown gothic trappings. (And do I ever love him for it.)
The album is, to my ears, a well-tuned studio attempt at rock merging with gothic sensibilities. I like my goth rather messy and not too studio "clean"; Bauhaus, I'm looking at you. "13th Floor" plays with a cleaner sound, and comes off almost like an attempt to put on a grander theatre show, if that makes any sense. Still lovely and a nice contrast to their last album."