Search - Ruins :: Symphonica

Ruins with a twist

vyper | Minneapolis | 12/31/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As other reviews have mentioned,this is Ruins re-working some of their classic tunes with the addition of a synth player and two female vocalists.



Of the additional vocalists,Aki has a nice soprano with operatic aspirations,the other vocalist,Emi,has a huskier,raspier voice which she uses mostly to backup Yoshida and to babble improv.



I was really intrigued by the idea of this album,but in the end,it's weak to me.While Aki is a nice addition,Emi is not a singer,more of an experimental vocalist.The keyboards have some variety of sounds,but too often they remind me of boring,whiny prog rock records of the 70's.The songs feel flat,uninspired,and they lapse into pointless noodling.The production is nothing special either,it sounds like they recorded it live in the studio.



I really have to say if you've wondered what Ruins would sound like even more prog rock you'd do best to try and find cds by Koenji Hyakke.This is another group by Yoshida(Ruins leader)which,as I write this,has released 3 albums so far.It has male/female vocals,chanting,psuedo operatic vocals,harmonies,keyboards,etc.



Aki Kubota,from the Symphonica cd reviewed here,played on the first two albums doing vocals and keyboards.Unfortunately she isn't on the third album,and I think it suffers because Yoshida too often lapses into mid-70's era sounding prog.He favors once again,a certain warbly synth sound that I find weak.



Koenji Hyakke is inspired,colorful,beautiful and fun.Find that instead."

Let's Play Go!

vyper | 04/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Japaenese operatic punk mayhem. Insane."