Search - Straightener :: Title

Best Japanese Rock Around

Aili | Las Vegas | 03/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, a quick background: Straightener was formed in 1998, and this album, TITLE (2005), is their sixth. They've been working under their own record label, Ghost Records, since 2002. The lead singer, Atsushi Horie, also plays guitar and sings in the Japanese band FULLARMOR.



I first discovered this band on YouTube, where you can watch videos for "Killer Tune" (from this album, TITLE) and "Berserker Tune." Go check it out. I was immediately impressed by their sound, so unique in the world of J-Pop and heard-it-before Japanese Rock.



"Killer Tune" has a similar flavor to the Vines, and it's probably my favorite song on the album. But, unlike the Vines, this band has strong vocals and some beautiful melodies. Thirty seconds into the first song on this album, "Sad and Beautiful World," it becomes pretty clear that they can write not only catchy melodies that rock, but also catchy melodies that move.



The percussion, guitar work, vocals, and melodies are all extremely well done. They mesh well together, and they don't sound like generic poprock--which is such a big worry in the Japanese music world.



I know this album has an expensive price tag, so I would recommend watching them on YouTube or finding some other way to give them a trial before you buy. Their overall sound on this album isn't quite what you get on "Killer Tune," but that doesn't mean they don't rock. Look out for used copies, too.



Admittedly, if this album were from an American band I might have only given it four stars. But compared to everything else I've heard in Japanese music these days, this band is FIVE STARS the BEST.

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