【由利】GARNET CROW 03 part2【七】

Basically, this is a casual chat thread centered on GARNET CROW. Relaxed discussion is encouraged. Do not troll or attack fixed-ID posters; ignore them if you see them. Previous thread 【Yuri】GARNET CROW 03【Nana】 http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1122031082/ Does this look all right ...? I tried to keep it conservative.

>>1 Thanks for the thread~

Yuri Tetsu.

Shimeji Four.

>>1 Thanks for the thread. By the way, I have always wondered: what does “03” in the title mean?

I do not think it is necessary, but I will post these related threads anyway. Related threads 【12/6】Yurippe is so lovable. Worship Thread 9【Arrives in Osaka】 http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mjsaloon/1165068090/ BUMP VS GARNET CROW http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mjsaloon/1163770958/ In the end, it is still GARNET CROW http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1123678292/

This thread: GARNET CROW part.164 http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicjg/1166111399/

>>5 I have wondered about that too. lol But it did not seem right to delete it, so I left it in. We would have to ask the school principal to know. Where is that person these days? I have not seen them around lately ...

◆ Relaxed discussion is encouraged. ◆ Do not troll or attack fixed-ID posters; ignore them if you see them. Personally, I would also like to add: ◆ Keep sexual topics under control. Anyone who mainly wants to talk about sexual stuff, please go to the thread below. 【12/6】Yurippe is so lovable. Worship Thread 9【Arrives in Osaka】 http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mjsaloon/1165068090/ What do you all think? Since this is a casual chat thread, too many restrictions would not be great, and there is already a dedicated thread. Sorry for writing so much about this.

Does not “03” mean “thread number 3”? Sorry for giving a serious answer.

>>10 But if that were the case, would people not normally link the previous thread in the current one? It is a mystery. lol Anyway, moving on ... Would you like Gane to appear on Music Station or the Super Live? I think Music Station is the best show for getting some exposure or seeing the members, so I hope they appear on Music Station, but please spare me the Super Live. I would like to see them perform live, too, but compared with the rest of the lineup, they would seem out of place. Just imagining them getting nervous and singing terribly is enough ...

Yurippe messed up the lyrics to “Rai Rai Ya” this time ...

>>1, thanks for the thread. Though normally it would be “04,” right? Like Lupin III in its second generation. >>11 I have watched them on Music Station since “Spiral,” but the treatment they got was so bad that I finally gave up watching. Since then, I have not been so fixated on their TV appearances. I do not want to imagine GARNET getting teased by Downtown on “HEY! HEY! HEY!” Ms. Yuri would probably clam up, but Mocchi and Nana-san would likely find a way to smooth things over.

>>13 Has this thread been going on for a long time? Could they not let GARNET perform live on Music Station~? The interview segments are treated carelessly anyway, so I wish the performance itself would get better treatment. Even if they have a good relationship with Being ...

>>14 I do not know. As far as this thread goes, I am a complete newbie (less than a month). My first post was somewhere in the 700s of the previous thread.

Am I the only one who thinks Ms. AZUKI Nana looks like Tomoko Yamaguchi?

>>16 Hmm, does she ...? It is a little debatable.

It is a little late, but thanks for the thread, >>1. Music Station ... They appeared on the Super Live once before, right? If I remember correctly, it was “Spiral.” I imagine she was nervous, but Ms. Yuri was pretty off-key ... As >>11 said, they would seem out of place. Still, I hope they appear on Music Station more often.

They would be better off not appearing. Ever since they went on Music Station with “Yume Mita,” the gears started slipping.

>>19 Ah, yeah. That is true ... Maybe they lost their Gane identity starting with “Spiral.” But even if they stopped appearing on TV, they would not make songs as good as the early ones anymore ...

Leaving aside the anime tie-in songs, the fifth album is a good record.

Shimeji 22.

Is this a thread full of people who are allergic to MÄR?

Many fans consider songs that evoke nostalgia for new-acoustic-guitar or guitar-pop sounds, and mellow songs, to be masterpieces. But I also like GARNET taking a gothic, modern-sound, or HR/HM direction. (I like their third-album direction, where signs of that started appearing, almost as much as the first album.) Personally, I would be fine if they leaned more toward the third-album style from now on; they do not have to return to their earliest sound ... Something like “Nogaré no Machi” or “Endless Desire” ... (Am I in the minority? Does everyone want them to go back to their early sound after all?)

Would it not be fine to include those as occasional flavor tracks? It is not as if the direction is completely different ... Still, I think the first album, consistently built around new acoustic guitar, has the smoothest sound. The sound became clearer from the second, grew heavier on the third, and the fourth tried various directions ... Then the fifth became completely mainstream. lol There is always at least one song I like on every album, but if I listen to one from beginning to end, the first is still the one. ... Anyway, until MÄR ends, we can forget about new acoustic guitar or gothic sounds. orz

Judging by the story, MÄR Heaven probably has about another year to go. And they got both the opening and ending tie-ins, so next year probably will not be much different from this year.

After reading Yurippe's diary, I thought, there is no escaping MÄR now ...

Why not just move to “Nogaré no Machi”? (laughs)

I have not watched MÄR, so I am not sure, but I heard the anime is about to catch up with the original, so it should be ending soon. Is that not the case? lol I was genuinely happy for a moment ...

I might like their independent-label period best (am I in the minority?). But I guess that raw, exposed feeling can never come back. There are songs on the fifth that I like, but compared with the fourth and earlier albums, the overall quality seems to have dropped sharply.

I just checked the official site. It is snowing there.

I think the transition from tracks one through three on the fifth album is really cool. The second half gets all over the place, though. lol I cannot keep up with the shift between “Hare-dokei” and “Rai・Rai・Ya.”

I love Yuritan the most. I want to lick her nipples.

>>24 I already like gothic and prog, such as Orphanage, Within Temptation, Entwine, and Anathema, so I like that direction. Modern heaviness is good too. I would like them to try something symphonic as well. >>30 No, I think there are quite a lot of people like that. It is definitely true that people like this direction. The fifth album has often been discussed in the previous thread too; it was probably influenced by the MÄR songs. If they made it to fit those songs, the quality would inevitably decline ...

Personally, I still think the fifth album is pretty cohesive~ (given all the things mentioned above). That is why I got tired of it ...

[ASCII art] >>33, that is disgusting. ☆

... Now that the topic has died down, can I ask something? I have only just started listening to the Matsumoto-produced covers album. In “Minato no Yoko, Yokohama, Yokosuka,” is Yurippe's part only the first three times? It is hard to tell because there are other vocalists too.

Songs like “Tatoeba 12-gatsu no Yoru ni” make you feel lonely when you listen to them, really. lol It is a song with a lonely feeling, seen from an interesting angle. If you played it for anti-Christmas people, they might become fans. lol >>37 I have not listened to it in a long time either ... I am not sure.

There are fewer and fewer works centered on piano and synthesizers these days ... I wonder what their sound will become from now on ...

Am I the only one who thinks Ms. Yuri Nakamura looks like a former man ...?

This thread is just hating on Anzai ... >>40 Well, Nakamura is (ry

Does President Yuri have armpit hair?

Apparently she has a pretty thick growth.

638: Track No.774, 2006/12/25 (Mon) 16:21:01 ttp://blog.livedoor.jp/mietang/ GARNET fans are idiots. lol Just because they dislike the anime tie-in the band got, they posted their own thread, full of their own slander and insults, on that anime's original creator's blog. (^^) Do they really think that will make the tie-in go away? www 709: 名無しさん＠お腹いっぱい。, 2006/12/25 (Mon) 21:42:33 ID:Md897Ax2O If they said that directly here, they would have some guts, but picking at it in another thread is nothing but MÄR otaku barking from afar. Please do not post this thread, full of insults, on the creator's blog just to get a reaction, and do not arbitrarily label someone an otaku just because they mock you for hating on the creator ... It all feels pretty irrational ...

People really have no manners. Though I have also been pretty harsh about the MÄR tie-in.

Conclusion: both sides are idiots.

>>46 Yeah. Exactly. The original creator and the company cannot just talk and decide who gets the tie-in, so there is no point in hating the creator, or making comments that imply you dislike the tie-in (maybe people are just angry about it and taking it out on the creator). And the people criticizing that are no better. It will only start a fight, and nothing good comes of it.

Sorry for changing the subject out of nowhere ... When do you think Hiroto Furui's arrangements were at their best? Including songs he provided to others, like Miho Komatsu. People here seem to care about arrangements, so I wanted to ask. I think it was Gane's early period. The period when he provided songs with lots of synth sounds was good too, and I liked the experimental arrangements with synth bass and scratching sounds. But that simple feel was great, and somehow it never sounded cheap.

>>48 The arrangement of “flying” is still godlike when I listen to it now. The synth solo in the middle is incredibly cool.

Does Yuri have long pubic hair?

Maybe Yurippe is doing the arrangements now too. Perhaps she is learning all sorts of things from Mr. Furui.

>>51 Arranging would be great, but I would also like to see Yurippe write lyrics.

>>49 Furui's synth parts and song structures are really cool. Personally, I think he is second only to Akashi. But ... Furui's synth arrangements have become less frequent lately. It is such a shame. It feels as if the arrangements are getting closer to song structures that do not suit the likes of Oga, Tokunaga, or Asai (Oga is repetitive, and Tokunaga adds strange chorus work ...).

Yeah, “flying” really is cool ... mm-hm. >>52 If she wrote lyrics, they would probably still be mostly about love, right? But in an everyday, gentle way, like “A Crown” and “Kimi n'chi.” I do not think she would write the direct, straightforward love lyrics that are popular these days~ Yurippe gives me an impression of being very down-to-earth and ordinary ...

Shimeji 55.

Even if Ms. Yuri wrote lyrics or arranged songs, they probably would not be used for GARNET, right? Think about the basic songwriting process for GARNET's songs. Personally, I do not think Ms. Yuri is very good at writing lyrics. Rather than seeming bad at expressing herself in words, she seems more suited to expressing herself through music than language.

Even if Yurippe has a talent for writing lyrics, as a listener I would not want GARNET's lyrics to be written by anyone but Azuki.

Looking at the current situation, though, I wonder whether it is really a good thing to cling to the same production process and division of creative roles for so many years. I think it is fine to keep Furui on arrangements and Azuki on lyrics, but maybe someone other than Nakamura should compose. After hearing the fifth album, Nakamura's compositions are starting to feel risky: the songs resemble each other, and their structures make her own singing sound monotonous. If there is even a hint of a problem, she should take a little break. When the compositions become boring, it affects many things, including the arrangements, which is bad. I often see people replying that Furui has declined, but surely he has to arrange around Nakamura's less-than-ideal compositions. I think the fifth album's arrangements became guitar-heavy, flashy, and easy to tire of because they were made to fit Nakamura's exaggerated compositions (though Furui probably helped with parts such as the chord progressions).

Oh no ... it is already this late. I have work tomorrow. What am I doing writing such a long post? lol Sorry for this weird, intrusive wall of text.

>>59 You are that person who writes weird long posts whenever a thought comes to mind, right? You sound so self-important, but it is hard to read and completely lacking in specifics. Nobody is paying attention. You are a nuisance. Do not come back.

The person in post 58 really is vague, but I do not think the fourth line and the latter part are off the mark. And they already apologized, so there is no need to stir things up.

I mean “specificity.” Sorry, I mistyped the kanji too.

>>60 No, I usually just lurk. Your opinion of me is exactly right, but it has nothing to do with anyone else.

>>60, who sounds so self-important, should be ignored from now on.

After reading the posts here, I started wanting to hear a Yurippe solo album. Something without that hard-edged guitar sound. lol I found >>58's post interesting. I am very curious about Gane with a different composer.

Shimeji 66.

Men, generally speaking, are not good at expressing themselves in words. Yuri and I both struggled before choosing to express ourselves through our voices.

Huh? Is Yurippe actually a man?

Good work, Mr. Ohno.

>>65 Maybe something in the country, traditional, Irish pop, folk, or new-acoustic-guitar direction, with soft tones—like East Village, The Freighthoppers, or The Chieftains—would be nice. (・∀・)/~~~ She did pop with a new-acoustic-guitar feel early in her career, so it could bring out her melodic sense.

What about changing composers? (・∀・)/~~~ It is hard to say. But temporarily switching, as >>58 suggests, might be best. If they really did change, personally, I do not think there is anyone at this stage who could replace Ms. Nakamura, so it would be nice if they outsourced the work to Cybersound.

I am desperately looking for the singles so I can hear the B-sides ... I can hardly find any of the old ones now.

>>72 Why? Did your mom throw them away? The word “hardly” means your mom actually saved one or two for you. Your mom is amazing.

Will they release a B-side compilation or something? There are lots of great songs; it would be really good. Though I recorded mine onto MD at four-times speed, so the sound quality is terrible when I play them on a deck. lol

Am I in the minority for liking “Trans Trap”?

I like it too. That husky vocal in the line about being torn apart is incredible. lol

“Shiawase na Pet” does not get mentioned much, but it is a masterpiece, right?

They call it the first installment of the Nana project, but it feels a little lame.

>>72 Why not just buy it on Amazon? That is what you meant by looking for it, right? lol Since it is a project they announced at the live and promoted so heavily, I wish they would do something more imaginative~ (・∀・)/~~~ I would rather they not just put little comments about “favorite phrases” on the official site in such a plain way.

I really want the B-side to “Kimi to Iu Hikari.” Sob sob sob.

Honestly, this project gives me a futile feeling of “How many votes are going to be split up?” I wish they would do something that really landed, with flute or keyboards. But the Nana project still leaves me with the impression that it is all just talk. >>75 I like “Trans Trap” too. But compared with “in little time” and “Crier Girl & Crier Boy ~ice cold sky~,” it inevitably feels less impressive. I like it, but it is not especially outstanding or exceptional. It is just one of those songs people do not talk about much.

I am not a certain administrator (I am a little uncomfortable with that label too), but if they focused on Azuki's keyboards and Furui's synth effects and did something with a prog-rock feel, it could be interesting. (・∀・)/~~~ Maybe I should not get my hopes up ...? I am really susceptible to that kind of music ...

I think Gane suits prog. They have songs with that kind of feel, like “Mizu no Nai ...”

>>83 There is definitely a subtle hint of it. Rather than prog-style, maybe prog-flavored would be more accurate. It is surely not the kind of orthodox prog that a certain admin keeps talking about. lol Comparing them with King Crimson, Yes, or ELP would be ridiculous ...

>>72 I only recently became a GARNET CROW fan, and over the last month I collected all their singles. I do not like buying everything at once from Amazon or places like that; it feels too easy, so I went around CD shops in Tokyo one by one to collect them. I noticed a pattern, though. For some reason, Tower Records had plenty of even the early singles. HMV had almost none.

Sorry for the sudden interruption, but do you know about this? Anyone who has not registered, please go vote! https://joysound.com/ex/utasuki/request/index.htm

>>85 I think Tower Records is really impressive too. They even have “Sen,” which is said to be out of print and highly valuable. (So it is not valuable at all, then. lol)

Shimeji 88.

I wonder what tomorrow's Kohaku ratings will be like. There are way too many young people ... Feels like it will be bad ... By the way, will the members watch?

The Japan Record Awards—GARNET CROW is here━━━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━━━!!!!!

It does not really feel like an honor ... lol Personally, today's performers and all that ...

Wait, they won the Record Award!? Did they perform? ( ´ Д ｀； )

>>89 Could the ratings be lower than the last Kohaku? (・∀・)/~~~ The issue of having too many young people seems to be a hot topic in the industry too. It is even discussed on TV and such. By the way, speaking of Kohaku, is anyone planning to watch?

I have not watched Kohaku in over three years. I switch back and forth between martial arts and variety shows ...

It is so quiet. (・∀・)/~~~ Well, I suppose that is to be expected. Anyway, Happy New Year. I will bump the thread as a little commemoration.

Apparently, something big happened at Kohaku.

Test.

Good grief ... I overdid it and drank too much yesterday and today. (・∀・)/~~~ It is the start of a new year, and I am already exhausted ... entirely my own fault ... >>96 What happened?

>>96 Was it Takashi Hosokawa forgetting the lyrics? If GARNET CROW were on a show like Kohaku, Yurippe would be in trouble. lol

If she appeared on Kohaku, she would probably be several times more nervous than everyone else~

>>95 Happy New Year—or rather, Happy New Year, everyone. I hope this will be another year spent staying in touch with GARNET CROW. (All that said, I am really looking forward to the next album. That feeling has only grown stronger now that the new year is here.) As for Kohaku, I feel like Yurippe would be in real danger. lol I agree. No offense, but I think it would be more than just messing up the lyrics. And if GARNET appeared on Kohaku, things could go wrong in all sorts of ways. lol Their live band setup is much bigger than on the usual music shows, and if GARNET played live, the other members might make mistakes too. It would be a complete mess. lol Still, I would want to watch.

But it is only one song, right? Surely she would not forget the lyrics then ... or am I being too naive? lol

Forgetting the lyrics is not that big a deal. The real disasters would be going wildly off-key or having her voice crack on a high note.

Everyone seemed to be taking “something going terribly wrong” to mean forgetting the lyrics, but they were probably talking about DJ OZMA's nude bodysuits. The dancers behind him wore bodysuits painted with realistic breasts, then took off their pants (they were still wearing the bodysuits underneath, of course) and had a mushroom-shaped prop placed at the crotch. That caused a scandal.

I can't believe I called them “the dancers behind him” ... how embarrassing. lol

They did that on *that* show ... that's dangerous. lol

I guess this shows that Kohaku has sunk to this level. Maybe the idea that NHK and Kohaku have high standards is outdated now. It feels pretty cheap these days. Is there any point in appearing on Kohaku anymore? On top of all that, you only get one song and then you're tied up with the program all night. >>105 Nice save.

Are there really people who want them to appear on a show like that?

>>104 >>107 Apparently they received a lot of complaints. Musically, though, I did not mind it. Even Kohaku is now in an era where mainstream music is driven by marketing, so I do not think that level of showmanship is necessarily a bad thing. The problem is that there is too little focus on expressing anything through musical quality; at least the performance itself was a spectacle.

I came over from the Hono board.

I came over from VIP.

Thanks for making the trip over. ^^;

883: 名無しの歌姫: 2007/01/02 23:54:56 ID:Kr4UzMp6 Slightly off topic, but ratings fell below 30%. lol Kohaku is finished＼(^o^)／ http://news20.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/news/1167704671/ So everyone's fears came true. Could OZMA's appearance have been one of the reasons? He put on a shocking performance, and this is what happened. How ironic.

>>109 Even if you do not go that far, leaning fully into mainstream pop and making it work through showmanship is not a bad thing. So, has everyone gotten used to the 5th album by now? I guess I was hoping it would be the kind of album that grows on you, but I still have not warmed to it. (If I get used to this style soon, maybe I will be less disappointed the next time they go in this direction ... hurry up and grow on me ...)

>>114 I had that “it grows on you” feeling with every album through the 4th, but it still has not happened with this one. I have only recently started to like “Himawari no Iro.”

In the end, I only like the singles on this album ... I used to love so many of the album tracks through the 4th. By the way, “Yume Hanabi” and “Eden” are both great, mature songs. Why on earth make them anime tie-ins? That's so stupid~

For some reason, the 5th album does not seem to be rated very highly. Personally, though, it is my favorite so far ... If I had to make one greedy complaint, I prefer the single version of “Maboroshi.”

There are a lot of songs on the 5th that hit hard on the first listen. How should I put it ... they are not bad, but they are not the kind that grow on you. At first, I thought the album arrangement of “Maboroshi” was pretty good too, but after a while, when I went back to the single version ... lol

For me, the album arrangement of “Maboroshi” has a nice floating, ambient effect at the beginning, but the percussion-heavy arrangement that comes in later does not work. It feels like it gets in the way of the atmosphere. If they were going to rearrange “Maboroshi,” I think it would have been better to use more strings. >>117 I wrote a lot about why in the previous post.

Speaking of which, which A-side single is the most popular, anyway ...? I cannot choose one. lol

My favorite is “Timeless Sleep.” The mid-tempo style works especially well with the sounds used in the string arrangement. I have always felt that this might be the song where the composition and arrangement fit together best.

Probably “call my name” or “Natsu no Maboroshi.” The only MÄR song I like is “Hare-dokei.”

For me, it is “call my name” or “Maboroshi.”

Whoa, only 15 seconds apart. lol

“Last love song” means the most to me emotionally. “Wasuresaki” and “Maboroshi” are also near the top among the singles. For some reason, “Last love song,” “call my name,” and “Timeless Sleep” always feel like sister songs to me.

Going by the lyrics, they meet in “Last love song,” the relationship develops in “call my name,” and then ends with “Timeless Sleep”—it's a whole sequence ... They leave that room with the sofa shipped over the sea, where they admired Rembrandt, and go look at the horizon. ( ´ Д ｀* )

GARNET fans here really pay close attention to arrangements and songwriting. You can tell just by reading the thread. >>126 I still think “call my name” would work better at the beginning. On that note, as I have said before, I would love them to make an instrumental or concept album, or a song around eight minutes long.

“Rai Rai Ya”~~~

The new song finally airs the day after tomorrow. People who went to the live shows have heard it, right? What is it like? I saw someone say the arrangement was not very good, but I do not know the details.

I went to the live show, but I cannot even remember the chorus~; Still, as a MÄR tie-in, it seemed like a nice song you could sit back and listen to quietly. As for the arrangement ... I do not usually get into that kind of thing, so sorry. lol

No, that is plenty. Thanks. Do not worry about the arrangement. lol It is hard to judge without listening to the actual recording properly. You can only hear it live, and then just once ... it is a lot to ask someone to describe it accurately.

These are the lyrics to “Kono Te o Nobaseba,” as best I can remember them. I copied them from the first post in this thread (which I know I should not have done). [Lyrics omitted. The poster paraphrases a few remembered lines about embracing on the day of parting, believing in an unseen tomorrow, reaching out a hand, and looking toward the distant spring.] I hope it does not turn into a straightforward tearjerker. Even if it does, though, with a great melody and arrangement, it should still end up being a pretty good song.

Oh, now I remember that “ha~ru nagori bi” part. lol The chorus probably has that high melody where she really opens up and holds the notes, right? As for the lyrics ... the “you” in the MÄR songs always feels kind of childish to me, so I am not a big fan. Still, it is a tearjerker, which they have not done in a while, and it has more of Azuki's signature touch than the recent songs.

If you know that is not going to work, then do not do it.

Happy New Year.

>>120 Actually, my favorite lately is “Crystal Gauge” ... though “Mysterious Eyes” is hard to leave out too. >>135 Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year with you all. *waves*

I think the chorus melody of “Kono Te o Nobaseba” goes something like: “Kono~ te o~ nobaseba~ aa~ Mi-shi~ do-ra~ mi-shi~ do-ra~ ra-ra~” 　　　♯　　　　　♯　　♭

Whoa, I got the melody wrong. lol It is “Mi-shi~ do-sharp-ra~ mi-shi~ do-sharp-ra~ ra-flat-ra~.”

Come to think of it ... it airs today. So what is everyone's impression of it so far?

I watched the recording. At this point, I am already a little worried. Personally, the balance between the chorus and the arrangement concerns me. Like the songs on the 5th album, the chorus is monotonous, and it does not seem to fit with that simple arrangement: piano in the “Yume Mita” style, with a riff used to create a lonely mood. Pairing a monotonous chorus with a sparse arrangement that does not stand out only makes the chorus feel even more monotonous and drawn out ... I hope the full version changes things up in the second half. For now, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Yuri's virginity is mine now.

It is so quiet here. Does MÄR air a week later in Kansai? Is that why?

Is that so? (・∀・)/~~~ I had no idea~ >>140 This song really does continue along the path of the 5th album. But, as you said, the arrangement feels even thinner than on the 5th. Looking at the style of recent singles, including the previous one and this track, it seems like the sound of the 6th album—their direction—is gradually taking shape. Whether that is something to feel positive about is hard to say ... (・∀・)/~~~

Still, even if they are following the 5th album's direction (with its exaggerated melodies and arrangements), “Kaze to Rainbow” and “Kono Te” are MÄR songs after all. Maybe they are simply adapting to the usual needs of an anime tie-in.

I missed MÄR Heaven the day before yesterday. orz

Don't worry about it.

If they do not have a MÄR Heaven tie-in, will Gane be in trouble? I hope it does not turn into “MÄR ended, so Gane ended too.” lol

I am not expecting a TV drama tie-in; even an anime tie-in would be fine, as long as it were for a cooler show. Given GARNET's slightly dark style, there should be something that fits them.

Speaking of slightly dark music, are there other artists who make the kind of heavier songs people here like—depressing lyrics, themes of life and death, or gloomy sounds? >>147 What makes you think they would be in trouble? The tie-in has practically no effect, and having to write songs to fit an anime's mood and needs offers Gane no benefit at all.

Still, as long as it is not MÄR, anything else would be fine with me. They keep pushing Ueki and Uura so hard—give Gane a serious tie-in promotion too.

MÄR has quietly been running for ages, almost two years now. I have not watched it, but does it seem like it is about to end, or has it unexpectedly become a long-running anime?

>>149 Some of Hiroko Taniyama's songs, I guess. Personally, my top pick is syrup16g. They are intense. I recommend “Yuutai Ridatsu.” >>148 >>150 Yeah, they need to break out of the kids' anime rut. If we are talking about other anime, from an anime fan's perspective, wouldn't *Hell Girl* be a good fit? Also, even if they are not depressing, shows like *Fate/stay night* or *Higurashi* could work. Though *Higurashi* is dark and has a lot of graphic violence, so GIZA might not like it. Someone who knows TV dramas can suggest those.

I have been listening to Gane too much lately, and I am starting to get tired of them.

>>152 I think they would fit a mystery series. Actually, that was probably the kind of tie-in “Maboroshi” was meant for. (I have not watched it, though.) Personally, I do not think Yuri's voice suits the kind of TV drama theme songs they do these days. It would work as an insert song, though. This is an old topic, but the tie-in for “Kimi o Kazaru Hana o Sakasou” was completely wrong for it.

>>149 Here are three relatively mainstream Japanese acts that most people can listen to: L'Arc-en-Ciel: “Hana葬” and “Shinshoku ~lose control~” GRAPEVINE: “Buta no Sara” HYDE: “ever green” I especially recommend “Shinshoku” and (if you have not heard it) “ever green.” “Shinshoku” has a cool, complex structure with changing time signatures and drums that seem to crawl along the ground. “ever green” is themed around life and death, and the sorrowful sound of the saxophone and piano is beautiful. >>154 I wonder if GIZA will ever give Gane a tie-in ... Realistically, it seems unlikely.

Speaking of L'Arc ... Gane and L'Arc seem to have followed similar paths in how their music has changed over time.

An anime tie-in for a mystery series sounds good.

>>155 >>156 I often see Gane fans who also like early- and mid-period L'Arc. When you say their music changed ... do you mean that the dark atmosphere gradually disappeared? Though it is true that L'Arc do not really make songs like “Hana葬” or “Shinshoku” anymore ... They have more and more upbeat songs like “Jiyuu e no Shoutai.” >>157 Yeah, that would work.

Former L'Arc fan here. >>155 Was the time signature in “Shinshoku” six-eight and seven-eight? Personally, I love those dark-sounding arpeggios. I used to play them all the time when I was into the song. lol “ever green” is great too. The single's B-side has an English-lyrics version with a different arrangement, and I like both. >>149 Nick Drake's album *Pink Moon*. I do not understand English, and the sound itself does not feel especially dark to me, but somehow it still feels pretty heavy. Listening to that album gives me a complicated feeling I cannot quite put into words ...

>>159 So are you a Gane fan now? I like “ever green” too. It feels like a very polished song with nothing wasted. The arrangement is built around real instruments—percussion, piano, saxophone—and Hyde's beautiful vocals. It is just so good.

The chorus of “ever green” is great. It brings together the best of the arrangement, composition, lyrics, and vocal performance. By the way, has everyone filled out the lyrics questionnaire? I have a feeling this will end up as a pretty small-scale discussion ... lol

I wish they would release a remix album. Or maybe a purely instrumental solo album made entirely with programming. They really are an artist with great arrangements. Even among programmed J-pop, their tracks are exceptionally engaging. The rhythm track on “Mysterious Eyes” is fantastic dance music. The track is so good that I almost wish they had left out the vocals and let the intro keep going. If they released an album entirely in a dance/electronica style, I would become a GARNET CROW fan. I do not even care about the songs; I just want them to focus more on the tracks.

>>162 Oh, I had never thought about it that way. I like dark ambient electronica made with dissonance and echoing sounds, but I had never imagined GARNET's programmed tracks in that direction ... If they included remixes, most Gane fans would probably say they were unnecessary additions ...

Personally, dance/electronica is not really my thing. If they put in one or two remixes, I would just think they were unnecessary. Please spare me more of Ikeda's programmed arrangement like “Yume Mita.” If they are going to rearrange a song, give me brass or strings instead.

I agree.

I also hope they do not throw together some rushed remixes.

I have mixed feelings about this new song. The riff-heavy arrangement feels forced, and the straightforward breakup lyrics are not very interesting either. I do not have high hopes for the full version. >>166 Remixes ruin the impression of the original and get in the way of connecting with it, so I do not see much value in them. Even if I try to hear a remix as a separate song, I cannot really enjoy it ...

On the subject of Gane being the best.

What kind of Western music do GARNET CROW listeners listen to? Do you listen to the Cardigans or Alanis Morissette, for example?

>>169 How about this? http://www.ataraxia.net/

>>169 Lately I have been listening to gloomy-sounding stuff like MZ.412, Tool, Mental Destruction, Opeth, and Paatos. Ever since I found out about Cold Meat Industry, I have gotten into avant-garde and dark ambient music. At first I had absolutely no idea what was good about it ... lol (Some of it sounds like there is no chord progression or theory at all, just monotonous sounds ...)

The person who mentioned Cold Meat Industry in the dark-music thread is here to correct something: It is not “frozen meat factory”; it means “cold meat (corpse) industry.” Well, it is a minor detail, but sorry about that.

>>172 No worries. lol I cannot believe someone here listens to Cold Meat Industry too ... There is quite a lot of ambient music on that label; it is a pretty hardcore scene.

I like GC, but I do not listen to Western music. lol

List of GARNET CROW's depressing songs: “lose feeling” “Meguri Kuru Haru ni” “flying” “Tsumetai Kage” “Sky” “Anywhere” “weekend” “Timeless sleep” “pray” “Holy ground” “dreaming of love” “Eien ni Hohure” “Matsuri no Jikan” “His Voyage” Please correct this list.

>>169 I really like the Cardigans. I often listen to them while driving. Cloudberry Jam is also good—the band that the older guy and Yurippe said they liked.

>>176 Cloudberry Jam really is great. I love “Easy” from *The Great Escape*. They are Swedish too, but I prefer their more powerful sound to the Cardigans. The Cardigans on *Life* were so soft and mellow that they made me sleepy, but they suddenly matured on *Long Gone Before Daylight*, which really surprised me. That cool, wintry-night sound reminded me of GARNET CROW.

>>174 Why not try listening to Paatos, which someone mentioned above or in the previous post? They are a band I strongly recommend to Gane fans. Their string arrangements, like violin, and brass parts, such as trombone and saxophone, are incredible if you get into them. It seems Gane fans split into two camps when it comes to Western music: people who like the early sound and people who like the darker songs.

>>178 True, there are people who like the early stuff and people who are into the dark songs. I got into them around “Kimi o Kazaru Hana o Sakasou,” so I guess I am in the dark-music camp.

If you prefer the early songs to the darker ones, you might be more into artists in synth-pop, country, traditional, folk, neo-acoustic (guitar pop), or Irish/British pop. If you prefer the darker songs to the early ones, you might lean toward gothic, alternative/grunge, symphonic, black metal, prog, industrial, or ambient. Just speculating, but maybe people's tastes split along those lines?

Wouldn't “new wave” be a better fit than “black metal”?

Really? New wave, huh ... http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/image/2508965/ http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/image/2508969/ Those covers ... (＾＾) someone do something about them. lol

>>182 The cover of “Kaze to Rainbow” makes them look like some cheap idol group. lol

What do people here think of Evanescence? Anyone like them? Since the Western music discussion is still going, I thought I would throw that out there. >>175 Maybe separate songs by lyrical themes from those by sound and arrangement. “flying” may have lyrics with a heavy, life-and-death feeling, but its melody and arrangement are relatively bright. It seems like a stretch to put it on a “depressing” list.

I think Evanescence have a big sound, both in the lead singer's voice and in the instrumentation, and they are pretty good. But there are a lot of bands in that style, so to stand out as something special, they would need to evolve further or develop more individuality. Their album *The Open Door*, released last year, has generally gotten good reviews. The singer's voice is also a lot like Hikaru's, so people who do not usually listen to Western music might like them if they are into darker music. Personally, I have been really into My Chemical Romance's *The Black Parade* lately.

I got hooked on GC because of Nakamura Yuri's singing on “Watashi wa Kaze,” then bought all their singles, albums, and DVDs at once. Honestly, I cannot get into AZUKI Nana's lyrics or Furui Hirohito's arrangements. Especially Furui's programmed arrangements—they make me sick ... I have always disliked that kind of programmed sound, but Furui's sounds like toys. It is gross. Nakamura's voice would definitely suit real instruments better. Okamoto Hitoshi's guitar on the early songs is surprisingly good, though? Among Being fans, people have decided that “Okamoto is bad at guitar,” but I think he plays pretty well. After seeing them live, I was a little disappointed by how often Nakamura's singing was unstable. I was disappointed by how little presence Okamoto had too. (← Oga's guitar is so annoying, while Iwai's acoustic guitar is god-tier.) AZUKI is so scary it makes me even more deflated. Furui looks like a god, so I am totally smitten (*´Д｀) huff huff

>>185 Personally, I have started to feel like they have turned into a generic gothic-sounding band ... I bought their well-reviewed second album at the same time as Gane's 5th, but it has lost the dark, hazy, fragile feeling of the first album, and the overall structures have become too simple. (Was it the concept of “life” and Ben's absence?) There were so many things I liked on the first album, like the tasteful piano and string parts, the vocals, and how well they fit the melodies.

>>186 When you say programmed arrangements ... which instruments bother you most? The drums, I guess? With programmed drums, when the snare hits, it can feel like only the snare itself is vibrating, which gives it a strangely cheap sound. Mochi's guitar is more like a seasoning in GARNET's arrangements, so GARNET fans probably do not put much emphasis on it.

Personally, I think Furui Hirohito is one of the better composers and arrangers at Being these days. His bass lines are cool, and his synth parts are very varied.

GARNET CROW have the best arrangements in the Being family. I listened to Mai Kuraki's latest album, *Diamond Wave*, and the arrangements felt so thin that I wondered, “Can this really be sold as a product?” It seemed to have nothing but rhythm tracks; the tracks were so stripped down that I was shocked. Looking at the credits, it seemed like one person handled arrangements for nearly all the songs. At least GARNET's tracks hold up to close listening, and I really like that about them.

>>190 > At least GARNET's tracks hold up to close listening, and I really like that about them. Doesn't that sound like an awfully low bar? lol What does “hold up to close listening” even mean? lol Kuraki's arrangements are meant to bring her clear-sounding vocals and harmonies to the forefront, so there is nothing especially flashy about them overall. But her singing alone also does not leave much of an impression.

Mai Kuraki's new album is practically overflowing with the feeling that “she is finished.” From here on, she will just keep dragging things out. Her lyrics have a poor vocabulary, and the arrangements only prop up her boring singing. No matter how much time passes, there is no sign of her expanding her range. Now it is a question of what Gane will do with their 6th album. I hope it will be a dark album. I want to hear something at least on the level of Mr. Children's *Deep Sea*.

I would rather have neo-acoustic than something dark. The 6th album is still a long way off, right ...? There was quite a gap between the 4th and 5th too. Who knows when it will come out.

But “dark” is not a genre; it is a matter of atmosphere, so you can have a dark neo-acoustic sound or arrangement too. By the way, have any books caught your interest lately? I have gotten into Keigo Higashino recently. (Though, speaking of books that caught my eye, I may have picked a dud with *People Are 90 Percent Looks* ...)

A dark neo-acoustic sound or arrangement is possible too. After all, “dark” is just a matter of atmosphere. Changing the subject: has anyone read a book or author lately that they found interesting? I have been really into Higashino.

Looks like Gane's album will be out at the end of this year or sometime next year.

Looks like Gane's album will be out at the end of this year or sometime next year.

Looks like Gane's album will be out at the end of this year or sometime next year.

Sorry, my computer is acting weird. orz

>>195 Julio Llamazares's *The Yellow Rain*. It is quite bleak, but for some reason it leaves you with a refreshing feeling after reading it. A very strange novel. It is a bit like Gane's first album (?), though it is not a love story.

I feel like my PC is acting up too. (・∀・)/~~~ It freezes a little when I click links like >>194 and >>195. >>195 Higashino, huh~ Lately I have been a little unsure about him ... With a book like *Mission: Soul Commitment*, for example, it feels like the story focuses more on issues related to [redacted], and the heroine ends up feeling underdeveloped. (Wait ... have you read *Mission*?) The worlds in *Doppelganger*, *Malice*, *The Sky's Bee*, and *Journey Under the Midnight Sun* are so compelling, though ... >>200 Just the premise of that novel gives me a very GARNET-like image of it. lol Maybe the strange way it does not leave you stuck in a gloomy mood is GARNET-like too. (・∀・)/~~~

My PC has been acting up lately too ...

Yurippe on the August page of the calendar looks like Takamizawa ... Only that old guy on the May page is looking at the camera. I'm dying. lol

>>195 Here are my recommendations, as someone who only reads mystery novels. Since you are into Higashino, I assume you read some mysteries too ... These are books I have enjoyed recently. They are classics, so you may already have read them ... - *The Two-Headed Devil* by Arisu Arisugawa It is the third book in a series, so I think you would enjoy it more if you read *The Moonlight Game* and *The Island Puzzle* first. (But do not read the afterword in the paperback edition of *The Island Puzzle*—it spoils *The Two-Headed Devil*.) This is a quintessential classic mystery. The logic used to deduce the culprit is excellent. - *The Doll Cannot Sleep* by Takemaru Abiko It is the third book in its series too. It apparently spoils *The Doll Solves the Case on a Field Trip*, so it is probably best to read them in order ... (I skipped the one mentioned above myself ...) I found it really entertaining and easy to read. I would recommend it to women. (I would like Nana to read it too.) I have only read three Higashino novels so far ... *Journey Under the Midnight Sun* was too dark for me.

By the way, the book I recently got burned by was ... *The Indifference Engine* by Yumeaki Hirayama. I was drawn in because it was ranked No. 1 in “Kono Mystery Is Amazing!,” but it was not a mystery at all ... It was just gruesome, bizarre content ... Then market it as a horror novel ... Come to think of it, what kinds of books does Nana read? I definitely would not want her to read this one ...

>>204 Higashino also writes books that do not really fall into the mystery genre ... it is hard to say. The ones Yukio mentioned, *Mission* and *Doppelganger*, are already rather different. They are more about medical topics or people's attitudes toward overly advanced technology (cloning) ... For recommendations, maybe Hideo Yokoyama's *Half a Confession* or Yuichi Shimbo's *Tomorrow, Bound*?

>>206 When I read *Journey Under the Midnight Sun*, the first Higashino novel I had read was *The Devotion of Suspect X*, so I expected this one to be more of a classic puzzle mystery too. *The Devotion of Suspect X* gets mixed reviews, but I absolutely love it. I even cried at the end ... Was the line below meant as a recommendation for the kind of books Nana might read? I thought *Half a Confession* was just okay when I read the novel, but I cried when I watched the movie ... having sound and all that really makes a difference ... I have always avoided Yuichi Shimbo because his books look so thick ... What are his books like?

Sorry to interrupt the book discussion, but let's talk about GARNET again. I heard the back cover of the next single will have new illustrations of all four members by the creator of MÄR. What do you think? lol

>>208 I have seen the front cover, but not the back. Is it the one where Yurippe and Nana have huge eyes, while Okamoto Hitoshi and Furui Hirohito are holding mechanical arms that look like musical instruments? lol

http://mobile.dream-prize.com/member_reg_form.php?REF=0773068

About books: I like Higashino's *Himitsu*. I like his short stories too. His writing is so accessible that it is hard to believe he writes novels, and it is very easy to read. I also like a lot of Hideo Okuda's work. I think *Tokyo Story* is my favorite. As for GARNET, I feel like they are a little too old to be drawn as illustrated characters, but I am still curious about it. Also, even though it is a little late to say this, Nakamura Yuri's composition on “Naked Story” is incredible. The melody is so good that the whole song feels like one big chorus. I really want to hear GARNET CROW make bright pop songs again on their next album.

>>207 No ... I meant to recommend something to >>195, but I got muddled and only wrote the titles. lol Isn't Nana into fantasy and that kind of thing? As for Shimbo ... in a word, his books are substantial. He is very good at taking specialized knowledge and information and weaving it into a story.

>>208 >>209 Wouldn't they be turned into characters from the anime? That show has some mildly erotic scenes too, and the voice-actor casting is pretty realistic. lol Who knows how they will turn out ... Still, I think the finished art will be better than the usual MÄR illustrations ... >>211 GARNET's pop songs have a lovely, flowing quality. That is a different kind of charm from the catchy, easy-to-dance-to feel common in that sort of music. I guess the beautiful changes in tone are what bring that charm out. Personally, I hope the next album has both melancholy and upbeat songs, making for a well-balanced overall record.

I hope they put more thought into the arrangements on the next release. I am not saying they need to change anything specific; I just do not want them to keep repeating such similar arrangements. >>211 People often say Higashino's writing style is very plain and accessible. That can be the dividing line between people who like his books and those who dislike them.

I have not read the original *Journey Under the Midnight Sun*, but the TV drama was really good. If GARNET had been chosen to sing its theme song, which song would have suited it?

For some reason, *Tokio* is the only one of his books I have read. I thought it was interesting, but is it considered unusual among his works?

>>215 I think “Meguri Kuru Haru ni.” The narrator's feelings—the complicated emotions that come from parting—would suit the heavy themes of *Journey Under the Midnight Sun*.

The demon: http://mixi.jp/show_friend.pl?id=2492220

Is this a GARNET thread? This is pretty interesting.

http://www.yonosuke.net/u/6e/6e-12226.mp3 What do you think of this? How does it sound?

>>215 Maybe “Yellow Moon” or “Maboroshi”?

>>220 It has a progressive-rock-like development, but somehow ... it sounds like BGM for a boss battle in an RPG, maybe. The constantly over-the-top melody gives me that impression.

The cover art on the official site changed. lol It still looks pretty bad. lol Do the members have any say in the cover art? Is it all left up to the staff in charge?

>>223 I heard Yurippe gave directions on the angle and composition for the cover of “Koyoi Eden no Katasumi de” ... This one may be the worst yet. lol

>>222 The fact that it is all computer-generated is probably part of the reason too. What is going on with the cover art, anyway? The members should be able to give input, but maybe they just do not care?

This is exactly when AZUKI should step in ...

>>220 Doesn't it feel a little overcrowded? The bass line at the beginning also sounds a bit stiff. Other than that, it is pretty good. It has a kind of avant-garde symphonic feel.

They should just use photos taken by Nana like they used to.

I cannot really tell whether GIZA's own staff or an outside contractor handled most of the cover design. Either way, if they want to emphasize the visual impact, they should at least put more thought into the outfits and camera angles.

>> Nippon TV drama *Sexy Voice and Robo*. >> Tuesdays at 10 p.m., starting in April! >> Starring Kenichi Matsuyama and others >> Theme song: GARNET CROW, “Ano Hi no Mirai” This feels fake. What are the odds they would happen to get a TV drama tie-in like that? The long-running MÄR tie-in does end in March, but this probably is not real. Of course, if the drama tie-in turns out to be true, I will be thrilled ...

If you think that too, then why post it?

Is the MÄR tie-in finally going to end? Thank goodness! Will their next one be a Gundam theme song?

>>230 > The long-running MÄR tie-in does end in March, but this probably is not real. Where did you hear that? I would be over the moon if it were true ...

>>233 I am going by comments in the MÄR thread saying they checked the episode count and the story should end in March, plus talk that the next anime is already lined up. I do not think I am wrong.

Please provide an official source.

You still have not stopped checking that MÄR board? lol

And with a MÄR Heaven best-of album coming out on March 14, it probably is ending.

MÄR is kind of like *Gantai*, too ...

A Gundam tie-in really would be great. The artist and anime complement each other nicely. It works for both the artist and the anime, making it a rare, high-quality tie-in. There is a strange naturalness to the connection between those shows and their artists. It does not feel forced or mismatched like MÄR and GARNET. (Maybe that is thanks to the kinds of artists they use—HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR, T.M.Revolution, and Nami Tamaki, for example.)

TV Tokyo does not reach the whole country, so even when there is a tie-in, a lot of people may not know about it. My hometown does not get TV Tokyo either, so the audience reach is completely different. And then, of course, there is the quality of the song itself ...

What kind of music was HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR again? Nu metal?

HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR do not have that heavy metal sound at all. They are just a pretty ordinary, run-of-the-mill mix of styles.

Changing the subject, has the fan-club newsletter arrived? I thought it was supposed to be sent out in January ...

Mine still has not arrived ... what is going on ...

If people had already received it, surely someone would have listed it on Yahoo Auctions ... I guess nobody has gotten theirs yet. lol

Some website had a review that praised GARNET's earlier albums to the skies, and it reminded me once again how great their music is.

I have been a fan since the early days, and I do not think the albums people criticize so harshly these days are that bad. But even I have to say the 1st album is a masterpiece and the 2nd is excellent.

Do you listen to the Rockin' On kind of bands, like ELLEGARDEN, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, or ACIDMAN? I feel like GARNET fans listen to a wide range of music, so I was curious. >>247 Looking back, it was not just GARNET—the early Being releases, especially the 1st albums, were so polished. Mai Kuraki, ZARD, and Rina Aiuchi all had a level of quality that is hard to imagine today.

If you want to talk to Nana, post “nya-nyaa.”

>>248 I listen to BUMP OF CHICKEN. I listen to Asian Kung-Fu Generation and Remioromen a little too.

>>248 I listen to Quruli. What do you think of Suzanne Vega, whose “Luka” is said to be the source GARNET copied for “Mysterious Eyes”? I think her first album is a masterpiece. The lyrics are interesting too.

I listen to BUMP OF CHICKEN. To the people who call them pretentious: I know, of course!! That youthful awkwardness is exactly what makes them good. After listening to Jellyfish, which Okamocchi likes, I got into that honest, unpretentious kind of pop. I am also really into straightforward punk like Zebrahead. I like intense songs that still make room for solid, melancholy melodies. The glam rock of the Yellow Monkey is good too. The sound is different, but their worldview has something in common with GARNET's. Still, GARNET is my favorite. Anyone who knows their stuff, recommend me something.

Oh, yeah, it is fun when someone throws out a different topic like this. I am really glad this is a casual chat thread. It also gives you a clear sense of what GARNET fans like. >>251 The lyrics are pretty heavy ... I think they are warning against abuse? At the time, the song seemed to have a kind of frightening allure. >>252 Sticking with the Rockin' On crowd ... how about ACIDMAN? They are very expressive. The instrumental sections and philosophical lyrics have things in common with GARNET. If you think of their overall sound—melodic hardcore, punk, and garage rock—you might wonder what on earth they have to do with GARNET! But ...

Thanks. I listened to some ACIDMAN, but their vocals seem a little too soft-edged, while they have a lot going on instrumentally. The lyrics do have a philosophical feel. I will look for a used copy and give them a listen. Those early songs on the GIZA compilation really are well made. Even The Tambourines seem better than Mai Kuraki these days.

It is a given that the fan-club newsletter arrives late. The pattern has long been that it shows up after you have already forgotten about it.

ACIDMAN's instrumental parts are really good. There are lots of great things, like the bass lines and busy drum patterns. Their regular songs also have a grand feel, partly thanks to the lyrics, which is great. (Though the lyrics are a little abstract and hard to pin down.) >>255 So ... is this just how this company is? It arrives after you have forgotten about it ... that is ridiculous. lol

The back cover is up on the official site now. Have you seen it? I am not saying I approve of MÄR, but it is better than I expected ...

It is better than their usual anime covers.

I saw the cover and burst out laughing. Are they trying to appeal to anime nerds? They do not need to be tied to MÄR anymore ...

The MÄR fanboys are so annoying ... Why not just say, “The MÄR creator is the best!” and leave it at that? Instead, they say things like, “I'm not a MÄR fan, but this is a little better than usual” ... So irritating ... can they just disappear?

Two witches and a few handsome guys ... only Furui Hirohito looks like himself. lol >>259 I do not think MÄR is the kind of anime that anime nerds would be into. Apart from some of the story, it is mostly a character-design and adventure show that elementary-school kids would enjoy. It hardly has the dense worldbuilding of something like Gundam or *Code Geass*.

Why have they not had a *Detective Conan* tie-in lately ...? If they did one, their style would naturally go back to what fans want. For that anime, I would even like GARNET to make a cameo in the actual show, like Aya Ueto did. lol

>>260 No ... this has never even come up in the MÄR thread. People there think GARNET is too dark and are not interested. They are probably just regular GARNET fans. Anyway, calm down first. (´･ω･`) >>262 If you count “Kekkai” too, that time slot is really all about which artist gets pushed, right? It is Saegusa now, isn't it? Saegusa has always gotten a lot of promotion through ads and commercials, hasn't she?

sage

>>264 Wrong post. orz >>260 I am not a MÄR fanboy. Anyway, the tie-in with MÄR should be over by the end of March, so I am glad this argument will disappear.

No, no ... we should not let our guard down. (・∀・)/~~~ Since people say MÄR is ending, maybe this is not something we should bring up, but it is possible GARNET will get tied to the next show in that time slot.

Huh, could that really happen?

Depends on the original creator, I guess. (lol) Or maybe they would just use GARNET to force a tie-in ...

http://orange-night.dyndns.org/UpRINA/src/up0412.wav Listen to this. lol It is really hilarious. lol People like this are why GARNET fans get called “Gane nerds”!

>>269 Does this song have anything to do with GARNET?

>>266 Judging from the style of the next anime, I do not think GARNET and that show could work together. GARNET would not fit the atmosphere of that anime. It seems like a very setting-heavy show, totally different from MÄR. >>269 I do not really understand what you are trying to say ... lol It feels like you are just picking a fight. Anyway, one thing: “Gane-ota” is not a derogatory term. It is just a normal way of referring to the fans.

>>269 It is “Jewel Fish,” right? The second half is a mess, though. lol

>>269 What is this? lol

So that is what “Jewel Fish” was ... lol That one. lol

What kind of music were you all listening to in the '90s? Did you listen to Being artists and so on? People on this board keep saying the '90s were great, so I was curious.

>>269 That is rough. lol

The complete set of GARNET's fan-club newsletters is up for 46,000 yen on Yahoo Auctions! That is ridiculous~

The fan-club newsletters have already started turning up on the resale market.

Oasis's “Roll With It” was what woke me up to music. Then I found a kind of pleasure in sinking into a gloomy state of mind through grunge and Radiohead, and pop punk was what blew all that away and brought me back to pop. It is probably a cycle of pop → gloom → pop.

Oasis is great. “Roll with It,” “Some Might Say,” “Whatever”—they have so many good songs. But Radiohead is not for me. I do like GARNET's melancholy songs, though ...

“Mawari Michi” is getting a lot of praise. Has anyone heard it?

>>280 The Gallagher brothers' personalities are a bit of a problem. lol But I still like them. lol GARNET's melancholy songs are not so much gloomy or depressing as they are warm. You cannot lump all melancholy songs together.

Grunge ... people on the Western music board often look down on it, but Nirvana really are amazing. The nihilistic lyrics, dirty guitar riffs and sound, and the heavy, pressing vocal delivery are all perfect expressions of melancholy, I think. I used to listen to them a lot~ That is what got me into dark, heavy grunge sounds like Black, Almost Speechless, and Alice in Chains ... >>281 Nobody here talks about radio, so we do not know who has heard it. Has anyone here listened to it?

>>283 I have. It is really great, but I hate that I could not hold out until its release date to listen.

Is “Mawari Michi” a folk-leaning song? It sounds like it might be a good, wistful song. Even the word “mawari” in the lyrics somehow feels profound.

It is like taking “Yu-dachi” and “Yasashii Ame,” averaging them, then adding a little sadness.

>>286 Really!? “Yu-dachi no Niwa” is already so good it is a shame it was only a B-side, so this sounds promising ... I cannot wait to hear it ...

Has the “Kaze to Rainbow” music video come out yet? I am curious about Yurippe's choreography during the line “that alluring body~♪”

>>288 I wish they would release a music-video collection, but the TV broadcast only shows the chorus (in the MÄR Heaven commercial), so I doubt it will be much different from before.

The recorded version of “Kaze to Niji” seems to have a rock arrangement ... Could it be a little more promising than the MÄR songs ...?

The diary has been updated. It has been a while since Nana last wrote something.

I have heard the full version of “Kono Te” now, but so far I still have mixed feelings. The arrangement is pretty good, though. As always, the wistful arrangement with strings is great. Some of Mochi's guitar parts feel unnecessary, but overall it is fine.

I thought I would finally get to see the “Kaze to Rainbow” music video, but it will not air in Hokkaido until next Monday ... This is such an inconvenient place for GARNET fans~ Someone upload it to YouTube.

>>292 I am the person who wrote in this thread that this song was trash and then got called a “sacred-site nerd.” (I may have gone too far by calling it trash ...) But no matter how many times I listen, it is just an inferior version of “Over Blow” ... Seeing people here treat “Kono Te” as a masterpiece shows how powerful MÄR's influence is.

>>293 At least it airs there. Where I live, it does not air at all ...

>>294 It is not bad, but it is not a masterpiece either.

The only people who would call that song a masterpiece are new fans who got into them through the compilation album.

I think the arrangement of “Kono Te” is excellent. It has a memorable guitar arrangement that continues the direction of the 5th album, and it works well with the gentle piano-like tones. But when I listen to the song as a whole, it feels like pieces of their older songs have been stitched together.

I am happy just to hear Yurippe's voice.

300nana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am more of a Yuri fan, but I like Azuki too. Her essays in the fan-club newsletter are interesting enough to read like regular books. Could she write a little more in her diary?

>>283 I would love to see GARNET do grunge. It does not seem impossible if they really tried. Use some alternate tunings, throw in noisy riffs, and bring in real drums with a huge sound (something like Kurumatani or Kurose, maybe?), then have Yurippe belt out lyrics about mental anguish ... Maybe that is still too much to ask. lol

Since it is “Kaze to Rainbow,” I want them to sing a song by Rainbow. Maybe something like “Lost in Hollywood.”

Graham, huh? That brings back memories. There is no end to the things I could wish for. lol The more GARNET's direction changes, the more there is to talk about.

Sorry to change the subject, but did anyone see the live photos someone listed on Yahoo Auctions yesterday? The seller had a new account, but by today they were all gone ... What was that about? They looked like close-ups, or shots from a high diagonal angle above the stage—something only staff could get.

They seem to have been treated as unauthorized photos, maybe illegally taken ... Even if they were close-ups, I do not want to suspect someone on the staff. I would rather think they were taken some other way.

Will Nana-sama be on Mochi's radio show tomorrow~?

>>305 People are talking about it in the main thread too, saying the photos of Yurippe came out terribly. lol

Were they secretly taken? lol But that person seems to be selling live photos of other artists too, so they probably are not with GIZA. How did they get so many ...? Also, it is interesting that there are none of the older guy. Yurippe does not seem to have come out *that* badly ... but Azuki ... lol

http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e63891074 http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k42704931 I think Yurippe's look is worse ... lol She looks like a wooden kokeshi doll, lol. Some of Azuki's photos make her face look a little oddly proportioned, but I think she still looks better than Yurippe. Her eyes do look like she is staring into another world, but in some photos her features still look nicely balanced.

... Well, maybe they are about even? Yurippe was standing and moving around, after all, and that outfit was ... Azuki used to be a model, so of course she knows how to look good in photos.

Yurippe might look a little better with a different hairstyle, but I still think she was cutest around the time of “Spiral.”

I think a ponytail suits her, but her hair has gotten so thick lately that maybe it would be better down ... well, perhaps that is an age thing too? lol Still, she does not look like she is turning 30 this year at all.

There are a lot of people in the main thread asking things like, “What do you think about these unofficial photos?” But since collecting bootleg CDs is one of my hobbies, I have no right to complain. I actually think, if there are people happy to buy them, then why not? I do not personally want the photos, but I would want bootleg recordings of a live show. Also, after looking at those photos, I was surprised by how beautiful AZUKI Nana is. She looks so young.

>>310 Nana has been in another world from the very beginning.

Yurippe with her hair down in the live-show pamphlet has so much hair that I wondered, “How many years has it been since she went to a hair salon ...?”

People are talking about this in the main thread too, but I think Yurippe's current hairstyle and clothes are not working. I wish the music, hairstyle, and clothes could all go back to the early days. >>302 Why not just give Yurippe a grunge look? lol

>>314 Yurippe's face on CD covers looks pretty different from her usual face, but I do not think Nana looks that different.

>>318 I do not know what Yurippe looks like normally. What does she look like? (・_・)

>>319 I think by her “usual face” they mean what she looks like in photos from live shows and TV appearances.

>>320 Oh, I see.

But they hardly ever appear on TV, so it is hard to see their “usual faces.” I have been a Gane fan since the early days, yet only now have I realized I do not actually know what the members look like in real life. orz

I think *Garnet Time* was the best chance to see their natural selves. I wish they would do it again. It really changed my impression of the members.

When Miss Yuri is photographed off guard, she can look pretty rough. Miss Nana, on the other hand, is amazing—she looks good in photos no matter what. (>80.0) But sometimes Miss Yuri comes out looking especially beautiful too. One is all about whether the timing is right, and the other is consistently photogenic. By the way, nobody seems to talk about “Ushinawareta Monogatari” anywhere. Is it unpopular? Among their recent songs, aside from album tracks, it is my favorite after “Maboroshi.”

Azuki used to be a model, so she probably naturally knows how to look good in photos. I think “Ushinawareta Monogatari” may not have made much of an impression because of the title track “Eden.” I like how the song combines the chorus's striking high notes and almost synthetic feel with the more digital-sounding parts, like the intro. I think it captures that sense of loneliness really well.

Between “Ushinawareta Monogatari” and “nonsense,” “nonsense” left more of an impression on me.

I feel like the melodies Yuri Nakamura writes do not really suit being given to other singers. She seems like the kind of composer whose songs only really work when she sings them herself. For example, ZARD's “Tomatteita Tokei ga Ima Ugokidashita” does not compare with GARNET's songs. I think she also sang some harmonies, but you can barely hear them. That said, the album as a whole is really great. It may be my favorite ZARD album.

Of course it will not compare with their own songs. It was written to fit someone else.

Sakai wrote the lyrics for the song they gave to ZARD, so Gane probably would not cover it themselves ... Still, I would like to hear Yurippe sing the chorus.

I feel like Yurippe's harmony work does not really add much. It does not seem to make the songs sound much fuller. Who do you think does good harmonies among the Being artists?

>>330 Is it hard to insert line breaks on a phone? But harmony work itself is meaningful, right? lol When we talk about harmonies, there are also the multitracked parts in the band's songs.

I still like harmonies that you can clearly hear, like in “flying.” Mochi's harmonies are good too. His voice is a little sweet, but somehow it goes well with Yurippe's ...

Speaking of harmonies, like with Utoku and the others, it seems Yurippe handles them herself and they are not counted as part of Furui Hirohito's arrangements (except when effects or delay are used to lower and distort the voice). That is a little unusual, isn't it? Or maybe not that unusual? I think Mochi is pretty good as a harmony vocalist. But as a lead singer, his technique is a little questionable ...

This is unrelated, but ACIDMAN is pretty good. I like their instrumental arrangements. But Mochi would have a hard time as the lead singer. He does not have much stamina.

I like Mochi's album *a first fine day*. It has a completely effortless feel and is relaxing to listen to. lol Since he handled all the songwriting and arrangements himself, the songs are mostly similar, but if you like that kind of thing, you will probably enjoy it. I heard Yurippe sang “Tsubasa” at a Thursday Live once. I would love to hear it.

>>335 On the other hand, I cannot get into Mochi's album or the songs he writes at all ... It is just a matter of taste, but I cannot accept anything about them, from the sound to the songs.

It seems like Okamoto's recorded material gets quite a bit of correction after all. Well ... even with that correction, he does not often do completely live solo shows, so what 334 said is not really a big issue. (・∀・)/~~~ >>334 I like them too. (・∀・)/~~~ I think their band-style arrangements are especially good. Recently, for example, “Slow Rain.” The clean-guitar loops that make good use of delay and the crisp drum rhythms are addictive. (・∀・)/~~~

Hasn't their age never been officially disclosed? Why does every profile only list their birthday?

>>338 There are rumors, but no proof.

You should be able to find it with a search~ (・∀・)/~~~ Technically it has not been disclosed, but for some reason it is easy to find.

>>340 I will go look for it!

It has spread so widely online that I think it is probably pretty reliable.

Just because something is circulating online does not make it true. lol There is plenty of fake information on the internet. Still, some sites go into quite a lot of detail about their ages, so it does feel fairly credible. Though technically it is undisclosed ... Maybe someone dug up their ages from interviews or magazines. That is how people figured out Azuki's and Hyde's ages too, isn't it?

>>342 Found the textbook example of an idiot.

I saw this week's *Magazine* and was surprised. I thought, “Isn't this a magazine from another publisher?”

I have not seen it yet. What happened?

For some reason, when I look at Takanori Nishikawa's band (abingdon boys school), I wonder what it would be like if Gane had that kind of sound. lol It would probably be weird.

I do not even want to imagine it. (lol)

>>346 There was an interview for “Kaze to RAINBOW / Kono Te o Nobaseba” in the back section (Pimopimo Plaza). I had only seen the one in *Sunday* before, so this was my first time seeing it in *Magazine*. It surprised me. I had already read the whole thing, but I was still thinking, “Isn't this the one from *Sunday*?”

Hey, wait ... Nishikawa's band is that all-boys-school-uniform thing, right? lol Please spare me that. But I do hope they learn from Kishi's programming, band arrangements, and sound.

All right, time to go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow. >>349 Oh, I see. I will take a look too. Now I am curious. >>348 >>350 Yeah. lol But I do like that kind of sound. They use programming too, after all—though they have two guitarists.

I was surprised to hear Yurippe shout.

>>351 The title track is a little underwhelming since it is a tie-in for some anime, but I like the hard-rock-sounding B-side. It seems to be rated highly by the heavy metal crowd too. It will not be long until “Kaze to Rainbow” is released. I am really looking forward to “Mawari Michi.”

After watching various music videos, I started wondering if Azuki's figure is unbelievably good. Her legs look so long. The way she stands and walks is beautiful too. Among the artists I have seen, she may have the best figure. Her face is not conventionally beautiful, but she has a soothing yet dignified look, which is nice.

>>354 Miss Nana used to be a model.

And a lingerie model, right? Was it for Wacoal? ... I have been listening to *Best* lately, and Azuki on the cover is divine.

>>353 I meant HR/HM, not HM/HR. It makes me wonder whether GARNET might also do some loud, edgy, or heavier songs ... It feels a little late to bring this up now ... but Azuki really does have a great figure.

>>356 I have heard that rumor, but I have never seen it.

>>356 I think she modeled lingerie for a supermarket flyer or something. Just a flyer model. She was not exactly a fashion model, so maybe it is a past she would rather erase ...

Wait, it was a flyer? lol She must have mixed feelings about that ...

Does anyone still have that flyer?

Wasn't Ebichan also a flyer model before she made it big? Still, anyone who has kept a flyer from about ten years ago would be amazing. lol You would have to subscribe to a newspaper, and it would have to be in the area where that supermarket was. lol And they would have had to predict she would become this famous—that would be an incredible person. But no matter how many times I look, she really does have a great figure, especially her posture. Her face is cute too, but not that of a supermodel, which is nice.

>>359 Where did you get that information? Yeah, a flyer model is kind of a mixed bag. lol

>>362 Ebichan did not stop at being a flyer model, so she is a different case. You cannot compare them.

Next week's *MU-GEN* will be a new-song special.

So, what should I do about the new single ... buy it, download it, or what? Even with the B-side, I am still hesitating.

No matter how good the B-side is, it is still just one song. Forget buying two copies; I am not even sure about buying one.

I wish Azuki and Furui Hirohito would get together! Azuki's and Mochi's solo projects are such a nuisance.

Azuki looks absolutely amazing in the “Eden” music video. It is impressive that she still looks like that in her thirties. As a model, Azuki only got as far as doing flyers, but I think her figure is much better than Ebihara's, who became an exclusive model for *CanCam*. Still, someone like Azuki, who is a bit of an oddball, probably could not be a mainstream model. She probably would not suit being a lead singer either. Working behind the scenes like this suits her—maybe it is her calling. The way Azuki sways her hips when she walks is really sexy. Does she do that intentionally? If it is unconscious, that is even more erotic. Also, does Azuki dislike skirts? I have never seen her wear one in a music video.

> Her figure is better than Ebichan's I doubt it!

lol >>369 At last year's Tokyo show, she wore tight red pants. I forget whether it was before the encore or after the whole show, but when she went backstage, I could not help staring at her butt. lol Her legs were so long! And the shape of her hips was ... how should I put it? Her butt was firm and muscular, not saggy, which made it even sexier.

Ebichan, who is fawned over on TV, is only around 28, so she is not that much younger than Yurippe. Even Mochi is younger than Takuya Kimura.

Miss Nana even looks sexy when she walks! I can understand that.

I have seen her wearing a skirt in a magazine. It was a long skirt, so it was not sexy.

Sorry to interrupt this lively discussion ... Do you think Gane's style will change much from here on? For example, more real drums and bass, arrangements built around real instruments, or more layers of synth strings. With MÄR ending, maybe there will be fewer restrictions. I am a little hopeful ...

But the core is still the songs Yurippe writes. Though I am somewhat hopeful too once the MÄR tie-in ends.

Yeah ... arrangements ultimately have to be built around the songs themselves. People often criticize the 5th album for its monotonous arrangements, but to be precise, it is the songs Yurippe writes that are monotonous. Right ... if the songs themselves do not have that kind of drive.

I think the kind of change in style (or arrangements) mentioned in >>375 is still impossible at this point, given Yurippe's melodies and singing style. They do use lots of synth strings on songs like “Timeless Sleep” and “Kimi Tsuresaru ...,” but those arrangements are still based on Yurippe's compositions. If we want to see truly interesting arrangements, Furui Hirohito would have to write the songs himself.

But if they hired someone like Seiji Kameda from the start, the way Do As Infinity did, to create a sound centered on real instruments, then of course those instruments would be used. Furui Hirohito, though, mainly works with programmed arrangements.

>>379 Hold on. lol It is Kameda, not Kamei. lmao

>>380 Y-you're right. lol

Whoa. lol I mixed them up. It is Kameda, Kameda. lol >>381 Do not pile on. lol

Kamei, lol

Well ... putting the Kamei mix-up aside, unless the arrangements are built around real instruments, the range of possibilities really is limited. Just synth bass and lead ...

I usually just listen to the music, but after watching the videos on YouTube, I realized the music videos are really tasteful. They do not look expensive, but every one of them has style. I guess if you have two women who look good on camera, you can make a good visual piece. Rather than cute, the two of them have a cool kind of appeal. I wonder if they will release a DVD with all the music videos.

“Eden” and “Wasurezaki” are especially good. The best part is near the end of “Eden,” when Azuki looks at the child and smiles.

Romania Montevideo and GARNET CROW are kind of similar, aren't they?

>>386 I like the “Wasurezaki” video too. It is almost entirely made up of still photos, but the feeling of flipping through an album fits the song really well. And “Hare-dokei” too. It leaves you feeling refreshed after watching it.

>>384 With Furui Hirohito, once he uses programming, it feels like he wants to build the entire song around programmed sounds. At this rate, I doubt he would use cool-sounding string instruments like mandolin or harp. Combining those with a neo-acoustic style would be wonderful. >>385 I think Gane's music videos are among the better ones at GIZA. Maybe the others are just really bad, though. lol

Are GC's music videos really that good ...? For “Crystal Gauge,” I think they could have brought out more of a wintry feeling, and “Yume Hanabi” does not really have a distinctive look ... >>387 Romania Montevideo, now that brings back memories. lol I only know their *Detective Conan* songs, so I cannot really say. lol

I think they are pretty good.

As someone said before, they are probably among the better ones at the agency. Mai Kuraki's videos from around the same time just look incredibly lazy.

People keep comparing them, but Montevideo and Gane are still different. The former is seen as alternative/grunge, while the latter is regarded as nostalgic neo-acoustic.

I remember them playing drums while singing. I was surprised when I first saw them on *Music Station*.

Azuki is pretty interesting. She has become a topic in other threads too, like that thing about salmon ... >>393 But you cannot compare them anymore, can you? They have gone on hiatus, after all. I remember one of the members wanted to be the lead singer, which caused all kinds of trouble. When I think of the people who are still at Being now, it feels like such a waste of talent.

I like the “Kaze to RAINBOW” video.

They all wear black, and it looks cool.

The other day, the commercial for the new song was on *Count Down TV* ... Nana playing the Yamaha S90 ES so smoothly—she is impossibly cool and cute ... Hm? Is “cool and cute” a weird thing to say?

Really? lol To me, she looks exactly like Tenko. Anyway, if anyone would be willing to write their impressions or a review of the single tomorrow, I would really appreciate it. I have some things to take care of and cannot go buy it, so I would be glad if someone could describe in detail what it is like.

It is Yurippe.

I will use this as a reference too. Even with a B-side, the main song is pretty underwhelming. That one is one thing, but “Kaze to Rainbow” ...

Looking forward to “Mawari Michi.”

Romania Montevideo: I have only heard “Girl, Girl, Boy, Girl, Boy” from their second album, but there are some really good songs on it. I might even like them more than GARNET. Recommended for people who like Teenage Fanclub.

I feel like listening to them again for the first time in a while. I wonder if the rental shop still has them.

“Kaze to RAINBOW” The doubled vocals in the “Kaze to RAINBOW♪” part of the chorus sound beautiful. The echo makes it sound as if it was recorded in a huge space. Also, there is a brief pause after the A-section chorus before the B section starts, which is surprisingly interesting. I do not know much about the instruments, so I will leave that part alone. (←Same for the following tracks.) “Kono Te o Nobaseba” It makes me imagine a wide-open landscape. It has the kind of texture GARNET has often used lately, but you could say they made another ballad using that same approach ... “Mawari Michi” It reminds me of “Kimi to Iu Hikari” and “Koisuru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni” from the 3rd album. The song sounds like it was modeled on that period too, and I like it a lot. “Kaze to RAINBOW (TV Edit)” & “Kono Te o Nobaseba (TV Edit)” If you have watched MÄR Heaven, you know what they sound like, so I will skip them. (lol) “Kaze to RAINBOW (Instrumental)” The “Kaze to” part of “Kaze to RAINBOW♪” in the chorus is missing, so it feels like something is lost ... “Kono Te o Nobaseba (Instrumental)” I like this instrumental version. I might actually prefer listening to it simply as an instrumental. (lol) ... Sorry for the clumsy impressions.

[Additional note] The Anzai illustration on the back cover is scary. Yurippe looks like a witch, while Nana seems like she is about to turn into a vampire. (lol) Okamoto Hitoshi looks like a clown being controlled by Nana, and if Furui Hirohito had a giant scythe, he would be the Grim Reaper. (lol) It also seems like there was some bonus item when you bought it. A sticker? It has five “7”s in different sizes, with the members' names written on them.

By the way, “Mawari Michi” also sounds a little like “Only Stay,” which was on the 3rd album too. I am not sure, but could it be an unreleased song from that period? ... It has been a while since I posted three times in a row. (lol)

The arrangement of “Kaze to Rainbow” changed a lot from the anime version, so I did not find it nearly as underwhelming as some people did. Also, the full music video is available on GyaO now, but it sounds different on a computer than on the CD. Well, it may just be the sound system, but the low end of the drums and especially the bass has a lot of reverberation, or something like that ... It is hard to say until I have listened to it over and over, but I do not think you will regret hearing it. For “Mawari Michi,” the melodies in the A and B sections briefly struck me as monotonous, so it is not as amazing as people are making it out to be, but the chorus is really good. It may be an unusual song where the high register keeps pushing forward ... The transition between the final two choruses is short, and both the rhythm and lyrics are lovely. I recommend it. The A section feels like “Holy ground,” the B section like “Sorairo no Neko,” and the chorus like “Koisuru Koto Shika ...,” maybe? (A bit of a stretch. lol) “Kono Te o Nobaseba” is no different from the music video, so I will not review it. Anyway, you should buy a copy and listen for yourself.

I bought it on my way home from work. (・∀・)/~~~ I have listened a few times, and so far the B-sides are pretty good, while the title track does not quite work ... that is my impression. As for the arrangements, I like all of them at this point except “Kaze to Rainbow.” The acoustic-guitar backing, strings, crystal-like tones, and so on all complement the songs nicely, I think. (・∀・)/~~~

“Yellow Moon” is pretty unusual. It feels like the song starts from the opposite end, with a powerful, driving sound right from the beginning. It has a very intense emotional quality. The lyrics feel very forceful too. Have they done this kind of thing before?

Anyway, I like it.

It is a shame that “Kaze to Rainbow” has been changed to a sparse, programmed-percussion arrangement. Rhythmically, I think a Latin-style arrangement would suit it better. When I listen to the instrumental version, something feels off.

The third track is the best! They could have made that the title track.

I agree that the arrangement of “Kaze to Rainbow” feels off. It seems too polished and tidy. I am also a little bothered by the lyrics. It is just an ordinary graduation song. The content is too simple.

I did not notice any especially indirect or subtle writing. You can interpret it however you like, but since it is being released at this time of year, did the members really intend it as a graduation song? Azuki probably did not think about it that way in particular. Still, even if she did write it that way intentionally, it would not turn into cliched lyrics built out of blunt expressions and stock phrases like Kawashima's, so I personally think it is fine.

I bought the CD, but lately I cannot even work up the feeling of “I want to listen to it right now,” which is sad. I miss the days when I would get excited about the songs as soon as I bought a CD. By the way, why is “Kaze to RAINBOW” in full color while “Kono Te o Nobaseba” is black and white (with some red)? “Kono Te o Nobaseba” Yuri's voice feels like it is in the background. The original track seems to come too far forward. The intro is not bad, but it feels noisy. I want an original track that brings Yuri's voice further to the front. “Mawari Michi” I like the way it moves from the A section to the B section and chorus, as well as the singing. The B-side is good—this is GARNET quality. But the opening reminds me a little of “Kimi to Iu Hikari.” The A section is a little underwhelming to me.

Come to think of it, I have heard people say “Kono Te o Nobaseba” is a lot like “Over Blow,” but I do not understand that at all. “Over Blow” is much calmer, yet it has more impact, and I have always thought it was the better song.

Everyone's impressions are very clear and easy to understand—really helpful. I bought it yesterday too. I like the repeated notes in the arrangement of “Kaze to Rainbow,” and the way the echo comes in. Maybe next time they could add stronger reverb to the guitar or something.

“Mawari Michi” is so good. The way the chorus comes in is the best.

After “背中合わせのアカツキ〜♪,” the Lupin III theme starts playing in my head. Am I the only one?

Yurippe, Yurippe, Yurippe ... What is that “-ppe” ending, anyway? But Yurippe is great.

Replying during a break at work. >>415 I would like to see some metaphors like those in “Nogareru no Machi” again. Personally, I feel that it hints at conflicts and wars in the Middle East or the United States (I am not sure exactly which), but what was Azuki actually thinking at the time? >>417 Long time no see, Aoi Isshoku. People often bring up “Kimi to Iu Hikari.” “Kono Te” gives me the overall impression of the 5th album. It probably would not feel out of place if it were included on that album.

My parents keep insisting that “Kaze to RAINBOW” is a rip-off. They cannot remember the original singer's name, but apparently she was a French singer. Does anyone know who it might be? When my mother hummed it, the singing style was a little different, but it really did sound a lot like the chorus of “Kaze to RAINBOW.” For context, my parents are both in their early fifties.

I do not think it is Lupin. The whole chorus, from “Kaze to RAINBOW♪” to “I was searching desperately for it~♪,” sounds similar.

If you cannot even remember the original song, do you have any right to call it a rip-off?

I mean the singer's name, not the original song.

Hmm, I am not sure. A French singer ... It is hard to search Google when we do not know what to search for.

If she was French, would it be chanson? Though the dates do not line up, do they?

Hm? If you say it sounds similar, then you have heard the song, right ...?

If you cannot remember, there is not much you can do.

You are calling it a rip-off without even knowing the singer's name ... But there are so many singers; it is possible for songs to sound a little alike, right? (^_^;) Anyway, try to convince your parents and share the good things about GARNET with them.

My dad remembered just now. He says it was someone named Giuliola Cinquetti. >>429 As I wrote in >>423, I heard my mother humming the original song.

>>431 My mother and father both understand what is good about GARNET CROW. My dad is especially into classical music and says “Mizu no Nai Hareta Umi e” is great.

Sorry for the consecutive posts. After searching Google and asking my dad a lot of questions, he said, “Maybe it was not that song after all” ... But he seems sure it was someone from around that period (the latter half of the '60s).

Considering the tastes of people in this thread, I do not think anyone will know the answer. You should ask in the main thread instead. There are more people there.

No, that will just take the thread off topic. Maybe we should drop it here for now ... These topics can go on forever with no end in sight.

So was that news about *Sexy Voice and Robo* a rumor after all?

At this point, we do not know if it is a rumor. (Though it probably is.) Still, it is better not to get your hopes up too much. >>422 I think Azuki had the biblical idea of a “city of refuge” in mind. The concept is that someone who accidentally kills a relative can live safely in the city until the formal trial, protected from revenge by the victim's family. It is clearly described in the Bible. Azuki was probably writing based on that idea.

Azuki seems to have covered all sorts of things like the Bible and mythology.

This release is up to No. 8 now.

I am worried GIZA will get encouraged by this and do it again.

Give them another *Detective Conan* tie-in!

>>442 Agreed. “Mysterious Eyes” brings back memories. By the way, are there any gear nerds here? Furui Hirohito has always used a Yamaha MOTIF ES for his keyboard, but this time there is a KORG TRITON ... (See the “Kaze to Rainbow” music video.)

Hitomi Shimatani (´･ω･`) *sad* GARNET CROW (`･ω･´) *fired up* ｶｯﾃｯﾄ冷房

Are you really that concerned with the ranking? I care more about the quality of the songs. I think a lot of people simply fell for GIZA's two-version sales strategy. Are you really happy just because that pushed the ranking up? I do not get it. >>443 At least remember the name of the song.

Sorry, did I get it wrong?

Anyway, regarding the song quality that people in this thread are often worried about, even if their next release follows the “Kaze to Rainbow” style, I do not think the 6th album will be heavily influenced by the 5th. GARNET often expresses melancholy and dreaminess, but their musical atmosphere is not consistent from one release to another. Each album has a different impression. The overall feel of the 5th album, and the feel of the singles themselves, are surely just temporary.

GARNET seems to have a lot of different sounds in its repertoire, like neo-acoustic, R&B, and bossa nova. If GARNET had a fixed sound image like Mr. Children, would people complain about them too?

Even if a band has a signature sound, people will not criticize it as long as it does not stay stuck in that one sound.

Actually, Mr. Children were praised partly because they had interesting experimental albums like *Atomic Heart* and *Deep Sea*. As an aside, did they not lose quite a few fans when *Deep Sea* came out? At the time ... an album that gloomy and introspective was hard to imagine. Still, I do not think people would complain that much. Mr. Children get criticized for many things beyond their sound, and if GARNET went back to the early style everyone likes, I do not think anyone would object.

Why not just keep making songs like the early GARNET? I think that is something only GARNET can do; they do not need to do what other artists can do. Even at live shows, there is no need to imitate Madonna with the costumes and all. GARNET should have more confidence and assert its own individuality.

I do hope they keep making songs like the early ones, but I would also like them to try some fantasy-like works in the future. For example, the kind of thing mentioned here, like Paatos's *Kallocain* or Hyde's *Roentgen*. Speaking of Paatos, White Willow, which often gets compared to them, is good too. Quidam would also be ... GARNET with lots of Mellotron and violin, creating a jazz or ambient atmosphere ... My daydreams could go on forever.

Would adding saxophone give us more songs with a wistful feeling, or is that just me?

GARNET's early songs are highly praised, but if they kept making songs like that, would people not say they had become formulaic? I am not sure whether “early” here means the 1st album, but I think GARNET evolved ideally from the 1st through the 4th albums.

Up through the 4th, sure. Then came the MÄR era ...

>>454 I meant from the indie period through the 1st album. Would it get formulaic ...? I am not sure. If they alternated dark songs like “Sky” with songs like “Futari no Rocket” and “Kiminchi,” I think GARNET fans would probably be fine with that. The divided response to the grander sounds on the 3rd album, like “Nogareru no Machi” and “Only Stay,” makes me think GARNET fans basically prefer a more subdued sound.

Do not make that kind of assumption on your own. (TT)

Well, that is only generally speaking. Come to think of it, I do not hear much praise for songs like “Nogareru no Machi.” By the way, what do you think of the AZUKI lyrics that came up in the main thread?

Personally, I do not think Azuki's lyrics have declined. It is just that MÄR and the style of the 5th album make them seem more direct than before. The changes in the lyrics probably reflect the changes in the music.

>>459 I agree. Azuki's position has not changed that much. It is just that I think there are more lyrics that are easy to understand lately. There were a lot of philosophical or vaguely religious elements in the album tracks and on albums 1 through 4, but on the 5th (and after), the lyrical themes are closer to everyday life and expressed more plainly. Even so, they still clearly belong to Azuki's world, so it is not bad; I just find it a little boring because I miss that feeling of “I do not really understand this, but it sounds like she is saying something profound ...” lol

I think it is about time to add some variety to the concepts too. Themes written from a religious perspective, or metaphors for war. Maybe the psychology of juvenile crime, like something Inaba might write about. I have been thinking that Azuki and Hyde might actually be a good match.

Honestly, the atmosphere of the songs Yurippe composed in the early days fit Nana's lyrics so well. On the 1st album, songs like “Sen Ijou” and “Kiminchi” feel like lyrics that could only exist with those particular songs.

“Put more effort into the concepts” sounds like strange Japanese. There is no need to force it. Anyway, if you want to broaden the lyrical themes, you still need high-quality compositions from Yurippe. That close fit is great, of course. It expresses the scene of the song really well. The everyday-life lyrics from the early period gave me a gentle warmth.

“Mizu no Nai ...” and “Holding” too.

At the end of the day, lyrics only work together with the music, so as long as the mood of the song and the lyrics fit, I think it is fine whether they are religious or very direct. Still, the lyrics to “For South” shocked me a little. “Irritating” ... orz

That one is pretty unusual. But I like how cool the opening lyrics are. ... Wouldn't “getting horny” be even more shocking than “irritating”? (lol)

Any topic can come up here. Is “Irritating” not fine too? lol It has a light, free-spirited feeling that seems very Azuki-like, and it brings that impression to mind. Changing the subject abruptly, but Hyde and Azuki have some things in common too ... Songs like “Shino Hai” and “Ibara no Namida” have a religious feel.

Leaving Hyde aside, Nana's lyrics have depth. Maybe she has read a lot of books and comes up with all sorts of scenes when writing lyrics.

>>467 Hmm ... Even if they have a similar religious feeling, I think Hyde is an atheist, while Azuki is a theist. If you look more closely, there is a decisive difference. Azuki seems to like religious ideas, judging by how neatly she draws on the biblical “city of refuge” in “Nogareru no Machi.” But in my interpretation, Hyde's songs like “Ibara no Namida” and “Shino Hai” seem to be rebelling against God.

You do not get it at all. Religion and God are just toys to Nana.

Well ... maybe that is true, but I was talking about how it looks from a religious perspective.

>>470 That was so cool. lol

True, even in his solo work, Hyde uses religious imagery. There is a lot of it on his new album *Faith*: Jesus and cherubim from the Bible, warnings about excessive modern technology such as cloning, criticism of religion, and many other themes. So it is not surprising that people compare him with Azuki.

But thinking about it, Azuki is not as focused on religion as he is. Religious ideas are just one of the topics she uses in her lyrics ... She does not go into that much depth about them in interviews, and there are not that many songs using those themes. (Still ... calling them just toys seems a bit harsh. lol)

I do not listen to Hyde at all, so I do not know ... (Does he write the music too?) Azuki has often said that lyrics naturally emerge from Yurippe's voice (the songs she composes), so it is not that she wants to write strongly religious songs. The melody guides her, and then she chooses a theme.

Changing the subject suddenly, but on Azuki's radio show she meant to say “climbing a mountain” and almost said “returning to the mountain.” “Returning to the mountain” ... what does that even mean? lol

So she really is some kind of hermit ...

You cannot tell how deeply someone is invested in religion just from how many works they have about it or what they say. If they write their own music freely like Hyde, that would be one thing, but Azuki has to write lyrics to songs Yurippe gives her, so she cannot just do whatever she wants with religious themes. You would never imagine the phrase “returning to the mountains” coming from Azuki's appearance. lol

>>478 What do you mean, “has to fit”? Nana's lyrics are drawn out by Yuri's original compositions.

I cannot really figure out Yurippe either, not just Azuki. Compared with Azuki's strong personality, I still have no idea what Yurippe is like. Maybe she is just an ordinary girl (though I guess she is not a “girl” anymore) ... I also wonder how she and Azuki have managed to spend so much time together. lol

>>475 >>478 >>480 Well ... I am really sorry. lol I got so focused on the religious part of the discussion that I forgot the lyrics are influenced by the songs. lol

Yeah, and Yurippe too ... lol

What about Yurippe? lol

>>480 I know what you mean. The two of them spend so much time alone together. Yurippe has never described Azuki as a mysterious person either. No matter how you look at her, she is strange—or rather, mysterious. lol

Maybe she is so naturally carefree that she does not notice how mysterious Azuki is. lol

Maybe people who are especially talented in some area all have one or two things about them that make you think, “That person is kind of strange.”

If you do not have something that stands out, you cannot make it in this kind of scene. Even if four ordinary people got together and made decent music, they would not have any fans. I think that kind of individual charisma is really important too.

I cannot figure out Yurippe's personality. Is she strange or ordinary? Okamoto Hitoshi says she is lively and energetic ... But it is easy to see that Nana is strange.

This is a sudden change of subject, but what was your first impression when you heard this single?

When I hear them on the radio and such, I think that things or places that seem completely ordinary to most people must look incredibly interesting to them~ Even just thinking about one part of an everyday scene, they seem to come up with something amazing.

“Something amazing” is not quite the right way to put it. lol It makes it sound like I am looking at them in a weird way, which is rude to them. lol

>>489 I am especially interested in the kick-drum sound. Did they change engineers?

>>488 Other than “Mawari Michi,” I thought the songs were just okay ... “Kaze to Rainbow” has a simple, programmed-percussion arrangement, so it left a faint impression; “Kono Te” feels like it crams in too much sound, with the piano and strings all at once. At first, I mostly had complaints, but now I understand the appeal of “Kono Te.” (For some reason, I think if the intro were a little longer, it would have the kind of spacious feeling of Do As Infinity's “Fukai Mori.”)

>>443 I am not sure if you are still around, but here is someone who admired Furui Hirohito and bought a MOTIF ES. I personally do not understand why Nana has stayed so attached to the S90.

>>494 I'm here. ...Ah, I wrote “Trion” or something instead of “TRITON.” Ugh, how embarrassing ... You bought a MOTIF ES? It is expensive, isn't it ...? I cannot even afford an MO6. Looking again, Furui Hirohito is using a TRITON in the music video, and I think Nana used one on TV before too ... (for “Spiral,” maybe?) True, why the S90 ...? Though I heard the S90 ES has better piano sounds than the MOTIF, so I guess it is good too ...

I think it is praised for its piano samples and faithful stretch tuning, as well as its beautiful piano sound. I have also heard its clavichord, organ, and string functions are versatile, and that it is not much inferior to the MOTIF ES. (I do not know the details.) Since it has natural-sounding tones, it should work well for songs centered around piano.

http://etc6.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/vote/1170067607/ Oh, there is a thread like this too.

Thanks. >>492 >>493 “Kono Te o ...” gives me that impression the most. The intro is good, but the chorus feels overstuffed. The rhythm is monotonous ... and the final chorus gets a little tiring too. In the chorus of “Mawari Michi,” there is a moment that reminds me of DEEN. The melody and kick drum interact with a “~♪ dan-daan” sound (whatever that means), which feels kind of fresh.

I really cannot handle arrangements that use so much strings and guitar.

Still, I also feel that this arrangement expresses the song's theme of “parting” really well, so I cannot say it is bad ... for example, the sounds in the chorus portray the feeling of parting beautifully. >>498 Adding sampled sounds like birdsong or ocean waves to “Mawari Michi” might be interesting. Something like what DEEN did on songs around “Nichiyoubi” or *Twelve*. I think that would help people imagine the scenes in the song, and make for a pretty good arrangement.

It feels like the whole GARNET thread has been quiet today. What is going on?

No one's here ... lol What is this silence?

Those Do As Infinity nerds are so annoying!

What do you mean by DAI nerds?

>>504 I think they mean Do As Infinity fans, but ... you knew that, right? Did it become an issue because >>493 brought them up? (That topic was a bit of a stretch. lol) I have mostly just lurked, but for some reason it has suddenly gotten quiet here, so I thought I would bring up a topic. That sampled-vocal arrangement mentioned in >>500 made me wonder (come to think of it ... who arranged that?): maybe it is about time to try using an arranger other than Furui Hirohito. What do the regulars here think?

They have been veterans for seven years since their debut, so I think they can afford to be a little more experimental now. Though, of course ... GARNET CROW must have its own standards and principles ...

>>505 What about Miguel, from the 1st album? He seems like a regular in the GIZA stable, so I think he is the most likely candidate.

>>507 Oh, right ... Miguel has done a lot of their Cyber Sound work. I had completely forgotten, even though his piano-centered arrangements are excellent. In terms of arrangement structure, he might be the best fit for GARNET. Half jokingly, I wonder what would happen if they hired Tokunaga. lol His harmonies would be really intrusive, though ...

It is kind of surprising that GIZA has a connection with that side of things. I heard they really like Mai Kuraki? It must be exciting for her longtime fans.

Speaking of Cyber Sound, songs like “Mizu no Nai ...,” “Eien Kakeru,” and “Maboroshi” leave a stronger impression of Miguel Sa Pessoa, but Michael Africk, who was on the same production team, also did a lot of the backing vocals. For example, on “Kiminchi” and “a little time.”

More than a different arranger, I would rather they bring in additional musicians again. Someone like Aaron (is that his name?)

>>511 Who is this additional musician Aaron you are talking about? I am pretty ignorant about this stuff, so please tell me.

Well, I am not sure how to explain it either, but do they not call Miguel an outside arranger? I mean people who come in to record instruments, like session musicians. Aaron is the person who often played guitar on their early songs. His name is in the credits for songs like “Kimi no Ie ni ...” and “Futari no Rocket.”

You sure reply fast when someone mentions support musicians.

Oh, lol, that is what you meant—support musicians. Oga, Iwai, and Kurumatani seem like likely choices. That would also be a way to change the arrangements without changing the arranger. It would give the songs more of a band arrangement. “Futari no Rocket” is a good example.

If we are talking support musicians, I still want to hear live strings.

Come to think of it, has anyone in GIZA—or the Being family—used live strings? They would also have to find someone to arrange the strings, so it seems like a hassle.

>>517 B'z have. I think.

>>518 Thanks. I remembered—songs like “Calling” and “OCEAN” used them. Right ... they also have Ikeda for string arrangements ... I wonder when GARNET will use string arrangements. With their current direction, I can imagine them making a ballad with very grand live strings ...

Still, I think synthesized strings suit GARNET better. The Mellotron-style strings on “Yume Mita” are the best. I am fine with hearing live strings at their concerts. Actually, hearing them live is enough for me.

I really want to hear Ikeda-style brass and strings on a GARNET song. You cannot get that kind of heaviness from programmed sounds.

Are Mellotron-like sounds made with samplers and the like?

>>522 Since we were talking about synthesized strings, I assume they are programmed. Even if they are not, I doubt they would use an actual Mellotron. The last time I heard someone mention Mellotron was in connection with King Crimson's *In the Court of the Crimson King* and *In the Wake of Poseidon*. That takes me back.

I do not mind if the strings are programmed, but above all, I wish they would use real drums ... I want them to stop using those drum sounds that are like an electronic drum kit ...

I had not read that part ... so they are programmed. Thanks. Basically, live instruments are better. For songs like “Mizu no Nai ...” and “Crystal Gauge,” something like Cyber Sound works well.

I had not really paid attention to the programmed drums before ... But lately I have become unusually conscious of the tambourine sound in “Mysterious Eyes.” I wish they would tone it down a little.

I do not think programmed sounds are that bad. I think those early percussive tones and rhythms work well in songs built around acoustic instruments. In addition to the MIDI programming and mastering that Cyber Sound is good at, I think they need other kinds of programmed sounds too.

>>526 “Natsu no Maboroshi” (single version) has a similar sound too. It is embarrassing to admit, but I only noticed it recently. lol Before I noticed, the only things I liked about it were the acoustic-guitar syncopation and the changes in the melody, so I always thought, “This song is so boring~” But after I noticed that detail, I started to think it was an interesting song.

Sorry for suddenly changing the subject, but does anyone here play the *Tales* series? GARNET sang theme songs for it, and I imagine quite a few people became fans through *Tales*.

>>529 I first learned about GARNET because of “flying.” lol I already liked RPGs, but I had never played *Tales*. I heard the second half of “flying” in a commercial and bought the game because of the theme song. I was in middle school at the time and found it a little difficult. I got about 80 percent through, got stuck, and left it unfinished. (lol) But *Tales of Eternia* is considered the best in the series; the graphics and characters are charming, and I thought it was fun. ...Wait, I am getting off topic. lol I did not feel like buying the later *Tales* games, so I never played them.

The story is excellent, but the special-move effects are a little disappointing. A friend lent it to me, and I ended up playing through the whole series, but I always think the same thing. The story and themes do a good job of depicting modern forms of discrimination ... It is just a shame about the effects.

Come to think of it, I remember “flying” playing in a commercial for the PSP version of *Tales of Eternia*, but the arrangement sounded a little different ... It was so subtly different that I could not even tell whether Yurippe was singing. Has anyone heard it?

The new *Abyss* has an interesting setting, but the way the story is developed from that premise feels a little rough ... The protagonist is also a little too self-loathing. >>632 I heard it once, but ... I remember the arrangement being more rock-oriented. I cannot remember which sound was more prominent, though.

I still prefer the *Tales of Eternia* version. Or rather, I heard that version first, so I was taken aback by how different the CD version sounded. It is true that you can barely hear Yuri's voice. A lot of people became GARNET fans through *Tales of Eternia* back then. I wonder how many of them are still fans now.

There must be a lot of longtime fans in a place like this. Speaking of the early days, I think I bought the 1st album simply because I liked the cover, and then became a fan ... The very dreamy style of the opening song, “Mizu no Nai ...,” made me think all their songs would be like that, so I remember being thrown off a little. Even so, it was exactly my kind of music. I especially liked that simple, new-folk flavor.

That *Tales of Eternia* commercial was what made me a fan of both GARNET and *Tales*. I like both the CD and *Tales of Eternia* versions.

>>535 Was it ×○? lol

>>534 >>536 It was not so much that I had merely heard of them; I became a fan right then and there. It was mainly the lead singer's voice. Yurippe's voice is the kind that people either love or hate, and it is an unusual voice that you cannot get away from once you fall for it, right? I was completely hooked. lol At first I thought, “What a great voice~”; the more I listened to the 1st album, the more I thought, “This new-folk sound is great~,” and that is how I got to where I am now.

Come to think of it, he said something like that too. lol He said he was drawn in by the cover or something. There are not many songs like “Mizu no Nai ...” on the 1st album that establish the mood for the entire record.

More than the cohesion or anything like that, that song was just incredibly powerful.

Then I will look forward to one on the 6th album. It is their seventh anniversary year, so it feels like they might do something. Changing the subject a little: does anyone know what kind of group Sean North is? I heard they are pretty similar to GARNET ...

>>541 http://www.muture.co.jp/artists/sean/ Here you go. ( ^^) _旦~~

For some reason, I am really drawn to the arrangement of “Sen Ijou” ... It is programmed, right?

>>541 They are a group praised for their folk, traditional, and Irish-pop style~ (By the way, ×○ is praised too. lol) That is what they often say in interviews and such. Their sound reminds me a little of early GARNET, but the lead singer's voice is so clear that, overall, I do not think they sound that similar.

>>543 You mean the drums? Those are programmed.

The arrangements by Sasaki, the arranger in that group, are good. He actively brings in a variety of instruments—violin, fiddle, live drums, and so on—which gives the sound a real sense of breadth. I remember someone saying their music was pretty subdued, but I do not think so at all.

The guitarist Mucho plays a big role too. His guitar riffs leave a strong impression, so the songs do not get old easily.

By the way, the main thread is talking about a GARNET new song planned for release. Does anyone know any more details?

>>548 Really? If they are talking about a new song at this time of year, could it finally be a *Detective Conan* movie tie-in!? ... I do not think it has been decided yet. I am hoping for that, but it will probably be Mai Kuraki or ZARD again. lol

>>549 I heard this year's movie has already been assigned to a combination of Rina Aiuchi and Saegusa. As someone who became a GARNET fan through the *Conan* connection, I think it is about time they went back to singing the theme song.

Am I a loser for not looking forward to them singing a *Conan* theme song again?

>>548 We only know the title at this point, right? You can probably tell from the main thread. If it is an anime tie-in, there is not much to look forward to apart from *Conan*. For the next release, I hope it is not an anime tie-in, but a darker song. People keep shouting “they have declined,” but since they can make a dark song like “Maboroshi,” they can surely do it if they want to.

Oh, the theme song has already been decided ... I thought this might finally be their turn this year. orz I did not discover GARNET through *Tales of Eternia* or become a fan through *Conan*, but even so, I think that show has great exposure. It is in a prime-time slot and appeals to a wide age range. Since they became exclusive to MÄR, I have really realized how valuable *Conan* is. lol >>551 Why not?

I think *Conan* is a great tie-in that can support both sales and the song itself. But it never seems to produce a song like “Maboroshi” ... though I keep saying that.

I will not ask what is going on with *Sexy Voice and Robo*. I have already given up.

It would be better if tie-ins did not exist at all, because they limit the world of the song ...

Can someone post the link to the main thread?

I am not very attached to tie-ins apart from MÄR, since they do not have a direct connection to the song itself. But a tie-in that is as mismatched as “Kimi o Kazaru Hana o Sakasou” and *Monkey Turn* is not great either. (I think “Kimi o Kazaru Hana o Sakasou” is a good song in its own right.) At this point, I do not think it matters if they cannot shake the “anime singer” label, but I would still like them to occasionally sing a TV drama theme song like “Maboroshi.” By the way, has anyone seen the *Shin Kasouken no Onna* theme-song version of the “Maboroshi” tie-in? I thought I would watch it as a conversation topic, but I never did. >>551 I agree. But for me, honestly, I just do not care either way.

To put it bluntly, the less GARNET fits the anime, the better fans usually seem to rate the song. lol People are tired of the idea of “adapting to the work.” >>556 Thinking about the future, I still want them to have a certain level of sales. I want to hear good songs, but I can live with some restrictions.

Sorry for the consecutive posts. >>558 The theme-song version? Did they change the arrangement or something? >>557 You have not seen it? http://music8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicjg/1172617255/

I am not against *Conan*, but I do think going back to it would be a little boring. If they return to a *Conan* tie-in in the future, it would certainly make the sales figures more reassuring, but I feel like that would be all. (I do not think tie-ins change the quality of the songs.) GARNET already became known to *Conan* viewers through songs like “Yume Mita Ato de” and “Natsu no Maboroshi,” so the number of buyers might not change much from before. In that sense, I also think the MÄR tie-in was good. I hope the past two years helped them gain at least some new fans from a different audience.

As long as they can keep their core audience, I think that is enough.

GARNET's songs are distinct in a good way, so they are probably hard to fit to a tie-in. In that sense, I think *Amazon* would be a good fit. Next time, I would like them to do a theme song for a small independent film.

Still, it would be nice if sales and satisfaction with the songs were directly proportional. For me, “Yume Mita” is probably the ideal example so far.

Sorry to interrupt, but what does B-side mean?

>>563 > A theme song for a small independent film That is a good idea. I do not know if it would help sales, but it seems like a good fit.

>>565 It means the coupling track.

I feel like GARNET's coupling tracks have more good songs ... Though the album tracks are good too.

>>567 Thanks.

It feels like singles tend to have more songs aimed at mainstream tastes. I think that tendency became more pronounced after MÄR.

Why not review GC's albums in this thread? http://music8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1169466862/ You might hear some interesting opinions.

I often hear people say that after “Spiral” they became more mainstream and the song quality got worse. What do people here actually think? I do not feel that way at all. There are plenty of interesting arrangements, like the crystal-like synth and acoustic-guitar syncopation in “Crystal Gauge,” or the scratching and rap in “Nake Naka.”

>>571 Writing album reviews seems like a lot of work ...

>>572 > “I often hear people say that after ‘Spiral’ they became more mainstream and the song quality got worse.” Where on earth did you hear that!?

Well, that is what you would call a kind of psychological manipulation.

I do not hear people saying “they became more mainstream after ‘Spiral’” that often ... but I do often hear “their songs got tacky after ‘Spiral.’”

GARNET's turning point was after “Spiral,” right? If you mean they moved toward a more commercial style ... They themselves may have been really happy about appearing on TV. I do not think the quality got worse, but the old GARNET feel definitely became less pronounced.

A tie-in is a strategy for increasing sales, so people who want the numbers to go up are the ones who care about it. Are they really that concerned about the figures? No, of course I am happy when a song I like charts, but if a song that makes me go “...” charts, then all I can do is go “...”. At the end of the day, rankings mostly reflect how the title track is received, so they do not reflect the quality of GARNET's real strength: the B-sides. >>560 I asked because I did not know, of course.

>>578 > At the end of the day, rankings mostly reflect how the title track is received, > so they do not reflect the quality of GARNET's real strength: the B-sides. I do not care what happens on Oricon. I have never thought song quality has to be reflected in the public's evaluation. What I do care about for their future activities is what happens to their core audience. This is not about >>560, but regarding the theme-song discussion (although I do not know exactly how the arrangement changed), I thought everyone was talking on the assumption that the arrangement had changed. lol It turns out we do not even know whether it changed.

You are so sneaky. And that irritating attitude is spot on.

>>560 Thanks ... I had not seen it.

I prefer the period after “Spiral.” Since it is pop music, it should be easy to understand. Catchy melodies, wholesome lyrics, and exciting arrangements. As long as it has those things, there is no need to make niche music. In that sense, the latest album is excellent. “Koyoi Eden no Katasumi de” and “Hare-dokei” are flawless pop songs. I am waiting for an even poppier, catchier album.

Thanks so much to everyone who told me about Sean North. Sorry it took me so long to say thanks.

>>582 Are you trolling?

I was really disappointed the first time I heard the 5th album. I have always felt their opening tracks are never throwaways, and this one did not disappoint there either, but ... what about the rest? I had question marks all the way through. I have gotten used to it now and actually like it, but compared with the other albums, it is clearly an unusual one. lol To put it simply, for people who have listened to them for a long time, the image of what feels “like GARNET” is too far from what they had in mind, which is probably why the reviews were poor. Still, as >>582 said, even “Eden,” which gets a bad reception, is pretty good as pop music. If you listen without thinking too much, “This is a GARNET CROW album!”, it might surprisingly be a good album. lol But as a GARNET work, it is still ... well ...

Does the 5th album really count as pop music? Someone mentioned this earlier, but apart from the singles, I think it mainly has the melancholy of guitar pop, not the kind of pop songs that make you want to get up and move ... >>572 I strongly agree. I do not think that is true either. There are so many great songs like “Wasurezaki” and “Kimi to Iu Hikari.” “Wasurezaki” may use a catchy canon chord progression, but the piano accompaniment and the lyrics overflowing with melancholy are wonderful.

Yurippe with the Daibusters, “Ugai” http://music8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicjf/1169281594/

If I had to describe the 5th, I would say it is an extension of the 4th album, but it feels like something is missing. Personally, there is not a single song that simply makes me think, “This is such a great song.”

Everyone is talking about whether they are pop and whether they sound like GARNET, but that probably depends entirely on when you became a fan. Fans from the early days know the distinctive style and impact they had at debut, so the newer works feel strange to them. Fans who came after “Spiral” can naturally accept the more conventional J-pop style. And of course, everyone has their own tastes too. >>587 Here is someone who stays up late on Thursdays for Yurippe.

Rather than putting it on specifically because I want to hear it, I sometimes leave shuffle on, and when a song comes up once in a while, I think it is actually pretty good. After all, whether you like something varies from person to person, and it can change depending on when you listen.

I am such a poet.

>>589 I think people assume that anyone who comes here knows their dark early-period sound. In other words, the discussion is generally based on the early period.

If you are a half-hearted fan who got into them through MÄR, why not go follow some other popular artist?

>>593 Say that in the main thread. I am not saying you have to be nice, but this kind of comment is unnecessary.

I became a GARNET CROW fan through *Conan*. Is it okay for me to be here?

I do not understand why you would worry about that.

I do not feel out of place listening to the *Conan* songs. I can listen to them as regular GARNET songs. But “Atsumemell” and “Kaze to Rainbow” ... orz

I think the sound effects, piano, bass line, guitar solo, and so on in “Atsumemell” are all pretty good. The same goes for the lyrics. If you stop thinking of it as a song written to fit MÄR's world and just listen to it as a work on its own, it is pretty interesting. I still do not quite get “Kaze to Rainbow” myself ... Can someone tell me what is so good about it?

You do not have to force yourself to like it.

>>594 Sorry. I got worked up when I saw >>582. I will go cool off.

>>600 I understand what you are trying to say. As an early fan, even I feel a little bothered by some of what >>582 said, which could be taken as an insult.

As for whether the 5th album is pop and catchy, it does not really feel that way to me. It is like a dish that was seasoned badly and thickened with too much potato starch.

So stop insulting each other.

Anyway ... once you become a Gane fan, no matter when you became one, you probably feel like everyone was drawn to that dark side of them ... Their darkness is usually what gets praised, after all. So if someone says they prefer the pop side, it is understandable that people might think they are trolling.

Sorry, the word “pop” can be misleading. But I really am not trolling at all. And I did not get into them through an anime or anything. I just think that if something is a pop song, it should have the qualities of pop. Great albums, powerful albums, unquestionably have that quality. Last year's new releases by Pearl Jam and Primal Scream could certainly be dismissed with, “Isn't that just commercial stuff?” You could say that, but I—at least, I—cried when I heard them for the first time. Both bands had struggled for nearly ten years (unable to make pop songs / unable to escape the chaos / unable to sell records), but the brightness and strength when they finally broke through, and the utterly pure emotion, if that is what pop means, then I am willing to believe in pop. So I just want GARNET, the only J-pop act I still listen to, to be pop too. Sorry for writing so much. I just did not want to be misunderstood.

The early period really had a dark, mysterious quality. There is nothing wrong with going in a pop direction, but honestly, that sound is already saturated throughout Japanese music and no longer feels fresh. That is probably why so many people were drawn to the GARNET CROW with such a strong, dark, mysterious quality.

But the early songs were catchy and very pop too. They also had a neo-acoustic, guitar-pop feel. The melodies and arrangements did not become formulaic, so I think that is why people did not really get that impression.

You people are so awkward.

It is hard to use the word “pop.” Some people interpret it as a kind of flexibility too. >>605 Gane fans easily get the idea that “fans are drawn to the darkness,” so if you say you prefer the pop side (especially after mentioning that you dislike MÄR), people may misunderstand you somewhere along the way. I do understand what you mean, though ... (Hmm, personally, I wonder whether “Hare-dokei” counts as the kind of pop that really breaks through. That is how it feels to me.)

By the way, I really hope you will tell me which pop albums you think are well made. Recently I have been listening to a lot of prog, like Pain of Salvation, Nucleus Torn, and Garmarna, so my taste has gotten a little lopsided and I have drifted pretty far from pop ...

I especially like “Hare-dokei,” “Natsu no Maboroshi,” “flying,” “Kimi no Ie ...,” “Futari no Rocket,” and “Crystal Gauge.” So I think of Gane as more beautiful-sounding than dark. I cannot get into songs like “Rai Rai Ya.” I do not like “Mizu no Nai ...” or “Holy ground” either. I like Yurippe's voice and melodies, so I basically buy their releases anyway.

So there are people who do not like “Mizu no Nai ...” or “Holy ground” either ... No, I am not saying there is anything strange about that.

Yeah, I do not like “Mizu no Nai ...” that much either. I got “Timeless Sleep” for 180 yen today. “Whiteout” is unbelievably cool.

>>613 That is really late. lol Come to think of it, are there actually fewer people here who know all the B-sides?

I have not heard the one called “Candy Pop” yet.

Or “High Speed One Day,” either. There may be others ...

At the end of the day, what does “pop” even mean? If pop means something that appeals to the masses, then I would actually prefer it not to be pop. But I do not think I became a fan because of GARNET's dark side. The song that got me into them was “Last love song.” The first GARNET CD I bought was “SPARKLE: Sujigaki-dori no Sky Blue.” I have not listened that deeply to “Mizu no Nai Hareta Umi e” or “Holy ground.” But I have listened to “Eien ni Hohure” and “Marionette Fantasia” a lot. Even for someone who became a fan early on, it seems like a stretch to find darkness in “Kimi no Ie made Zutto Hashitte Yuku” or “Futari no Rocket.” But are those B-sides considered dark songs?

If they could balance their specialty ballads, dark songs like “Holy ground,” and pop songs like “Hare-dokei” across the A-sides and B-sides, I would be completely satisfied. But I would also like them to make more neo-acoustic, glittering songs like “Kiminchi” and “Crystal Gauge” ... I do not want any more Latin songs! Though Yurippe likes Latin ...

As someone who likes “Yasashii Ame” and “a crown” (as well as “Yuudachi no Niwa,” “Yume Mita Ato de,” and so on), I guess I would call that healing music—not dark, beautiful, glittering, or Latin. Though I like the other styles too.

>>619 How about “loose feeling”?

Even among their Latin songs, I think “Eien o Kakenukeru” is in a league of its own. The melody is great to begin with, and adding a Latin flavor makes it a classic. Nana's piano solo at the end is also subtly wonderful. (・∀・)

I am not >>619, but “lose feeling” is a great song.

It really depends on the person. For someone like me, who is still wondering, “Why did they put that piano section at the end?”, “Eien o Kakenukeru Isshun no Boku-ra” is just an average song.

>>617 Many people call them dark, and magazines often comment on their dark side, so the idea of “GARNET = dark” naturally sticks. Fans then start thinking, “People who become fans must be okay with the darkness, and in the end, that is what drew them in.” (・∀・)/~~~

So without the darkness, Gane would just become an ordinary band, right? People have mentioned pop, Latin, glittery, and healing styles, but it is the darkness that gives GC its established identity.

What do you mean, an “ordinary band”? lol That is unfair to other bands. When you think of Gane's well-known songs, are they not “Yume Mita,” “Natsu no Maboroshi,” “flying,” and “Spiral”? At least among the people around me (college students), not many think “Gane = dark.” The comments I often hear are “flying,” “ballads,” “their old *Conan* songs,” and “I do not really know them.” lol Almost nobody knows about MÄR.

But ... the darkness is connected to the lyrics too~ Even their pop songs have a little dark seasoning in them. >>621 That is Cyber Sound for you. (・∀・)/~~~ I also think it is a great song. I really like the arrangement that brings the piano to the forefront. That bouncy rhythm makes you feel like you have gone to a tropical place.

As an early fan, I hope they go in a neo-acoustic direction. >>625 Agreed. Gane's pop is not simply bright; it has darkness in it too. Even their gentle ballads have that quality. I think that is what gives them a charm other artists do not have.

Do you people really like dark music that much? lol

Sorry for suddenly changing the subject, but what would Gane fans recommend as a good introduction to prog? I should probably ask this on the prog board, but it is so quiet over there that I thought I might get more interesting answers here.

>>630 Probably King Crimson's *In the Court of the Crimson King*. (・∀・)/~~~ That is the first album that comes to mind as an introduction to prog. It cleverly combines jazz, classical, and traditional folk elements, and has the kind of complex, technically demanding playing—with saxophone, Mellotron, distorted guitar, and so on—that makes you think, “Now this is prog!”

>>630 Genesis. It is one of Nana's favorite artists. I used to listen to their early albums until I wore them out.

Personally, I find Genesis a little weird and hard to get into. But I think they have a lot of great albums. If I had to pick one, I would say Yes's *Close to the Edge*. It has a catchy prog feel, so I think it is easy to get into.

Just to clarify, I mean Genesis when Peter Gabriel was in the band. I think Nana likes Peter Gabriel too. What do you mean, “weird” ...?

Isn't *In the Court of the Crimson King* too difficult to recommend right off the bat to someone new to prog? I think it would be easier to start with a relatively recent band like ANEKDOTEN. Personally, I would recommend PAATOS, which has come up several times in this thread. They have a female vocalist and do not do anything too strange, so they are easy to listen to.

>>634 Sorry, “weird” was not the best word. They are a pretty quirky band. Maybe I should recommend some prog metal instead.

I forgot to mention the album. Genesis, *Selling England by the Pound*. >>636 You seem to be a prog beginner too, so listen first and then come back to argue with me.

That is just my impression after listening to most of their albums, though. Of the five major prog bands, they are the hardest to get into. You are right that I am a prog beginner. I have only listened to prog metal until now.

I think PAATOS are a little like Gane when they perform live. Though there is not much connection otherwise. On their recordings, the vocals sound transparent, almost as if they have effects on them, but live the voice does not come through at all ... lol Their vocals are clearly better on the recording ... Still, their jazzy, busy drumming and the performance itself are fun to watch.

Am I the only one who thinks the first track on *In the Court of the Crimson King* is so powerful that the rest of the album feels disappointing? Maybe it is too quiet afterward. Still, that album pushed *Abbey Road* out of the top spot, so Britain in 1969 must have been great. It would never sell in Japan, let alone reach No. 1 on the charts. It is hard to even imagine.

That is exactly why the next album, *In the Wake of Poseidon*, got such a bad reception. lol People said the song structures were too similar, that they were rehashing old ideas. But I think “Pictures of a City” is pretty good. They seem to have used a lot of free-jazz and classical techniques and put a lot of thought into it, so I think it deserved more recognition.

You all listen to a lot of Western music ... I cannot get into it because I do not understand the lyrics. >>627 Right, right. I like the darkness in the lyrics, or that blackened feeling. But when people say “dark,” do they usually think of an original song in a minor key? There can be quite a gap in how people understand the term. For me, I often find that when I dig into the lyrics, they turn out to be pretty dark. But they have to have depth too—that is why I like them. Whether they are dark or not is just the result.

GARNET have said in interviews and such that they write good songs and build up a collection, then choose some for singles or albums; they do not start out thinking, “Let's make an album,” and produce it as a whole. So they probably will not release a concept album. What a shame.

The first prog I heard was a Pink Floyd greatest-hits compilation. It felt like a whole new world had opened up to me. I was 17 at the time. lol But would it not be fine to start with Dream Theater or something? They are pretty easy to get into too.

>>642 Was Yukio's reply not aimed at >>625? In other words, darkness can be found everywhere, right? You do not understand the lyrics ... do they not have translations? Though even with translations, since the vocals are in English, it can be hard to imagine the scenes in the lyrics. Are you someone who pays more attention to lyrics?

>>644 Dream Theater is way off topic. It does not match what was being asked, and its musicality is far from GC's anyway. If you do not understand the lyrics, albums like Pink Floyd's *The Wall* lose half their appeal.

For prog recommendations suited to GARNET fans, it would probably be cold, gloomy Nordic music. Since PAATOS came up, WHITE WILLOW might be good too. Though some people might say the gothic feel is too strong for them to count as prog.

It is not prog, but I feel like the first Stone Roses album has a similar atmosphere somehow.

Since WHITE WILLOW came up, I will mention The 3rd and the Mortal. Both have a gothic sound with a bit of prog, right?

Both seem to have elements that Gane fans might like, right?

It has been two days since this thread turned into the prog board.

Is that not fine? We can bring up other topics too.

Well ... it seems like everyone more or less agrees. Sorry to change the subject, but did anyone see the *Da Vinci* feature?

>>651 Has this already become the prog “board” ...?

That magazine, right?

It mentioned Oscar Wilde. Reading something like that helps you understand what Azuki draws inspiration from. That might sound like an exaggeration, but you can get a little glimpse of her own worldview, which is interesting. Personally, I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future.

“Those who wish to look beneath the surface must be prepared to take risks.” From *The Picture of Dorian Gray*. Everyone, send in the reader questionnaire for *Da Vinci*.

It is good to be influenced by all kinds of works and people, but when songs like “Atsumemell” use Novalis's “Aoi Hana,” it feels a little odd to me. (Just my opinion; it is not that I dislike “Atsumemell.”) Maybe it is because Novalis, as in *Aoi Hana* and similar works, gives an impression of being very fantastical and hard to grasp, so it does not quite match the image of the song or the anime. Still ... the anime is about adventures in another world, and the lyrics to “Atsumemell” seem related to the unfinished *Aoi Hana*, so it is not as if they are completely unrelated ...

I would have been happier if she had gotten more space. Considering her level of fame, I guess it would be unreasonable to expect more.

If she published a book of essays or something, could she raise her profile outside of Gane too? The writing in her diary is interesting, so I think it could work.

She does not need more fame. She does not need any more fans, right?

Slightly off topic, but was Azuki once ranked 9th among the highest taxpayers in Kansai? Was it 9th? I wonder how well known she is in Kansai. Rather than Azuki herself, Gane as a whole is surely much better known in Kansai than in Kanto. GIZA's promotion feels kind of regional ...

>>661 I can kind of understand feeling that they do not need fans anymore, but sales are still the most important thing for Gane, so of course they want more fans.

>>661 Still, would you not be happy if the members started appearing in articles more often? Like Azuki in the feature mentioned above.

Even a monthly column would give us one more thing to look forward to every month. Then they could publish it as a book. Nana herself has said she likes writing in her spare time, so she simply has not received an offer yet. There is too little material about Gane to talk about these days. I really wish there were more opportunities like this.

She has published a poetry collection before, so an essay book seems possible. But getting a magazine column or a large feature would be very difficult unless it were in a GIZA-related magazine. *J-Rock Magazine* has ceased publication now, but even that magazine never had anything like this.

Komatsu used to have a column too, right? Compared with her, I think Azuki has more ideas for features and greater demand, so it is really disappointing.

Okamoto Hitoshi's column in *Undown* was interesting too ...

I do not understand why they are doing a feature on Ota from Bakusho Mondai. His writing is also so affected, and he tries to relate everything to anti-Americanism, which makes it hard to read. I want to know why he is popular.

>>667 Komatsu is pretty interesting too, though. lol True, giving that space to Azuki might be a good idea. But Komatsu has probably gotten offers because she has been doing solo work for a long time.

Ota seems to like reading American modern literature and anti-war books. It is good to learn about current affairs from those sources, but I wish he would stop making statements and arguments like he does on that program. They are too one-sided and lack tolerance (and the fact that he is so serious about it makes it awkward. Does he have no sense of humor?) >>670 Komatsu and Azuki both seem suited to that kind of thing. Maybe they both have a distinctive persona? Even if Yurippe did it, forgive me for saying this, I do not think it would be very interesting.

Even if she got that column, if all she talked about was Yurippe, the regulars here probably would not find it that interesting. lol But surely it would not be that bad.

>>671 Do not underestimate Yurippe's lame jokes. She thinks about them very seriously.

>>673 No, I am not underestimating her. lol I was just wondering whether she would bring up topics that attract readers. But if she talked about music, it might be pretty interesting.

>>673 Go, mammoth!

I subscribe to *Da Vinci* every month, and I actually look forward to the Bakusho Mondai feature. I think Ota is pretty good. He seems to read a huge number of books, and I think it is great that he has clear opinions about politics. He also seems to back up his arguments well.

Ota should use magazines and other print media as a way to promote his ideas. But when he goes on TV and talks with politicians, his shortcomings become obvious. I did not know there were threads about Gane and GRAPEVINE too ... Things have gotten pretty heated there.

There is even a Yurippe × Nana shipping thread. Gane really is loved by all kinds of people.

>>677 That GRAPEVINE and GARNET thread is a mess. What is with all that ugly arguing? lol They are obviously not comparable. I guess people made them fight because “they are both annoying, overzealous fans.”

I think Ota should avoid making political statements. He is not good at organizing his thoughts. Before he states his position, he sounds all right, but as soon as the other person questions him, he loses track of his own argument. Then all kinds of slightly unrelated things start coming out compared with what he was originally saying.

Has anyone listened to Uura? I wonder if Gane fans do not usually listen to her. If that release flops, what will GIZA do next ...?

>>681 🙋 I was surprised that the A-side was so short (about 2 minutes 40 seconds), but I kind of like it. However, I like the B-side even more. GIZA really does have more good songs on the B-sides.

I have only heard a little, but it struck me as boring. The riffs and such are okay, but I think Uura's singing is too weak. It was the same last time, with the high notes and all ... lol The rolled R's make it hard to understand, which draws even more attention to how weak her voice is. Her style is in the same general category as Ueki, Manaka, and Hoshida, but she feels completely different in terms of power. (At least for now.)

Hmm, yeah, I also think it is a little underwhelming. I agree that the B-side is actually better.

Do you all dislike commercial pop like Avex, after all? I often hear people say that elsewhere. I thought I would bring it up as a topic, so I wanted to ask.

I do not mind commercial pop, but I cannot really handle arrangements with lots of layered strings. They do not feel calming to me. The artists my friend recommended—Yuna Ito, Remioromen (after *ether*), and Mr. Children ballads—are all a little hard for me to get into.

Tomorrow I am going to buy “Hare-dokei” for 50 yen and “Maboroshi” for 100 yen. *waves*

Whoa ... that is cheap. lol Are you the person who was talking about B-sides earlier?

It is funny how this place gets quiet depending on the topic. lol Are there a lot of people just lurking?

It probably depends on the topic. Since this is a chat thread, there are plenty of things we could talk about, but only if people are around.

For some reason, I was surprised to see “melancholy” recommended on 2ch. lol I did not know anyone still watched it. lol >>685 Where did you hear that? Do people think Gane fans prefer niche music? lol I do not really care about commercial pop either. (Does “commercial pop” mean melodies and arrangements that are easy to understand?) But there are not many Avex artists I like. Janne Da Arc and Do As Infinity (though they have disbanded; their solo work does not do it for me) are about the only ones I like. Their sounds all seem to leave more or less the same impression ...

But ... since the new song came out, I cannot think of anything to talk about regarding GARNET ... We are completely out of basic topics.

Just when I was wishing for a topic, an e-mail from the fan club arrived ... Hitomi Memorial Hall in Tokyo (inside Showa Women's University), right? lol

Oh~ they are holding it in another one of those odd places. lol But I am not even in the fan club ... lol

>>694 I heard all four members are actually going to show up at this fan-club event. lol They did not appear in person last time, right ...? Though I was not a member then, so I am not sure. It is a chance to hear the members talk in person. There is still time to join. lol

>>695 Wow, I have to join now. lol This is the Year of Seven again ... (Though, since it is GIZA, there is always a chance they will put on a half-hearted event. lol) And maybe this time will be a little different from the last one ...

You will not regret joining. The newsletter is worth looking forward to every time too. I wonder how many members there are now ... I joined after the 4th album came out, when there were around 5,500, I think.

Since it is the Year of Seven, something could happen. I am definitely looking forward to the event. Anyway, I hope it will not be just a half-hearted “let's give it a try” kind of thing. Maybe they could have some fun with the music or something, though perhaps that is too much to ask ...

>>695 Last time there was only a talk segment with Okamochi. I hope they perform some songs this time too ...

At the last event, I got a signed poster from Mochi in person. I wonder what they will do this year.

I still want music. Fan merchandise centered on Azuki or things like that feels a little ... questionable to me.

I still want some special perks from the fan club. The newsletter is nice, but honestly, I do not think that alone is enough. I went to the Kawasaki Club Citta event thinking some of the members would show up, but only Okamoto Hitoshi was there ... I cannot deny that I was a little disappointed. Still, it was fun talking with Furui Hirohito on the live phone call. Even for the concert presale, I ended up in the very last row. GARNET feels so far away ... By the way, does anyone here have a three-digit membership number? I joined late because I did not have the money, and ended up in the 2000 range.

From a GARNET listener's perspective, which COLDPLAY album do you think is the best? Their style really changed with all three, right? By the way, Brian Eno is producing their next album. It kind of has a “Homura” feel to it.

GARNET's fan club already had more than 1,000 people at the live show when it first started, right? So three-digit numbers must belong to people who went to that show?

At the time, I was just happy thinking, “It has been so long since I found a Japanese band that was my thing.” lol I was not even a fan yet; I had only just started listening.

>>703 I do not listen to COLDPLAY much, so I do not know. Do any of the other regulars here listen to them ...? >>698 I still want them to experiment with the music. lol But ... we do not even know what form the event will take. This is GIZA, after all—the company whose sales methods and strategy are impossible to figure out. lol It could turn into something so boring that everyone criticizes it. It is better not to expect too much. Though I will probably get my hopes up anyway.

>>693 ...That is our university. MISIA and ORANGE RANGE have performed in that hall during our school festival, and I think DAI did too, so I do not think it is an odd venue.

It is actually pretty famous. The Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa and other classical-music events are held there, right? It is interesting that they are holding it there.

Right. It is a pretty big venue, and I think the hall has great acoustics, so I really hope they perform ...

>>703 You mean COLDPLAY? Because Eno is producing it, right? *X&Y* sold like crazy. On the Western-music board, people say it gets old easily. When they came to Japan recently, they had trouble selling all the tickets, but they are putting together another world tour, right? Pretty impressive. That is all.

AXL ROSE is coming! Slash, from the Guns N' Roses I used to cover on guitar—what a nostalgic band. I was so excited when I saw Guns N' Roses live at the Tokyo Dome back then. The fear of them canceling at the last minute. The fear of them showing up late. Still, what gets my heart racing is the event on July 7. For some reason, the chord I am playing is from “Kaze to Rainbow.” Am I doing it right?

>>711 What was that? lol So sudden. It would be so exciting if they performed an unreleased song live. And if they announced on the spot that the next release would be a concept album (including instrumentals), how much could I look forward to it in advance? What a ridiculous fantasy. ^^

I really think “Sweet Child o' Mine” is a masterpiece, though of course that is obvious. Still, does that song not feel a little out of place? But then, it was because of that song that I picked up a Guns N' Roses album, so it did its job for me.

Guns N' Roses ... I guess I only listened seriously to *Use Your Illusion II*. I think their mellower, more acoustic songs are pretty good. Of course they are highly regarded as heavy rock, but that side of them is excellent too.

I am a newbie who only started listening properly with “Kaze to Rainbow,” but does it not sound like Zelda?

>>715 Do you mean *The Legend of Zelda*? The field music from *The Legend of Zelda* has a galloping, repeated-note melody, and “Kaze to RAINBOW” has a similar melodic contour in the chorus. I have finished every game in the *Zelda* series except the GC one, so I get what you mean, but ... it is hard to say. The way the notes connect is not completely unlike it, though.

No. ZELDA was a slightly obscure all-female band from about 20 years ago. The lead singer sounds a lot like her. Maybe Yurippe herself respects her.

My fan-club number is a two-digit number near the beginning. I wonder how many members there are now ...

Was ZELDA a long-running new-wave band? The chorus and delay effects on the guitar really stick in your ears. Though I hardly know any of their songs. What is the lead singer's voice like? Hard to say.

For an all-female band, they were pretty unusual. They wrote and produced their own music, and were active for around fifteen years (?). It is really hard for a girl band to last that long.

>>718 I joined the fan club at a live show last year, and the number was already over 6,500 then.

I first heard them through “Kaze to Rainbow,” but the voice of ZELDA's lead singer really does sound similar. It does not feel unpleasant.

I cannot remember what ZELDA's lead singer sounds like off the top of my head ... But that is just because I do not know them very well. >>718 A two-digit number near the beginning. lol Wow~ That is the first time I have heard of that ... what an impressive number.

>>721 They already had 6,500 members last year? With the new song out now, are they close to 7,000? The age range seems to be getting noticeably younger. lol

>723 I was there lining up to sign up when the fan club first opened. I have never met anyone else with a two-digit number either. I wonder if some people have already quit ... (´・ω・｀)

GARNET fans are hard to find in the first place, so I guess that is inevitable. Forget members—even finding fans is hard. lol

I am in the 700s!

This week we are finally free of MÄR. I am genuinely happy about that. >>712 Someone said this before, but a concept album seems difficult, right? It seems like they do not pay much attention to song order or how unified the album is, even when they string singles together. You can tell they greedily pursue musical variety and detailed arrangements ... which is a shame.

>>728 Good for you.

I should not have bought OLIVIA's new album ... lol It has none of the industrial, grunge, or gothic elements she used to have ... What a shame. *Synchronicity* was so good.

>>728 No, do not let your guard down. lol GIZA might use them for another anime tie-in and make them do it again. If there is a tie-in, that company always seems to add something to it.

“Kaze / Kono Te” sold better than “Crystal Gauge” ... Will it pass “Atsumemell” next week?

Still, that does not mean they actually gained a lot of new fans. I wonder what GARNET fans think of this result.

I do not watch TV, so I do not care about tie-ins at all. As long as the song is good, I am happy. More importantly, Arctic Monkeys' second album seems a little underwhelming. The second album really is difficult, I guess. Right now, my favorite band is The View.

I saw a music video on YouTube with her appearing alongside Tak Matsumoto from B'z and was surprised. I have always thought she sings with this low-energy look on her face. Does she always sing like that?

Is OLIVIA's album really getting criticized everywhere like that? (・∀・)/~~~ It has gone in a catchy direction overall, and you can no longer feel the gloomy elements from before. >>733 Maybe Avex interfered with the business side? (・∀・)/~~~ Or maybe it was the influence of the *NANA* tie-in, which reached a wider audience ... The old wild grunge and gothic flavor is gradually disappearing. What a shame. I hope the next one will be something like *The Lost Lolli*~

>>735 For me, it is “Kaze.” Is that not cool?

Is Furui Hirohito present when GARNET records?

If he were not there, how could they record the songs properly? Though I guess different engineers handle the mixing and remastering. >>736 It is just like a certain anime. lol But even if she was influenced by it, I still think the songs themselves are pretty good~ Rather than correcting the style back to what it used to be, I hope they fix the drums and sound quality first ... lol

>>735 Hmm ... I guess that is probably what it is like. (・∀・)/~~~ Maybe she seems that way because she does not show much expression or move around much. >>739 The sound quality is bad~ (・∀・)/~~~ I think so too. People have been discussing it in this thread, and even the regular releases are barely any better than the CCCDs—sometimes they are even worse. Regular audio should at least be on par with the existing CD releases ... It is not like they are an indie label. (GARNET's sound quality is worse now than it was early on ...)

By the way, changing the subject: the important “Year of Seven” anniversary event is being held in Tokyo. Does that mean future events and live shows might start favoring Tokyo? Am I reading too much into it?

If you call that favoring one place, they have always only done Osaka (Kansai) and Tokyo—two shows, right? But last year's live did introduce a new song only at the Tokyo show ... is that what you mean? I am on the Kanto side, so I am actually happy. lol

I mean that the important things would be concentrated at the Tokyo show. I am happy with Tokyo getting preferential treatment too, since I am in Kanto.

Which area do most of the people in this thread live in?

Kanto.

Not Kanto.

Kanto.

Yokohama. Both premiere shows were in Osaka, so why do you say Tokyo is getting special treatment? >>742 Last year's live was in Tokyo quite a while after the Osaka show, so perhaps that just happened to make it convenient to introduce the new song then?

I was going to watch the 5th-anniversary DVD, but when I checked, I realized I never bought *First Photoscope*! I bought *J-Rock*, *80,0*, and *LIVE*, but completely forgot about that one. By the way, I am from Tokyo.

>>748 Oh, right. The premiere events—I got that wrong. lol

>>741 No, I do not think the Year of Seven alone means that will happen. You are reading too much into it. lol And even if it is their special anniversary year, it does not seem like they will do anything hugely extravagant. As for the venue, I think they chose Hitomi Memorial Hall (inside Showa Women's University) because it would make a nice place for a commemorative event.

Sorry, Yukio. lol I used your fixed name by mistake. lol

It says the members are expected to attend this time ... does that mean all of them will be there ...? I am starting to worry.

>>751 They will have a live show, right? Both venues have excellent acoustics. Mai Kuraki has performed at Amagasaki Archaic Hall too. If it were at PAN, I would be suspicious. Also, the official OPEN/START times clearly just mean the doors-open/show-start times to me.

Still, I just want to see the members. If there is a live show, to put it bluntly, even playing along to backing tracks would be fine. lol (Though Yurippe does need to sing, or we would have a problem.)

Yeah, I would be happy just to hear the members talk ... We get plenty of chances to hear the songs live anyway. Those of us in Kanto cannot even hear their radio voices, so we have to imagine them from radio reports. lol So I actually would not mind if they just talked for the full two hours ... lol Am I the only one who thinks that?

I heard Hitomi Memorial Hall has world-class acoustics, so I want to hear a live performance. I googled it, and the hall itself looks great too. It would be such a waste to spend the whole time just talking.

That is true. Someone mentioned earlier that classical music events are concentrated there, so the sound should be incredible, and the hall must have a majestic feel. Besides the band sound, strings like the string quartet they used at a previous live would probably sound magnificent there too.

This may be too much to hope for at an event, but would they bring in strings?

Even if they do a live set, they will probably make do with Furui Hirohito's pads or synth leads. Since this is not a formal live show, I doubt they would go to the trouble of bringing in live strings. Given the venue, it is not completely impossible that they might prepare something, though.

Still, I want to see it. We do not even know what the live itself will be like yet ...

I think they will do a live set.

2ch people are amazing. lol I thought that again. The way they trashed Ando was extreme. Why did she get flamed so badly? >>758 Of course the sound would be great, but I think ballads would really shine there too.

>>763 The main reason was probably the media's excessive hype about her “attempt at a quadruple jump.” Then the coach made a decision, and that claim suddenly disappeared. For people on 2ch, it was probably like, “Are you kidding me? You made such a huge fuss before, and now this is a scam?” (Though before that, there also seemed to be a bias in favor of Asada.)

That thread was moving at an abnormally fast pace. lol Everyone really loves figure skating. But my discovery yesterday was that Ochem is getting good at soccer. Right, Mochippe?

It was way too much. lol The thread that was started around 10 a.m. had already disappeared. lol There are so many people creepily praising Asada to the skies. “Ando is faking it” lol ... They say that while praising her. Are they stupid? ^^ That said, I am not saying I have stopped watching. lol The members never bring up this kind of topic. Or rather, there have not even been any updates. I actually like Mochi's soccer talk~

I know it is a little odd to talk about figure skating in a GARNET thread, but I will add something anyway. lol I have always thought Asada looked like comedian Masaki Asada, and then he used her as a joke on *Iromonea* the other day. I was surprised. lol Compared with Asada, I think the Korean skater is a level above in both technique and appearance ... If I said that, would the people in the figure-skating thread beat me up? lol

It is fine. It is not like we are going to talk about this topic forever. Since this is a chat thread, talking about it a little is okay. When we get tired of it, we can switch to something else. (It might be better if we mix in some GARNET talk too.) I think Asada is excellent both technically and mentally. Her short-program result was not very good, but she still fought hard in the end. That was impressive. Her comeback was surprising.

Has the diary really not been updated at all? It is their anniversary year, after all, and everyone is wondering what is going on. Has she gotten tired of writing the diary? If there is a Q&A at the fan-club event, I really want to ask her. You may not have noticed, but someone skated to a violin version of “Enter Sandman,” which Mochi likes.

It is a little like Mai Kuraki's situation. They may be busy making music and all, but even though there are activities and an anniversary year, there is no news at all ... Are other artists like this too?

No updates = they are busy = they are making a new song → ... *Sexy Voice and Robo*? No way. lol

I do not want to get my hopes up, but I cannot help it ... about *Sexy Voice*. I just want them to announce something soon, whoever it is, so we can get some clarity.

I can really feel the agency's scheming when it comes to Ayaka. lol Anyway, I wish they would update the diary ... There is so much material she could write about. Is she too busy~?

I am looking forward to *Sexy Voice* not only because it would be a rare TV-drama tie-in, but also because it is on Nippon TV, which makes it seem more credible. It is a tie-in Being could get. I know most of this is just speculation ...

And they have gotten tie-ins before, too.

Is it not on Nippon TV? Mochi's radio show really is all about soccer, after all. Is it too early to talk about transfers? lol Though there is a rumor that Mushroom is transferring. Also, the skater to “Enter Sandman” was the men's singles skater Joubert.

I am in Kanto, so I do not know what Mochi's radio show is like. I guess it really is all soccer. I would kind of like to hear him talk about a wider range of things, but that is very Mochi-like too.

It has already been posted in the Mochi thread. Also, a correction: It is still Metallica, but it was not “Enter Sandman”—it was “The Unforgiven.” My apologies. m(__)m I am listening to the album now to check. It is track 4. I mixed it up with track 1. How embarrassing.

>>773 You do not get it—that is Ken-On. ^^ They are famous for pushing their way into every aspect. There are an incredible number of Ken-On dramas (with actresses and actors from Ken-On, and theme songs sung by Ken-On artists). At least in this Ayaka situation, Ken-On's aggressive promotion must have played a part. lol Maybe they were using Ando's popularity. I think they took it way too far, whatever you call it. It felt like they were treating the whole program as their own property. They probably should have thought twice about putting Ayaka and Ando together on screen. Instead of spending time on that, they should have paid more attention to how much screen time each athlete got. >>778 It is in the Mochi thread? Is this the first time? I will go look. Metallica's “The Unforgiven” was played ... I do not remember that at all ...

Singing the “Kaze to Rainbow” chorus hook, rhythmically.

I feel like ... I misunderstood what Mochi uploaded before. lol GARNET really does put a lot of care into making their songs. Sorry to say this only now. lol As I have said before, I think they combine things like dark Mellotron-like tones, clear synth leads, and tambourines really beautifully.

>>781 Which songs in particular?

It is hard to name specific ones ... For singles, maybe “Crystal Gauge” is a good example. Does anyone else have songs where you think, “Wow, this is so carefully made~”?

I think “Kyou no Kimi to Ashita o Matsu” is pretty carefully crafted. What do you all think?

For me, something like “Holding” ...

“Cold and RAINBOW.”

I think “Nakenai Yoru mo Nakanai Asa mo” and “Holding ...” are both carefully made. “Nake Naka” starts with a male rap and a groovy synth bass, which was so unexpected that I thought this change in direction was a little risky. Likewise, the R&B feel of “Holding ...” made me worry they were going to change direction again. lol Looking back now, GARNET was actually pretty experimental.

I think “Eien ni Hohure” and “dreaming of love” are both very well balanced sonically. First of all, the dynamics in “Eien ni Hohure” are great. (・∀・)ｲｲ! They fit the changing emotions of the narrator so well that it is almost overwhelming. The acoustic guitar under harmony effects creates a lonely feeling → the melody gets low and subdued → when the drums come in, the sound becomes brighter → then the chorus brightens up ... something like that. The lazy jazz-style arrangement of “dreaming” is great too. There seems to be a lot going on, but it never feels intrusive. I love those dry-sounding drums.

>>779 Speaking of Ken-On, Ken Hirai, who was with the agency at the time, appeared too, right? Was that their doing as well? lol Warner, Ken-On, and Dentsu were really pushing hard. You could tell Ken-On was trying hard too. I heard the drama's ratings were not very good.

What will the next tie-in be ...? I always notice the *Sexy Voice and Robo* commercials when they come on ...

Mai Kuraki is also holding a fan-club event at Hitomi Memorial Hall. GIZA found a great venue.

Where is Hitomi Memorial Hall?

Just google it. (I heard it takes about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station at the fastest—is that true?) Apparently the acoustics are ridiculously good, so even if Yurippe is not in top form, she should still sound pretty decent.

Yurippe's pitch is more worrying than her volume. lol

Back around the first live tour, around “Kimi to Iu Hikari,” she did not have enough volume, and her stability was terrible~. I think those things have improved now, but her pitch is still iffy. Songs from the 5th album seem to make the problems especially obvious.

Speaking of pitch ... at last year's Tokyo live, “Maboroshi” seemed pretty shaky ...

Yurippe is said to be good at switching from her mid-range into falsetto, but if people keep pointing out her pitch problems, that does not mean much ... lol >>795 She tends to strain when singing songs with a lot of high and low notes, like the songs on the 5th album. If she keeps singing like that, she will run out of steam in the second half, and it will be hard to stay on pitch. I think it would be better to sing more naturally.

One common pattern with Yurippe is that at the beginning, the low notes stand out too much. Her voice does not come out. By the middle, her voice clearly opens up. She can use falsetto and similar techniques fairly well. But pitch problems also start to become more obvious. By the end, her voice is coming through, but the pitch is still the same as before. I think that is a pretty common pattern. Part of the pitch problem may come from the impression that she is straining her voice.

Speaking of live shows, maybe I am the only one who thinks this, but during “Atsumemell,” did Yurippe rush a little ...? It just felt too fast, did it not?

I mean the tempo was fast.

The first-night show could definitely feel fast. It seemed like they were rushing right from the start. I wonder how Yurippe (Yuri Nakamura, the vocalist) will do this time.

Congratulations, GARNET CROW!

Congrats!

At this point, I kind of want them to try having Hitoshi Okamoto (nicknamed Mochi or Okamochi) or Hirohito Furui compose something, or even write lyrics. GARNET's worldview and individuality are probably treated as untouchable, but they're already firmly established. I don't think letting the other members make a few changes would have any strange effect.

But as long as Yurippe sings, everything turns into GARNET's color. That's amazing.

I have to agree with that, lol. That mid-to-low range really is captivating. Putting lyrics aside, though, they could vary the songwriting more. That would give the songs a wider range. On another note, Yurippe's range is incredible. She can even hit hihi C.

I'd like to hear Yurippe sing some songs that broaden their sound, and see how they take on her color. I'd also like to hear that “middle-aged guy” vocal she once mentioned, and Azuki on backing vocals, lol.

>>806 But none of their original songs go that high. I think the highest is the hi F in “Holding...”

Does hihi C mean she can sing across two octaves?

No, it's debatable whether Yurippe can even hit it. If you count the low notes too, you could say she spans two octaves. Ah, but Yurippe's voice flips over... Thinking about it calmly, there's no way. She can't sing “Holding” or “wish” steadily.

I meant it's questionable whether she can hit it properly live. Sorry, that came out awkwardly.

There's no way Yurippe can hit hihi C, lol. At most, maybe she can reach hi G—maybe not. At the Kobe University festival, she even sang “wish,” whose highest note is hi G, in a lower key.

Forget the highest note; that song is hard to keep in tune in the first place. Lowering the key for stability was the right call. Still, hasn't her range expanded compared with before? It probably doesn't extend much higher than that, though. I do think her low notes have grown richer. >>807 Furui on vocals (or backing vocals) seems a little questionable to me, but Azuki on backing vocals could be nice. We rarely get to hear her voice, so fans would be thrilled. Whether it would work musically is another question, lol.

>>813 Am I the only one who thinks the older guy would be terrible at singing? If he did sing, I imagine he'd run the mic through a synth and crank every effect all the way up, lol.

Hitoshi Okamoto (nicknamed Mochi or Okamochi) has said that Mr. Furui is a great singer.

For some reason, I also get the feeling he's not much of a singer, lol. Couldn't they just use lots of overdubbing and processed vocals, like Komatsu? And to begin with, Furui's looks don't quite strike me as vocalist material... (Speaking of his looks, this is unrelated, but without sunglasses on the early album covers, he looked a lot like Kuroda from Kobukuro, lol.)

>>815 That's the first I've heard of it, lol. In that case, he should show off his singing sometime, even just as a gag. What a waste. Come to think of it, Mochi's singing is kind of questionable too. Is it from smoking too much? His voice is so weak. But I like it.

>>808 Is “Holding” the highest? I thought “Crier Girl & Crier Boy” was the highest, lol.

I think the highest falsetto note on an album is probably still that one.

“Float World” and “wish★” are pretty high too, aren't they?

“wonder land” is high too... Actually, it has a wide range.

Actually, those songs go higher than “Holding.” I wonder how high Yurippe's falsetto goes these days. Could it be higher than the hihi A mentioned for Hyde here? ...that voice is so charming that it makes up for the strain. His guitar-pop-focused solo album, which makes great use of that voice, is an underrated gem.

If the older guy sang, I bet he'd really get into it. Fist in the air, not caring if his sunglasses slipped. “Ah, there goes the motif.”

Falsetto just means singing in a head voice, right? If we're talking about a single high note, I think “Crier Girl & Crier Boy ~ice cold sky~,” “Float world,” and the final chorus of “Holy ground” all reach the top range. But “Holding, and swinging” is the one where she sings high for a whole section. What do you think?

But she lowered the key both live and on TV. And her pitch was... ugh. If you go in expecting the original recording, it feels really off. On Music Station, the opening of “Rai Rai Ya” was so low it sounded strange. Yurippe can actually sing well, so it's a shame.

2:名無しのエリー :2007/03/29(木) 07:00:54 ID:CYNKhVlp0 【S】Among the very best singers in Japan MISIA, Rimi Natsukawa, Lyrico 【A】Can be called truly accomplished singers Yuki Koyanagi, Miwa Yoshida, KOKIA, Mari Hamada, Kuroneko (Onmyo-za), Rina Aiuchi, Angela Aki, Mink, Pushim, Miho Morikawa, Chihiro Onitsuka 【B】Good singers by professional standards SATOMI', Hitomi Shimatani, AI, Misato Watanabe, Kozue Nishijima (Nanamusica), Ayaka Hirahara, Miwa Sasagawa, Jun Shibata, Kana Uemura, Yuna Ito, KUMI (LOVE PSYCHEDELICO), Crystal Kay, Asuka Hayashi, Kumi Koda, Shiori Takei, Aya Kamiki, Masami Okui, Miliyah Kato, Hitoto Yo, Kaori Natori, Keiko Terada, YUKI (BENNIE K), Naomi Tamura, Emi Hinouchi, Ayaka, Miwako Okuda, Kaoru Kohiruimaki, OLIVIA, Kiyoe Yoshioka (Ikimono-gakari), UA, Ringo Sheena, Mari Mizuno (Paris match), Sachi Tainaka, Beni Arashiro 【C】Average mainstream singers aiko, Cocco, Eri Takenaka, Kumi Hirose, Namie Amuro, Salyu, RYTHEM, Hajime Chitose, Tomiko Van, Julia Matsuda, Suara, BoA, Rie Fu, Yoriko, Chikako Sawada, Chara, MAO/d, YUKI (formerly Judy and Mary), Younha, Ayako Nakanomori, Hikaru Utada, Hitomitoi, melody., Bonnie Pink, Maki Ohguro, Izumi Sakai (ZARD), Mika Nakashima, Manami (Jukai), Anri, Sonim, Keiko Uto, Kaori Okui, Sowelu, NOKKO 【D】Amateur karaoke-queen level Ayumi Hamasaki, Tomoko Kawase (Tommy heavenly6), Akina Nakamori, Izumi Sakai (ZARD), Kaela Kimura, Tomomi Kahara, Mai Kuraki, MINMI, Asako Toki, KEIKO (globe), YU-KI (TRF), LISA, EMYLI, misono, Aoi Teshima, Ayano Tsuji, Fayray, HIROKO (mihimaru GT), hitomi, Takako Okamura, Miyuki Hatakeyama, Yuri Nakamura (GARNET CROW), Ai Otsuka, hiro, Hitomi Takahashi, Nanase Aikawa, Ai Kawashima, Yuko Ando, Nami Tamaki, Maiko (maria), Marquee (HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR), Yumi Nakajima (GO!GO!7188) 【E】Worse than ordinary amateurs; shouldn't be singers Kaori Mochida, Yuka Saegusa, Ami Suzuki, YUI At least she wasn't labeled an anime-song singer, though.

Whoever made that ranking is an idiot. It's so half-assed it's laughable. The moment you get hung up on whether someone can sing well, you've already lost the plot. It's not about technique—it's about how fucking out-there she is. Just change the melody on the spot. There's no need to sing it exactly like the CD. That stuff is so boring. Better yet, don't sing at all—just stand there. That's the coolest thing. I want to marry Yurippe.

Even the ending of “Holy Ground” isn't that high... Though on a cover song, she did at least hit hihi C in falsetto...

“Watashi wa Kaze”?

Do you mean “tallme”?

>>826 Is that ranking based on how well they express themselves through their songs? Otherwise, you can't compare a metal singer like Kuroneko with Shiori Takei, who's more jazz and bossa nova. If that's the case... I think plenty of singers would fall to Yurippe's level in live, unedited performances. OLIVIA's live performances give me a similar impression to Yurippe, Yoshida seems to have completely lost her old high-tone voice, and Van's pitch seems pretty shaky too...

>>826 I agree with some of it, but there are parts I really can't agree with, lol.

I'm 826, but this seems to be the result of a thorough discussion: http://music8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1175119183/l50 Why not drop by and join in? Just don't derail the thread.

I don't care about rankings, and I don't want to talk about that kind of thing here.

Nothing is more hollow and half-assed than a 2ch ranking, lol.

By the way, does anyone here listen to the artists mentioned in >>826? I listen to Onitsuka, Shibata, and OLIVIA fairly often. >>825 Even if her range is low, it doesn't go all the way down to low~ lol. Still, among female singers, she does use a pretty strong low register. There can't be many women who can reach that low~ range...

>>834 I don't understand what you mean. Why complain when I mentioned in the Japanese music thread that there was a thread discussing vocal ability? Did I say something like “Yurippe is S-tier,” for example? You're not upset that I brought up the ranking here—you just don't like that she ranked low, right? And it's not just one person's opinion; if you join in, you can help move her up, can't you? I posted the ranking, people responded, so I pointed them over there. How is that out of tune with the conversation? And this proves you weren't around when we were talking about figure skating, either (・∀・)!! Go lurk for six months!

Whatever you say, it just comes across as empty.

>>837 I read as far as “Yurippe is a god.”

>>836 I listen to Onitsuka and Cocco. I quite like Onitsuka. “Insomnia” is great (・∀・)! I think only she can express that kind of bleak world. Amazing. Even the lyrics of “Meimu” seem to have a druggy edge... I feel that mood has at least something in common with GARNET, so I'd really recommend her to GARNET fans.

>>836 The artists I like are probably Jun Shibata, Delico, Ringo, Cocco, and Utada...

I got really into LOVE PSYCHEDELICO and GO!GO!7188.

The downside of Onitsuka's “Insomnia” is that the melodies and arrangements sound pretty similar. But fans of GARNET might like how the lyrics and singing portray such extreme emotional anguish.

I remember Onitsuka being pretty wild, lol. I think she said on some program that she froze her hamster to death, which got her criticized. And she released a song that people thought had predicted 9/11 in the US shortly before it happened, so the music video was restricted from airing. She's on hiatus now, too... Even among GARNET fans, tastes differ. Onitsuka's arrangements are straightforward—piano and strings, with a generally simple sound. People often say her lyrics resemble Azuki's, but they're abstract and hard to understand.

Apparently she's coming back this May with a song called “everyhome.” She went through a stalker ordeal and was even dropped by her agency, so she's had a rough time... But putting that aside... the members still aren't updating their diaries... lol. It's about time they posted something, isn't it?

>>844 Wasn't it “infection”? I had it on endless repeat back then, so when I heard the news I got chills... It's such a good song; it's a shame the video was restricted... For Chihiro Onitsuka, besides “Insomnia,” I also really like “Sugar High.” Also, I've been listening to Hikaru Utada's “ULTRA BLUE” lately. As the title suggests, it's full of rather blue songs, so it might suit GARNET fans too.

>>845 Oh, she's coming back. Is Kobatake arranging it? Please don't give it that old-fashioned, overdone strings treatment, lol. The band members really aren't coming around anymore. They've completely lost interest in the diaries... lol. >>846 Didn't they switch to showing the B-side's video instead? I think that was the better song too, so honestly, I'm disappointed as well. Speaking of Utada's “ULTRA BLUE,” wasn't one of the admins praising her nonstop and calling her a genius? lol I find the digital prog stuff interesting, and she's someone I've been curious about anyway. Maybe I'll give it a listen.

“ULTRA BLUE” is great. I like this Utada more than her earlier stuff. Actually, I like “Flavor Of Life” and “Kuma” too, lol.

I don't know why, but I like “Kuma,” lol. It's not one of those songs that blows me away with how amazing it is, but it's just good, lol. I like it too.

>>836 Of the artists listed above, I like and often listen to Chihiro Onitsuka, Jun Shibata, Cocco, Kaela Kimura, and Ayano Tsuji. By the way, I'm glad to hear someone here listens to Jun Shibata. The other day I showed “first live scope” to a friend who likes Shibajun, and she tore Yurippe's vocals to shreds. It was pretty upsetting, though I kind of expected it, lol.

Even as a fan, I think Shibata is way better than Yurippe. That lonely, clear voice combined with her emotive R&B-style singing is a powerful combination. Before you even get to technique, Yurippe's singing is so understated that it doesn't leave much of an impression on listeners... It can feel like you can't get emotionally invested in the songs.

But with someone like Shibata, maybe the piano-centered style makes the arrangements and melodies feel monotonous. Though you could also interpret that monotony as a good expression of melancholy.

Miki Furukawa has a nice voice.

It's true that her songs can start to sound alike. The main issue is that there are too many mid-tempo ballads. Add music-box-like synth effects and piano arrangements, and the sound becomes even more plain. But I think that's also the appeal of a “melancholy singer-songwriter.” Maybe it's best to casually listen while reading the lyric booklet.

“GARNET's members aren't really interested in things like Mixi, lol. They haven't updated the official diaries either! Sorry.” And that was it. So they actually said it out loud, huh＾＾ lol. Don't the other members have anything to say? lol Seems like they've really gotten tired of the diaries...

>>855 Did he say that on Mochi's radio show? That's kind of a letdown.

I'm going to stop posting provocations for a while. I've posted quite a few myself, but people complained, so I'll hold back. I'll just reply to other posts. >>855 In the Mochi thread, weren't people talking about whether the members read this board too? If they read the main thread and the worship thread and saw their diaries being used as material for jokes, maybe that's why they stopped writing them.

Whenever someone drops a provocative post here, the thread picks up speed. Mixing GARNET with other topics seems to work pretty well, lol. >>857 Topics here often overlap with things said on the radio. That's why people think they might be interested. I wonder what they'd think if they read this thread...

This thread is fine. The main thread would be a problem, though.

Isn't it nice to have such a wide-ranging thread? I bet the members' reactions would be pretty interesting, lol. Progressive rock (Scandinavia), Hyde, OLIVIA, Onitsuka, Shibata, Utada, figure skating, Ken-On, musical style, diaries, live shows, vocal range and singing, plus GARNET-related topics... Thinking about it, this thread really is something else, lol.

The worship thread has gotten pretty sophisticated...

Don't praise the Nana-sama (AZUKI Nana, the lyricist) thread so much. You're making me blush (//ω//)

516: Track No.774: 2007/04/02 (Mon) 20:41:53 Hey, Yurippe, I just want to pour all this overflowing love into you, to make you feel like you'll always be here. I want to give you happy times filled with smiles. Gently touching your soft, pure-white skin, letting that innocent warmth seep through my whole body... Ah, Yurippe, my body won't obey me anymore... Isn't that what they're talking about? lol. This really is pretty sophisticated...＾＾ Kind of like L'Arc...

For something written by a Yurippe fan, this is pretty (・∀・) good!! The phrase “letting that innocent warmth seep through my whole body...” conveys the writer's feelings nicely. Maybe it'd be better if they pushed it a little further into the lewd territory. As it stands, the imagery feels caught halfway between the concrete and the abstract. Still, there's a sense of originality. I hope they keep refining it and get even better.

Up to the second line, it's all very direct, but after that it turns sexual. Those slightly pervy thoughts peeking through the writer's sincere feelings for Yurippe... I find that pretty interesting, lol. The writer's feelings come through really well.

Actually, the lewd part in the second half is the good bit. The earlier part is too pop-like, while the abstract turn later feels clichéd. Whatever the underlying idea is, I approve of good expression. Keep it up. Andy Warhol's subject was Marilyn Monroe.

“Ruling the universe”? What an idiot. But I love that kind of stupidity. It's great.

The person we're talking about now isn't the same person who started the thread.

If the members—especially Yurippe—saw this, they'd probably run for the hills, lol. Though I doubt they'd read it. The number of internet users keeps increasing, and the internet is part of everyday life now, for shopping and all sorts of things... So I can't say there's absolutely no chance they'd come across it. Anyway, are we never going to hear about the GARNET members' solo projects anymore? Like Mochi. Even if a release would probably fall off the Oricon charts, making one might be tough, but I'd still like to see it. I really like the guitar-pop album he put out before: the thick, memorable riffs, the fresh but slightly retro synth flourishes, and all those little details that never get old no matter how often you listen.

To put it plainly, it's extremely clichéd.

Solo projects probably wouldn't work. At this point, it would feel like a creator collective trying it, and given the members' inclinations, it might not be feasible. That said, part of me still hopes they'll release something. Maybe a piano solo by Yurippe. I'd also like to hear something by Furui. He can do arrangements with a bit of a fusion feel, using clavinet and synth pads, so I think there's potential for something good.

Seeing Yurippe play piano live should be fine, normally. But Azuki on piano would probably be all over the place... lol.

That wasn't directed at 869.

What was that supposed to be? lol. You... were you talking about the Yurippe joke?

An Azuki solo project probably wouldn't work. Even leaving the members' artistic inclinations aside, her keyboard skills are pretty shaky, lol. The stiff piano solo in “Mizu no Nai...” has an awkward flow, she comes in late on “Eien wo Kakeru,” and there are backing mistakes in the slow “Wasurezaki.” It makes you nervous watching her... lol. And this is a band centered around piano and synths...

Looking at Wikipedia, it seems Nana has more years of keyboard experience, but has Yurippe ever talked about this in detail?

Years of experience don't really matter. Yurippe and Nana just have different levels of passion for music... lol.

What—Azuki isn't that good at piano (or keyboards)? I thought the ending of “Mizu no Nai...” was pretty moving... And she wasn't even looking at her hands, lol. She was just staring out at the audience.

Ultimately, Azuki was brought in because she's a strong lyricist and looks good, so keyboard ability probably wasn't considered that important. That said, if she couldn't play at all, I doubt she'd have been chosen even with those two qualities.

I haven't played much keyboard myself, but she does seem to have a slightly delayed feel... By the way, I wonder if the “Mizu no Nai...” Azuki played at the Kobe University festival was actually a backing track. Has anyone heard it firsthand?

I wasn't there, so I don't know. If Azuki couldn't play keyboards, wouldn't she have just worked as a lyricist? Can you make a living nowadays with songwriting lyrics as your only job?

But she'd already been writing and submitting songs before that—for other Being artists.

Changing the subject, have you heard there's a new GC fan-art site? The resemblance is debatable, but the drawings are really good... not realistic portraits at all, more like a cool anime style.

The only GARNET-related sites I look at are the ones run by a certain admin. I've never seen one that posts fan art like that. Still, now that you mention it, I'm curious.

Ever since I became a fan, I hardly ever search for GARNET stuff online. I'd like to ask you to post the link, but I guess that's not okay. I'll look for it myself.

>>884 Even aside from the illustrations, I think GCW is worth checking out. I remember there being lots of GARNET sites around 2005–2006, with active discussions everywhere. The fanbase has changed a lot. The average age has come down, too.

There are quite a lot of people who can draw.

Active discussions... Wasn't that all during the “Meru” period? Wouldn't it become pretty one-dimensional, like just saying GARNET's musical style has narrowed? Or since you mentioned the younger fanbase, do people get really animated about songs like “Meru”?

No, no. Online, aside from this board, people mostly post praise. Even praise for “Meru” is enough to get a discussion going.

Am I the only one who has absolutely no interest in it?

I'm not that interested either... though I do read that one admin's site. The obvious favoritism toward GARNET is kind of amusing, lol. The parts about OLIVIA, Niiki, and Yuki Kajiura are interesting too, but the GARNET section is still the best.

It's been a while since I visited, but there are more people here now. It's only been a little over a month since the new song, and I'm already wondering when the next one will be out.

I logged off right after posting yesterday, lol. I was surprised to see so many replies, lol. I found it through a link on GARNET WORLD. Looking at the fan-art site's owner's profile, she seems less like a fan who discovered them through “Meru” and more like an early-era fan. She is a pretty young girl, though. If you're interested, I think it's worth taking a look.

I'm 886, but I meant GARNET WORLD. They have illustrations there too, and I think it'd be a shame not to check them out.

Doesn't GW just display illustrations submitted to the Oekaki BBS? I think that girl who posts there often recently made her own website—sort of branched off on her own, I guess? lol.

Today at some rental shop, I saw the first-edition “Yume Hanabi” being sold for 10 yen. I'm crying.

Today at a CD shop, I saw a GARNET best album displayed vertically and it startled me. Then I realized it was a “GIZA corner.” For some reason, B'z was there too, lol.

Speaking of “Yume Hanabi,” the second track—with its melancholy, story-like development—really stuck with me. The lyrics are like that, but the tune is uptempo and the arrangement uses rhythmic programmed beats. It's pretty fresh... and I think it brings out the lyrics well. >>897 There are “GIZA corners” like that? lol. That's the first I've heard of it. I live in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, and I've never seen one. Guess I really do live in the countryside, lol.

I'm in Chiba. They use the top two shelves, with “GIZA studio” written in big letters, and the best albums are lined up in order—B'z, Mai Kuraki, GARNET, and so on. They have compilation albums too, lol.

900, Nana!

I've never seen one either... That corner must be pretty obscure, lol.

>>898 I lived in Tsukuba until last year. I used to think it'd be nice if they gave GARNET that corner at the back of WonderGoo too.

You can tell what the store manager likes. By the way, the Tsutaya near my place has a whole separate shelf promoting ALI PROJECT. “Kaze to Niji” has been shelved spine-out since release day, so you can't even see the cover. Shibajun's album is shelved the same way, even though it's an album. I bet GC's next album will end up like that too... Who'd buy it displayed like that, you idiot?

That drama is shocking every time I watch it... regardless of how well it was made... >>903 So the manager's tastes show up in the displays? I live near Kasumigaura in Ibaraki, but the Tsutaya near me doesn't especially promote any particular artists. If they like ALI PROJECT, couldn't they promote some GIZA artists too? lol

It felt like there was too much emphasis on the flashback material, which was disappointing. Still, it's kind of interesting to imagine the manager's tastes showing up directly in the displays, lol.

“1 Litre of Tears” probably should have included more newly filmed scenes. Then it wouldn't have been a sequel so much as a full recap, lol. With a drama like that, one wrong step and it could turn into cheap tearjerking like those shows in the neighboring country. The rushed editing and cramming everything in were something else... And that simple scene with the girl in the wheelchair... (truncated) Still, it really made me feel how difficult timing and visual storytelling can be.

>>899 I'd love to see one of those in person at least once, lol. I wonder if there are people like Takei and Kitahara there. I'm not especially interested in that sort of thing, but if there were, I'd be moved, lol.

>>907 For GARNET and Kuraki, there were only signs with their names, like “regulars?” But Uura and Kamiki had handwritten notes. There were a few other displays too, so maybe there were people like that, lol. I should've looked more carefully. That shop had a proper GARNET section, with every album. They had the DVDs too.

So the manager's a GIZA fan, huh? lol.

Speaking of CD shops, I got a “Kaze to Niji” poster from a CD shop I know—the one with everyone dressed in black. The collar of Yurippe's shirt seems to say “J&.” I wonder if the brand is J& Company. Anyone know?

>>910 If you mail it to me, I think I could figure it out. By the way, the application form for film scope 2007 arrived. Have you all applied? I realized after sending mine that I forgot to write my membership number, and now I'm worried.

I applied, but now I'm worried I forgot to fill something in too, lol. I'm so scatterbrained... I never know what I'm going to do, lol.

What do you do at a fan-club event?

It's not decided yet. They'll choose from the event ideas sent in by fans.

Does anyone go to FC events alone? Wouldn't it be even more awkward than a live show?

I don't know any GARNET fans around me, lol. Looks like I'll have to go alone—that's the trap. It does feel a little intimidating...

I don't really mind going by myself. As a GARNET fan, you have to be prepared for this kind of thing...

There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You like what you like, and that's great. Once you're in the venue, aren't we all the same? And at a fan-club event, everyone's more or less the same sort of person anyway. Go with your head held high.

Yeah, I think so too.

They're all emotionally unstable, so you'll fit right in. It's actually pretty comfortable (;´Д`). Some people bring autograph boards, saying fans have to write messages! Others approach you in this weird, overexcited state, so hold your head high and join in!

Are there really GARNET fans who seem emotionally unstable...? I'm not good at dealing with people like that... There are some around me, but they're the sort I try to avoid. It's not discrimination or anything; it's just that casual remarks can end up hurting them, so it's hard to talk to them. But it's not like anyone would go out of their way to talk to me enough to make that a concern, lol.

07.04.07 (Sat.) Yuri Nakamura Alongside recording, we've been discussing the fan-club event day after day. We're planning to include a live performance, a talk show, a quiz contest, and special video screenings. We're trying to pack in a lot, so it looks like it'll be a pretty substantial event. Even the staff couldn't help saying, “...That's a lot of content,” but when I think about fitting in all our gratitude to you fans, I keep coming up with more things I'd like to do. We even managed to make something I've long wanted: ○○○○. It's super cute. If you're coming, please look forward to it! We're really, really looking forward to it too! Everyone, make sure you come, okay? (laughs) So that's what it says. Yurippe sounds oddly businesslike in this message, which caught my attention... lol.

Just thinking that Yurippe herself went out of her way to write this... makes me wonder if she's desperately trying to get people to come, lol.

Yurippe-deficiency relief.

For now, I'll buy two tickets and find someone willing to come with me before the day.

I really want to go with other GARNET fans at least once. When it comes to GARNET, I've always gone alone.

I posted in the Nana-sama (AZUKI Nana) poetry thread, so come take a look. I submitted “Kakurenbo.” Has Yukio stopped using a fixed handle? I haven't seen him much since the prog-rock discussion (・∀・)/~~~ He used to show up in Nana's poetry thread too. It feels lonely now that all the regulars have disappeared, like Hotaruika and the others. Ah, I said I'd only reply, but I ended up posting something myself...

I'm still around here, actually (・∀・)/~~~ Just not on the original thread. The original Yukio hasn't shown up in ages. Maybe he's lurking somewhere anonymously.

Oops... I entered the wrong tripcode (・∀・)/~~~

The only regular handles I see are Yukio and “Min-shine.” Though Rana is pretty active now, lol. More importantly, my fan-club event application form still hasn't arrived. This is starting to look bad.

I said I was going to buy two tickets, but I might not win the lottery... I've already decided going alone is fine; I just want to go, lol. >>930 Did you forget to renew your membership this year?

Sorry for changing the subject, but I wanted people in this thread to see this too (・∀・)/~~~ So Kagehoi-sensei isn't just a regular who likes to provoke people. He seems a little too coolly detached, but it's nice to see this side of him. “1 Litre of Tears: Special Edition” http://ex21.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/tvd/1175268331/

“His Voyage” is the best~ They jokingly sing a line about regretting how many times they've had to part ways.

Wait, lol. Kagehoi's online persona is completely different, lol. But he's a really nice guy.

Kagehoi is so adorable~

I never expected them to be discussing spinocerebellar degeneration... lol.

It suddenly got so quiet, lol.

Nothing's happening. You people—how are things going with the event?

Hey, there are way too few people here, lol.

It's way too quiet, lol.

When I listen to Yuri Nakamura sing, it feels like my own throat is opening up too.

I think I know what you mean. I listen to all kinds of singers, but so far Yuri Nakamura is the only one whose singing makes me feel like my throat is opening up. Her voice is just so good. It feels like the wind is rushing right through you.

But lately, her voice has actually been making my chest feel tight...

I wouldn't mind if her voice were a little higher... Even if they changed her tone, I think GARNET's worldview would still hold together.

That's a songwriting issue with Yurippe. The songs have become more clearly structured, with obvious rises and falls, so she uses that belting style. We've talked about this a lot in this thread, like with the fifth album.

Even songs with clear rises and falls don't all sound like she's belting... What about “picture~” from the fourth album? ...Wasn't most of the fourth album recorded in one take? If so, maybe the strained sound isn't from over-rehearsing, but from trying too hard to make it perfect.

No, I mean the overall impression comes from the songs' structures changing a lot. But doesn't “picture” have a pretty strong sense of development? I think it's different from the fifth album's similar, syrupy mid-tempo songs.

Oh, “picture” isn't the kind with clear rises and falls...; You mean its development, then. I like that song.

It's about time for the next thread. This one's gradually become a pretty well-established place (though it's quiet right now). Basically, this is a casual chat thread centered on GARNET CROW. Feel free to drop by and post. No trolling or attacking regulars; ignore it if you see any. Previous thread: “[Yuri] GARNET CROW 03 [Nana]” http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1122031082/ Let's add a few more things to the template from here on.

>>948 I like the way it unfolds from the beginning. The piano line sets it up really skillfully.

>>949 Once there's a new thread, this current one will become the previous thread.

>>951 Of course. I just meant that list felt a little too short, so let's add more. “[Yuri] GARNET CROW [Nana]” http://music2.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1050524388 “[Yuri] GARNET CROW II [Nana]” http://music2.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1050524388/ “[Yuri] GARNET CROW 03 [Nana]” http://music5.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1122031082/ “[Yuri] GARNET CROW 03 part2 [Nana]” http://music8.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicj/1166779350/ This thread is part of that chain, you know... lol.

>>949 Could you say that in Japanese? > “This one's gradually become a pretty well-established place.” > Progressive rock (Scandinavia), Hyde, OLIVIA, Onitsuka, Shibata, Utada, figure skating, > Ken-On, music, diaries, live shows, vocal range and singing, and other GARNET topics... > Thinking about it, this really is an amazing thread, lol.

>>953 Hmm, I just meant that it's gotten lively. (I should've put it that way.)

It's become more varied. Or you could say the topics have expanded.

>>954 Sorry for nitpicking what you said on purpose. I can be kind of a jerk. I was supposed to go to Makuhari today, so I took paid leave specially for it. Guns N' Roses show postponed—let's go! The GUNS show might end up clashing with the fan-club event... I'm forcing a GARNET connection here: “November Rain” → original song by Bob Dylan → an artist Yurippe and Nana mentioned on GARNET TIME. By the way, I've been to several Bob Dylan live shows.

>>952 The next one will already be thread number five, lol. GARNET threads in general are so quiet. Speaking of live shows, I've seen almost all the artists mentioned in >>953. OLIVIA and Onitsuka sound so different live compared with their recordings, which is a shame. When Hyde is off, his pitch can be awful, but when he's on, he's godlike... Those super-high hihi A notes in “Hitomi no Juunin” and the songs from “FAITH” are amazing when he nails them.

I get the feeling this GARNET thread is being kept alive by just a few people, lol.

Why has it gotten so quiet? The main thread is quiet too, lol. Does someone have to bring up a topic to get things going here?

Come to think of it, Yurippe does have pretty good fashion sense. That's what I thought after watching the BARKS video. Her hairstyle, though... ugh.

Speaking of style, I wish they'd put more effort into their album covers. They don't need to put their faces on them anymore, do they? I'd like artwork that evokes the world of the songs. I've thought this for a long time, but it's a shame that despite such a distinct musical identity, their image—album covers and the like—makes them look like GIZA idol leftovers. If I want to see their faces, the fan-club magazine is enough...

The first album cover is god-tier.

But if there's nothing to talk about, there's not much you can do.