VOL.128 五anniversary DVD““le 5 ème anniversary” L'Histoire de 2000 à 2005”

From music freak magazine Vol.128

GARNET CROW

Fifth-anniversary DVD

*"le 5 ème anniversaire" L'Histoire de 2000 à 2005*

On sale July 20!

From music freak magazine Vol.128

The year GARNET CROW debuted, 2000, also happened to be the year I officially moved to Osaka. Hearing that they would release a fifth-anniversary DVD made me reflect on the years as well. Five years can seem long or short, but they certainly bring change. During that time, GARNET CROW continued exploring its music and established a world of its own. I have been fortunate enough to interview them many times and experience their concerts firsthand. This time, I will introduce the DVD while looking back on those impressions.

Its title is *"le 5 ème anniversaire" L'Histoire de 2000 à 2005*, using French. The French pronunciation of “fifth” (cinquième, サンクエム) brings the English words “thank you” to mind. This slightly playful approach to naming is very GARNET CROW.

The release is a two-disc set. DISC 1 is a retrospective condensing GARNET CROW's five-year history, recording their path from debut to the present in chronological order. It centers on music videos and includes making-of footage, unreleased images, and interviews filmed especially for this release, in which the members talk about the band.

For example, the early music videos made entirely from still photographs, with a pictorial quality, such as “Mysterious Eyes,” still feel fresh today. Of course, do not miss the members' youthful appearances either. The music videos filmed in different settings and with different expressions afterward are all beautiful, reflecting their artistic view of music. The member interviews interspersed among the many clips are also persuasive and inevitably make you sigh in admiration.

The precious material includes behind-the-scenes footage from the making of “夢みたあとで,” along with many unreleased scenes. Perhaps only a fifth-anniversary project would reveal such a wealth of images, showing the members both at work and relaxing. Their real selves combine artistry with an approachable personality. At least in this footage, the natural expressions I saw were those of the members I had met in person, which surprised me a little.

GARNET CROW's first outdoor event, their 2002 performance at the Kobe University campus festival, is also worth watching. The disc also includes Hitoshi Okamoto's remix of “クリスタル・ゲージ” and music videos for album tracks that are rarely seen on terrestrial television. The thoughtful selection brings together five years of appeal in just forty minutes, making DISC 1 an exciting video collection for fans.

DISC 2 contains footage from this year's tour, *livescope 2005 〜I'm waiting 4 you & live〜*. Since the tour consisted of only three shows in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, fans had been hoping it would be released on DVD. In response to the wishes of the many people who could not attend, the disc captures the nearly two-hour stage in full, from the opening through the final encore, including the members' talk. The songs, rearranged specially for the live setting, can be enjoyed with an immediacy that makes you feel as if you are in the venue.

Watching the performances objectively in this way makes you realize again how accomplished each member is as a musician. Yuri Nakamura's singing is especially outstanding. The song selection is also pleasing: it includes not only the singles they are known for, but many album tracks as well. Lyrics appear on screen, allowing those who want to experience the emotion of AZUKI Nana's words to enjoy the show more fully. This is another careful touch characteristic of GARNET CROW.

DISC 1 and DISC 2 total 145 minutes and are packed with content. The first-run edition also includes a forty-page concert photo booklet and comes in a three-panel slipcase. Whether you already know their music well or are just beginning to discover GARNET CROW, this fifth-anniversary DVD is a work worth keeping and treasuring for years to come.

(Sai Saida)

Release information

GARNET CROW fifth-anniversary DVD
*"le 5 ème anniversaire" L'Histoire de 2000 à 2005*
On sale July 20
B-VISION / ONBD-7050〜51 / ¥4,800 (tax included)

※The first limited edition includes a beautiful forty-page concert booklet.

DISC 1: The history of GARNET CROW from 2000 to 2005

Mysterious Eyes / Timeless Sleep / 夢みたあとで (music video and making-of footage) / 君という光 / 忘れ咲き / Kobe University campus festival performance / クリスタル・ゲージ〜hitoshi okamoto mix〜 / and more.

DISC 2: livescope 2005 〜I'm waiting 4 you & live〜

この冬の白さに / 夕月夜 / 夏の幻 / 忘れ咲き / flying / call my name / 冷たい影 / Last love song / 水のない晴れた海へ / in little time / 夢みたあとで / Holy ground / 永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら / 君 連れ去る時の訪れを / 二人のロケット / ブルーの森で / 恋することしか出来ないみたいに / Mysterious Eyes / 僕らだけの未来.

Encore: 君を飾る花を咲かそう / 「さよなら」とたった一言で... / スパイラル.