短篇栏目精选 PART.2

From music freak magazine Vol.75／Vol.78／Vol.81／Vol.84／Vol.88／Vol.89／Vol.93

SHORT CORNER COLLECTION PART.2

This column re-edits and brings together the short features about GARNET CROW that have appeared in previous issues!

REVIEW COLLECTION

《first soundscope〜水のない晴れた海へ〜》

From music freak magazine Vol.75

GIZA studio / GZCA-1061 / ¥3,059 / Jan. 31, 2001

1. 水のない晴れた海へ
2. 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく
3. 夏の幻
4. 二人のロケット
5. 巡り来る春に
6. HAPPY DAYS?
7. Mysterious Eyes
8. Rhythm
9. Holding you, and swinging
10. flying
11. 千以上の言葉を並べても...
12. wonder land

GARNET CROW is made up of four creators. Since making their major-label debut last March, they have released six maxi singles, all of which have remained on the Oricon chart for an extended period, demonstrating their enduring popularity. Their first album is filled with a sound that could be called “21st-century neo-acoustic,” skillfully blending digital and acoustic elements. It is a record that fully conveys their unique atmosphere and character.

All of the songs were composed by vocalist YURI NAKAMURA, with arrangements that strike a fitting balance between light and dark, and between restraint and intensity. The darker side, heard less often in their singles, is one of the album’s special attractions. Keyboardist AZUKI 七 writes about sudden thoughts and everyday happenings in poetic, literary language, while keyboardist Hiroto Furui demonstrates his skill through masterful, finely crafted arrangements. These are also major highlights of the album. Please enjoy the unexpected qualities they create together.

(Miyu Sone)

《Last love song》

From music freak magazine Vol.78

GIZA studio / GZCA-1072 / ¥1,050 / May 9, 2001

1. Last love song
2. Jewel Fish
3. Last love song (Instrumental)

About three months after their first album debuted at No. 6 on the Oricon chart, GARNET CROW have already brought us their latest release. Keeping the acoustic character of the album, YURI NAKAMURA’s clear vocals add a touch of poignancy. The comfortable atmosphere created by AZUKI 七’s distinctive lyrical world, together with the melody and vocals, is surely GARNET CROW’s greatest appeal. This release presents that quality with complete clarity: a high-quality, definitive work.

(Tokuko Kurisato)

《call my name》

From music freak magazine Vol.81

GIZA studio / GZCA-2005 / ¥1,260 / Aug. 8, 2001

1. call my name
2. トランス・トラップ
3. call my name -N.D. meets Sax Mix-
4. call my name -instrumental-

This medium-tempo ballad describes the delicate, comfortable distance between two people who cherish each other. The soft guitar cutting in the intro, YURI NAKAMURA’s languid vocals, and the arrangement that gradually builds toward the chorus all tighten the listener’s heart. The B-side, 《トランス・トラップ》, vividly shows the range of her power as a vocalist. Track 3, their first remix, has a mature sound with a slight acid-jazz influence, revealing a new side of the group. This is a thoroughly satisfying record.

(Shioi Hashi)

《Timeless Sleep》

From music freak magazine Vol.84

GIZA studio / GZCA-2020 / ¥1,260 / Nov. 21, 2001

1. Timeless Sleep
2. Timeless Sleep -groove more "call sky" mix-
3. whiteout
4. Timeless Sleep -Instrumental-

This lyrical medium-tempo number pairs a delicate melody that evokes the gentle flow of time with lyrics expressing feelings that are both wistful and tender toward someone who is no longer by your side. Although YURI NAKAMURA’s strong vocals convey a gentle image, they also seem to express the protagonist’s inner strength, with an unwavering line running through it. Track 2 features Miguel Sa Passoa, who also worked on 《水のない晴れた海へ》 from their first album, and its fresh sound has an even stronger Western-pop flavor.

(Rin Shirakawa)

《夢みたあとで》

From music freak magazine Vol.88

GIZA studio / GZCA-2031 / ¥1,260 / Mar. 13, 2002

1. 夢みたあとで
2. 幸福なペット
3. 夢みたあとで -Gomi's Lair Remix-
4. 夢みたあとで -Instrumental-

The new single 《夢みたあとで》 is a carefully crafted number. Its release had been considered several times, but recording continued each time in pursuit of an even higher level of completion. It has become a simple love ballad filled with the scent of spring, evoking a delicate, poignant scene of cherry-blossom petals fluttering and falling in the soft light of a spring day. AZUKI 七’s lyrics, which trace an inner landscape, are even more poetic and cinematic here.

(Rin Shirakawa)

《スパイラル》

From music freak magazine Vol.93

GIZA studio / GZCA-2044 / ¥1,260 / Aug. 14, 2002

1. スパイラル
2. 夕立の庭
3. Naked Story〜raze mix〜
4. スパイラル 〜Instrumental〜

Following their second album, 《SPARKLE〜筋書き通りのスカイブルー〜》, which debuted at No. 4 on the Oricon chart, this single was their first new release. The song had already been broadcast as the image song for a sports program, and its release was eagerly anticipated. It begins gently with soft tones, taking a relaxed, distinctly GARNET CROW-like opening; then, at the chorus, the rhythm section suddenly joins in, creating a fresh, up-tempo arrangement full of forward momentum. It is a song you will want to hear with your heart open beneath a refreshing blue summer sky.

(Rin Shirakawa)

《a first fine day》

From music freak magazine Vol.89

GIZA studio / GZCA-5012 / ¥1,890 / Mar. 20, 2002

At last! GARNET CROW guitarist Hitoshi Okamoto, an eternally youthful young man who has always displayed exceptional talent, has released his first solo album! Since he handled all the vocals and sound production himself, he was free to do exactly what he wanted—the world of Hitoshi Okamoto truly bursts into full view.

You can clearly feel his respect for The Beach Boys and The Beatles, along with elements that pass through 1970s punk and 1980s neo-acoustic music, then condense UK sounds from the 1990s through today and Shibuya-kei touches reminiscent of Flipper's Guitar. It is a treasure box packed with pop songs.

His uniquely sweet, almost melting voice is accompanied by spacious, dreamy guitar sounds. One “pop world” after another comes rushing in, as if asking, “Is this still not enough?!” By the time you finish listening, you may feel as though you have been knocked off your feet. The more you listen, the more the various poignant memories quietly tucked away in your heart return, leaving you with the feeling that something good might happen. It is a magical album.

Try listening to this album alongside GARNET CROW’s albums and looking for new sides of GARNET CROW that you had not noticed before. That is another recommended way to enjoy it.

(Perry Imamura)

1. interlude -click me
2. First fine day
3. 手遅れな再会
4. Res-no
5. Sweet×2 Summer Rain
6. STRAY BEAST
7. 翼
8. First fine day Go! Go! remix