VOL.161／162 第 80 回 Hirohito Furui／第 81 回 Hitoshi Okamoto

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.161／Vol.162

GARNET CROW's “word scope in M.F.M.” (Vol.80)

GARNET CROW's sixth album, 『LOCKS』, released on March 12, has been receiving an enthusiastic response! This “word scope in M.F.M.” has also reached its memorable 80th installment. Starting with the 78th installment, each member gives the next person a prompt as part of a relay project.
The prompt Hitoshi Okamoto gave Hirohito Furui last time was “cherry blossoms,” which color Japan's spring!
This time, Hirohito Furui takes the stage. What kind of “cherry blossoms” will he show us…?

For the prompt from the previous issue, I took a picture on the theme of “cherry blossoms.”
It may be difficult to make out, but it is a bird perched on a cherry tree…?
I am not sure whether this clears the prompt (laughs).

The previous photograph was amazing!
You were throwing a guitar in front of the Glico sign in the middle of that crowd (sweat).
I remember going to see Glico myself the first time I visited Osaka…
Next time, I hope you will show us that move live onstage!!

GARNET CROW also managed to release their sixth album, 『LOCKS』, and received the excellent result of fifth place on the weekly chart. Thank you very much.
Many of you may have been worried after seeing Mr. Okamoto's previous photograph (laughs), but please rest assured.
GARNET CROW is moving forward toward its next release!!
August 8 has been designated as X-Day, and I am looking forward to finding out what will happen. I think we will gradually announce more information through the official website and elsewhere.

Now, about the next prompt: apparently it is my turn to give one to Mr. Okamoto, so I think I will ask him to do another on-location report (laughs).
As many of you probably know from the news, the famous Osaka restaurant Kuitadore was going to close, so how about “Kuitadore Taro” as the next prompt?
Anything is fine: an interview-style scene with a microphone, a duet, a commemorative photograph, and so on.
I will leave it up to you, but since we have the chance, I hope you will appear in the picture together with him.
I am looking forward to it!!

Hirohito Furui's photograph this time　　　Hitoshi Okamoto's photograph last time

【INFORMATION】
GARNET CROW
New Album 『LOCKS』 Now On Sale!!

＜Track List＞
1. The Last Remote Island
2. Tears of Yesterday (album ver.)
3. Though They Say the World Turns
4. Smile Once More
5. If I Reach Out This Hand (album ver.)
6. doubt
7. Wind and RAINBOW
8. The Two of Us
9. Mr. Holiday
10. The first cry
11. Love is a Blid

●First Press Limited Edition A
CD+DVD (LIVE)
GZCA-5124
¥3,500 (tax in)
※The DVD includes several pieces of precious footage from “GARNET CROW Special live 2007 in Ninna-ji”!!

●First Press Limited Edition B
CD+DVD (PV) GZCA-5125
¥3,500 (tax in)
※The DVD includes music videos for “Tears of Yesterday,” “Though They Say the World Turns,” and “Smile Once More”!!

●Regular Edition
GZCA-5126　¥3,059 (tax in)

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.garnetcrow.com

GARNET CROW's “word scope in M.F.M.” (Vol.81)

The relay project in this increasingly popular GARNET CROW column, in which each person gives the next member a prompt, began three issues ago. The prompt Hirohito Furui gave last time was “Kuitadore Taro.” The person who answered it was, of course, Hitoshi Okamoto, or Okamocchi! A very “Good!” photograph has arrived!!

The weather is quite pleasant. I like this time of year: from when it warms up until before the rainy season, it is the best. It is ironic that I was born during the rainy season, but I cannot stand it. The instruments brought into this humid country seem to be complaining, “This is really tough.”

Anyway, that season is on its way, but this June brings EURO 2008 in full force, a tournament irresistible to soccer fans, so I am already very excited. We will be able to watch a solid run of matches said to be higher-level than the World Cup. I am so glad I was born on Earth!
Around this time, the national-team rosters are being announced one after another, and my excitement is rising. Around me, many people are backing Spain and the Netherlands. Personally, I am backing Italy… It is a “specialist” team moving against the recent talk of “versatility.” That is what I like about them: each player has a distinct character. The enforcer, the runner, the diver, the builder. Full of craftsman spirit. I am getting into such a good mood that I would like to spotlight a few people here. Bring on the politically incorrect!

Portugal — Nani
Nani is the one who will stir things up from the right in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, who will naturally be marked out of the game. A classic dribbling enthusiast carrying on Portugal's tradition. Special move: “successive backflips, the moonsault.”

Romania — Mutu
A player with every kind of attacking instinct, holding the key to the team. Without him, it would be impossible to save unlucky Romania after they were thrown into a brutally competitive group. I hope he really gets the group going. Special move: “taking detours (in every sense).”

Italy — Gattuso
The beloved Gattu. An unquestioning destroyer who chases opponents relentlessly. Anyone who hangs around in front of him will be swept away completely. He has the hottest soul of them all. Special moves: “in his underwear, a throat chop, slaps, eating grass, and so on.”

France — Benzema
The man carrying the next generation of France on his shoulders. A striker with both power and delicacy. (Though he plays a different role,) perhaps he is about the third generation of candidates to become the next Zidane? I would love to see him charging around in the starting lineup. Special moves: “unknown, sheer force.”

Russia — Coach Hiddink
Naturally, we are hoping for “Hiddink magic.” I am watching to see what kind of decisions he can make with limited talent. It was announced that victory bonuses would be paid from the group stage, so the effect of dangling a carrot will be interesting to see. Special moves: “miracles, tax evasion!?”

Now then, this round of the prompt relay concerned the symbol of Osaka's famous restaurant Kuitadore.
Sadly, the restaurant was reported in the news after it was decided that it would close in July. So here is a commemorative two-shot.

AZUKI is next. The theme will be “chaos,” which is very much like her, in one way or another…
Is that an unusual prompt? Ha ha ha ha.
Look forward to it.

【INFORMATION】
GARNET CROW
New Album 『LOCKS』 Now On Sale!!

＜Track List＞
1. The Last Remote Island
2. Tears of Yesterday (album ver.)
3. Though They Say the World Turns
4. Smile Once More
5. If I Reach Out This Hand (album ver.)
6. doubt
7. Wind and RAINBOW
8. The Two of Us
9. Mr. Holiday
10. The first cry
11. Love is a Blid

●First Press Limited Edition A
CD+DVD (LIVE)
GZCA-5124
¥3,500 (tax in)
※The DVD includes several pieces of precious footage from “GARNET CROW Special live 2007 in Ninna-ji”!!

●First Press Limited Edition B
CD+DVD (PV) GZCA-5125
¥3,500 (tax in)
※The DVD includes music videos for “Tears of Yesterday,” “Though They Say the World Turns,” and “Smile Once More”!!

●Regular Edition
GZCA-5126　¥3,059 (tax in)

■OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.garnetcrow.com