短篇栏目精选 PART.3

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.90／Vol.100／Vol.107

SHORT CORNER COLLECTION PART.3

★This [SHORT CORNER COLLECTION] is a feature that re-edits and brings together the short corners about GARNET CROW that have appeared so far!★

〜REVIEW COLLECTIONS〜

●○○From music freak magazine Vol.90

SPARKLE〜A Sky Blue Just as Written〜
GIZA studio　GZCA-5013　¥3,059　'02.4.24

One year and three months after the release of their first album, GARNET CROW's long-awaited second album has arrived. Alongside the much-talked-about singles that stayed near the top of the charts—“Last love song,” their 7th single; “call my name,” their 8th; “Timeless Sleep,” their 9th; and “Yume mita Ato de,” their 10th—the album is packed with unmissable songs such as the dance-oriented “wish★,” which draws out a new side of the group, and the rock-flavored “Please, forgive me.” YURI NAKAMURA's own melodies carry her fragile yet steady voice and flow through the entire album like wind. Supporting them are AZUKI NANA's lyrics, which establish the band's distinctive world. Their unusual turns of phrase fit Nakamura's voice perfectly and bring out its strengths. Even while expressing the sadness of the present, they always try to find light in the future, looking down from above at the self drowning in happiness. What is it about her ability to name, with such precision, the feelings that live in the gaps of everyday life in just a few words? Even lyrics about painful love leave you with the refreshing feeling of having reached an itch you could never scratch.　　　　　(Shioi Hashi)

1. Yume mita Ato de　2. call my name　3. Timeless Sleep　4. pray　5. Naked Story　6. Last love song　7. Sky Blue　8. wish★　9. Please, forgive me　10. Holy ground
-bonus track-
1. Mysterious Eyes　〜dry flavor of “G” mix〜　2. Timeless Sleep　〜Flow-ing surround mix〜

●○○From music freak magazine Vol.100

GARNET CROW first live scope
and document movie
B-VISION　ONBD-7022　¥3,990　'03.2.26

Autumn 2002 became an unforgettable memory for GARNET CROW and their fans. Their first live tour sold out on the day tickets went on sale at every venue. The long-awaited live DVD focuses on the October 21 show at Akasaka Blitz. All 16 songs, including the encore and plenty of lively MC segments, are captured along with precious documentary footage from the other venues and rehearsals, making this a lavish 100-minute release. It is sure to become a must-have item for enjoying YURI NAKAMURA's one-of-a-kind vocals and the members' expressions and playing that are rarely seen. The way the tension at the opening gradually turns into a surge of excitement shared with the venue shows how the group continues to evolve day by day. This live DVD lets us feel both their “past” and their “future,” and will undoubtedly remain a precious piece of memory and record that we will want to keep forever.　　　　　(Kurumi Mizusawa)

1. call my name　2. Natsu no Maboroshi　3. Last love song　4. Hashitte Yuku　5. flying　6. wish★　7. To the Sunny Sea Without Water　8. Sky Blue　9. Holy ground　10. Timeless Sleep　and 4 more songs
〜encore〜
15. Yume mita Ato de　16. Spiral　and document movie

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.107

Crystallize 〜A Light Called You〜
GIZA studio　GZCA-5038　¥3,059　03.10.29

The members of GARNET CROW are each active in a wide range of work as creators as well. Their third full-length album has finally arrived, including the four singles released through the new song “Kimi to Iu Hikari.” The album begins with “Kyo no Kimi to Ashita wo Matsu,” a song whose powerful yet gentle mid-tempo melody feels quintessentially GARNET CROW. I was especially drawn into “Marionette Fantasia,” which opens out with AZUKI NANA's fantastical lyrical world and a lilting waltz rhythm in three. Songs filled with hope, such as “Koisuru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni,” which carries the wish to find happiness in each small event and cherish the beloved person, somehow leave you feeling gentle as you listen. Nakamura's voice can convey a poignancy sharp enough to hurt, as well as a soft warmth, while AZUKI NANA's distinctive lyrics sink deeper into your heart with every listen. Furui and Okamoto's high-quality sound is further polished by a sense of live performance, clearly drawing on their first live experience the previous October. The “light” in the title changes in color and brightness depending on the time, place, and person looking at it. I hope you will feel the new light they emit in this album as well.　　　　　(Mayu Hasegawa)

1. Kyo no Kimi to Ashita wo Matsu　2. Kimi to Iu Hikari　3. Spiral　4. Nakenai Yoru mo Nakanai Asa mo　5. Crystal Gauge　6. Marionette Fantasia　7. Bokura no Ichishun wo Eien ni Kakenukeru　8. Endless Desire　9. Town of Escape　10. Only Stay　11. Koisuru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni　12. Yume mita Ato de〜Remix〜