Es VOL.1 more GARNET CROW life 第 1 回 album评介(second half)

●○○From music freak Es Vol.1

2nd AL『SPARKLE 〜Sujigaki-dōri no Sky Blue〜』（GZCA-5013）2002.4.24 release

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〜

GARNET CROW's second album. While carrying on the thread of the first album,『first soundscope 〜Mizu no Nai Hareta Umi e〜』, this work was created through an entirely new approach. As if reflected in the jacket photograph, it offers brisk, refreshing up-tempo numbers that evoke the blue of the sky, alongside ballads with a fantastical world where light seems to shine through the clouds, allowing listeners to enjoy the breadth of the band's musical world. “Yume Mita Ato de,” which became one of GARNET CROW's signature songs, vividly reflects their world on this album. AZUKI Nana's lyrical, delicate lyrics and Yuri Nakamura's clear yet strong-sounding vocals paint the scene in vivid colors. From up-tempo songs such as “Naked Story” and “wish★” to the ballad “Holy ground,” which seeps into the folds of the heart, this album conveys GARNET CROW's creative musicianship and its still-unknown potential.（Haruka Sakurai）

3rd AL『Crystallize 〜Kimi to Iu Hikari〜』（GZCA-5038）2003.11.12 release

1. Kyou 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. Eien wo Kakenukeru Isshun no Bokura　8. Endless Desire　9. Nogare no Machi　10. Only Stay　11. Koi Suru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni　12. Yume Mita Ato de 〜lightin' grooves True meaning of love mix〜

Their third album, released about a year and a half after『SPARKLE 〜Sujigaki-dōri no Sky Blue〜』. The finished work naturally conveys the individual personalities of the members and shows that they spun out GARNET CROW's sonic world while enjoying themselves. What can be felt in this album is a sense of “moving forward” and a ray of light. “Marionette Fantasia” draws listeners into a fantastical world with its nostalgic acoustic guitar, keyboard tones, and clear vocals; “Endless Desire” mixes thrills and kinetic energy; “Nogare no Machi” is a hard, deep track built on rock; “Only Stay” stands out for its complex development woven from stylish sounds and its startling lyrics; and “Koi Suru Koto Shika Dekinai Mitai ni” firmly packs poignancy into a bright touch. Although the songs differ in type, many capture a flash of brilliance. The remix version of “Yume Mita Ato de,” an important song for the band, is also included, making this an album that shows them steadily building their own stance.（YUKI TACHIBANA）

4th AL『I'm waiting 4 you』（GZCA-5052）2004.12.8 release

1. Yuuzukiyo　2. Tsumetai Kage　3. Wasurezaki　4. Kimi wo Kazaru Hana wo Sakasu　5. U　6. fill away　7. Bokura dake no Mirai　8. Kono Fuyu no Shiro-sa ni　9. Blue no Mori de　10. Ameagari no Blue　11. picture of world　12. Sky 〜new arranged track〜　13. Kimi Tsuresaru Toki no Otozure wo

Their fourth album overall, released in December 2004 just before their fifth anniversary as a band. It contains 13 tracks, including three singles. The first half is filled with minor-key songs that vocalist Yuri Nakamura says she both likes and excels at, allowing listeners to savor GARNET CROW's distinctive world at leisure. Up-tempo songs gradually enter the lineup from the middle onward, and throughout the album their artistry is clearly presented in a masterpiece that blends changes in pace and contrasts of light and darkness with exquisite balance.
Their songs, lyrics, and sound-making all boast a high level of completion on every album, but here I especially want to highlight the quality of the melodies woven by Nakamura. Melodies that are poignant and ephemeral yet full of vitality and presence form the core of the record, giving rise to songs that appeal deeply to the emotions. “Bokura dake no Mirai” (track 7／15th single), which has a slightly different character from their earlier work, shows a free imagination unbound by the band's image or existing frameworks through an innovative melodic line that evokes a bygone golden age. It is surely a notable song that hints at new developments to come.
Perhaps because it was released in December, the album contains many songs that call winter to mind, making it especially recommended for this season.（Miyu Sone）

Best AL『Best』（GZCA-5072〜5073）2005.10.26 release

［DISC 1］1. Hashiri Tsuzukete Yuku (indies ver.)　2. Mysterious Eyes　3. in little time　4. Futari no Rocket　5. Mikansei na Neiro　6. Sen Ijo no Kotoba wo Narabete mo...　7. Natsu no Maboroshi (secret arrange ver.)　8. flying　9. Mizu no Nai Hareta Umi e　10. Last love song　11. call my name　12. Timeless Sleep　13. Yume Mita Ato de　14. Holy ground
［DISC 2］1. Spiral　2. Crystal Gauge　3. Nakenai Yoru mo Nakanai Asa mo　4. Kimi to Iu Hikari　5. Eien wo Kakenukeru Isshun no Bokura　6. Bokura dake no Mirai　7. Kimi wo Kazaru Hana wo Sakasu　8. Wasurezaki　9. Sky 〜New Arranged Track〜　10. Yuuzukiyo　11. Kimi Tsuresaru Toki no Otozure wo　12. Kimi no Omoi Egaita Yume Atsumeru HEAVEN　13. Sorairo no Neko　14. “Sayonara” to Tatta Hitokoto de...

This best album was released by GARNET CROW to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Their first best album, it is a two-disc set containing all the singles released through 2005, beginning with the indie work “Hashiri Tsuzukete Yuku,” along with B-sides and album tracks, the self-cover “Sorairo no Neko,” and previously unreleased material such as ““Sayonara” to Tatta Hitokoto de...,” which appeared on CD for the first time. The songs draw listeners into the world of GARNET CROW in an instant, wherever and whenever they are heard: some have a gentle nostalgic feeling, some are incisive and suggest the future, and some carry hope released toward the future. You can feel the power they cultivated by facing music sincerely. As you listen through the album one song at a time, you may want to hear the albums from that period; then, when you revisit them, you discover a different freshness and want to return to the musical direction they are pursuing now... This is a record where their music endlessly renews itself without fading, and can be enjoyed to the fullest.（Haruka Sakurai）

5th AL『THE TWILIGHT VALLEY』（First-press limited edition: GZCA-5091／Regular edition: GZCA-5092）2006.10.4 release

1. Anywhere　2. Maboroshi 〜Album arr.〜　3. Koyoi Eden no Katasumi de　4. Rusty Rail　5. Yume・Hanabi　6. Kakurenbo　7. Himawari no Iro　8. Hare Dokei　9. Marginalman　10. Rai・Rai・Ya　11. Yellow Moon　12. Mou Chotto Sagashite Mimashou　13. Haru Matsu Hana no You ni　14. WEEKEND

Their fifth original album, released about two years after『I'm waiting 4 you』. From deep songs such as “Maboroshi,” whose sounds evoke the depth's enveloping warmth, “Yume・Hanabi,” an exciting blend of Latin-flavored sounds and lyrics infused with Japanese sentiment, and “Rai・Rai・Ya,” where the sound of the quena and Japanese-style sounds suggest nature's breath, to bright numbers such as the major-key, wide-open “Koyoi Eden no Katasumi de” and the poppy yet nostalgic “Hare Dokei,” the singles already offered a broad range of music, and the album tracks are equally superb. It contains songs that vividly etch scenes into the mind, including “Anywhere,” whose quietness conceals undeniable strength; “Kakurenbo,” whose dramatic sound development and lyrics using distinctly Japanese words make a powerful impact; and “Haru Matsu Hana no You ni,” where listeners can fully enjoy the expressive chorus. “TWILIGHT” means the time when day turns to night and the time when night gives way to morning. As the story behind the title explains, many songs on the album resonate with the quiet power and beauty hidden in those hours, resulting in a work that conveys vitality and mystery.（YUKI TACHIBANA）

6th AL『LOCKS』（First-press limited edition A: GZCA-5124／First-press limited edition B: GZCA-5125／Regular edition: GZCA-5126）2008.3.12 release

1. Saigo no Ritou　2. Namida no Yesterday (album ver.)　3. Sekai wa Mawaru to Iu Keredo　4. Mou Ichido Waratte　5. Kono Te wo Nobaseba (album ver.)　6. doubt　7. Kaze to RAINBOW　8. Futari　9. Mr. Holiday　10. The first cry　11. Love is a Bird

In a sharp turn from the dark, deep world of the previous album, this work contains 11 tracks selected around the themes of being “evergreen,” “pure,” and “full of vitality.” It is memorable among all their albums for its especially forward-looking, bright, hopeful character.
Along with the four singles “Kaze to RAINBOW／Kono Te wo Nobaseba,” their first double A-side; “Namida no Yesterday,” their 100th single overall; and “Sekai wa Mawaru to Iu Keredo,” the ending theme for［Detective Conan］, the album offers a neo-acoustic M-4 reminiscent of their debut period, the minor-key up-tempo M-6 with a cool jazz-flavored backing piano, the catchy and playful M-8 made with live performance in mind, M-9, whose chorus by Hitoshi Okamoto offers a warm, soothing feeling, and the adult M-10 with the “shadowed” world they do so well. The first and final tracks are evergreen numbers symbolizing the album, making this a highly varied and enjoyable masterpiece! The vocals, with ever-increasing power and expressiveness, are also GOOD!!（Karen Hayama）

7th AL『STAY 〜Yoake no Soul〜』（First-press limited edition A: GZCA-5196／First-press limited edition B: GZCA-5197／Regular edition: GZCA-5198）2009.9.30 release

1. Hello Sadness　2. Hyakunen no Kodoku　3. Hana wa Saite Tada Yurete 〜album ver.〜　4. Elysium　5. Doing all right　6. ON THE WAY　7. Stay　8. Hibi no Hotori　9. Yume no Hitotsu　10. Fall in Life 〜Hallelujah〜　11. Rainy Soul　12. Koi no Aima ni

GARNET CROW's seventh original album. Built around the powerful title track “Stay,” the album seems full of dramatic numbers with a shape-shifting quality unlike anything they had shown before. What struck me while listening to “Stay” was the freshness of its many sounds and rhythms and the innovative development of the arrangements. Different approaches enter one after another like additions, and the song continues to evolve within itself. The other tracks also show this kind of free change in many places. This album preserves their established world of poignancy and fragility while allowing listeners to enjoy new GARNET CROW music blended into it. From the groovy upper-tempo “Hello Sadness,” to “Elysium,” which carries a scent of their early work; “Hibi no Hotori,” whose unadorned accordion sound creates an exotic atmosphere; and “Fall in Life 〜Hallelujah〜,” marked by its guitar sound, this is a work full of colorful songs in which each member's individuality adds its own accent.（Haruka Sakurai）