‘Sup people? Here’s another review for you all. If you like UVERworld, and I know many of my readers do, then you’ll be glad that I decided to review their new single. The A-side is used as the opening song for Gundam 00 Season Two. When I heard it for the first time, I thought that I needed the song. UVERworld has such a distinct style that you can recognize out of any rock band. Hanakaku mo Towa no Kanashi marks UVERworld’s 12th single according to Wikipedia (as wiki.theppn.org is down) and was released on November 19, 2008. (continue reading…)

UVERworld is back with their most recent single, Gekidou. It’s a good single with their signature sound. This enjoyable single has entertainment value, but is it necessarily anything new? I mention musical formulas quite often when I review Japanese music and most artists and bands follow some sort of formula. I always stress that experimentation and some variation is always good and makes things interesting and refreshed. Formulas are useful, but necessary development of a bands sound makes music evolve to new boundaries.

Gekidou is a good single, but I feel that it rehashes much of their other songs in the past. I could literally listen to another album then listen to this single and think it was still that album rather from a completely different collection. In a way, Gekidou is just a collection of many of the sounds and rhythms that UVERworld has already ventured into making and mixed/arranged to make this single.

Instrumentals:

The instrumentals are high quality and well balanced. Nothing really different from their past works. Mostly, if not all the same instruments are used in all three songs.

Vocals:

Great vocal quality and singing. The intonation and volume is good. Very open and strong, and enjoyable to listen to. Consistent in quality as in past singles and albums.

01 Gekidou

Probably the least inventive of the bunch that heavily takes from other songs in rhythm and sound. The beginning is about the most interesting part of the song with the creative use of instrumentals, but as it moves into the actual song it really starts to get a bit generic in its vocal melody. You can tell that it takes elements from Shaka Beach and also Ukiyo Crossing. Although it is following and using many older elements, it is an enjoyable song to listen to. It is sort of an interesting combination of many melodies that I’ve heard in many of their other songs. Instrumentals are a little weird here and there, but overall arrangement is well done. Good song, but not my favorite from UVERworld.

02 Just break the limit!

Starts a lot another song that I’ve heard before from this band. The melody is at least decently different much of their previous work. They still follow a formula of a loud portion, key changes, varying time signatures, and other vocal elements that makes their style distinctive. An interesting part comes up where it sounds like there would be a rap portion, but it instead blends into a chant. Good song and entertaining to listen to.

03 core ability 81

As the last song of this single, I have to say that this is the most interesting of the bunch. It is mostly instrumental mixed with a smoker’s coughing and lighter noises. I enjoy UVERworld’s mixes and instrumentals because it proves to be an experimental part of the music that can be very pleasing to listen to. I liked how they implemented dialog into the song. Although the first two songs followed their typical formula and instrumentals, I thought this was a very creative song that shows that UVERworld stills have that creative spark. I hope they implement some elements from this song into their future music.

Overall:

Are they going through the motions? I thought so for the first two songs, but there are some differences that make this song good to listen to. The last song made the single for me, partly I like listening to new sounds and interesting things. I would suggest this single for any UVERworld fan, but if you are still on the outside of the UVER-populous, I would strongly suggest you try Shaka Beach or Ukiyo Crossing before listening to this single. Perhaps their later singles will prove more interesting.

Ratings:
Instrumentals: 8.8
Vocals: 9.0
Lasting Appeal: 7.9
Quality: 9.0
Overall: 8.68

So, this marks a new album by UVERworld, and it seems that their style hasn’t changed that much. Is that wrong? Not at all, I really like the little formula that they have for their music and the arrangements that they put together. I always felt that they had an interesting approach with a certain “thing” that goes for them.

Vocals:

Well done and strong. The backups are well balanced and also harmonized well. They add quite a bit of depth to appropriate spots in the songs. I like the strong moments and also the nice lighter backed-off tones. It add quite a bit of variety to the melodic line.

Instrumentals:

Going with what has been working for them, UVERworld has the typical arrangement of guitars, drums and their synthesized mixes. Although many other J-Rock bands do this, UVERworld implements and stylizes their music much differently. They are more of a pop-like band with a very quick and upbeat sound. Blending between the instruments is well done and everything can be heard. I also appreciate how the production draws out the vocals over the instrumentals. Yet, either side is not too overpowering. The guitar parts in the songs are pretty intricate and seem precise.

01 Roots

This is a pretty good song for an opener. It really sounds similar to much of their other works before especially to those from BUGRIGHT. Of course the vocals come in right away and quickly simmer as the instrumentals startup and takeover. It’s a typical start to many of UVERworld’s music. I sort of wished they try something different for their 1st song on this CD, but I still ended up liking it. What is sort of peculiar is that much of the song is different towards the end, however, I did like the strong instrumentals and melody. An overall good song that continues UVERworld’s distinct style.

02 brand new ancient

Primarily featuring more rap than much of their previous music, I felt that this was not so much experimental. Instead, it was really just a way to switch it up from the normal routine. The rap is well done and the singing portions are well inline and fit the rest of the song.

03 Ukiyo CROSSING

This was their latest single before this album. I personally like this song quite a bit. A good arrangement of this song, although I think the instruments are actually a bit muddled. The vocal melody is pretty close to Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~. Ukiyo CROSSING is one of their songs that significantly shows their catchy, fast-beat style that I like so much.

04 Byouteki Kikyuu Nikki

Pretty good song with a nice strong beginning. It gets pretty interesting into the soft section as it builds up to a terraced dynamic. Very good use of soft sections and loud sections. The instrumentals are clear and arranged well. Definitely different from their other work.

05 counting song-H

Great quite beginning into a louder section with a moderate speed. I think this song is a bit boring.

06 Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~ (Album Version)

Well, I’ve already reviewed the single and always felt that the album versions are about the same. This one starts with the radio at the beginning rather than at the end in the single, and then into the actual song with no real changes after that.

07 GROOVY GROOVY GROOVY

Heavier song with a bit more rap and yelling involved. Sort of a call and answer thing going on, which I think is a signature thing that UVERworld does apart from other J-Rock bands. Interesting song that combines two sides of their music.

08 expod-digital

An instrumental beginning?!? No way! There is actually an instrumental beginning and it definitely catches your ears. I thing it’s catchy and intricate. Nice synthesizers adding bell tones in the background. Anyway, it’s pretty cool and implements much of what they’ve used before into an all inclusive song. Bits of drum solos, bass solos, guitar solos, and rapping. Very, very cool.

09 -Myousaku Gougai ORCHESTRA-

The previous song blended into this one very nicely. And… blends into the next song.

10 UNKNOWN ORCHESTRA (Album Version)

It starts soft with a bit of electronica voice vocals in the distance. EVERYBODY DANCE, yep, a dance beat song. Vocals are monotonic most of the time. Different from most of their previous work. I’m not sure if I like this song very much.

11 -god’s followers-

Mysterious and sort of sounds like their using the Boo song from Super Mario Bros. I think this is a nice follow-up to the previous song with a bit of dance-beat in it, but more of their normal music in it.

12 Kami Atsume

And what do you know, this was blended into as well. I think that this is a stripped down version of their style with more of the vocals rather than the instrumentals.

13 -forecast map 1955-

The ending to Kami Atsume. With a good ending with a lot of electronica to it.

14 ENERGY (Album Version)

Good song with a catchy tune. I like the chorus, with the use of backup vocals as the answerer. Nice wealth of instruments that fills much of the song. What’s really funny is that the ending of the previous song blends right into this one. I honestly think that they are either trying to confuse me, or do something along the lines of continuous music. Either way, very interesting way to tie these songs together.

15 endscape (Album Version)

Bright sound without a lot of bass sound. I like the lower register vocals in the verses followed by the higher register vocal as if there was two vocalists. Great natural vocal effect.

16 Kokoro ga Sasu Basho to Kuchiguse Soshite Kimi ga Tsuite Kuru

Ballad time! Soft with a typical rhythm and melody. It stays about the same from the beginning and hardly get any louder a the end. A bit boring.

17 Oto no Ha

Another ballad, except it is acoustic instrumentals. Strong vocals with no dropped tones. Much more interesting than the last song.

18 to the world(SE)

Synthesized beginning. The rhythm is sort of dance-ish and reminds me of Lumines music. Weird short ending for this CD.

Overall Feelings:

Although there are several songs that are different, I don’t think that this is a very experimental CD. Instrumentals were good, but there are some boring songs on this album. I wish there was a bit more creativity rather than a reuse of melodies and rhythms. Although their formula is good, I think it’s getting a bit old for my taste.

Ratings:
Vocals: 9.3
Instrumentals: 9.0
Multiple Listening: 7.9
Overall: 8.73

*Music samples will be available soon!*

From the name, it is hard to tell that they are mainly a J-Rock band. For the longest time until several months ago, I thought that they were a hip-hop group. That would be among the many reasons why I haven’t reviewed a single thing of theirs. Their mainstream debut was in 2005 but has been around since 2002, their creation. D-tecnoLife was UVERworld’s debut single and since then they’ve gained popularity. I heard D-tecnoLife on Last.fm and thought that it was a good song and noted to remember UVERworld. They have more of a pop sound to the rock, but none-the-less, it’s a good incorporation that makes the UVERworld sound.

Instrumentals:
Really sounds like a song you would hear over the speaker system at the beach, or walking on the boardwalk and seeing a band play in a small stage overlooking the blue ocean. Very catchy and well blended. The Caribbean off-beat tempo combined with rock and electronic synthesizers. It’s different and they incorporate each individual rhythm into a whole that isn’t imposing.

Vocals:
Nothing much to say here than a very well done. Notes are sustained and never feels unbalanced. TAKUYA does a good job in singing. Thumbs up to him. Harmony is also very good and matches the vocalist rather than clash.

01 Shaka Beach ~Laka Laka La~
A very fun summery beach song. The Laka Laka La makes the song. I’m serious, it makes the song what it is. Without it, you won’t have the Hawaiian-like feel, instead you’d get a rather weird song that won’t fit the title. Instrumentals are intricate and aren’t simple at all. It’s actually really rhythmic and I would imagine be intensively important for the drummer, Shintarou, to keep a steady and accurate beat. I like the synthesizers that UVERworld laces into this song. Everything fits nicely together.

02 Rainy
This song has a distinctly hip-hop feel to it including the appropriate guitar solo in the beginning. TAKUYA’s voice is strong and indicates sadness. This song is well paced, not to fast or slow with great instrumentals. The instruments don’t interfere with his singing and the melody is jazzy, and smooth. The little bit of rap in there is a nice tiny touch. I’m glad there isn’t to much of it, too. Quite the difference from the A-side.

03 sorrow
Japanese rap into… a ballad… then to a fast paced emotional song. OH eM GeE, do you feel the sorrow? But seriously, nice little short song. Wish it was a little longer.

Great single overall. I thought it was a pretty good contrast, but maybe a little too much.

Ratings:
Vocals: 9.6
Instrumentals: 9.3
Multiple listening: 8.7