Tourbillon CD arrived last Friday in a 1m box and I’m like WTH? How come so long? (Pardon my English, I’m a lil lazy) The staff at CD Japan really knows how to package their stuffs well. So, I opened it up only to find Takuya Kimura face greeting me. Scary? Yep. It was a newsletter actually. So the 1m box actually accommodated the CD and a poster. Nice. Now why am I afraid to open it up…though I got a nice surprise instead. It’s a Tourbillon poster, I can’t remembered if it comes as a first press goodie. Bex said I’m senile -_-
What can I say other than I like the CD. The cover’s nice, it has lyrics and most of all, the music and vocal didn’t disappoint. Not that I didn’t have faith in it, I’m sure some people can understand that. I already have a few favorites(Saturation being one of them) and it was awesome that they made Ageha the first song. Plus there are others that will definitely grow on me down the road. I know its unfair to say that a few songs sounded Luna Sea-ish but it did and that isn’t a crime. So all in all, I’m happy with the CD. New Era indeed.
So, Mom rang me up at work yesterday noon that my アゲハ/Selfish CD came. Sweet! It has been a while since I last ordered anything from CD Japan and they are as ever efficient.
Right, so アゲハ is one song and Selfish is another. Hm, I should have expected something obscurely out of the ordinary if it involves Ryu or Inoran :)
Arrangement by Tourbillom アゲハ : Words by Ryuichi. Music by Hayama Love, LOVE the chorus! It’s what got me pre-ordering the CD when I first heard the few seconds of it. It started off slow and then builds up to the simply melodic chorus. Music wise, maybe it’s just me but it reminded me a bit of the Lunacy album, yeah, even after 6 years. Ryu pulled the song off easily since the chorus requires quite a bit of control.
Selfish: Words and Music by Inoran. The guitar melted my heart. At 1215am, it was beyootiful. Anyone who has heard his solo works and during LS days would know that. Remember Won’t Leave My Mind opening? The arrangement was simple yet rhythmic.
I know nothing: Music and Words by Ryuichi Wow, as I said, expect the unexpected from Ryu. If it hadn’t been for the credits, I would’ve thought that it was Inoran who arranged the music because it was, heavy. Yep, I know nothing. And Ryu’s vocals was the best here of all the 4 songs. Jolted a few memories because it sounded, how should I put this...beautifully hauntingly familiar. If wasn’t for アゲハ chorus this would be my favorite song, very, very close indeed.
Season: Music and Words by Inoran. Nice piece of Pop and Rock arrangement. You can't go wrong with his acoustic. I think this is one song that definitely shows an RK and Inoran solo pieces respectively.
The thing about アゲハ/Selfish single is that none of the songs are monotonous. It gives a fair share of different levels on intensity be it rhythmically slow or heavy lidded. Music wise, it’s really good. Vocally, I won’t dispute being this is not RK’s solo or a Luna Sea song so..yeah, let’s leave it at that. Hayama is one lucky dude -_- Being an Luna Sea fan and now working with Ryu and Inoran.
I try not to let the backing vocals of the woman bother me too much, it was unnecessary though. Thank goodness there were no clarinets.
Ratings Vocal: 7.5/10 (As I’ve said before, I won’t dispute) Music: 8.5/10 CD Cover: 9/10 Definitely one of their best singles so far.
