here's a review of Ikimono Gakari I made for english assignment
forgive me for the crappy style, I don't know how to make a good review :S
Ikimono Gakari is a Japanese pop rock band consisting of three members; Kyoe Yoshioka (vocalist), Yoshiki Mizuno (guitarist), and Hotaka Yamashita (guitarist and harmonicist). Though not very well known outside Japan, Ikimono Gakari has quite a number of fans spread around the world whom firstly knew the band from animes that use their songs as OSTs. During seven years of career, the band has produced 22 singles along with 4 studio albums under Sony Music Entertainment Japan’s Epic Records label. Some of their latest singles include Warattetainda/New World Music and Aruite Ikou, which were both released on the year 2011.
The 20th single,
Waratteitanda/New World Music, was realeased on July 20, 2011 with a simple but interesting cover. Three children representing each of the band members stand on a grass field with backs towards us, while facing the clear blue sky with both hands up and costumes similar to Superman’s. The cover is trying to show that the songs released in this single is child-spirited – cheerful and hopeful. Listed as the first track is
Waratteitanda, which means “I want to smile”. With a light rock and not-so-fast tempo, the lyrics delivers a positive message saying that we should smile and continue our struggles for the future is limitless, and thank the presence of people closest to us. The second track,
New World Music, is about the euphoria of liking someone, causing us to view the world as more beautiful and more fun than usual. Though with a tempo not different from the previous track, it uses a bit of trumpet and sung with catchy tunes, especially the chorus, making it memorable to whoever listens to it.
Four months later, the band came up with two new songs in their 21st single,
Aruite Ikou (November 23).
Aruite Ikou is the title of the first song, meaning “I’ll Walk”. The cover shows a picture of a rabbit and a tortoise, reminding us of the tale of the race between the rabbit and the tortoise. After listening to both songs, we’ll understand that we can actually be like both the animals in life. The song
Aruite Ikou somehow tells the same message as
Warattetainda. The difference is that it is composed into a slow, mellow song. The second song,
My Rain, is a total opposite of it. Fans of Ikimono Gakari finally get to listen again to the harmonica play by Hotaka in this quick paced song.
From time to time, Ikimono Gakari has composed their own songs and explored with various musical instruments and themes. This time, in their 2011 singles, they brought up about the meaning of life and future. Normally, it is not that easy to compose lyrics about life as we tend to see that life is harsh. We often fall, and we become reluctant to move on as we carry burdens of the past. Nevertheless, Ikimono Gakari successfully turn that fact around into songs filled with excitement and hope. Kiyoe does not own a voice like Adele’s, Mariah Carey's, etc, but she sang whole-heartedly, carving emotions to the heart and mind. On the other hand, Yoshiki and Mizuno impress us with yet another unique musical arrangements. We really need to listen to more songs like these instead of heart-breaking love songs.
Needless to say, Ikimono Gakari’s 2011 singles are as good as their previous singles. They have never failed to enchant me and have me look forward to their next single or album.
yeay ikimono gakari :3
