Search - L'Arc En Ciel :: Awake

Rejoice! "Awake" is here!

J. Frantz | 12/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard many people say about L'Arc~en~Ciel's comeback album "Smile" (it was the album before this one) that it wasn't the Laruku they remembered or that they missed the "good ol' days." To those who think that rejoice for "Awake" is here!

On this album Laruku's going back to some of their roots while still moving forward. Also this album is more Rock then "Smile", thank you Hyde and Yukihiro for that! If Ken and Tetsu had had their way with this album it'd be Popidy-Pop-Pop (examples: "TRUST" by Tetsu, and "twinkle, twinkle" by Ken). Hyde wrote the music for a whopping 5 songs on this album and he and Yukihiro co-wrote one song together. Effectively giving this album a much harder feel after the darned near Poppy-ness of "Smile" it's like a breath of fresh air. Thank you Hyde and Yukihiro!

Laruku also goes a bit political on this album which is nice, they don't let it rule the album like some artists (System of a Down, I'm looking at you) but it's definitely there. It seems even J-Rockers are ticked about the current "situation" in the Middle East. You go guys!



TRACK BREAK DOWN:

New World 10/10 - words: Yukihiro music: Yukihiro and Hyde. A very strong opener for an album. Wonderful "break free" type song.

LOST HEAVEN: 10/10 - words: Hyde music: Ken. This songs takes it down a bit from the pulsating opening of New World. Good bridge song.

Poem~JOJOUSHI 9/10 - words: Hyde music: Ken. This song is just beautiful. The orchestra adds some emotional oomph and Hyde's voice is spot on as always.

TRUST 8/10 - words: Hyde music: Tetsu. Eek! Popsville! This is probably one of my least favorite songs on the album. Although it is a wonderful thing to see Live I'm just not that found of it's Pop-ness. And I don't mean Bubble-Gum-Western-esque Pop so don't think Backstreet Boys when I say "Pop." Anyway, don't like the song but the lyrics are touching.

Killing Me 10/10 - words & music: Hyde. Thank you, Hyde, for getting us out of Popsville!!! Although this song does have a few lingering Pop tendencies for the most part it's not. I love the chorus to this song, it'll get stuck in your head for days and days.

AS ONE 11/10 - Words & music: Hyde. Toto, we're definitely not in Popsville anymore. This song is the hardest Rock song on the album and also the most political. Ooops, did I say "most political"? I meant it's ALL political. Honestly, how many artists are going to have to make songs like this before the world finally takes the hint?

My Dear 11/10 - words & music: Hyde. In stark contrast with AS ONE this song is a beautiful ballad. And Hyde manages to make it a ballad without going off into Popsville. This is probably one of my favorite ballads by Laruku. And the English lines in it are just beautiful, "Real love, my dear, is not for sale"

EXISTENCE 9/10 - words: Hyde music: Ken. My mom says this song reminds her of Nirvana and I can see her point, Hyde sounds very Kirk Cobane on this one. Although this song is a bit softer Rock it's still Rock not Pop, thank you God. This song also scares the crap out of me! A creepy woman saying, "You will not be able to sleep, so why don't you...just...stay awake" will do that to you. O.O

Invitation to Freedom~Jiyuu eno Shoutai 9/10 - words: Hyde music: Tetsu. This song is much better Live but that said it is still a very good song on the album. It has an infectious melody that you can't get out of your head and Hyde's amazing vocal range comes into play on this one.

Ophelia 10/10 - words & music: Hyde. This song is brilliant not just for it's subject ("Hamlet" by William Shakespeare) but for the fact that it blends all kinds of music. Jazz piano, Blues flugelhorn, and some Spanish air guitar all mixed into one song. It's simply brilliant.

Stars~Hoshizora 11/10 - words & music: Hyde. The most emotionally devastating song no the album...or maybe even in the whole world. It's too moving for tears. This song hits you right in the gut, rips out your heart and eats it.

twinkle, twinkle 7/10 - words & music: Ken. AGH, NO, WE'RE BACK IN POPSVILLE!!! Why, Ken, why? *sobs* This song is really out of place on this album too. It belongs on "Smile" but somehow it snuck its way onto "Awake." It's not a BAD song, it's just way, way, WAY too Pop for my taste and is so unbelievably out of place that it's almost funny. You can't go from heartbreaking Hoshizora to a bouncy song. Even if said bouncy song has somewhat sad lyrics that still doesn't work. This song also sounds a whole lot like "Girl" by Beck almost to the point that you're thinking, "hmmmmm"

(AMERICAN RELEASE ONLY CD BONUS TRACK) HEAVEN'S DRIVE Live - 9/10 - words & music: Hyde. Frankly, I'm just the tiniest bit sick of this song (and I bet the band is too). They play it way too much. But it's a good song and it's cool that it was recorded Live.



All and all this is a great album and much better then "Smile" (no disrespect "Smile" you are without doubt a very good album ^-^). If you're a die hard Laruku fan buy it and even if you're not you should still buy it. It'd be a good start for new fans of Laruku or complete new comers to J-Rock in gen. I love this album to death and it's been living in my stereo ever since I got it several months ago. So yeah, buy it. You won't regret it, I promise."

I'm wide "Awake"

Derrick Jenkins | Hampton VA USA | 02/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"And this CD is a blast to listen to. There isnt really a song on this one that i don't enjoy. So i cant say which one is my favorite because honestly. I'm really feeling all of them. But i guess if i had to pick one. It would be track 7 - "My Dear". It has a haunting feel to it. With some seriously solid lead vocals and background vocals are on point in a crazy way. The first time i heard this one, i immediately had to listen to it again. It's seriously hot.



This is the second L'arc cd that i have bought with the first being "Smile" which rocked as well. Trust me take the advice of the other reviews and give L'Arc en Ciel a chance. I doubt you will regret it. I'm wide awake now."

Right on

alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 01/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was at a recent Anime Expo in Anaheim, California this past summer. I saw a few bands there. Even Tofu Records had a booth there. I saw this one band that was like a mix of Anime characters and glam rock. That is what this band reminds me of. L'Arc en Ciel is the most popular band to emerge from Japan. They have sold over 34 million records. They are popular with Anime fans. Much of their music is included in Anime films. Their music is a little bit like Britpop and especially like Manic Street Preachers and Suede. It also has some new romantic vibes of some songs. It is very emotional music. At SF Burning we try to cover all the cool music coming out of Japan. This band may have the most wide appeal."