Track Listing
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L.a.r.v.a.e
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CYCLONE MUTANT
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8 Banme no Tsumi ~ COMPRESSED MIX
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BEAUTY SITE
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tearless ~ Ano Koro no Kimi wo Sagashite
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SweetJank, SweetGap
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Harmit and Milk
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E.v.o.l.u.t.i.o.n
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GALAXY GANG ~ COMPRESSED MIX
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FINAL PRAYER
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BEAT MY LIFE
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Image of Tomorrow
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LOST COMPLEX ~ COMPRESSED MIX
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W.o.r.l.dΛ
1. L.a.r.v.a.e
It’s the opening sequence, and not really much of anything happens just so sounds, and then an evil voice appears and says the album title before entering into our 1st full track. Not exactly a cool start.
2. CYCLONE MUTANT
This was the strongest song from the album as it introduces everyone in a pretty kickass way. It’s even cooler that the singers harmoize the way they do. The chorus has them saying ~Cyclone, Baby~ Now, that’s just putting it obvious. The middle of the track has a synth voice saying the ~Mutant~ part. Then it get’s into pretty cool solo/maybe part. Like I said, best track.
3. 8 Banme no Tsumi ~ COMPRESSED MIX
A very cosmic start to our first single from the album, 8 Banme no Tsumi has a very dark undertone to it. Then when it hit the chorus I thought Daisuke’s synth usage was a bit too happy and somewhat weird comparing with Kenichi’s guitar part. Add it that I didn’t like the single either, so it was a fair guess to put it early but after “CYCLONE MUTANT”? nvm.
4. BEAUTY SITE
ICEMAN, using ska? Well, this threw me off. Michihiro sounds so strange here also. Kinda like he’s trying to be Takami from access. In this case it works because it pissed me off. The song also sounded a bit strange for me. The chorus reminded me of “America’s Funniest Home Video’s opening song” Isn’t that strange?
5. tearless ~ Ano Koro no Kimi wo Sagashite
Once I saw the tracklist, I knew I was right calling this as a ballad. Michihiro sounds pretty soft-spoken here and it’s a nice change ftom the last track. I did find it weird on the album, as it is one of the softer tunes. Kenichi’s guitar playing did help boost more interest in it. Definitly a 90′s pop ballad.
6. SweetJank, SweetGap
A funky start with Daisuke powering it. Then Michihiro sunds off the verse with a megaphone, but I was distracted by the synths more than the voice. The melody does get me though. I like how he sound with the long notes. I was very disappointed that they they let out Michihiro’s voice and in fact this was more of a Daisuke-only track since Kenichi was not even there.
7. Harmit and Milk
Ick, I don’t like the beginning of the track, with those boring Daisuke synths. First thing I notice is the whole odd sound in Michihiro’s and Kenichi’s voice. It’s like Daisuke filtered the voices to make a creepy dual voice. The bridge did make me shiver cause that was just a perfect moment. In the end, I thought it was too soft and lacked any substance to it.
8. E.v.o.l.u.t.i.o.n
The interlude comes into the album, this one was the freakiest interlude I’ve heard in a while. Organs playing in the creepy notes then sharp synth sounds jump in and then Kenichi, I think? comes in and plays around for a bit. Then quips from Michihiro comes in. After all that craziness, it calms for a few measures and strikes back. I was definitly impressed by this interlude.
9. GALAXY GANG ~ COMPRESSED MIX
Not that I was real impressed by any of the singles coming from the album, GALAXY GANG sounded good. A constant dance beat with Kenichi long note playing. I did kinda think Michihior was covered up too much by the music and was a little monotone. Maybe except the bridge. Still, I did like the space theme to it.
10. FINAL PRAYER
When it came to FINAL PRAYER, I just thought it sounded too weird. There was just too much percussion for one too handle. Then again it sounds very present to now. This was probably my least favorite single however.
11. BEAT MY LIFE
Now this is what I’m talking about. BEAT MY LIFE had such a simple dance beat. It definitly reminded me of “HOT LIMIT” from T.M.R. Everyone is harmonizing but not as perfect as it was in “CYCLONE MUTANT”. Still, Kenichi actually made do a little air guitar lol. Cool track.
12. Image of Tomorrow
As with “tearless”, this is the other ballad of the album. I kinda found this sound a bit too much like “tearless”. The track was just a mirror track if you ask me. Though, Kenichi isn’t as prominent, he still plays along. This just didn’t gather my attention until the piano solo. Ehhh, not the best one.
13. LOST COMPLEX ~ COMPRESSED MIX
My favorite single was this track. Starts out with a beautiful piano opening before turning into this cybernetic guitar driven track. Kenichi just sounded perfect and in a right feel of speed too. Michihiro sounds pretty good. The strings were a surprise also. Yea, a very strong track from them.
14. W.o.r.l.dΛ
The ending sequence starts with nature sounds hmmph. It’s got a nice feel to it. Then you hear a voice croaking, I couldn’t makeout what they were saying and it just ends that quick.
Tracks Recommended
Song of Avoidance
ICEMAN’s sophomore album was definitly a step up from “POWER SCALE” I mean lead track “CYCLONE MUTANT” beats out every track from the first album already. The singles were poor choices maybe except LOST COMPLEX, but were making the album poor. Now this album is also the last of the normal named one. The preceding albums all have ~Gate~ in them…Still, this album was definitly a good album.
