Do As Infinity – ETERNAL FLAME October 3, 2009

Track Listing

1. ETERNAL FLAME
2. Saigo no GAME
3. Perfect World
4. Namonaki Kakumei
5. Nighter
6. Feelin’ The Light
7. Meramera
8. Piece Of Your Heart
9. Kitakaze
10. his hometown
11. Honoo
12. Umareyuku Monotachi e
13. Tangerine Dream ~10th anniversary~ (CD Only First Press Bonus Track)

1. ETERNAL FLAME

The album opens up with a hard rock track from DAI with the title track.  I really loved how Ryo opens up with his guitar playing, but then things calm down for Tomiko’s verses.  She’s got a strong sound with the music, but I did think it was funny that her English is a bit meh ~eterna fwame~.  It’s alright, but did it really need to be over 6 minutes long?  I guess you can say that some of the transitions through parts were a bit messy.  Ryo’s guitar solo and the later parts do make up for most of the song though.  I guess it’s a slow burner for me.

2. Saigo no GAME

Being the promotional track for the album, Saigo no GAME is surprisingly better than the opening track.  Now this is a pretty cool track with more Tomiko x Ryo moments.  I think this harkens back to the old DAI, and I quite like it.  Add in some strings and a very catchy chorus and you basically get Saigo no GAME and its awesomeness.  An early favorite off the album.

3. Perfect World

Perfect World though is a bit different from what we’re used to from the duo.  First there’s some electronic influences in the song and mixed in with Ryo’s cool guitar-playing and we once again find myself liking this track even with Tomiko’s stronger sounding vocals.  It sounds like a very open song and I think it could be another favorite for me.

4. Namonaki Kakumei

We calm things down quite a bit for Namonaki Kakumei.  I usually don’t enjoy slow songs that contains rock in it as well, because mostly they are a bit boring and Namonaki Kakumei fits into that group.  I’m not sure why but I don’t think Ryo wasn’t really doing anything to make the song pop out nor Tomiko’s yelling in the song really worked here.

5. Nighter

I really do like Nighter’s piano opening line.  Even more of a ballad than “Namonaki Kakumei”, I actually didn’t mind the mehness of the arrangement.  Tomiko sounds a whole lot better and if you pay attention, you’ll hear some sitar through the chorus and I liked that as well.  Makes up for the last track IMO.

6. Feelin’ The Light

I honestly tried to like this next track off the album, I really did.  I mean there’s nothing wrong about the mid-tempo rock sound of the track, it’s Tomiko that actually brought the song down.  Feelin’ The Light is an all-English song, and knowing Tomiko’s meh-ness of saying stuff, it actuallt comes out in wrong from here.  I barely understand her singing here (exception is the chorus, but even then still is too accented.).

7. Meramera

The lone B-side on the album, Meramera was one of my favorites off the single because it mixed the style of DAI’s rock and with a more disco-influenced beat which made a great mixture and with Tomiko’s vocals and her yell of ~firrrrrre~ made the song a whole lot memorable and it’s surprisingly one of my favorites off the album.

8. Piece Of Your Heart

We get back into some good tracks with Piece Of Your Heart.  It’s still not as hard-hitting as “Saigo no GAME”, but I thought it was a more interesting track because Ryo is singing a bit here and he added some depth into the song itself.  Rather a fun tune here and I like it alot!

9. Kitakaze

It’s really odd how we transition from the disco-like “Meramera” to the slower and more depressing Kitakaze.  Once again, I’m starting to get bored with the tune midway through the track because it feels like it drags itself way too long.  Oh well…

10. his hometown

I actually was wondering how dark the song was going to be with the opening.  Sadly, it quickly turns into another dragged piece for me and I’m not sure why.  At least the song picks up at the chorus where Ryo and Tomiko get more interesting with the music so I’m happy about that.  I still don’t know it’s still up the awesomeness of some of the earlier tracks but this can stand well on its own.

11. Honoo

I’m Honoo would have to deal with “ETERNAL FLAME” somehow because Honoo means ~fire~ so I guess it also is tied in with “Meramera” as well.  Anyways, I really liked the edgy verses of this song and the chorus has this hopeful sound to it that makes it even more cooler.  The chorus does sound kind of sameish to me, but I can handle it since it’s another strong track.

12. Umareyuku Monotachi e

The leading A-side from “∞1″, Umareyuku Monotachi e makes a really nice ending track for the album.  Now, since it was the leading track, it did had some shows to fill in since it was their first track in four years.  While IMO, I think “Meramera” would’ve been a better choice, this song was a nice introduction back into tha band.  Tomiko sounds really strong as ever and Ryo is also still great on the guitar…now if they had more punch to this track, I think it would’ve been more better.

13. Tangerine Dream ~10th anniversary~

If you didn’t guess, Tangerine Dream is DAI’s debut single 10 years ago.  I haven’t heard the original to compare the differences and all I know was that old member, Dai was in the band.  Now Tangerine Dream sounds a little like an ode to something, and it has this longing sound that I really enjoyed.  I think it was a fitting way to end the album moreso than “Umareyuku Monotachi e”.  

Tracks Recommended

• Meramera
• Saigo no GAME
• Nighter
• Piece Of Your Heart
• Tangerine Dream ~10th anniversary~

So, we finally get the album most people have been waiting for for some time now.  ETERNAL FLAME to me is an alright album, I mean it isn’t extravagant like other albums this year, but it doesn’t bore me to death like others.  I do like the whole idea of a continuous flame with songs: ETERNAL FLAME, Meramera, and Honoo.  I do like that, and the inclusion of their debut song which is another good addition here.  I think I’m neutral to the album unlike people who’s been mostly hating on it.