JERO – covers 2 September 27, 2009

Track Listing

1. Matteiru Onna
2. Shishuuki
3. Aijin
4. Orizuru
5. Rashoumon
6. Tasogare
7. Yukiguni
8. Hajimete no Machi de

1. Matteiru Onna

I’m pretty sure starting up his second cover album, JERO had to choose an explosive song to open it up right?  Well, it works for me because his vocals are getting even more stronger and while he still loves to use vibrato every chance he has (Enka is known for that problem).  I still enjoyed the fact there were dramatic strings found all over and the music was enough for me to enjoy fully.  Good start.

2. Shishuuki

The next one is an interesting tune.  The beginning had this Persian-like theme to it that sounded like it’d fit in “Aladdin” or something.  Beyond that, the song becomes rather quiet and flows the same throughout.  Now you might be thinking *is this a bad song?* but it’s not bad, though JERO could’ve done a lot more to make the song a bit more stronger.

3. Aijin

Then Aijin pops up and has this really laidback feel to it.  It might be the distant guitar strums or just the arrangement, but it’s oddly calming and JERO isn’t all over the place with his vibrato which is obviously a plus.  I think right now this song is at the top of good enka songs (if that’s what it is).

4. Orizuru

Then Orizuru pops up and it relatively sounds like a fuller version of “Aijin” with that islandy sound beginning it.  Then comes strings, and electric guitar to fill out the other empty spaces.  There’s a little bit of layering going with his vocals and while the arrangement is dramatic, I just thought this was a more profound version of “Aijin”.

5. Rashoumon

The first thing I thought of when I saw the title of the song was Geese Howard’s uber powerful attack he uses in various fighters he’s been in.  Anyway, Rashoumon has a stronger feel and doesn’t sound like enka, but then again JERO’s vocals is the only sure way to really officialize that he’s enka.  It’s a good track all-around

6. Tasogare

Way too many artists are using Tasogare as a title bleh.  Tasogare opens up with a beautiful violin solo and after that quick moment this lonely acoustic guitar plays this melody that sounds sad and depressing.  Then we have to listen to JERO’s vibrato again which isn’t fitting IMO to this kind of song, I think you should let females stick with this. 

7. Yukiguni

I’m not really sure if getting towards the end of the cover album is making me more bored with each track, but Yukiguni is amazingly boring.  It seemed like it was thrown together in like 5 minutes.  I am totally not impressed with this song and JERO really didn’t try with this song.  BORING!

8. Hajimete no Machi de

Our final track, sadly doesn’t exactly fix things up from the previous tunes issues, but the song has a bluesy feel that oddly fits, that it when JERO comes in and mildly ruins the mood.  I guess it if was more of an instrumental, it would’ve worked nicely, but nawwwww.  I’m sorry this song would’ve been better without him.

Tracks Recommended

• Aijin
• Matteiru Onna
• Orizuru

Being the second cover album JERO has done (I’ll review the first one eventually).  Back to the sequel, covers 2 was at first a really good album, but then past halfway the songs started to get duller and duller and JERO started to creep back into his Umiyuki vocals which annoyed me.  He needs to go forward not backwards, here’s hoping his sophomore album fixes this.

JERO – Tsumeato August 22, 2009

Track Listing

1. Tsumeato
2. Tegami wo Kaite yo
3. Tsumeato (Original Karaoke)
4. Tegami wo Kaite yo (Original Karaoke)

1. Tsumeato

Tsumeato goes back to his enka roots for his A-side.  I really like the orchestral feel to the song and JERO does an alright job singing this song as well, but he does have some really bad sliding issues going through the song.  I still feel like the electric guitar seems a bit too much and kind of unfitting for this type of song, but still alright.

2. Tegami wo Kaite yo

The B-side is different, almost a bit gospel-like when compared againsst “Tsumeato”.  Then the song gets really strange as marimba is added to make the song sound a little more goofy and poppy.  JERO’s vocals doesn’t sound as exciting as the arrangement.  Maybe the outrageous sound will boost JERO, but the beginning was nothing for me.  Strange tune.

 

 

Tsumeato for me was actually a step down from his last single “Yancha Michi”.  I have to say that the songs on the single were more bizarre then anything as the arrangements were totally different from each other.  The title track was true enka, but the guitar sounded out of place.  The B-side though was just odd for me….oh well right?

JERO – Yancha Michi April 17, 2009

Track Listing

1. Yancha Michi
2. TOKYO Ginga
3. Yancha Michi (Original Karaoke)
4. TOKYO Ginga (Original Karaoke)

1. Yancha Michi

Wow after “Yakusoku”, I didn’t expect something from JERO to release something so fast.  Honestly, if this is enka then I don’t really hear the line that connects to the line because it seems more like something that could be mainstream.  There’s a lot of female BKGD singers with the electric guitar playing along with some nice strings tying things together.  As I’m listening on, JERO is becoming more like an enka singer with his annunciation through some of the words.  Good song though.

2. TOKYO Ginga

Just like his last B-side, “Hare Butai”…TOKYO Ginga was written and produced by Ataru Nakamura which is pretty interesting and I can really tell this is her stuff because as a ballad, it flows just right and there’s a lot of harmonization going on and JERO is doing just exactly that.  I sense a little bit of jazz infused in the song so I naturally enjoyed the song.

 

 

JERO’s new era begins on a pretty stable note as he continues to release exciting tracks.  Yancha Michi was a little new to his repitoire and I loved it while TOKYO Ginga was a nice ballad to listen to.  His vocals still needs work, but he’s getting there.  Good start to a new era.

JERO – Yakusoku February 27, 2009

Track Listing

1. Eisa
2. Tokyo Hyoryuu
3. Argentine Touhikou
4. Shiren
5. Hare Butai
6. Kyoko to Takashi
7. Rurou no Machi
8. Osaka Jewel
9. Na no Hana Hata Detsukamaete
10. Umiyuki

1. Eisa

Eisa begins the album and even though it was the last A-side of the era, It does seem a little weird to start off like that.  It just seems to have a more ending kind of feel to it.  Still, one of the more traditional tracks on the album, since most of the new tracks are loving the electric guitar. 

2. Tokyo Hyoryuu

It’s definitly a nice surprise that Tokyo Hyoryuu is pretty much an acoustic ballad.  I didn’t expect such a track to happen, but JERO made it so that we’d connect with the song.  His voice definitly has gotten so much better since the debut and it really shows a more emotional side to him.  Good job here.

3. Argentine Touhikou

Funny to hear female BKGD singers and castanets fill up this next track.  Right now it is his most upbeat song and even though JERO’s vocals come off being too soft at least until the chorus where he does show off a little more.  I do love how he ends the chorus being loud and powerful.  Exciting track.

4. Shiren

Shiren instantly reminded me of “Umiyuki” because of the dramatic electric guitar and strings combination.  Even though it’s shortlived, Shiren still failed to really surprise me.  I do like the harmonica moments, it just melded in with the strings so fine.  It just seems to be a more dramatic “Umiyuki” for me.

5. Hare Butai

I still enjoy Hare Butai, being a B-side.  Initially I thought it was going to be one of those really boring ballads, but he threw a twist into the plans and made a very cool jazzy song, maybe borderline pop song.  It’s sweet to see how JERO can manage a different style, other than enka.

6. Kyoko to Takashi

And then we have this track…It’s possibly the most random track because of “off” it sounds.  First off the arrangement is like something you’d hear in a 70’s cop drama…so right from the start it’s so strange.  2nd is that there’s synths and brass included.  It’s not bad, but it does throw the mood out of the door since “Hare Butai” was such an easy song and then to have peppy and strange Kyoko to Takashi just pop up seems off.  Good song though.

7. Rurou no Machi

Rurou no Machi did get a tie-in which is nice because this is another one of those dramatic Enka songs.  You hear distant sounds from the shakuhacki during the verses and the brass plays a role here again but it isn’t in your face like the previous track.  It shows off some of JERO’s best vocals here so this is easily one of my memorable tracks.

8. Osaka Jewel

Forget it, this is one exciting track.  It’s a cross between something Enka and Latin music so it’s a fusion for me.  There’s some explosive sounds from the brass and the mood seems really happy.  The chorus is fast in sound, but JERO keeps it on a lower tempo.  I already think this is my favorite track off the album.  It’s just so frantic and just full of life. 

9. Na no Hana Hata Detsukamaete

He’s churning out some super songs closer to the end of the album.  It’s funny that I can imagine the music to be like from some Final Fantasy because it has a great piano arrangement and the strings make it pop out some more.  It’s nice that it breaks the mold for Enka and JERO feels right in this song.

10. Umiyuki

Actually hearing this on the album really makes this song feel rather weak against the new tracks.  It is his debut song and still the song has some awkward spots on his vocals and the electric guitar seems to be one instrument that I probably could’ve live without.  It’s OK, but there’s better tracks.

Tracks Recommended

•  Osaka Jewel
• Rurou no Machi
• Na no Hana Hata Detsukamaete
• Argentine Tohikou
• Hare Butai

Would you be really surprised that this album could be one of the standout albums so far this year.  JERO doesn’t follow the rest because he twisted Enka around and made seem mainstream at points.  Even the two A-sides failed to be on the recommended because they both felt like minor drawbacks to the new stuff.  If you like Enka, then you’ll get a kick out of this one.

JERO – Eisa February 4, 2009

Track Listing

1. Eisa
2. Hare Butai
3. Eisa (Original Karaoke)
4. Hare Butai (Original Karaoke)

1. Eisa

Eisa really sounds like traditional enka, even moreso than “Umiyuki”.  Like there’s no modern twists to it and JERO deep vocals really speaks out in the song.  He’s also seemed to work on his vocals since then because he really has no odd notes in the song and he seems to be able to twist his vocals better.  Definity a vast improvement since the debut.

2. Hare Butai

Finally, there’s an actual ballad that isn’t flavored in enka juice.  Hare Butai does come as a surprise because this is almost jazzy in sorts.  JERO sounds really good here and the song has a nice atmosphere with JERO’s vocals.  There’s even strings to add effectiveness in his sound.  Nice B-side.

 

 

JERO’s 2nd and final single of the “Yakusoku” era is actually way better than “Umiyuki”.  JERO has seemed to finally get comfortable in his vocals and even try a new style as well.  Eisa definitly beats my expectations.  I have to say I love Hare Butai a lot!

JERO – Umiyuki January 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. Umiyuki
2. Touzainanboku Hitoritabi
3. Umiyuki (instrumental)
4. Touzainanboku Hitoritabi (instrumental)

1. Umiyuki

You know what Umiyuki sounds like something I would hear in Kill Bill.  JERO sounds just like Gackt in a very odd way.  So the music, yes it’s an enka track but given a modern touch and kind of has a groove to it that I just love.  The traditional enka instrumentals are just as prominent and it’s quite a nice touch.  I don’t know what else I can say, but you just have to listen to this.

2. Touzainanboku Hitoritabi

We get another one, but this just isn’t as emotionally driven as “Umiyuki” is.  JERO hits some of these odd notes, but he does sing the title really good and the music (still enka) is pretty cool and refreshing.   I think people well like this track because it’s more upbeat.

 

 

Jeeze…I would have never guessed he would be singing enka, right?  More or less singing in Japanese.  Anyway, Umiyuki was a pretty straightforward single showing of his skills and the music he’s singing.  I did like Umiyuki more than Touzainanboku Hitoritabi just because Umiyuki is just that epic.