LM.C – DOUBLE DRAGON November 29, 2012

Track Listing

1. DOUBLE DRAGON
2. ★Rock the LM.C★/RUN LM.C

1. DOUBLE DRAGON

DOUBLE DRAGON by LM.C is back to the normal shenanigans we’ve come to love by the duo, but this song isn’t as experimental or groundbreaking like previous efforts.  To me, the song is straightforward and I’m still enjoying maya’s vocals alongside Aiji’s guitarwork so it meshes well together.  DOUBLE DRAGON though does feel like it’s a leftover song from their last release, “STRONG POP” which makes sense.  Good track, nothing entirely different but that’s a good thing in this case.

2. ★Rock the LM.C★/RUN LM.C

Like on “Hoshi no Arika.”, LM.C has kind of morphed themselves as something slightly different as RUN LM.C (sounds a LOT like RUN DM.C >.>).  That connection is a bit more apparant because ★Rock the LM.C★ has a bit of a hip-hop style going with the synths.  If you haven’t noticed though, it’s a new version of the same song that was from their debut single “Trailers [Gold]“.  For what it is, it’s different and has a bold sound to it and I liked it quite a bit!

 

 

LM.C ends the year off by releasing DOUBLE DRAGON!  The single itself isn’t too bad, though not as good as their last single, “Ah Hah!”/  DOUBLE DRAGON the track, is kind of playing it safe, but it’s not too detrimental.  ★Rock the LM.C★’s new take is interesting and I kind of enjoyed it more slightly.  Good single overall.

LM.C – STRONG POP April 6, 2012

Track Listing

1. Be STRONG, Be POP.
2. Ah Hah!
3. BABY TALK
4. SUPER DUPER GALAXY
5. MY BOY
6. Goak-On-SOUL
7. We are LM.C!! ~The Anthem of Strong Pop~
8. GAME of LIFE
9. COMBATmode
10. peekaboo
11. Hoshi no Arika.
12. Nani mo Hajimaranakatta Ichinichi no Owari ni.
13. LET’ ME CRAZY!!

1. Be STRONG, Be POP.

Like their last album, they begin with an introductory piece with Be STRONG, Be POP. and yeah it begins with different voices saying ~be strong, be poppu~…after that it turns into this kind of odd arranged intro that moves quickly into a dance style.  I thought it was kind of cool and the song does have a euro style before Aiji jumps in with a guitar solo and all the glitter.  Aggressive, but suitable to open the album with!

2. Ah Hah!

I still think the opening line for Ah Hah! surprises me every time I listen to because I didn’t think it’d be the hook of the song haha.  Of the five A-sides released in the era (“The LOVE SONG” being omitted), Ah Hah! was straight rock n’ roll and I love that about this song because it’s just energetic the whole way through…which could be a not-so-good thing because it feels like it ends too soon (even though it’s only 3 minutes long) but still.

3. BABY TALK

The first of the new vocal songs, BABY TALK is a bit more gritty than “Ah Hah!” but it has that same feel of just rockin’ out.  Hearing maya under filters is a little unusual at first but he doesn’t stick to it for majority of the song which is great.  It’s alright for the most part and the electronic additions is nice…but somehow the song lacks energy like the previous song…plus the whole auto-tune usage makes me frown.

4. SUPER DUPER GALAXY

As the album is leaning more towards a electronica sound, SUPER DUPER GALAXY is probably my least favorite of the A-sides released in the era but it’s alright because this song is nice to listen to once in a while.  Taking a more poppier approach, SDG reminds of space adventuring which is cool and the descending synth melody reminds me of a circus XD.  It’s not a bad song…but it’s definitely the odd A-side on the album.

5. MY BOY

Oh damn…I thought it was going to be a Buono! cover XD.  Either way, moving onto the legion of new tracks, MY BOY is interesting because of the synths and how Aiji plays around those and alongside.  It’s weird as I get deeper in the album, maya’s vocals start to remind me of SuG’s lead or SID’s lead singer.  That’s alright because I like it either way.  Safe track but not too bad of a song…just missing something (maybe a little more bass?)

6. Goak-On-SOUL

I have to say that Goak-On-SOUL was a total surprise to me even though I knew we were in their synth-heavy songs but this one sounds like Mega Man music for some reason.  It’s pretty badass and I’m loving the pico-pop through the verses mixed with the synth-line that swerves.  It’s catchy and I definitely remember this tune.  I do think the fact that that synth line is used in two areas of the song makes me sad, but I still love the song nonetheless.

7. We are LM.C!! ~The Anthem of Strong Pop~

Getting into the interlude of the album, We are LM.C!! is a minute long track of course.  It’s pretty hard though which is surprising but I’m guessing we’re leaving the electronica-heavy songs for the band’s rock-style which is understandable….

8. GAME of LIFE

…Well at least I thought that was what the interlude was for.  GAME of LIFE is a bit darker which I guess the interlude was nice for but it definitely has a lot of synths mixed with Aiji’s playing giving this rock/electro mix and that’s pretty cool.  I can also tell maya’s vocals is under auto-tune once again but it’s not a distraction.  It’s a pretty wicked song and I love the way it flowed and even Aiji’s guitar solo was badass.  Great song!!

9. COMBATmode

When I saw the tracklist, I was thinking COMBATmode would be the hardest hitting song off the album and yeah it’s true.  It sort of reminds me of “pOlyLifE” from their previous album because it’s got a lot of percussion from the normal and it seems to throw the song in a more V-kei/metal style and I’m not too big on it but if I manage to ignore it, COMBATmode isn’t too bad.  I’m definitely on the fence for this one because it’s a great song but too much drums cause it to be rather hard to listen to all the way.

10. peekaboo

OIC, light-hearted rock comes after the hardest hitter right?  peekaboo is kind of cute (yes, I’m calling it cute).  There’s electric and acoustic guitar and lighter instruments used here.  I will say that I like maya’s vocals in this setting since it’s rare to see em like this.  I would like to see this live for some reason…kind of one of those songs that would get the crowd clapping along and having fun.

11. Hoshi no Arika.

The third A-side pops up next and it does fill up the rock-gap quite nicely along with “Ah Hah!” since both were focused more on having more natural instruments over the synths.  While I do find the other song a bit more stronger, Hoshi no Arika. isn’t a bad song either and I love maya’s enthusiasm here.  Does sound the most anime-esque of the A-sides but that’s alright.  Though the one thing that threw me off is the rap section…strange stuff.

12. Nani mo Hajimaranakatta Ichinichi no Owari ni.

You know you have someone’s attention when you begin the song singing the title (especially a long one like this lol).  Funny enough, it might make up for the lack of “The LOVE SONG” for being more of a slower song.  I mean seeing LM.C pulling a softer song is quite rare as well but I do find whenever they tackle it…it comes out nicely in the end.  In the case of this song is a good example of that hahaha.  I enjoyed it and makes for a nice slow song for the fans to enjoy for a while.

13. LET ME’ CRAZY!!

I’m kind of surprised that the duo chose to have LET ME’ CRAZY!! close the album out (probably because it was the first A-side of the era) but who knows.  Since it’s one of the edgiest songs on the album, next to “COMBATmode”, LET ME’ CRAZY!! is quite a strong song despite being the oldest tune on the album hahaha.  It definitely has a place here and I love maya’s vocals here…so edgy and aggressive! 

Tracks Recommended

• Goak-On-SOUL
• GAME of LIFE
• LET ME’ CRAZY!!
• Ah Hah!
• peekaboo

Song of Avoidance

• COMBATmode

LM.C’s 3rd album, STRONG POP stepped up over “WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC” but in a small step.  I do like that more A-sides found their way here (though I do question why “The LOVE SONG” was left off…), either way, the song was stronger than I expected which is good and once again, a couple songs left me a little bored but this was a pretty good album overall from the duo.  I just hope it doesn’t take as long getting their 4th out.

LM.C – Ah Hah! March 1, 2012

Track Listing

1. Ah Hah!
2. Shibuya Cantabile

1. Ah Hah!

Wow that beginning threw me off at first.  I love that LM.C kind of brought back their straightforward rock sound since I’ve been missing that for a while since they’ve been experimenting new directions (basically everything between this and “LET ME’ CRAZY!!”).  I love when maya is like ~Everything is gonna be psycho day!~…I thought that line stood out to me lol.  Fun and energetic, definitely didn’t lose any spark since their best-of came out haha!

2. Shibuya Cantabile

I wasn’t expecting the B-side though, not gonna lie.  It’s definitely a lot lighter when compared to “Ah Hah!” but it’s not a ballad like “The LOVE SONG” was.  It’s more like a poppy J-rock song but containing a lot of LM.C power riffs.  Maybe a little like SID perhaps?  I liked the strings in the song a lot since it gave the song a rather anime-ish tone to it and maya’s quieter vocals are nice too.  Odd B-side but I like it.

 

 

As the first single of the era, Ah Hah! is pretty impressive if not great for them.  We see them at what they do best and it’s their rock songs and I loved the energy found in the A-side.  The B-side though is new territory for them (or at least for how much I’ve listened to them it is).  Shibuya Cantabile is anime-ish but done quite nicely and not as formulaic in areas.  Yeah can’t wait for more singles this time around ^_^

LM.C – Nurarihyon no Mago ~Sennen Makyou~ November 15, 2011

Track Listing

1. The LOVE SONG
2. The LOVE SONG (TV Size)
3. The LOVE SONG (TV Size Instrumental)

1. The LOVE SONG

I don’t know why but LM.C really took a chill pill for this song.  Considering that this is tied-in to the such a series (even though the only other single I reviewed from this anime is MOMAJIK’s tune, “Sunshine”),  The LOVE SONG is different and I liked it even though the chorus really screams My Chemical Romance’s “Helena”, but that’s OK since I love the powerful chorus this one has.  It might not be as spazzy like the other single before it but it’s a solid song.

 

 

I didn’t think LM.C was going to release a recut single after the best-of “☆★Best the LM.C★☆2006-2011 SINGLES”.  I do kind of wish there was more to the single beside the TV size and the instrumental of the TV size but what can you do?  The LOVE SONG is a pretty strong and straightforward song for the duo but after the last three singles, this does look a little disappointing.  Hmmm…

LM.C – Hoshi no Arika. August 3, 2011

Track Listing

1. Hoshi no Arika.
2. MAD or DIE . (by THE MAD LM.C)

1. Hoshi no Arika.

I love LM.C’s A-sides, they always seem to bring out the best for the duo and it shows.  It’s brighter than the other two singles of the era and maya makes the song sound like it’d be perfect to hear live and I will agree with it.  It also has the least amount of synthage going when compared to the last two singles but that’s OK, means more Aiji!  It’s definitely a song meant for lives so I wanna see that for sure.  Solid A-side!

2. MAD or DIE (by THE MAD LM.C)

Even though I saw that this also got a PV, I don’t understand fully about the concept of THE MAD LM.C (besides the name of course).  Then again, once I start the song I do suddenly feel that the duo became more angsty and maya’s vocals are a little different sounding as well which gives the song a different feel.  MAD or DIE actually is catchy and it really does stand out amongst songs from the duo as of recent.  It’s almost big band but not too much.  I really liked this new side to them!

 

 

Even though LM.C is releasing a best-of album next, I can only wonder if also they’re gonna work on their next studio album because three singles in should say something right?  Hoshi no Arika. is a pretty straightforward yet good single.  I mean the lead track is playing it safe, but it’s still them rockin’!  MAD or DIE though was something out of left field and it was a good surprise since it was catchy and fun even for maya and Aiji prolly!  Good single!

LM.C – SUPER DUPER GALAXY April 5, 2011

Track Listing

1. SUPER DUPER GALAXY
2. BAD SPIDER

1. SUPER DUPER GALAXY

By the looks of the art cover of this single, I was guessing the song was going to be an odd song and it actually is a little bit since there’s an interesting amount of synths present, but what got me more was maya’s vocals being under some auto-tune throughout…it was weird.  The track is actually still pretty impressive though and Aiji’s parts were nice to hear over the synths and stuff.  Pretty poppy, but good otherwise.

2. BAD SPIDER

I was wondering if the B-side was going to be anything totally different and I do think slightly it is with more Aiji in the arrangement over synths which is great, but is maya really singing this time around?  I mean the verses sound really blah, but when he gets into the bridge and chorus, things get fixed.  I will say the ~ooooo yeah~ lines in the chorus make me laugh tons.  It’s got a pretty cool riff and it’s catchy after a while.

I’m unsure what to really think about their 2nd single of the era.  I do think with SUPER DUPER GALAXY they switched out from their last single’s mostly rock-sided mood to a more experimental synth side with a dabble of their rock and that’s pretty good for them…though in places in both tracks the growling kind of vocals started to kind of become a poor choice, but it wasn’t much so it wasn’t enough to kill.  I think I might like this side more since it shows more of what maya and Aiji can do…damn though…this leaked way early XD

LM.C – LET ME’ CRAZY!! October 28, 2010

Track Listing

1. LET ME’ CRAZY!!
2. No Fun, No Future.
3. YAHSA Hime

1. LET ME’ CRAZY!!

Wow, I didn’t think it’d be different, but LET ME’ CRAZY!! is definitely something I wouldn’t expect LM.C after their last era finished.  I love maya’s vocals in the song since they’re powerful when they want to be, but it also feels like he’s trying to push the song to be more faster since he sings like iono…he’s out of breath or something. Still, the song is fast, energetic and has great parts throughout and the use of synths is a plus.

2. No Fun, No Future.

As the shortest song from the single being about 3 minutes long, No Fun, No Future. is one of those happy songs with a slight positive sound going for it.  I definitely didn’t expect a song like this and I love that they were being more rock happy than in “LET ME’ CRAZY!!”.  It’s just a good sounding rock song that’s simple and to the point.

3. YASHA Hime

For the other B-side, YASHA Hime is a bit like the A-side in which it has both synth stuff and a hard rock riff, but it’s more focused on the experimental side to their music.  I have to say, maya’s softer vocals in the verses and the light chorus is an interesting choice, but I they oddly worked together.  Aiji though should get points for the rockin’ atmosphere though, it was that good!

Wow, I didn’t know what we were gonna get after “WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC” since that was a pretty good album from them and with LET ME’ CRAZY!!, I think they’re continuing to be more towards their rock side, but they still hold to their experimental side as well and it worked out in the end.  LET ME’ CRAZY!! and YASHA Hime are both awesome tracks from the duo with a mix of both sides to their music while No Fun, No Future. was pure fun rock from them.  Can’t wait for their next single to drop!

LM.C – WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC March 4, 2010

Track Listing

1. ~A Sound Odyssey~
2. GHOST†HEART
3. Space Wannabiez
4. mosaïque city
5. The Midnight Museum 4
6. DAYS [WFMH Mix]
7. ~Time Warp Reel~
8. EDO FUNK
9. Optismisland
10. pOlyLifE
11. meteorion
12. PUNKY❤HEART
13. Bokura no Mirai.
14. It’s a Wonderful Wonder World

1. ~A Sound Odyssey~

Kicking the album off, A Sound Odyssey is a little intro and it kind of is revolving around this violin fade in beat with harp that progressively gets louder until it just stops and leads into the next track.  Not a bad opening but it kind of felt like it was a cliffhanger type of opening…

2. GHOST†HEART

The final A-side of the era, I definitely preferred GHOST†HEART to the other single released in the era.  I mean they both are pretty good rock songs, but this one was definitely an epic tune to its own accord.  maya’s vocals and Aiji’s creepy playing midway through the song really proved that they can pull off an amazing tune.  LOVE THIS!

3. Space Wannabiez

Our first new track from the J-rockers, Space Wannabiez is pretty hard for them and even louder and aggressive than the last song.  maya’s vocals are pretty strong and he’s giving an exceptional amound of attitude which fits the song’s overall personality.  It’s definitely the hardest I’ve heard the group so far and I enjoyed it.

4. mosaïque city

This song is more slower than the previous songs, but I love the addition of synths in the song that gave the song a bit more color.  I think without it, it would’ve just come off as a typical J-rock song with nothing to go for.  Nice try but let’s move on.

5. The Midnight Museum 4

I don’t know what’s up with the name since there’s like no 3, 2, or even 1 to begin with.  I know LM.C is a very experimental J-rock group and I’m starting to see with this song because of it’s awesome use of xylophone and the overall strange and eerie march that’s also flown in the song.  maya’s vocals are somewhat filtered most of the song and whenever it changes to a more edgier song whe Aiji comes in it gets better and catchy as well.  Good song!

6. DAYS [WFMH Mix]

I really don’t know why LM.C thought it was a good thing to add DAYS because I really didn’t enjoy it on the single much.  I’m not sure what the main difference between the album cut or the single cut.  It’s probably quite minor.  To me the song sounds more clearer and some of the background sounds are a bit louder which is good, but I’m still not overly impressed by the song much.

7. ~Time Warp Reel~

The only interlude of the album is a mindfuck of an interlude.  It’s all futuristic and has all these synths and sounds going on mixed with another xylophone melody.  While it is vocalless, it’s pretty bizarre and just totally made me go WTF and the whole thing.  It could’ve been a pretty nifty vocal song if they tried it.

8. EDO FUNK

Continuing on this bizarre side of the bands songs, EDO FUNK starts off like some traditional JPN song and carries this for the whole song adding some synths here and there but keeping things pretty good in the group.  Saying that, it crosses between rock and electro and it’s kind of cool.  maya’s vocals are kind of more happier sounding which is new for me so it’s kind of different experience.  Even the middle of the song where there’s a solo part is new but cool.

9. Optismisland

I never thought LM.C would ever step into the reggae style for Optismisland.  While it’s very strange, maya’s vocals sounds just right for the style and its upbeat nature just made me feel good to listen to and the flute parts that intertwines with maya is also a good addition as well.

10. pOlyLifE

Of the new songs on the album, this one probably bothers me the most because of the constant drumming in the song.  It’s kind of those typical rock songs that depends on the crazy ass drumming which is such a bad thing to have because without it, the song could’ve been pretty good and memorable.  Sorry LM.C this track is hard to listen to.

11. meteorion

Taking things slower for meteorion, the group really has a great mid-tempo flow and sounds like something that would be in space because it has this space travel sound going and I kind’ve like it quite a bit.  maya’s vocals are pretty strong in the song and the parts Aiji has are pretty well done as well.  Nice tune.

12. PUNKY❤HEART

The era began with this song and it’s interesting that it was placed towards the end of the album.  I do like the song no doubt about it but the single after kind of made this song look kind of bland from them.  There isn’t anything wrong though with this song and I like the speed and the control of the drums unlike some other song on the album <.<

13. Bokura no Mirai.

As we near the end of this album, our only kanji-written track pops up next and once again sounds kind of different from the other songs.  It’s like “meteorion” but with less things going on and more focus on maya’s fast lyrics and the arrangement being more memorable.  I kind of the melody of the synths…bouncy and oddly cute.  It gets stronger towards the end so I have to say I was impressed.

14. It’s a Wonderful Wonder World

The final song of the album, It’s a Wonderful Wonder World is oddly low quality from the rip of the single and I wonder if it was on purpose or something.  I mean I’m imagining it clear and it 320 and to me the song would be pretty awesome because the verses are so good and the various synths add a nice touch as well.  Not sure if it makes for a good album ender like “Bokura no Mirai.” did, but iono.

Tracks Recommended

• The Midnight Museum 4
• GHOST†HEART
• Bokura no Mirai.
• It’s a Wonderful Wonder World
• EDO FUNK

Song of Avoidance

• pOlyLifE

While this is literally LM.C’s 2nd studio album, I thought WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC was actually a pretty strong album from the group, white Efanz of Radiant Dawn says it’s not as good as their debut album, “GIMMICAL☆IMPACT!!”, I liked this album.  There were a few boring songs, but with the group’s likeness to experiment with their music, I thought they did pretty well

LM.C – GHOST†HEART March 1, 2010

Track Listing

1. GHOST†HEART
2. A Blueberry Night

1. GHOST†HEART

So for our 2nd single, we begin with the hard and epic GHOST†HEART.  I would’ve thought that this track would’ve been like flushed under some typical Halloween-ness ala The Candy Spooky Theater, but this song retains the some awesome J-rock that was filled up with their last single, but darker and cooler.  I have to give props to maya in this song because his singing is so much better and stronger as well as Aiji’s playing.

2. A Blueberry Night

On the flipside of the coin, A Blueberry Night is something new from the group.  Unlike the other songs I’ve heard so far, this is more along the lines of something Ai Otsuka would totally jump on becuase it’s a bouncy pop/rock song.  Add in some nicely placed brass and less Aiji and you get this B-side and I kind of liked this because it was so out of left field.  Though I’ve read that this isn’t new for the group to experiment outside of rock.

 

 

LM.C’s 2nd and final single for the “WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC” era, GHOST†HEART is the single to represent them well and is a great start for newcomers.  The main track is what they are, a great J-rock duo while A Blueberry Night is more experimental, but done colorfully.  Have to say I was more impressed in this single.

LM.C – PUNKY❤HEART

Track Listing

1. PUNKY❤HEART
2. DAYS

1. PUNKY❤HEART

Since this is the first time I actually stopped and paid attention to LM.C.  With PUNKY❤HEART, I was pleasantly surprised by this song because while maybe people can slyly call it V-kei, I like the energy of the song itself.  Mix that with maya’s pretty rad vocals and Aiji’s good guitar playing and you basically have a really good A-side. 

2. DAYS

The B-side of the single comes in a lot more edgier and harder than “PUNKY❤HEART” and to be honest it might be a good thing, but at the same time I think they took less time with this song since there’s just a lot of ~whoas~ and some meh vocals from maya.  DAYS isn’t that bad, but it surely isn’t as good as “PUNKY❤HEART” was. 

 

 

While I’m rather new to the duo, LM.C’s first single is alright.  I love the title track since it’s just them rocking out and sounding good doing it.  DAYS was a little bit underneath, but it’s still very listenable.  Here’s hoping the next single is amazing.