SPYAIR – My World March 13, 2012

Track Listing

1. My World
2. Come on
3. BEAUTIFUL DAYS (acoustic version)

1. My World

I’m happy that SPYAIR began their second major era with a GUNDAM song like My World since it’s pretty rockin’ and just them.  I mean it’s not as explosive as “Japanication” or “Samurai Heart” but this is pretty standard and memorable piece of work they got here.  IKE sounds strong singing as well which isn’t new to me hahah but this is awesome to listen to.  Definitely a great way to kick things off.

2. Come on

Calming things down a little bit, Come on kind of feels unplugged even though there’s electric guitar.  I just enjoyed the laidback atmosphere I felt from the song and IKE even tuned down his vocals (at least until the powerfully striking chorus).  I kind of liked this track a bit more than “My World” oddly enough but that’s because this felt more like SPYAIR I like so this was a winner for sure.

3. BEAUTIFUL DAYS (acoustic version)

Closing the single out is an acoustic version of their last A-side, BEAUTIFUL DAYS.  The original didn’t really impress me much because it sounded so very plain even for such a band like SPYAIR.  I kind of like hearing a more stripped down version of the song even though it still barely leaves a mark on my mind.  Overall though IKE is a great singer if he wants to do more acoustic tracks like this.

 

 

Kicking off a new era, My World is actually a pretty solid single.  Nothing too bad but nothing (besides Come on) noteworthy.  My World is pretty tame for them but it’s kind enough energy to keep it afloat.  The acoustic take for BEAUTIFUL DAYS wasn’t bad either but I still can’t remember the song otherwise.  Come on though is the star choice for me though.  It’s pretty awesome and has the great SPYAIR energy that got me into the band in the first place!  Let’s keep em coming!

SPYAIR – Rockin’ the World September 27, 2011

Track Listing

1. Rockin’ the World
2. Japanication
3. Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)
4. BEAUTIFUL DAYS
5. STRONG
6. LIAR
7. Stay together
8. Beautiful
9. I miss you
10. Last Moment
11. SINGING (album mix)
12. My Friend

1. Rockin’ the World

As a short introduction to their album, Rockin’ the World does a good job showing what the album is all about.  I love Ike’s strong yells of the title in the beginning before UZ (their guitaris) enters the song with more force.  It’s a nice and explosive intro for sure and leads into the next song quite nicely.

2. Japanication

Since this is the oldest song on the album (yeah I know it’s the band’s 3rd single, but it was also their 2nd indies A-side so that’s why I say it’s the oldest on the album).  I’m not surprised that it still is one of their shortest songs (shortest on this album actually, only two seconds shorter than “STRONG” actually).  It’s still pretty damn powerful and quite electryfying of a song with its aggressive hooks and loud vocals from Ike.

3. Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)

As this was my first SPYAIR song, Samurai Heart still leaves me in a good mood whenever I listen to this because unlike their other A-sides, this is more fun and light-hearted.  It’s pretty funny that there’s kids chanting the title at the beginning and such.  It still stands as one of my favorite songs from the group so that’s pretty awesome right?!?

4. BEAUTIFUL DAYS

As the band’s fifth A-side released, BEAUTIFUL DAYS ties with “LIAR” as least favorite of the era.  I’m not sure why but when bands like this pull off more of the slower rock tunes the energy and/or interest dies off and it shows quite prominently in this tune.  Ike doesn’t seem into the song as he was in the previous two either.  Yeah, just not into this one much.

5. STRONG

After three previously released tunes, it’s nice to get into one new track with STRONG which I said earlier is two seconds longer than “Japanication” so it’s pretty damn short lol.  I’m happy they came back to a really hard song like this for some reason.  They really can tackle tracks that have a edgier arrangement since the band fits better as well.  Ike’s energy is also back so it’s a positive thing and hearing synths in and out of the song is also awesome!  Short but awesomes!

6. LIAR

Which leads to the band’s first A-side when they switched to SONY.  I do think that of the A-sides released, LIAR was pretty basic rock music and it surprised me that the other singles (including “BEAUTIFUL DAYS”) brought something quite exciting and fresh to the table.  I mean if it wasn’t for Ike’s unique vocals…I would’ve called this an easy UVER song, or FLOW, or any anime-rock band.

7. Stay together

Three new tracks come next starting with Stay together which is mostly light like “BEAUTIFUL DAYS” but not as bland here.  I like the acoustic tune quite nicely and while Ike takes a little while to get used to his vocals since they sound aggressive still lol.  It does feel short though which is kind of weird but ok.  It kind of just flies by for me.

8. Beautiful

Another song with *beautiful* in its title?  I think this song is definitely something the band hasn’t fully tackled yet and I kind of like this style of rock for some reason.  It shows Enzel a bit more than the previous songs that’s for sure.  It’s what if they did “BEAUTIFUL DAYS” a LOT better.  Yeah, I do like this song a bit lol.

9. I miss you

Now this I can say is a rock ballad from SPYAIR because there’s strings and piano all over its arrangement mixed in with the members of the band.  Now I can say that Ike actually calmed his vocals down which is a great thing.  It’s a lot stronger than their first try earlier in the album that’s for sure. 

10. Last Moment

Second A-side released and it still reigns as my favorite of the era!  It actually moved from the softness from “I miss you” into the aggressive and electro-based tune.  Ike’s vocals once again fits the style perfectly and hearing Enzel doing a bit more once again makes me smile lol.  Hey, this is what the bands need is more catchy arrangements and more ~na nas~ LOL.  Yeah, best song off the album I think.

11. SINGING (album mix)

I’m surprised they brought SINGING from the “LIAR” single to the album and I actually don’t really notice the changes here actually.  Besides that it sounds clearer and the guitars do provide a little more sound as well.  Even the guitar solo sounds amazing now.  I guess the change was needed because everything sounds a lot nicer from it.  It’s definitely a nice change and surprisingly still is one of my favorite B-sides from the group.

12. My Friend

Gotta love the fact that Ike started the song off in acappella before the band slowly comes in to join him at the beginning.  Even the sounds of nature was an interesting throw in before the *boom boom clap* rhythm of the song kicks up.  I can totally see this performed in concert with the crowd going along with the beats.  This is definitely my style of song and it closes the song in a fun and rockin’ way!

Tracks Recommended

• Last Moment
• STRONG
• SINGING (album mix)
• Japanication
• Beautiful

Song of Avoidance

• BEAUTIFUL DAYS

Since this isn’t SPYAIR first album, but is their first major album, Rockin’ the World was pretty damn impressive for a group that really shoved to the side because of their easy to figure out music.  SPYAIR is more like perfecting the genre along with ONE OK ROCK.  I think they can be quite popular if they continue to release songs because they have something good with Ike’s gritty vocals the overall rock feel and Enzel’s DJ-ing-synth stuff goin.  Maybe a little more experimentation in the field would do them good I think!  Still very solid album!

SPYAIR – Last Moment September 21, 2011

Track Listing

1. Last Moment
2. Ai Yori Aishii
3. Nonfiction
4. Just Like That

1. Last Moment

Seemed like I missed something pretty awesome with Last Moment because I think it’s my favorite A-side of the era for some reason.  Ike’s power and the arrangement really stuck in my mind and it just felt so original and had a great flow overall.  It’s pretty aggressive, but also a thrill ride to listen to…sweet ass song!

2. Ai Yori Aishi

I learned that Ai Yori Aishi is a remastering of a B-side from their second indies single, “Kanjou Dischord” and I can see why that it would be from their days because it’s rather basic but interesting since it’s one of the bands more lighter songs in their collection.  It’s alright but when it gets to the chorus…it gets kind of messy and I start to dislike it because there’s just simply too much of Kenta (the drummer) in this song.  So much for that I guess.

3. Nonfiction

I love that Enzel begins the song with some DJ skills before letting the band jump in.  Nonfiction is quite heavy and dark and that’s a good sign to see of the band is to try different styles of rock.  It is a little messy as well, but not as icky as “Ai Yori Aishi”.  At least Ike’s enthusiasm is pretty awesome and strangely enough reminds me of T.M.Revolution in this song LMAO

4. Just Like That

After the powerhouse of “Nonfiction”, I was surprised to hear that Just Like That was almost epic.  I’m wondering to myself why this wasn’t the lead song because Just Like That is as epic it could get for SPYAIR.  I love the verses where it’s soft and delicate but then explodes into this powerful chorus.  I don’t know but I think this is SPYAIR’s best song through all five of their singles.

 

 

SPYAIR’s second major single, Last Moment is possibly my favorite amongst the five singles released in the “Rockin’ the World” era.  Both Last Moment and Just Like That are amazing songs and it’s sad to see that the latter doesn’t make the album’s cut (WTF!!!).  Nonfiction was pretty good too but definitely new for the group to dive into and that’s a darker and eviler tune…but still good.  The new version of Ai Yori Aishi would’ve been alright if it wasn’t for Kenta’s poor choosing of drum parts.  Definitely a great single (minus the old song).

SPYAIR – LIAR September 21, 2011

Track Listing

1. LIAR
2. INCOMPLETE
3. SINGING

1. LIAR

As this is SPYAIR’s 3rd A-side (but debut under the SONY umbrella), LIAR reminds me of an upbeat “BEAUTIFUL DAYS” but shares the same feelings for some reason.  While it’s mostly just the band pulling it off, it’s alright but as a debut A-side it wasn’t anything special in my opinion.  At least Ike has power in his vocals and kept the song afloat but I’m just not fond of this song lol.

2. INCOMPLETE

The first of the B-sides is more to of what I’ve been hearing from SPYAIR in their third and fourth singles (major label way).  This sounds more together and cleaner than “LIAR” for sure and using Enzel’s synths for some of it works as well.  I think of “Japanication” when I hear this but that’s not a bad thing at all.  Fitting as a B-side for sure and they quick use of auto-tune was pretty nifty here btw!

3. SINGING

Of the three songs on the single, I was pretty much impressed with SINGING the most since it sounds unlike anything I’ve heard before from the band.  I mean it still is rockin’ no doubt but the feel of the song is a mix of their rock side and Enzel’s synth beats to make an interesting combination.  Plus, I love Ike’s singing here the most…he knows how to sing and hold his notes (especially in the chorus).  He does kind of squeak in certain places but its no problem!

 

 

As it is SPYAIR’s debut under SONY…if it wasn’t for the fact that I started on a different single, I’d say this was a pretty good debut for them…but they’ve clearly gotten better as they released more singles.  LIAR was basic but powerful in a way while INCOMPLETE was a bit more edgy.  However, I think SINGING surpassed both songs by being a mix of the hard sound from them and including synths into it as well.  Let’s see what “Last Moment” carries…

SPYAIR – BEAUTIFUL DAYS September 9, 2011

Track Listing

1. BEAUTIFUL DAYS
2. Reset
3. Kanjou Dischord (LIVE ver.)

1. BEAUTIFUL DAYS

After the singles I’ve heard from SPYAIR, BEAUTIFUL DAYS comes in as a much lighter tune but still keeping the form of the band together, just slower and lighter than “Samurai Heart” and “Japanication”.  This time though I didn’t feel like Ike really gave a strong performance and his energy left him as well leaving back on the previous A-sides.  The song itself is a bit of a dropoff as well since it seems every rock group signed to SONY needs a rock ballad in each era.  Eh, probably my least favorite of the A-sides…but I need to listen to “LIAR” and “Last Moment”.

2. Reset

Reset begins with a conversation or something from the band before the song actually starts and this is SPYAIR at its best really.  The guitars are loud and funky and I’m loving Ike’s energy in this song a LOT more than in “BEAUTIFUL DAYS”.  I will say that this good rock song stands out more than the rock ballad we got as an A-side…Sweetness!

3. Kanjou Dischord (LIVE ver.)

Closing the single is the band’s first live cut song Kanjou Dischord which was their 2nd indie A-side.  It starts at the end of a song but quickly enters the song.  I’ve not heard their indies stuff so this is a new song but I really like this song for some reason.  Ike sounds great in the song and the guitar riffs are just orgasmic.  I think I need to find this single and hear the studio version because they kicked ass in this one.

 

 

Since it is SPYAIR’s 5th and the final single for the “Rockin’ The World” era, BEAUTIFUL DAYS kind of slipped A-sides wise.  To me it doesn’t really feel like them and I’m sure they weren’t too excited either.  At least Reset and the live version of Kanjou Dischord were exciting tracks.  I’m actually excited about their album now!

SPYAIR – Japanication July 10, 2011

Track Listing

1. Japanication
2. Departure
3. Just One
4. Dead Coaster

1. Japanication

I must say that Japanication is a very explosive and rockin’ track from SPYAIR.  Despite the song being rather short (under 3 minutes), Ike and the rest of the band did a great job of keeping the song going and it kept surprising me for sure.  It’s pretty straightforward from beginning to end so there’s no suprises to be had, but this is a strong track from the band.  I am a little surprised to find out that it is a touchup of their first indies single, but it’s good otherwise.

2. Departure

Going into the B-sides of the single, Departure opens up with strings before piano and Ike are added in.  I was a little surprised by the opening since it wasn’t like them to pull it off.  Luckily, the band enters after the introduction and it kind of seems pretty safely done arrangement-wise.  It’s like UVERworld’s music mixed with HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR’s (without the female lead).  Besides that, I don’t really remember much of this song.

3. Just One

At roughly the same time as “Japanication”, Just One is a lot heavier song than anything previous and I loved that fact alone since it gives this band more color for the single.  Ike really is putting his vocals on the line here and he sounds quite gritty and angry.  I really enjoyed this song quite a bit though ^_^

4. Dead Coaster

The final track, Dead Coaster is actually a rearranged version of their song that they released on their indies debut album, “Can You Listen?”.  The new version of the single does feature Enzel a little bit more with synths being in a good part of the song.  I like the riffs of the song and Ike sounds pretty good. 

 

 

Even though half the single is just touch-ups on older songs (the A-side and Dead Coaster), I think SPYAIR did a great job otherwise.  I liked Japanication and Just One for being quite powerful and full of loudness!!  Dead Coaster provided more of the synth style included with their rock sound and it’s pretty good as well.  Departure might not be ground-breaking but I do think it’s a good rock song as well.  Not very out of place lol.

SPYAIR – Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!) June 10, 2011

Track Listing

1. Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)
2. Crazy
3. LINK IT ALL

1. Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot!!)

There’s something about SPYAIR and their rockin’ style that makes me giggle on the inside because it’s upbeat and interesting to listen to because it’s not too serious nor trying to go in that direction.  Samurai Heart really pulls that in with children chanting the ~samurai heart~ in various places while Ike (the band’s vocalist) goes on with his singing.  I actually enjoyed this song and feels pretty much like a fun song to listen to on a sunny day.

2. Crazy

I also knew that they also had a serious side to them and Crazy was a surprise for me.  There’s a lot more focus on some of the synths that Enzel (their DJ) uses and it’s kind of interesting.  To me SPYAIR here sounds like a combination of UVERworld and FLOW (recently).  I loved the darker instrumentation and glow with this song and I oddly prefer it more than “Samurai Heart” oddly enough.

3. LINK IT ALL

Then they decided to top off the single with a slower track with LINK IT ALL.  I enjoyed they took off with a rock ballad with this one and we get to pay attention more to Ike’s vocals.  They aren’t bad persay, but they don’t stand out like other rock bands which might be unique on its own strange way.  After a while it does kind of drag, but it’s still a nice song and it feels right on this single.

 

 

Even though I should’ve started reviewing them when their third single, “Japanication” was released…no leaked it out and still hasn’t to this day and it’s making me a sad panda.  So I guess my first review of this band is their 4th single (and more than likely their last in their first major label era), Samurai Heart is a solid release from this band.  I like the positive energy the main track gave in and then loved the darker tinged Crazy even moreso and then finally coming to a soft close with LINK IT ALL.  This group definitely has the properties to be something amazing in due time IMO.