京都・仁和寺DVD out Dec 17th

G-NET news
■GARNET CROW ライヴDVD「GARNET CROW Special live in 仁和寺（仮）」
2008年12月17日リリース！！

皆様からの熱いリクエストを受け、2007年10月20日に世界遺産の京都・仁和寺で行われたスペシャルライヴがついにDVD作品化！仕様、詳細等は追ってオフィシャルHP等でも紹介していきますのでご期待下さい。
また、この発売を記念して、10月22日リリースのシングル「百年の孤独」と12月17日発売のライヴDVD「GARNET CROW Special live in 仁和寺（仮）」の2作品連動企画を実施！！

【「百年の孤独」「GARNET CROW Special live in 仁和寺（仮）」連動応募抽選特典】
12月17日発売の「GARNET CROW Special live in 仁和寺（仮）」に封入されている応募券を、10月22日発売「百年の孤独」に封入されている応募ハガキに貼って頂き、必要事項を記入の上、50円切手を貼付してご応募下さい。下記スペシャルアイテムを抽選でプレゼント致します！

A賞：GARNET CROWメンバーサイン入り特製パネル　1名様
B賞："百年の孤独"リリース記念！GARNET CROW仕様 百年カレンダー　100名様

※応募締切：2009年1月31日（土）当日消印有効
※当選者の発表は賞品の発送をもってかえさせて頂きます。
※ご応募頂いた際の個人情報は賞品の発送以外の目的で使用することは一切ございません。

***

Translation:

G-NET news
■ GARNET CROW Live DVD "GARNET CROW Special live in Ninnaji (title pending)"
Release December 17, 2008! !

Due to fans' popular request, we've finally decided to release a DVD of Oct 07 live held in Kyoto Ninnaji, a world heritage site. Please await further details to be announced on the official site.

In addition, to celebrate the release of 'Hyakunen no Kodoku' (Oct 22) and Ninnaji live DVD (Dec 17), we now announce a joint project!

Hyakunen no Kodoku & Special live in Ninnaji joint lottery
Paste the lottery ticket included in the DVD on Hyakunen postcard and affix 50Yen stamp. Enter to win the following prize

A prize: a special panel signed by all four members (1 person)
B prize: Hyakunen no Kodoku souvenir! GARNET CROW calendar. (100 persons)

Lottery Deadline: Sat, Jan 31, 2009 (date validated by postmark)
Prizes will be given when winners are announced.

***
Some clips from Ninnaji live

君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく

GARNET CROW「百年の孤独」PV

Source thread from Tokyo Time Forum: here
Thanks to 小泊川 who ripped everything from Yahoo online.

Downloads: PV(28mb), Comment by Yurippe(7mb), mp3 rip(6.7mb)

Latest release info

28th Single 百年の孤独
Release: Oct 22, 2008
Romaji: Hyakunen no Kodoku (One hundred years of solitude)


Limited edition (right cover)
GZCA-4115 / 1,470 Yen
includes Hyakunen no Kodoku Promotional Video
1. Hyakunen no Kodoku
2. Clockwork
3. Secret Path

Regular edition (left cover)
GZCA-4116 / 1,260 Yen
1. Hyakunen no Kodoku
2. Clockwork
3. Secret Path
4. Hyakunen no Kodoku (instrumental)
5. Clockwork (instrumental)
6. Secret Path (instrumental)

Check out the special promo site below for details


It's black and white with vintage movie touch-up. I'm considering getting the limited edition =v=

100% CROWS!


playful Azuki


that Oscar Wilde, no, Azuki Wilde look


picture perfect as ever!


Yurippe is our snow queen!

Oct 22:28th Single Hyakunen no Kodoku

■GARNET CROW ニューシングルリリース決定！！

GARNET CROWの28枚目となるニューシングル「百年の孤独」が、2008年10月22日にリリースされることが決定致しました！

ニューシングル「百年の孤独」は、2008年秋に上映となります「真救世主伝説　北斗の拳ZERO　ケンシロウ伝」の主題歌となっており、今秋で生誕25周年を迎える「北斗の拳」の世界観が凝縮された重厚な楽曲に仕上がっています。カップリング曲等、詳細は追ってご報告していきますので、お楽しみにお待ち下さい！！

***
Translation:

GARNET CROW's new single decided!

GARNET CROW will release the 28th single 'Hyakunen no Kodoku' (One hundred years of solitude) on Oct 22, 2008.

Hyakunen no Kodoku will be the new theme of upcoming movie 'Makoto Kyuuseishu Densetsu, Hokuto no Ken ZERO, Kenshirou Den' (Legend of the true savior, True Fist of the North Star ZERO, Story of Kenshiro) scheduled for the big screen in autumn. The song embraces the heavy essence of the worldview of Hokuto no Ken which welcomes its 25th anniversary. Details on coupling songs will be reported later.

***
Information on the new single was first disclosed on a casual note during LOCKS live tour, but due to confidential issues Yurippe only announced the title which nonetheless stirred up enough excitement among the audience.


5th Movie poster

If you're unfamiliar with Hokuto no Ken,you can check out the following sites:

Wikipedia

Hokuto no Ken 25th anniversary project

I actually grew up watching this anime and what I remember from it is lots of blood spills,violent fist fights and torn clothes (The protagonist's clothes is torn to pieces whenever he pumps up his muscles on adrenaline surge. Don't you wonder how he keeps on the same set of clothes in every episode? Never mind.) It's pretty hardcore and the series has been alive for 25 years apparently. The 25th anniversary project is probably the last theatrical release and I'm really excited GC runs away with the title. The popularity of the series will definitely help them find more listeners. And looking at the title 'A hundred years of solitude', I have my expectations brewing! Search for '北斗の拳', or 'Hokuto no Ken' on youtube and you'll get a sense of the previous title songs. Here's the famous TV OP 'You are shock'.



***

More on 'LOCKS' live later...

2008 Livescope highlights

http://garnetcrow.com/live/index.html

Tokyo
2008.8.16 Open 17:30 / Start 18:30
2008.8.17 Open 16:00 / Start 17:00

Osaka
2008.8.31 Open 17:30 / Start 18:00

There're 3 shows altogether, 2 in Tokyo and 1 in Osaka. Originally there's only one scheduled in Tokyo but the tickets were so hot selling they had to add another. In the past, the company chose Tokyo footage for DVD release instead of Osaka, as the norm goes.

Set List
Aug 16, Tokyo

01.Saigo no Ritou
02.Natsu no Maboroshi
03.Mou ichido waratte
04.call my name
05.Mizu no nai hareta umi e
06.wish★
07.Endress Desire
08.Wasurezaki (Vo:Okamoto, Chorus:Yurippe & Furui)
09.The first cry
10.Mawari michi
11.Yume no hitotsu
12.Mr.Holiday
13.Namida no yesterday (album ver.)
14.Maboroshi
15.Holy ground
16.Love is a Bird
17.Yume mita ato de
18.Sekai wa mawaruto iu kereto
19.Futari no rocket
20.Kimi no omoi egaita yume shuu meru HEVEAN
21.Argentina
22.Koyoi EDEN no katasumi de
Encore
23.Himawari no iro
24.Futari
25.Spiral

Here comes the HIGHLIGHTS!

Highlight No.1!
The only difference between the set list on 16th and 17th is Yurippe sang 'GARNET shopping' on 17th. In case you wonder what 'GARNET shopping' is...it's the background music(with repetitive lyrics like'GARNET shopping,shopping shopping shopping') used to promote their 8th anniversary products in GARNET TIME special. You can head over to their official site to watch GT special. (or click here to watch it).

They didn't plan this cute little 'GARNET shopping'into the set list but per audience request, Yurippe sang it without music (somehow the other members don't know how to play the tune). I have to mention Yurippe wrote the song, AND wrote the lyrics.

Highlight No.2!
They also involved the audience in record-breaking 'Mr. Holiday' mass dancing. Again, you can watch the complete dance movements in GARNET TIME special.I've embedded the portion here thanks to the uploader. Fast forward to the last few minutes where Yurippe and Nana did a lovely demo.



Highlight No.4!
08.Wasurezaki (Vo:Okamoto, Chorus:Yurippe & Furui)
Furui!! Once in a lifetime the leader of the band comes forward to sing! However according to some fans' recounts, they can barely hear him!

Highlight No.5!
Several fans from the chinese forum 'Tokyo time BBS' went for the Tokyo concert and were lucky enough to get first row seating! (Damn,that's like winning a lottery!) 小泊川(forum id) did an amazing, courageous thing just before GC walked off the stage. He literally dashed to the front (remember he's in first row) and handed a gift card to Furui. The card has China fans' signatures and wishes on it, and of course two big kanji characters that says 'China'. Furui then passed it on to Yurippe and the audience was pleading to see it. Yurippe held it high so the camera caught it on big screen. Here's some photo (taken by, I suspect, a pro photographer) of Yurippe holding up the card.



The original card prepared by 小泊川, front and back
Refer to his live report (in Chinese) here. (You might need to register to see the attached photos.)

2008 Live Schedule

News from G-NET(GC's official fanclub)

Following the release of their 6th album 'LOCKS', tour dates have been proposed. There'll be 3 shows in summer.

GARNET CROW livescope 2008 ～ Are you ready to lock on ?! ～
■Tokyo: JCB Hall（2days）
2008/8/16 (Sat) OPEN17: 30/ START18:30
2008/8/17 (Sun) OPEN16: 00/ START17:00

■Osaka: Osaka Kouseinen kinkaikan Great Hall
2008/8/31 (Sun) OPEN17:30/START18:00

*schedule subject to change

I'm currently working on the website offline. Hope I can get it done soon.Here's a nice guitar performance of 'flying'. I didn't know it could sound so nostalgic!

LOCKS lyrics translation

Translation is for reference only, just so you could attach some meaning while you listen XD About 30% of the original flavor is lost, murdered, sadly.

01. Saigo no ritou
(The Last Outlying Island)

Soon you'll hear
the sound of waterbirds flapping their wings and taking flight
The same season, almost the same place
still gazing at the sunset

As if disappointed after waking up from a dream
Although what's lost is lost
I still want to keep
the delicious taste of love

What has been lost indeed?
The place of my heart's desire
can't be embraced by myself alone

*Chorus*
Sunny clear sky, color of ocean, budding trees, I like them all
Yes, I can almost feel the continuous presence of the vast universe

Hands that should be held tightly
are often let loose
Hey, how many tears have been shed before sleep

Why the silence
Nothing could be conveyed
Words are so powerless

*Chorus*
If I could reach the last outlying island
No need to step outside, just fall into slumber
All things that zoom across the sky...
All things that walk this earth...

Soon you'll hear
the sound of waterbirds flapping their wings and taking flight
The same season, almost the same place
still gazing at the sunset

***

02. Namida no Yesterday [album version]
(Tears of Yesterday)

*Chorus*
Tears of yesterday, swaying summer breeze
Looking back on fleeting summer days
Even if it's just a short dream
Once you wake up, time passes on

Meteors flutter and fall
Make a wish under summer sky
Please make me stay by his side forever

Morning befalls, when crowds start to gather on the street
I can almost erase the deep sorrow from my mind

The feeling that needs no word for expression
for sure no one can hide it
If (we) could notice the clumsy tenderness
Will we get closer once more

*Chorus*
Tears of yesterday, swaying summer breeze
looking back on fleeting summer days
Freedom is only nostalgia
Hey, the sea birds are taking flight

Where are you going then?
Walk on, you're already on your way isn't it?
Even if it's just a short dream
Once you wake up, time passes on

Waking up in the dead of night
the sky under my eyes is so beautiful
I want to look at the darkness from deeper within
This thought I'm trying to hold

Have you ever thought of venturing into an unknown place?
It'll be much better if you're with me
Even the pains will gradually wear away

*Chorus*
Tears of yesterday, moisty summer wind
Feels so good, let me see it
Filled to the brim, washed away
Bring on a change with sincerity

Chase it, seek it
Rekindle the glamour that's once worn
Even if it's just a short dream
once you wake up, time passes on

*Bridge*
The sound of ocean breaking and dissipating, the waves are so beautiful
Easily destroyed wherever it goes, this thing born out of a dream, forever
echoes in the heart

*Chorus*
Tears of yesterday, swaying summer breeze
looking back on fleeting summer days
Freedom is only nostalgia
Hey, the sea birds are taking flight

Where are you going then?
Walk on, you're already on your way isn't it?
Even if it's just a short dream
Once you wake up, time passes on

***

03. Sekai wa mawaru to iu keredo
(Although the world goes round & round)

Long night, early morning and daylight, slowly passing by
Even though they string each day together, does it necessarily require a meaning?

Tasting how it feels to cry in those days
Let's just believe in something

[Chorus]
Although the world goes round and round
There is nothing surrounding my heart
(I'm) just gazing outside the window in stillness
staring on as seasons change

Tenderness and apathy can reside in one's heart at the same time
The moment I realize this, it seems something is already broken

There's nothing that won't betray, if you want something
Just keep watching it from a distance

[Chorus]
Although the world goes round and round
We're still left stranded helplessly
The street lights disappear one by one
As we count on, devoid of all meanings

[Bridge]
Staying at the same place forever
As the world goes round and round
It's always the same picture... indefnitely

[Reprise]
Although the world goes round and round
Only the sky above my head keeps spinning
The days that we can't go back to
are turning at the speed of this planet

Although the world goes round and round
There is nothing surrounding my heart
(I'm) just gazing outside the window in stillness
staring on as seasons change

***

04. Mou Ichido Waratte
(Smile again)

breeze touch sha la la ... flowing
grass wave sha la la ... swaying
floating, things that suspend in abstract space
last time, just like that nothing has changed

How to deal with it
feelings that are born here and now
Watching on as if waiting for the right moment

Won't it be great to smile again
I want to color the season of rendezvous with smiles
Warm as the sunshine in spring, that gentle person
I want to stay by his side forever

breathing, continuously
first time, yes, bloom in bright shades

Keeping silent to avoid conflicts
We'll be better tomorrow
so I believe

Won't it be great to smile again
If so, I'll make you laugh too
As if we can still see other tomorrow, but if we part now
Will you still be proud of me and think of me in the end

The feelings we hold
I'm not sure when, have turned into our hearts

No matter how distorted it is
Before the day has come, I still want to treasure it

***

06. doubt
Rain has ceased, flaunting its power nonetheless
Kids peddling still, until they get hoarse

Things that are hard to answer are the most powerful always, I know that too
Dubious doubts, trying to tie it down

Sounds we've thrown out bounce back
haunting you and me
Swimming in fragmentary memories, wondering what's tying us down?

*Chorus*
Where are we going...where to go...just go..
In the old fashioned way..i love you
We could have just said goodbye

Even if we line up our dreams, time still flies by ruthlessly
Gazing at yourself only, you could still write something after a few years

Cold stares crisscrossing
We are just living in the same box
It's always been this way...but why are tears welling up now?

*Chorus*
Where are we going...where to go...just go..
In the old fashioned way..You love me
We could have just said goodbye

Swaying..swaying..burning
Anger? desire? flame of life?
It's here..It's here..the things that clearly exist..not fragments of your imagination

Where are we going...where to go...just go..
In the old fashioned way..I need you
We could have just said goodbye

Remember... and kill up
In the rain
Remember...
Don't you know I feel the same, so long

***

To be updated

LOCKS TV promo

LOCKS

Has everybody got a taste of LOCKS? (o*.*o)

I already ordered mine but it's gonna be another week to mail over. Hint: those who can't wait(like me) can take a look at Tokyotime or Jpopsuki for downloads. Both require registrations.

Usual stuff: I URGE you to purchase their CD if you like it. That's how you could show support/pay back to the artist who creates beautiful music that gives you all the wonderful sensations.

Review will come later. For now let me just say, I'm very impressed on first listen. That's rare... There's a high chance LOCKS will become my 3rd or 2nd favourite (top one reserved for 'First soundscope for nostalgic reason).

Here're three selected tracks for download. They're magical and each has its distinctive style. GARNET CROW has inexhaustive range and calibre! Now I madly wish to know the lyrics!
01. Saigo no ritou, The last outlying island
06. doubt
10. the first cry

March 10th Members' Diary

2008 March 10 | Yuri Nakamura

Hi everyone, this's Yurippe who just joined the radio crew. Radio promotion for LOCKS is about to start. Everything's recorded live and a lot of programmes feature our commentaries. So please tune in if you can.

KissFM and e-radio are open to public (Translator note: probably means audience can watch the broadcasting process on the set behind glass panels). Come visit us if you have the time.

Last month, the reliable yet daunting (laughs) Mr. Wright visited us. We haven't seen him for a long time. He said 'Impressive!' after listening to our album and we were relieved hearing that. Recently, some of my friends who listened to our album in advance sent in emails and said it's great. I'm very glad. We feel assured that listeners are able to take in the things we want to express and convey, and we strongly wish everybody could listen to it asap.

Then, your heart will be Lock On (on on) ← echo

***

2008 March 10 | Hitoshi Okamoto

Everyone, it's coming~
Closer and closer!

(*'-'*) Yes Yes, the new album.

In a recent interview, we found that in '3/12 6th Album LOCKS'the numbers are all factors of 3. Our members suggested I tell this story to kill time in case cassettes get stuck and ruin the show.

About the new album, I think it's easy-listening and has great stuff.
It also goes well with the coming season so please make it your daily companion!

Okamoto's Diary March 3

GARNET CROW Members' Diary
Okamoto, 2008 March 3

It's gonna be here soon~ Guys, it's approaching!

The European Champion League, Celtic vs. Barcelona 2nd round
ヾ(-д-;) Oioi...turned out you're talking about this...
Nobody knows what's gonna happen during a match.
Wish miracles happen! Barce used to beat their opponent 2:0 at home match.
It's gonna be a tough game unless the whole team toughen up and create some miracle.

This week's NSP. Since today is 'Ear day', our theme would be 'please be kind to your ear.'

Sarah Brightman / Scarborough Fair
IVY / Worry about you
Amos Lee / Arms of a Woman

By the way I saw a TV commercial about a drug that treats tinnitus. It's incredible we have such drugs.

Flipping over a new page

February's turning March! Just wanna show you the official GARNET CROW 2008 calendar. I'm lucky to have a copy since only G-NET members can order it (GC's official fan club) but I'm not a member. The story goes my friend's friend who's supposedly a member bulk ordered and they have an extra copy to spare. Usually I'm not into souvenirs but heck, this's too cute to pass! And I have absolutely no qualms staring at them as days fly by.

I uploaded some photos. If you can't view the slideshow, go to Picassa page.


Feburary Yuri on the wall


March - a GARNET party


March 29 - Major debut 'Mysterious Eyes'

Yuri's Diary Feb 29 | LOCKS Album design

Here's a rough translation for you reference. Original diary can be found on their official site. We can all look forward to the fantastic album designs as advertised by Yurippe~

Members' Diary
2008 Feb 29 (Fri) Yuri Nakamura


Hello everyone,
LOCK your heart!
This's Yurippe, leader from LOCKS cheerleading squad.

Here's some info on the crafts design of LOCKS. The cover and booklet of LOCKS limited edition features a variety of plants and animals, such as bird, parrot, rabbit, bat, chameleon, lizard etc. It broadens the scope of an evergreen GARNET vision by depicting the fragile world of animals. There're also imaginary animals (dinosaurs?) and centaurs. Please find out for yourself!

The illustrations of limited edition A and B are connected but feature different styles and animals. Please look forward to it. The lizard on the cover of Limited B is designed by my request. The tiny lizard nestled against my shoulder, isn't it cute? I encourage you to check it out. Regular edition is also cool. It pictures a pure and evergreen world everybody would dream of. The booklet has the look of a real book, with our photos inside. Track listing is the same for every edition and each design is unconventional. Choose the one to your liking!

By the way, as much as I like all the designs, if you insist on asking which is our favourite as of now, the result goes: Auzki likes Limited B. Furui likes the regular edition. Okamoto likes Limited A and I like Limited A as well. Hopefully this could help you make a decision.

There're also a lot of highlights to watch out for in the DVD. I watched it today and Ninnaji Temple Live is impressive. In the video clip we have all sorts of expressions, which is fun. The kitty named GARNET-chan who appears in the PV of 'Mou ichido waratte' (laugh again) is also worth watching.

I hope our music reaches out to everyone's heart and connects to it. This's the thought we have while making LOCKS and I hope more people would listen to it.

Cat & Postman

Some screen grabs from もう一度笑って PV. I haven't taken a great liking to the song yet but the PV is lovely (and homely) =D

もう一度笑って Download audio here (7.12mb)













View the rest here

Annoucements

Greetings to fellow GC fans! Are you happily anticipating the release of their new album 'LOCKS'? XD And frustrated that your pocket is short and the limited editions would be snatched up before you have the chance to buy them?

Alrite, more news will come later. First of all I want to apologize for not updating the fansite Seven seas. Many reasons abound.(Like 'time', duh!) Let's not find feeble excuses. Here's my plan:

*The english site will be officially and indefinitely moved to http://delico.myth200.com/7seas. Please bookmark the new url. Construction is underway. Patience is a virtue... Feel free to check back now and then as I update on the go (and at my own leisure).

* The website will serve as an information archive while this blog is to keep you updated of latest news, releases, audio & video clips etc.

It's easier for me to blog than publishing on my own website. You can subscribe to feeds if you know what 'rss feed' is. I definitely recommend it.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could leave feedback on how to improve this blog and/or the website. Send in whatever requests, questions, encouragements, complaints, curses,jinx, voo-doo dolls you have and I'll be grateful to answer/destroy them as appropriate. You could either email me at heavenlypigsty@gmail.com, or leave comments here. INVITATIONS ARE OPEN! Whoever is interested in contributing news/articles, step forward and let me know. This could be a team blog!

Last but not least, the sole purpose is to spread the love of GARNET CROW and unite the fans. Please purchase authentic albums/videos if you can.

もう一度 笑って preview

Before the PV's taken down by youtube, here's the new favourite from 6th album 'LOCKS'.You can download the audio clip here.

Mou ichido waratte, Smile again


News from official website
Mou ichido waratte PV On Air in Feb
CS Channel: 'Music Japan PV' will be showing GARNET CROW Live special.

Tie-up: Mou ichido waratte is the ED of TBS TV 'Digi-Can' for the month of March. It's on air every Sunday starting March 2nd.

GARNET CROW New Album 'LOCKS'

It's been more than a year since their last album 'THE TWILIGHT VALLEY'! What have they been doing in 2007?! (Usually they release one album per year) Let's hope the long anticipated 6th album is a sparkling gem!


photo credit: LOCKS special site (official)

Check it out! LOCKS special site features album preview, liner notes, PV & release info. There's more to come =D



6th Album: LOCKS
Release date: 2008 March 12

There're 3 editions:
*First Press Limited Edition A(left): GZCA-5124/3,500Yen (tax in)
- This edition comes with a DVD featuring Ninnaji Temple concert footage.
Order online: Yesasia | CDJapan | Amazon.jp

*First Press Limited Edition B(center): GZCA-5125/3,500Yen (tax in)
- CD+DVD containing 3 PVs: 世界はまわると言うけれど ,涙のイエスタデー,もう一度笑って)
Order online: Yesasia | CDJapan | Amazon.jp

*Regular Edition(right): GZCA-5126/3,059Yen (tax in)
Order online: Yesasia | CDJapan | Amazon.jp

Track Listing
01.最後の離島
02.涙のイエスタデー (album ver.)
03.世界はまわると言うけれど
04.もう一度笑って
05.この手を伸ばせば (album ver.)
06.doubt
07.風とRAINBOW
08.ふたり
09.Mr.Holiday
10.The first cry
11.Love is a Bird

Romaji & English translations (suggested)
01.Saigo no ritou, The last outlying island
02.Namida no yesterday, Tears of yesterday
03.Sekai wa mawaru to iu keredo, Even if they say the world goes round & round
04.Mou ichido waratte, Smile again
05.Kono te wo nobaseba, If you reach out
06.doubt
07.Kaze to RAINBOW, Wind & RAINBOW
08.Futari, two
09.Mr.Holiday
10.The first cry
11.Love is a Bird

Meaning behind 'LOCKS'
The pronounciation of 'LOCKS' is similar to '6す'(lokusu)=6th in Japanese, underlying their 6th album. Also, they want their fans to come closer and link hearts like keys to locks.

Liner Notes from Nakamura Yuri(translated from official website).
- This translation is very coarse... Read at your own peril!

About LOCKS
We want fans to feel love and positive emotions through this album which is filled with infinit purity, transparency and a sparkling quality. We hope that everybody could be the 'one and only' existence for someone special and hold uttermost contentment in their heart.

When the sun rises and starts a new day, we wish you could feel the coming of spring through the stirring of animals, buzzing of human activities, and the budding of plants. Wish this album could tell a story from a day's start to end, the changes in seaons, the joy of living, happiness, and strength through occasional pain and frustrations.

01.Saigo no ritou, The last outlying island
This song is imbued with a feeling of break of dawn, and a new chapter. Continueing from our previous album which tells how twilight gives in to darkness bringing forward our deeper world vision, this album reflects a purer, cleaner world. Although the word 'twilight' appears again in this song, it has a refreshing feel instead of darkness. The 2nd chapter of GARNET CROW is starting. Here we go!

02. Namida no yesterday (album ver.)
When we were still debating what to write for the 100th song, someone told us it was tied-up to a TV opening. The time was summer so we added in pop elements to give a summer feel. Being the 100th song which holds special significance, we want to make it a simpler tune so everybody could sing along. Although the majority of our songs give sad impressions, the 100th is 100% opposite to norm. It's not so bad for us slight weirdos (laughs).

03.Sekai wa mawaru to iu keredo, Even if they say the world goes round & round
A very sad, long anticipated love song.
The opening chords guide you to the world of this song. I can't help crying when I listen to its guitar solo. The bridge from stanza D to the end is like a sudden blooming of light in dark night. The world becomes wider, and leaves a sleepless trail.

04.Mou ichido waratte, Smile again
Both band members and production staff have favourable reviews of this song since its demo tape stage. Embraced in gentle sunlight, this song symbolises 'evergreen', a key motif of this album. It mixes purity with pains, typical of GARNET style. I like the line 'you were once as warm as the sunlight in spring' . I'd also like to be the kind of person who smiles always.

05.Kono te wo nobaseba, If you reach out
Every single note is sung with a lot of heart. Although it's a simple tune, it doesnt come off as unbalanced. You slowly get carried away. That's our initial purpose of writing this song. I like 'Do we have to believe in the coming of tomorrow in order to keep walking on?' 'You also have seen tomorrow in those eyes'

06.doubt
'Anger?Desire?Fire of life?'
Like the lyrics, this song burns with strong emotions from inside out. Another highlight is the tug-of-war between vocals and guitar during the bridge part - voice is great ~ Even my band members gave me kudos. Especially those who experience a lot of frustrations, please listen to it and let out your stress.

07.Kaze to RAINBOW, Wind & RAINBOW
- the prelude to 2007 for GARNET CROW. It's a high energy rock song filled with fresh curiosity. Happiness & shock, Pain & anticipations etc. - this song probes into fundamental human nature. We wrote it right after 5th album 'THE TWILIGHT VALLEY', as if we broke out of twilight and saw the break of dawn. We'll be very happy if those who listen to it are motivated to take a step forward from twilight to dawn.

08.Futari, two
The lyrics are extremely cute . 'Because you meet me, we are us yo~ ' I like this line a lot. The saying 'Because ~ yo' has become so popular in the studio, like 'Because my stomach is empty yo~', 'Because I want to take a break yo~'. Both guys and gals use it, and we managed to finish recording under this eccentric atmosphere. Even the grunge rock like voice sounds happy because of this lovely song. I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun in concert so please listen to it yo~ (laughs)

09.Mr.Holiday
This one is easy-listening. Under the sunlight you feel a sudden urge to sprint and go picnic - that's what the song is about. It's rare for us to write such a pop tune (laughs). It exudes a positive energy. I was swaying, walking, jumping and singing to it (laughs). Okamoto-san did a great job with chrous. Feel free to cycle and sing along. You'll be cheered up whether listening or singing to it.

10.The first cry
Stylistically, this song is a continuation from the previous album 'THE TWILIGHT VALLEY' which speaks a deeper and darker world vision. Guitar, vocal and chorus intermingle to create a mysterious ambience. Saxophone solo also adds to the darkness. Sadness, prayers, peace, journey and infinite pain - there're a lot of words you could assoicate with it. I wish you feel a little hope at the end of it. 'If prayers could not heal sadness, let's bear the pain together.' - this line defines the concept and direction of this song. The start of an end, or the end of a start - the world is going round and round.

11.Love is a Bird
The mellow synths starts the song. The free floating feeling of Stanza A and B is filled with gentle warmth, which forms a stark contrast with chorus 'Could people in love give off light and glory', sung with eruptive strength. 'To give up or to hope' is a recurring theme of our limited life. This is a song of hope. Let happy birds spread their wings and fly. C'mon everybody, take the first stride! Spread your wings and fly high! Love is a bird!and free!

***

You can preview all of the above tracks at LOCKS special site. My first impression is, it's a happy album in general. I like 'Mr. Holiday' & 'The first cry'.

More to come...

GARNET CROW Fanarts

I'm blogging backwards! I'm gniggolb! Here're the sketches I did previously. A link back is appreciated.

First Doodlescope


Yuri Nakamura