the toxic waste taste tester's chromatic candy: Melty Melancholic Groove Borne From Bland Visual Kei

[a repertory of media (mostly music) that i'd like to share and write a bit about] 「私のミーディアと音楽のブログです。そのことが、あげたいで、ちょっとアーティストについて書きます」

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Melty Melancholic Groove Borne From Bland Visual Kei


Who else could the title refer to besides Inoran? Otherwise known as Shinobu Inoue, or 井上清信, he was the guitarist for the (IMO) generic rock band Luna Sea, and later for the generic punk-rock band Fake?. Now, he is in another generic band called Tourbillon. I have no idea how someone with so much obvious creative talent would find himself in bland band after bland band, but somehow he does. (In fact, the only band he's been affiliated with that I somewhat like is J.) However, we are all graced by Inoue's solo career, which has so far lasted from 1997's Sou to last year's Photograph. Breaking away from the formulaic rock song structures which defined the sounds of his bands, in his solo albums Ino explores the worlds of electronic, hip-hop, soul, experimental, and some much, much better rock than heard from any of his bands. One of his most beautiful songs is the single, Won't Leave My Mind, which has a bonechillingly sombre mood that Billy Corgan only wishes he could produce (ok, that he sometimes did produce). Personally, I like Fragment most, for its consistently lush, moody sound, and its favour of techno styles over hip-hop. (There's also a remix album of Fragment, called Landscape of Fragment, which I haven't heard.) The very hip-hop debut, Sou, might be more likeable to western ears, however, due to its pretty much total lack of japanese singing, in favour of anglo guest vocalists from Anelli Drecker to - a genius in his own right - Roots Manuva. The recent Photograph is a little more upbeat than the previous albums, and features the most rock riffs, making it the best choice for fans of Luna Sea (or any of his bands); Photograph can also be classified as a middleground between his two previous albums, retaining much of the urban music from Sou, while Inoran sings without as many guests. Through all his music, there's a surprising lack of emphasis on the guitar for a lead guitarist. Most of the time, the bass, samples, voice or keys out-decibel the guitbox.



Albums:


Inoran--- Photograph - 2006 - 10/10
(if you can afford it and/or like pretty packaging, get it here!)

Inoran--- Fragment - 2001 - 10/10
(give the record execs their vacation pay! buy it here.)

Inoran--- Sou - 1997 - 10/10
(maybe just request this at your local indie record store.)



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