Goraku (Variety) Customer Reviews

WOW! Tokyo Jihen can never disappoint me! I love the classical meets jazzy-rock feel of this amazing album. Of course the vocals were outstanding, as always. This album truly is a Variety of sound that pleases and inspires!

What. A. Surprise. The third release of Toukyou Jihen is not comparable to the previous two... mostly due to it's variety. Nomen est omen in this case. All tracks are written by the other band members, unlike before, when Shiina wrote most of the music. Nevertheless, fans of Shiina will not be disappointed, her voice (and the lyrics which she contributed to nearly every track) is stunning and cunning as ever. So are the skills of the Jihen, though the album is not the jazz-kinda-style we know of this band, it features some gorgeous instrumental moments. My favourites: OSCA: Rather weird song, catchy, tight rhythm, squeeky vocals and interesting harmonies. At the end, they double the speed and go through the melody once more with Warp 9.9 Overdrive. Fukushu: Perhaps the darkest rock-type track Shiina and the Jihen ever did. Entirely with English vocals, and with a bridge that reminds me of the british rock-band Queen. Tsukigimehime: Definitely my favourite. Featuring gloomy to happy moments, a nice church-organ and some quite obvious references to "Light My Fire" by The Doors. Id est: More than worth buying! Must have!

It has been my first CD of Tokyo Jihen and I'm not disappointed with it! This CD have a big variety and quality on its songs with a nice music and good lyrics. Two of the best songs of the album are Osca and Fukushu. 100% recommended!!!

they didnt change a lot! Maybe they made a more catchier sound with this album. Also in this one it is more pop like in the ones before. I would consider to say the songs by Izawa are the best of it (I personally prefer his Key-playing so much). Also the harder rocking songs, like Fukushuu or OSCA are pretty new and awesome for Tokyo Jihen. Even Fukushuu is a song that you never heard like this from Tokyo Jihen before! Another great song is SSAW, which just flows into your ears, then into your heart to warm your whole body just to make you smile of its happiness that it spreads! Metro is the best album outro that I heard for a long time!

Great album ! I got it today and it's the third time i listen to it in a row. I really think that they're the best pop band around right now , songs are just perfectly composed and arranged , and recorded with strength and passion . Definitely quality material exportable with success in the west too .

It lives up to its name, and it gives you variety, that is guarenteed by Shiina ringos ever genious lyrics. And songs like Kuronekodou(Kronekodow) / Black Cat Way proves that these guys are still as we are always used to know them full of variety

This is a great album, but far from being perfect as 'adult' or 'kyouiku'. And not all lyrics are written by Ringo, tracks 2, 5 and 13 are by ukigumo and track 3 is by Izawa. I think half of the album is made of perfect songs, like Kingyo no Hako, Shiseikatsu, Sake to Geko, Killer Tune, SS/AW and Fukushu. but all the other ones don't match their creativity. The album title couldn't be more perfect, all songs aren't alike, so at least you'll not be bored by listening this CD, but I have to say I've expected something perfect, and that's not what I've got.