Review by Amy
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Tricolor [CD+DVD]MoranMoran, the next chapter.
This is the first Moran release that doesn't contain departed bassist Zill's music. While the 'Apples' mini album closed the first part of Moran's career, 'Tricolor' starts the next. "Haruka no Ao" is the first track, composed by Soan. It's a song that feels spacious and intimate at the same time, with Hitomi's vocals always moving forward, while the music churns underneath. "Beni Sashi" is the "red" song, composed by Sizna. It's fun and all too short. Sizna's mad genius guitar playing is featured here, bluesy and and in your face. Reminds me of Sizna's old band Sugar or Fatima during their jazzier moments. "WHITE OUT" is the last track, also by Sizna. This song has more of a hard edge to it, but it's hiding under a slick production that retrains it a little. It feels like you listened to a longer song because there's so much to listen to. It's an excellent song, but I almost wish it had more of a climax. The PV for "Beni Sashi": Sexy. I won't spoil it. Moran has had a rocky start as a band, so I hope that this is beginning of a new era of stability and creativity for them. If you're an old Sugar fan, or you just love Hitomi's smoky voice, this release should in your 'to buy' list.
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[Re:261156] addere [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]SugarSugar is good for what ails you.
This is a gorgeous mini album. It shows off just how multi-faceted and talented they are as musicians. The new bass player definitely has what it takes! The live DVD is clear and nicely done. I've never seen Sugar in a live before, and the playing was tight, and they looked like they were enjoying themselves. The horn section and keyboards that came in halfway through the disc made me think even more highly of them. Not your typical "visual" band. Jazzy, a little raunchy, and always passionate. I only wish the live dvd wasn't so short (5 tracks)!
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C:LEARSUGIZOThis album is in it for the long term
This album uplifts and inspires. I've had it since it's release and still listen to it regularly. It's got a nice mix of styles while still being unmistakably a Sugizo work. It's more mellow than "Truth?" but there's plenty to work with if you're in the mood to rock out.
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Film Bug IGazettea lot of brilliance in a tiny package
I was very glad to get the video for Reila in this collection. The videos are all gorgeous, and the songs showcase the hard, soft and even silly sides of this amazing band. I hope they do more video collections like this in the future.
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alice in pictures Ialice nine.Nice if you don't have all the singles
I was glad to get the older videos like 'gin no tsuki kuroi hoshi'all on one convenient disc. I was really excited to finally see the whole "Shukanshuto" video. Besides the special packaging, I didn't find any extras on the DVD, so that's disappointing, and the promo-only video for 'Gradation' and the Meine Leibe Weider tie-in 'Akatsuki' aren't on this disc. Otherwise it's an almost complete collection of a9's earlier videos.
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alice in pictures IIalice nine.Nice, but bare bones, pv collection
I had bought some of these singles already, so I had the DVDs for a few of the videos, but I'll probably watch the videos more if I don't have to switch out discs constantly. All the current videos up to Mirror Ball are on this disc, so you can save some cash and just get singles without the DVD if you haven't got them all already, which is what I plan to do. The new video Gekkou Yoku was good, but if you already have all the singles and the new album, it's hard to justify buying this DVD for one video unless you want to see it really, really badly. The packaging on both video collections is interesting and top-notch, but I don't buy music DVDs for the covers! Some band commentary on the videos or some making of footage would have made the DVD more worth the price. Frankly, if all the videos could have been put in one set, which is perfectly doable with short music videos, it would have been a much better value. Still, it's good to have if you are missing some of the videos. It's not a bad collection, just a little pricey.
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Number Six. [Limited Edition]alice nine.A great fall release from alice nine.
Back in the 1980s, bands used to make extended length "mini-movie" style music videos like this. Number Six the Movie is a little cheesy, but really cute. It's short enough to watch more than once (about 20 mintues, give or take a few), and it makes me smile every time. The acting is so bad it's good. Nao's ham acting should get an award! Number Six the Song is a nice pick-me-up for the fall because it sounds like a summer song. It's poppy, and it will stick in your head despite your best effort to resist.
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Single DVD
ZAZELSingle DVDZAZELEh.This DVD contains the videos for Flower Like A Sky and Unknown Reality. The videos consist of Koyasu Takehito placed in artificial poses and looking moody. It's not very exciting, to be honest. I only give it a 3 here because it's more of a curiosity piece, because it's the first proper voice actor music video I've ever seen. If you're a hardcore Koyasu fan, this might be great for you. Otherwise, it's a pass.