Kuroko no Basuke 2 OP
Tracklist:
1. The Other self
2. DAWN GATE "Unfinished"
3. The Other self [OFF VOCAL]
4. DAWN GATE "Unfinished" [OFF VOCAL]
1. The Other self
An abrupt twisting over the guitar tones quickly bursts into a cheerful rocky arrangement, unfortunately consisting of exclusively guitars, with not as much variety as Henai no Rondo has, but still well fitting for an anime like Kuroko no Basuke. As the guitars follow through the fast tempo, Kishow's vocals do it as well, being exceptional as usual, but still somewhat nasal occasionally, especially in the English-infused chorus lyrics and shouts. Most of the track is just something simply pleasant I wouldn't normally return to, but the remarkably fast, long and skillful guitar solo in the middle eight section saves the song, and builds up to the final chorus, ending with a prolonged uplifting melody piece.
Rating: 8
2. DAWN GATE "Unfinished"
The next track starts subdued, with only a single guitar in play until it gains a trance-like rhythm and a retro, melancholic guitar chord progression with a western melody, being very reminiscent of older rock music. Fortunately, Kishow's vocals are here much clearer and also somewhat deeper, even including some vibrato and varying between soft and deep colours, but, aside that, the only other thing particularly noticeable is a mixed up structure as far as verses and choruses go. Maybe it's just a matter of taste or the fact that it's not ani-rock in the rock subgenres, but this song still doesn't leave a particular impression on me.
Rating: 6
Fanservice anime like Free! and Kuroko no Basuke (no matter how much I do or don't like them as a genre) usually don't have artistically-oriented music, and that reflects in how The Other self is composed when compared to Henai no Rondo, and even DARK SHAME. Overall, it's not a bad release but I'm definitely looking forward to better.
My overall rating is: 7.
Will I return for an another listen: Probably not.
The comment box doesn't bite; be careful when feeding it, though.
Hehe I don't think GRANRODEO do "artistic" music, I associate them more with wild and crazy rock :)
ReplyDeleteAnd they don't really use much apart from guitar bass drums most of the time, so you might be disappointed if you want to go looking for more "Henai no Rondo"-like tracks.
Have you listened to any of their older stuff like their other Kurobas singles "Can Do" and "Rimfire", or their last couple of albums? If you have, what did you think of them, any tracks you particular you like?
I'm yet to get completely familiar with GRANRODEO completely, I may be biased a bit because Henai no Rondo was the icebreaker for me when listening to them. Though, I do plan to listen to their earlier works so I'll post my opinions :3
DeleteMuch of Granrodeo is reminiscent of older western rock, as their influences include Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Kiss, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Earth Wind & Fire and similar artists. While they do mix things up with brass, piano and effects they are, at heart, a bass, drums and guitar band and they excel at making distinctive rock music with just that combo. The bass at the beginning of Dawn Gate Unfinished is pure, unadulterated '70s funk, which I could wallow in for weeks (and have -- the song is largely on repeat me for me many days). For an older fan like me, who laments the decline of good, solid rock music in general, Granrodeo is a gift from the heavens. To try and tempt you further into their web ... if you like layered, textured songs like Henai no Rondo, maybe try some of their previous songs like Koi Oto, Shien, Sea of Stars, Nejireta Yugami or Haitoku no Kodou.
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