under-world - MERRY
Artist: Merry
Album: Under-World
Label: GAN-SHIN
The album starts off with intro "GI-GO" which is kinda like a ratty, rocked up version of the ever famous song from the movie 'Pulp Fiction'. Moving swiftly into track one, MERRY prove themselves to be upbeat and gritty. Energetic and full of live and flavour. With album 'under-world' it's clear that punk is an inspiration behind their music, with fast paced instrumentals and quick, sharp lyrics, with enjoyable melodies thrown in for good meassure. "Akai Kutsu" is the kind of song you could expect on one of those Quentin Tarantino soundtracks. It's funky and fantastic! Lyrically, vocalist Gara holds something unique with his voice unlike a lot of the vocalists thrown into the Visual Kei category that scream, shout, growl, grunt and of course sing. Primal agression thrown in with passion can't be bad for vocal talent, can it??! Nah, of course not!
Some of the tracks have a dark, metal and horror theme, the Tokyo quintet definitely have that stripped-down instrumentation and hard-edged rock attitude! The album 'under-world' impresses from the get go and doesn't lose pace with funky bass lines like the ones thrown out in "Enzetsu -surrealism-". The political sounding vocals via the megaphone, give them a clear punk rock base. With the bass lines alone, it has to be one of my favourite tracks on the album!
There is the occassional track which tricks you into thinking it's a gritty ballad of classic rock... but that is shortlived when the wild and rebellious pandemonium hits you full force after the first 30 seconds! You've got no time for relaxation with this baby, it's all about the energy! With occassional guitar riffs that have more of that twangy, Surf Rock feel to it, the album doesn't fall short of something 'different'. It'll definitely keep your energy flowing. However, the 15 and a half minute monster "Gakisei" starts off a ballad, but twists its way into mayhem! Although, having said that, as soon as the lyrics hit, you could just imagine a room full of people getting drunk and dirty in that classic rock n' roll swing band sort of way. This slower feeling amorous number has a romantic feel (if you're a touch strange like us and like romance to include funky qualities) backdropped with the sounds of agonised sorrow in there. Flowing straight into the next track, this soft tuned power-ballad sits in your mind for a while after listening to it. Beautifully crafted and instrumentally wonderful, it doens't shy away from the bands power throughout the rest of the album and rounds 'under-world' off nicely.
With a couple of Bonus Tracks thrown in for good measure, it lives up to its title 'montage'. There is a combination of so many genres, including blues, Ska and horror punk all thrown into one. Whatever your taste, you're set with this one! You'll really want to get up and dance, twisting every posable appendige you might have as Merry will certainly make you sweat! Not for the faint-hearted, but if you like something a little different then this one shouldn't be missed!
Track Listing:
01 GI・GO
02 Friction ××××
03 under-world
04 Akai kutsu [赤い靴]
05 Gesshoku [月食]
06 Enzetsu -Surrealism- [演説～シュールレアリズム～]
07 [human farm]
08 Piranha [ピラニア]
09 Katamichi kippu [片道切符]
10 Canary [カナリア]
11 Tozasareta rakuen [閉ざされた楽園]
12 Gekisei [激声]
13 Fuyu no Castanet
