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Kagrra – Core
Tracklist:
01. Irodori no Sanka
02. Ujyou
03. Shigatsu tsuitachi
04. GUILTY
05. Boukyaku no hate no kogoeta kodoku
06. Sai
07. Kaze no kioku
08. Kamikaze
09. Yuki koi uta
10. Shin・Hyakkiyakou

Possibly the most overlooked band in history, Kagrra,, has long been overshadowed by the likes of the GazettE, Alice Nine, Vidoll, Gackt, et cetera. to name a few. In fact, much of this comes from the fact that Kagrra, was formally a Visual-Kei band, but now simply J-rock or as they like to dub it, Neo-Japanesesque.

2007 was not a good year for Kagrra,. They only came out with one album, Shizuku, which was a mild success, and then vanished for a full year. Now they start 2008 with their 4th major album, Core is every bit as amazing as Kagrra, is expected to be. Released on 9th January, 2008, it sold 4,765 copies in its first week while ranking on #28 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.

The first track on the album is Irodori no Sanka, a beautiful rock ballad in the same vein as Utakata. The track has vibrant Japanese undertones, thanks to the excellent co-ordination with the band. Isshi’s voice has matured drastically since Shizuku and makes every note sound heartwarming. This is an excellent song, one that regained my faith in Kagrra, and made me a huge fan (once again!).

Irodori no Sanka is quickly followed by what is the most unlikely track Kagrra, has ever done. Ujyou is a funky song with a catchy beat and great guitar work by Akiya. This track is much more musical than vocal though and only 2:41 minutes long, but cool none the less.

Shigatsu Tsuitachi is a 90’s pop sounding track, with added synths and whatnot. The chorus is my favourite part which is fast paced and blaring with energy. Shigatsu Tsuitachi is a different, more poppish sort of song by Kagrra, and I’m not complaining at all. If anything, I like this change. Bravo – at finally making your songs distinguishable!

Next is (ho boy) Kagrra’s very first English titled song! I was a little skeptical about GUILTY at first but with repeated hearings it has slowly grown on me. Of course, this might just be the least Japanese-sounding song Kagrra, has ever done, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. The chorus is nice, but I really like the verses better where Isshi sounds aggressive and energetic. Another definite-sounding track from Kagrra,.

The next track on the album is Boukyaku no Hate no Kogoeta Kodoku, another high quality rock-ballad in the same vein as Irodori no Sanka. There’s not much to say for this apart from that it’s very nice, even though Isshi’s voice doesn’t sound as good.

I will say this, and I will say this once. Sai is the strangest, most definitely interesting and amazing track by Kagrra, ever. It has a strangely addictive beat that even when I try I can’t stop drumming my fingers on the desk or tapping my toes. It’s really different to what Kagrra, has ever done before and in a good way because I can’t ever get bored of this song. XD

After the roller coaster that was Sai, I was expecting to be disappointed but Kaze no Kioku is a delightful treat! I really like its mellow, soft-edged sound that reminds me of some old Indian rock songs (which are completely extinct now, however).

Next on the line-up is a rather unusual fast-paced track Kamikaze. I say unusual because this sounds bit like what the GazettE would usually come out with, not Kagrra,. However, there’s a lot of energy in this song and Isshi sings frighteningly fast, so kudos for that.

If there’s one thing Kagrra, has learned since Shizuku, it’s melody. Because after 8 songs in a row, Yuki Koi Uta still manages to sound incredibly original. An elegant and sorrowful track with excellent lyrics and vocals by Isshi. The chorus is especially amazing and sounds dipped in emotions. Seldom are there songs which convey meaning without needing to understand the lyrics, and Yuki Koi Uta does exactly that.

The last track on the album is an updated version of Hyakkiyakou, Kagrra,’s very first demotape track. Even though I’m not a huge fan of the original, I quite enjoyed this remix and liked listening to it all over again in this album.

In a nutshell, Core is a perfect addition to Kagrra,’s discography. After the rather lackluster Shizuku, I was expecting something much worse. But with 9 new perfectly amazing tracks Kagrra, have regained their status of ’supreme awesomity’ in my books once again. If you’re new to Kagrra, Core is an excellent introduction to their unique style of music. An absolute essential.

Overall grade: O