Kinsho: Forbidden Literature
REVIEW: ALI PROJECT has been on the Japanese Music scene for decades and since their 1988 debut, have released a string of works. Kinsho is the duo's 11th original album, a diverse journey of Forbidden Literature.
01. Kamikaze
The opening track begins the album with the vibrant Gothic pop style ALI PROJECT is so well known for. Seeming to lend a few techniques from their recent singles, it is a nice bridge between the group's recent work and this new album. It is a really good opening track with a nice branching of style and some beautiful vocal work from Arika. The chorus builds especially well, until the climax at the end of the chorus leading to an interesting change of tempo, to a more slow orchestral offering. 'Kamikaze' is known as being wildly reckless or destructive, a suicidal mission - This opening track definitely gives off that vibe and sets up the album. It is a recklessly, uninhibited track which endeared me in its craziness.
02. Mokushiroku Zengi
(erm) ... and I thought the last track was meant to be crazy!? Mokushiroku Zengi is an operatic rock track which right from the furious opening is totally out of left field. I really love the hook in this song which has a yo-yo effect which works really well bringing a further complexity to an already complex song. Arika handles the rockier genre well, her low notes being her forte while she manages the scream'ish style satisfactorily. The song is a flamboyant example of operatic rock in a style only ALI PROJECT could pull off.
03. Hetero Shitsurakuen
The third track's instrumental borrows some influence from the Middle East and South West Asia, with Arika's singing typical of an old Indian Film. I'm unsure where this track fits in following...
