Customer Reviews

Love Letter, Vol. 2

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a Gackt fan and I couldn't help buying something more mellow.

It's amazing how many people think that just because he's beautiful or because his usual genre is jrock that he cannot sing.

His voice is uniquely enchanting with a pitch that is just right in all of the notes of each and every song he sings/writes.

It's a must have for all Gackt fans because we can truly appreciate the range of his voice and hear him sing with feelings that are more romantic and sensual (not that his other releases have not been.)

Gackt is a truly talented artist whom deserves to be recognized not only for his singing-- but for how well he plays an arsenal of instruments. This man truly knows music.

Every single note, every verse, every piece of his music has REAL feelings and they translate so strongly that you will get chilled to the bone if only you open up.

Even if you cannot understand Japanese-- you're going to definitely understand what the songs try to communicate; the story is carefully woven into every part of the songs...

Once again-- I am floored.

For the skeptics-- check this album out. You'll understand why many people are crazy about Gackt.

With `Love Letter`, Gackt has officially announced himself as a vocal artist. I`m thrilled about this development because his songwriting skills and especially his voice are on full display without the silly production tricks found on his earlier stuff to muck things up.

Be prepared for an album of mostly acoustic ballads, there is nothing on here even resembling j-rock. If you are a fan of Gackt`s voice then this album will give you everything you need, but if you`re expecting high-tempo rock you`ll be disappointed.

I really like this album and it`ll make my top 10 of the year, but the reason it gets four stars is that a couple songs are duds. Still highly recommended.

Firstup, I should consciously refrain from writing a Love Letter to Gackt since this IS a CD review. Afterall, I am talking about an artist so unique and talented as anyone can possibly get. As of this writing, I have discovered Gackt Camui a mere 6 months even though his illustrious career has spanned over 15 years. An eternal fan I'll be.

Gackto as millions of his global fans endearingly call him is total multi-faceted awesomeness; a singer, composer, philanthropist, actor and musician who plays an array of multi-cultural instruments, speaks several languages,performs on the live stage with knock-out audios and visuals ( a self-described visual live expressionist),practically mastering whatever that tickles his fancy. Gackt's a 21st century Renaissance man who happens to be Japanese.

He can rock a song crazy like any internationally renowned superstar and can croon any ballad, caressing the heart all the while. His 2005 CD, Love Letter exempifies the latter description, a natural-born balladeer. Of the 10 tracks, only 3 are listed in English and being non-Japanese, I'll do my best to provide the English titles and essence of his songs. All the songs are gloriously sung in Japanese, in a style only Gackt can do it. Love Letter as the title suggests isn't a hard-rocking CD for fans to rock back and forth, and swing your hair to. It's basically a compilation of love songs emoting of love lost and love everlasting but the song delivery is another story.

Gackt's vocals and piano-playing shine brilliantly, especially on Etude, the honesty comes through in Teacup aided by the earnest sound of a single cello and strings, and an unplugged version of Dears LLV ( aka Everything For You) is a surprise treat for the ears with a simple guitar accompaniment sung in part acapella, deep, rich, low and high at all the right places.

Track 4 (With All My Love) sounds like a rousing, foot-stomping, hand-clapping country dance showdown. Just carefree and fun to listen to unlike the other more serious tracks. Track 6 ( Last Song) is a heartfelt song delivered with Gackt's pure, crystal clear vocals.Strong but melodic and meaningful. In track 7 (Kimi Ni Atakute aka Longing For You) one hears the vibratto in Gackt's vocals as he pines and yearns for the return of an amor who has gone away. Track 9 is like a cute puppy love song to me (Sao Sau), the first high from teen-aged love, skipping through the flower garden amd there's a synthesizer in here somewhere I think. La La La La la La La Lah...................

Finally and by far, my favorite song of the CD, the title track itself, Love Letter, is an exquisite song with lyrics written in the form of a letter, re-affirming a long-term love relationship, perhaps in a couples' twilght years. I literally cried over this song. Gackt sings beautifully with conviction enhanced by the expressive flair of many soothing violins. Love Letter sounds like a big production number yet the message of love's journey through the passing of time is eternal. Gackt's simply lovely singing this final track.

My apologies for any errors and omitting critiques on a couple of tracks, and not being more specific elaborating on the lyrics. Again, being not Japanese, not understanding or speaking a word of it ( although I suspect this will change soon), I hope I have done justice in describing the heart and soul of Love Letter. Isn't this a testament to the power of Gackt's music if millions of non-Japanese fans have jumped onto the Gackt express?

What is there left to say of an artist who has embodied the likes of Alice Cooper (theatrics),David Bowie (makeup and androgyny),Kiss (playful nastiness), Elton John (musicianship),Steven Tyler (rock vocals),Prince (instrumental genius),Janet Jackson (utilitarian uniforms),Bruce Springsteen ( rock-n-roll loyalty), Michael Jackson( beyond international stardom),and yes even hip crooner Michael Buble's sophistication!?

Love Letter showcases Gackt's versatility as one of Japan's finest pop vocalists and exceptional pianist. Because of his extraordinary capacity to embrace all sorts of interests, we fans may follow him to and fro but in the end, Gackt's music takes center stage.

This CD departs from Gackt's sometimes wild rockability. Instead we get a stripped down, quieter, lyrical and more introspective side of an amazingly phenomenal artist, still evolving and morphing as we breathe. You go Gackto!!

"Love Letter" is definitely not a highlight in Gackt's career (although I wouldn't say it's his worst -- that ranking goes to "The Seventh Night").

All of Gackt's previous albums (again, except for "The Seventh Night") showcase an incredible variety of song types and feelings. "Mars," "Rebirth," "Moon," "Crescent," and "The Sixth Day" all contain a little something for everyone from sweeping, dramatic "rock opera" type songs to emotional acoustic ballads to harder rock songs you may feel tempted to headbang along with to upbeat, peppy pop-rock and everything in between. They made Gackt impossible to pigeonhole as mere "J Pop."

Not so with "Love Letter."

As the title and its not-so-coincidental Valentine's Day release date, this album consists entirely of lovey-dovey acoustic sap about relationships (insert lyrics about "dakishimete" here). "Seiippai no Sayonara," "Tea cup," "Peace," and even the highly-anticipated "Etude" all run together in somewhat bland mix of acoustic guitars with slow tempos and soulful singing. "Kono Yoru ga Owaru Mae ni" sounds reminiscent of "Last Song."

On the other hand, some of these songs are still a little touching ("Peace," "Love Letter," and of course "Dears") and it's hard for me to resist the bouncy fun of "Arittake no Ai de."

Admittedly, Gackt's singing, although not at its best (his voice changed noticeably in mid-2004 and became lower and very nasal), is still quite skillful ("Seiippai no Sayonara" showcases his exceptional vocal range) and pretty to listen to ("Kimi ni Aitakute").

The fact remains, however, that it lacks the punch and rock `n roll edge of most of Gackt's other albums. For those of us that tend to shy away from music labeled as "pop," this album is a let-down. I can appreciate pretty songs with lots of acoustic instruments ("Tsuki no Uta," "Freesia," "Misty") and sappy ballads ("Memories," "Leeca," "Saikai~Story") but "Love Letter" is an overdose.

If you can only buy one Gackt album, get one of his other ones (except "The Seventh Night") first.

I have to say that anything that comes out with Gackt's name on it is a master piece. He is a God. He is the most talented Singer out there right now and not to mention he's one sexy Bishonen and he is Bisexual (look at Vanilla Live Music Video). It's a shame that not many people know about him, so I share his voice and music with everyone I can. Snap up all of his CDs you can and his Movie, Moon Child. His songs are pure talent.