Customer Reviews

Miyavi: This Iz The Japanese Kabuki Rock

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First off, if you're new to Miyavi I recommend starting with some of his other stuff first or at least checking out some of his older videos on YouTube. This CD and the videos are a lot to take in if you aren't at least semi-prepared. Miyavi changes his style almost every album and that's what some people don't like about him, but I love it. It's like Christmas when a Miyavi album comes out only better because although you don't know exactly what you're going to get you know it's going to be good.

Songs like Jpn Pride, 21st Century Blues, Kavki Boiz, Boom-Hah-Boom-Hah-Hah,NOWHEREGOD, Neo Visualizm, and What a Wonderful World will have you head bobbing and bouncing around in no time. 21st Century Blues has to be the funkiest song I've heard in years and I'm a big George Clinton fan, I know my funk. Boom-Hah-Boom-Hah-Hah is a close second.

Now, on to the instrumental and slower songs. I'm not really into slower songs and ballads so take what I say here with a grain of salt. The instrumental is called Memories of Bushido and it's about a minute long. It's basically a monastery chant. Hi No Hikari Sae Todokanai Kono Basho De feat. SUGIZO starts out acoustic with almost whispering vocals for the first minute and a half before speeding up and becoming the rock anthem of the album. Tsurezure naru Hibi Naredo is your basic ballad. In fact it reminds me of something you'd here at a wedding reception. Thanx Givin' Day I like, but can't exactly explain why other than the fact that I love songs where it's just Miyavi and an acoustic guitar.

Miyavi's ever evolving style is always surprising and innovative, and in This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock, he's created something truly unique.

The sound is a blend of pop, rock, and hip-hop mostly, with bits and pieces of other genres mixed in Miyavi dubbed "Neo-Visualism". It's not a complete departure from Miyavi's guitar driven songwriting, but it is his most collaborative work. A dj, a beatboxer, and a tap dancer contribute to the tracks alongside your standard bassist and drummer, and of course Miyavi himself.

If it's your first introduction to Miyavi, I highly recommend this album. It's a great introduction to his crazy genre-shifting style and skilled guitar playing.

For fans, I suggest picking up the album here, despite the steep price tag as it appears to be the limited edition of the album, which is now pretty much sold out everywhere else. Or you could try your luck on ebay.

Miyavi caught my eyes a couple of years ago when I saw one of his videos linked up to a site I was browsing. His crazy antics and skilled guitar playing instantly got me hooked. This is one of the best CDs to start off with if you are just starting to listen to him OR Japanese Rock. Sure, not all japanese rocks bands are like him, but he gives you a little taste of the wilder side.

He's probably one of the only artists that I know who can mix a couple different genres of music (and by different I mean WAY different in some cases)

Nothing more to say about this album. It's simply the best work Miyavi have done in his life. Each every single song in there is wonderful and well composed. The first time listen through this album, it immediately caught my soul. His passion for music is fully expressed in this one. Also the way he tries to call back all those Japanese Rock artist to their unique J-Rock style is so loving.

The texture of this album is a mix between all the styles of today's popular music form, including rock, jazz, tap dance, rap, hip-hop, b-box etc.

Seriously, worth every penny out of your pocket if you love J-rock and Miyavi!

This cd of Miyavi I really like! I recommend people getting the cd! It is worth it! I bought it when it first came out and was reall impressed! Miyavi is so talented!

This album is so great! It's another great example of Miyavi's evolving style. The best songs on the album are definitely the singles, although there are many other great songs on the album. There is a mixture of slow and fast songs. Overall the CD is very fun and it showcases Miyavi's new found maturity.