Customer Reviews

World World World

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

 

 

I had to write this review because, while I respect other people's point of view, I could not disagree more with a review written for this wonderful, passionate album.

I have been a fan of Ajikan for several years now and was exceptionally pleased with the release of this album. I will admit that I do not have the trained ear of a professional musician, but I can absolutely appreciate and recognize great musicality when I hear it. The CD rocks. Period.

This album takes many cues from their first full-length album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M, but does an excellent job in showcasing their growth since then as far as getting more creative with rhythms and melodies. From the high tempo and catchy After Dark and Tabidatsu Kimi he (with the slick transition into Neoteny), to the dynamic and dramatic Toraberogu, and beautiful yet thoughtful Korogaru Iwa Kimi ni Asa ga Furu. Gotoh really pushes his singing in this album as well, singing in very low tones, high tones and also belting out choruses to create a dramatic and passionate effect. Such is the case with the hard rocking Atarashii Sekai to end the album on a powerful and passionate note, which only leaves you wanting more!

I used the word "passion" to describe several aspects of this album because that's truly the sense you get when listening to it. Gotoh makes it plainly clear throughout this album that we need to be more conscious of what's going on in the world and make a change as far as wars and the environment (Atarashii Sekai, Neoteny, No. 9, Wakusei). And other songs are about just experiencing life and making the most of it (After Dark, Toraborogu, Tabidatsu Kimi e). Every Ajikan CD that I have listened to has had a uniform tone/theme to it, and this album is no different, but at the same time, much unlike any other CD that they have released.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation may not be the most groundbreaking band out there by any means, but they absolutely have a talent for creating fun, catchy and consistent beats and rhythms with a lot of heart. It is rare, for me, to find an artist where every, single, song on the CD is enjoyable and well crafted. Ajikan has a unique talent for accomplishing just that, and this album is no different. "World World World" is an awesome buy that you will absolutely not regret.

What more can i say- Ajikan is the best! I've been a fan of their music for years and when i heard that this album was being released i was sure to order it as soon as i could. My hopes were high and when i finally heard the disk i was relieved to know that this was far from a disappointment!

From start to finish, Ajikan succeeds in keeping the listener intrigued with their signature up-beat tempos and catchiness of their lyrics. Most noteworthy, 'To You. The Departing' gives you little to no warning of the impending rock explosion of the high-speed guitar/drum melody. The seamless transition to the following track 'Neoteny' is a great example of their "keeping the listener intrigued"-ness.

My favorite track off this album is the great "Atarashii Sekai". Gotoh's vocals are awesome and solidify his position as a great Punk vocalist... my personal opinion, of course. Not to mention the musical ensemble- which complements his vocals very well.

This album is another accomplishment of theirs and deserves your immediate attention. Support this Japanese band! Dont speak Japanese? Last I heard, music is a universal language...

Treat yourself!

I have loved AKFG for a while because of their talent and passion for their music. They are very heavily Weezer influenced but still have been able to innovate with their sound and show some very good song craft.

Their newest album World World World disappointed me since I always like to see this band push themselves and I feel they did on a few songs but not on the album as a whole. The opening instrumental, which the album is titled after, is wonderfully composed, though short, and gives one hope of some kind of concept to hold the album together but sadly it doesn't.

The only two songs that are solid that weren't released before the album came out are the opening instrumental and "Toraberogu" (great song). After Dark, and Aru Machi no Gunjou are both awesome songs but they were released long before the album. Everything else falls very short in my opinion. Even when the guitar work is interesting, the songs fail because of their poor melodies. Weak, meandering lines that construct no narrative through their music alone (not just lyrics should tell a story). AKFG showed they could even do a melody that was strong but constantly changing and not repeating on Shindoukaku from Sol-Fa. I just felt like the melodic composition on this album was mostly lazy or maybe rushed (they do seem to work very fast).

I have never thought of AKFG as the best band in the world. It pisses me off to see people only like them because of two things: 1. They have songs on anime and 2. They're Japanese. Hardly do they ever have fans with critical ears that recognize their talents and weaknesses but instead just reel in Japanophiles from America and their own senseless mainstream from their own country.

AKFG has a lot of talent and it sucks that they put out a shoddy product this time around. Sol-Fa and Fanclub were their best albums as wholes in my opinion though their best songs are scattered throughout their career. They've always had weak songs but I felt like this was the most they've ever had on one album.

Well here's hoping next time things go better.