GAKIDO’s Early 2012 Double Single Release

GAKIDO’s first and latest 2012 release back in May comes in the form of two simultaneously released singles with varied cover-art and titles. On first glance they are cleverly disguised as different releases though in fact are still A and B versions of the same single. Both feature three songs of which two are found on both releases while each contains a different third track. On A (Kimi ni Hitsuyou na Uta), an overall bouncy feeling prevails while B (Dokugan) carries a darker sound.

“Kimi ni Hitsuyouna Uta,” blasts right off with a catchy chorus you can almost sing along to by the second time it comes around and almost certainly by the end of the song. The joined vocals of Yohya, Kahiro and Shutaro give a light taste of what the song must sound like with a crowd singing along. GAKIDO mainly employ their tripled vocal-strength on simultaneous lines, with some parts sung only by Yohya and short solos provided by Shutaro, while together, the singers hold fast to their combined pitch that’s pleasant on the ears and easy to sing along to. Between the frequently repeated choruses, the fast plucking of a wood harp gives the song warmth in addition to the guitar and drums while at the end, a touch of violin is added to the mix. The violin actually forms a nice surprise but its very brief appearance leaves you wondering why they added it at all and didn’t make more use of it.

After the first bubbly and positive title track, “Dokugan” demands your attention with a short, melodically picked intro before a heavier riff makes for a slightly darker song, though never dark enough to fully contrast the other tracks. The smiles may no longer be evident in the singers’ voices and the rhythm and pace is more dramatic but the energy remains remarkably upbeat for this kind of rock-song. The guitar solo and chorus give the feeling that GAKIDO are merely playing at the heavier stuff rather than successfully attempting it.

“Dokugan” is followed on Kimi ni Hitsuyou na Uta by another highly upbeat, bubbly song. “Ima karai koto ni uso ha tsukanaide” was released on the Explosion Showcase CD compiled by SHOXX in February 2011 and is frequently included in GAKIDO’s set-lists for its lively performance and participation by members and crowd alike. The song has been re-recorded for this release and concludes it with a colorful mash of banjo-picking, cheerful vocals and a ‘Lalala’-chorus to mindlessly sing along to. It is hard to sit still during any track of this perky release.

Meanwhile, Dokugan doesn’t hold many more surprises with its final track. As the release title reveals, “Dokugan” forms the title track on this single while “Kimi ni Hitsuyouna Uta” comes in second. This time, the third track, “Koe,” makes for a heavier release. “Koe” is rough, not exactly harsher in sound but less pleasant on the ears. The computer-generated intro sounds like a tentative boss-level in a videogame after the guitars plunge in a rather jarring riff and only this song features raw shouts instead of purely clean vocals. It allows for headbanging at one point and though the chorus brings back more of GAKIDO’s accessible sound, it leaves you less sated and restless making Kimi ni Hitsuyou na Uta the recommendation.

These two releases have allowed GAKIDO to show both their bright and poppy side as well as their darker, the two balanced in an interesting way over the two CDs. Of course, more songs and less repetition would have been welcome but this way allows you to choose the GAKIDO you may prefer while not missing out on much if you incline more towards one style or the other. Not a bad concept.

Track list

　Kimi　ni　Hitsuyouna　Uta　3 Track CD + DVD (Music video)

1.Kimini Hitsuyou na Uta
2. Dokugan
3. Ima karai koto ni uso ha tsukanaide

　Dokugan 3 Track CD + DVD (Music video)

1.Dokugan
2. Kimi ni Hitsuyou na Uta
3. Koe