Plenty of Charm in SID’s 22nd Single: Itsuka

Review

by Sarah Jones, posted October 5, 2011

It has been almost a year since SID’s last release with the single, Ranbu no Melody and a good half year since the album dead stock. Itsuka, their 22nd single, marks a new era in the band’s history. After the resolution of the dead stock TOUR 2011 in the summer, this single is something of a calmer affair. It takes after the anime themes and matching melodies of the 2010 singles.

“Itsuka” opens starkly with Mao’s strong vocals sung a capella until a fast, guitar-driven melody powers an exciting introduction. The guitar effects are pretty and remain so throughout the number, with Shinji’s plucked guitar a staccato contrast to the fluidity of the strings. “Itsuka” is pleasant to listen to, but it feels a little too safe and pedestrian after the intriguing “dead stock” where SID experimented with styles ranging from bossa nova to straight alt-rock.

“Akikaze” maintains the gentle feel, but by contrast, with its funky leanings and the Latin flair of the guitars, it feels fresh. Softly nostalgic like an autumn breeze, the number launches a ’70s-inspired guitar solo which only reinforces the nostalgia. “Akikaze” is a great seasonal song and stands out from the other songs on the single.

As a reminder for followers of the summer tour, SID included a live version of “NO LDK” as the final track. The production is flawless and the live setting suits the deep, funky bass, providing a much fuller sound than the album version and presenting the song’s evolution. It should be noted that this song is only present on the regular edition as the limited editions contain music videos in its place.

“Itsuka” sounds very much like SID playing it safe, perhaps a response to the long break in releases. Even so, the single holds plenty of charm for stalwart fans and anyone into the lighter side of visual kei or j-pop.

Regular Edition: 3 trackCD

Limited Edition A: 3 track CD + DVD (dead stock TOUR 2011 Special Clip Ver. A)

Limited Edition B: 3 track CD + (dead stock TOUR 2011 Special Clip Ver. B)

Track List

Itsuka
Akikaze
NO LDK （Live from dead stock TOUR 2011）

Sarah began her journey into the world of Japanese music　courtesy of L'Arc-en-Ciel back in the year 2000. Since then, she has combined a love of music and music journalism into writing for European Japanese music magazines and assisting with Japanese interest events in the UK. After graduating in Law from the University of Nottingham, she put 'the law-thing' on the backburner to dive into the live scene in Tokyo for 3 years. Sarah returned to the UK in September 2010 to do that 'law-thing' and now works for a Japanese ｂank in London. Her heart is always in the music and fashion in Tokyo and her life is balanced between her time in the UK and Japan. When she has time, she also blogs at http://lifeismerodii.blogspot.com