NEWS: L'ARC~EN~CIEL - "QUADRINITY BEST OF" DETAILS

Details have emerged regarding L'Arc~en~Ciel's upcoming Best Of collection. Quadrinity features 4 discs, one for each member to select their favourites of their own compositions.

The tracklist is as follows:

DISC 1 hyde best

Music all composed by hyde

Mastered by Ian Cooper (Metropolis, LONDON)

1. I’m so happy

2. HONEY

3. flower

4. さようなら (Sayonara)

5. Anemone

6. いばらの涙 (Ibara no Namida)

7. In the Air

DISC 2 tetsuya best

Music all composed by tetsuya

Mastered by Tom Coyne (Sterling Sound, NYC)

1. READY STEADY GO

2. Blame

3. Time goes on

4. DIVE TO BLUE

5. 砂時計 (Sunadokei)

6. Link -KISS Mix-

7. あなた (Anata)

DISC 3 ken best

Music all composed by ken

Mastered by Howie Weinberg (Masterdisk, NYC)

1. 花葬 (Kasou)

2. ガラス玉 (Glass Dama)

3. MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM

4. Coming Closer

5. 真実と幻想と (Shinjitsu to Gensou to)

6. the silver shining

7. 虹 (Album Version) (Niji)

DISC 4 yukihiro best

Music all composed by yukihiro

Mastered by Ted Jensen (Sterling Sound, NYC)

1. a swell in the sun

2. cradle

3. drink it down

4. get out from the shell -asian version-

5. new world

6. revelation

7. trick

Comments: I am fairly happy with this selection! I think Hyde and Ken's discs are the strongest, ken's in particular. I knew his selections were going to be awesome and he definitely doesn't disappoint: Kasou, MHDAD, the silver shining! Brilliant choices. Hyde also goes for some great picks: a couple of awesome B-Sides, the beautiful Anemone, and of course Ibara...

Tetsuya should be slapped for picking the dreadful READY STEADY GO but kudos for picking DIVE TO BLUE and I suppose he had to include anata. Yuki's obviously had less songs to pick from but he makes the most of his selctions with the amazing cradle and the recent smash drink it down. It's darker and more industrial than the other discs and a nice alternative to the regular L'Arc sound.

Limited Edition comes with a L'Arquiz. Sounds fun! Roll on March!

ALBUM REVIEW: FINAL FANTASY XIII ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Masashi Hamauzu takes over the reigns from Hitoshi Sakimoto as composer for the much-hyped and long awaited thirteenth installment of Final Fantasy. The soundtrack for Final Fantasy XII was markedly different from the works of previous Final Fantasy stalwart Nobuo Uematsu and as such was judged perhaps too harshly by critics who felt it too far removed from the formula. Still, it was a rich and compelling listen with lush themes and movements. XIII is no different. Hamauzu has crafted a darker score, peppered with electronic tracks that add a pop element not seen since Uematsu's Final Fantasy X score (which Hamauzu contributed to).

At over 4 hours and spanning 4 cds, it is just as epic in length as previous Final Fantasies. It's a lot of music to take in and I mention this because until the game is released (March 9th for us Western folk) I won't be able to judge it in its proper context. That being said, as a standalone album of classic, electronic and pop music it's fantastic. "Snow's Theme" for example is a slow rock track which easily conveys the coolness of the character. Similarly the choral piece "Ragnarok" is almost effortlessly majestic. It sounds like a track from a Halo soundtrack but with much grander overtones.

The main battle theme "Flash" is a wonderfully crafted merging of all the styles on the album capturing the mood of the game completely. It's one of the finest FF battle themes in the whole series. It appears again in piano form during main character "Lightning's Theme" which is perfectly moody yet wistful, showcasing the duality of the character. "Afro Blues" is an unusual track, a swampy harmonica and guitar drawl that makes for a nice break from the orchestrated drama of the overall album.

It's a fantastic score from Hamauzu and hopefully the game is deserving of such grand music.

For the iPod playlist: "Snow's Theme", "Eternal Oath", "Flash", "Lighning's Theme", "Fang's Theme"

Verdict: ***** (5/5)

SINGLE REVIEW: L'ARC~EN~CIEL - BLESS

I really like this single from L'Arc. It harkens back to the days of True / Heart, with a smile-inducing melody and the orchestrated arrangement of "Anata". It's a really nice start to what is looking like an otherwise L'Arc-less year (the band aren't due to reconvene til late 2010/early 2011).

The obligatory P'UNK~en~Ciel B-Side is quite cool this time too, a revamped, harder-rocking "Route 666" from 2000's Real. There's not really too much to say save that it's a pleasant single and knowing L'Arc~en~Ciel are at least still floating in the ether is comforting. Roll on 2010!

Verdict: **** (4/5)

RIP "THE REV" - AVENGED SEVENFOLD DRUMMER DEAD AT 28

Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan was found dead yesterday (Dec 28th) at his home. He was 28. In a statement released today, the band said:

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly, he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."

This is a real shock to me and the entire music scene. The Rev was a hell of a drummer and his presence will be missed for a long time. Two of my cousins are Avenged die-hards and they are both devastated. Rest in piece dude.

I think i'll spin some A7X out of respect.

ALBUM REVIEW: BON JOVI - THE CIRCLE

I love Bon Jovi. Let's just get that out of the way. I will admit that some times they bore me to tears (and I can't stand bland country-rock either) but when they get it right, they really get it right. I didn't listen to Lost Highway. The reported Nashville-ness of it left me cold so I never coughed up the cash for it.

When I heard that Bon Jovi were "going back to the rock" with their new album I was more relieved than anything else. Having seen Bon Jovi in top form at Croker a few years ago, I know they can rock a stadium and desperately wanted another album to reflect that. The good news is that The Circle is indeed filled with anthemic songs bristling with blue-collar earnestness and lighter in the air moments. Lead single "We Weren't Born To Follow" is good, if a little lazy. How come all their lead singles seem to "go out" to someone? "Tommy & Gina", "The ones who stood their ground"... I could go on.

But i digress. there are some stellar JBJ songs on this. "Live Before You Die" and "Brokenpromiseland" in particular stand out. It's safe, unassuming stadium pop-rock but I'll be damned if they arent the best at it.

Verdict: **** (4/5)

ALBUM REVIEW: NEW MOON OST

There's different things to like about this soundtrack. Released over a month before the film's release date (due to "over-whelming demand"), it is for the most part a well chosen compilation mixing acoustic gloom with indie pop, a far cry from the emo-ness of the previous film. That being said, there are moments of oddness that don't sit well. No matter how much like Muse, their inclusion on this album is strained. They didn't fit on the last soundtrack, they certainly don't now. The song in question is "I Belong To You" and despite the remix toning down the baroque eccentricity, it grates with every listen. The expected big hitters: Death Cab For Cutie, Thom Yorke, The Killers, deliver understated, unusual but effective contributions but the highlights are the Lykke Li's "Possibility" and Anya Marina's "Satellite Heart". The album finishes with a sample of Alexandre Desplat's melancholic score called "The Meadow". The score disc isn't out til November but it's a nice, piano driven piece and I'll review it hopefully nearer the time.

Undoubtedly it will asuage the bloodlust of all the Twi-hards (is that it?) out there. For everyone else, it's a relatively safe, radio-friendly indie soundtrack from respectable artists. Nothing more, nothing less.

For the iPod playlist: "Meet Me On The Equinox", "Possibility", "Satellite Heart".

Verdict: *** (3/5)

SINGLE REVIEW: THE GAZETTE - BEFORE I DECAY

A soild, if unremarkable single from the GazettE. "Before I Decay" is fast and angry with some awesome riffage but is it really a glorified B-side from the DIM recording sessions? It's out a bit too quickly for my liking. There is a nice middle-8 section but as much as I like the chorus, it's admittedly a bit samey from the GazettE. It's like Leech but darker.

The B-Side is "Mayakashi", a groovier, more melodic song. It's almost a Kagrra, song. It is also rightly a B-Side as it doesn't stand out in anyway.

Overall "Before I Decay" is good but they should take more time working on their songs. After the success of DIM, the next single could have been a belter. As it stands, it's more an afterthought.

Verdict: *** (3/5)

ALBUM REVIEW: PARAMORE - BRAND NEW EYES

Y'know I'm genuinely thrilled to report that Paramore's new album brand new eyes is a resounding triumph for the Franklin five-piece. They have matured, and as much as I hate how much of a cop-out that word is when describing a band, there is no better way to describe them. Musically they are tighter and more comfortable experimenting with their sound (such as acoustic tinkering on a couple of tracks) and there are no superlatives grand enough to describe the powerhouse vocal performance of flame-haired vocalist Hayley Williams.

For a band in danger of being, according to themselves, the "Twilight house band", it is admirable that they have stuck to their guns and produced an album that rarely touches the angst of last year's "Decode" (although the song appears in "Bonus Track" form no doubt to please fans and record label bosses). Instead we get a propulsive mix of attitude-glazed pop-punk and quiet bittersweet melodies where the traditional whiney emo topics are subverted and the songs lyrically deal with being a stronger person and growing up.

Perhaps most importantly, brand new eyes is fun. It's both danceable and comforting. Paramore have hit the big time and in a scene currently devoid of heavyweights My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, this is their time to grip the throne and never let go. They have every chance now.

For the iPod playlist: "Careful", "Turn It Off", "The Only Exception".

Verdict: **** (4/5)

NEWS: DIR EN GREY ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE

Dir en grey have announced a new single via their OHP. The single will be called Hageshi sato, kono mune no naka de karamitsui ta shakunetsu no yami and will be released on December 2nd.

ALBUM REVIEW: MUSE - THE RESISTANCE

It's hard to find words to describe just how epic some of the songs on the new Muse album sound. One track, "United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage)" is a mix of piano ballad, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", the score of Lawrence of Arabia and Chopin's "Nocturne". Another track, or rather, the last three tracks, are a three-part symphony entitled "Exogenesis".

Despite all the odds, Muse have somehow skyrocketed far beyond even their own high levels of pomp and absurdity but when it works, it's a masterpiece.

Some things don't work though. "Guiding Light" rubs me the wrong way. It seems far too synthed and cold as a result. "I Belong To You" on the otherhand is a misplaced Maroon 5 song that for all it's grandeur suffers from being just too odd. The french vocals and (Sweet Lord) the clarinet solo are both horribly misjudged. The song just doesn't fit in.

That said, the album is constantly intriguing. As a concept it's ingenious, in execution, not without its flaws. It's difficult to predict where Muse will go from here. They seem to have reached the pinacle of epic space-rock with The Resistance and all that such a feat entails, for good and bad.

For the iPod Playlist: "United States of Eurasia", "Exogenesis - Symphony Parts I,II & III"

Verdict: **** (4/5)

ALBUM REVIEW: ARCTIC MONKEYS - HUMBUG

I didnt like the Arctic Monkeys. I always lumped them in with Oasis and Kasabian as one of those English lad-rock bands that sit well with the typical drunken English lout in a football shirt. In a word, Britpop.

It is with much delight that the third album from the band, Humbug, changes my perception entirely. Here, under the guiding hand of Josh Homme, is a band trying to shake off this image. They basically went into the desert and got stoned. The result is a strange combination of scorching desert rock and blues with a poetic undercurrent.

The first four songs are stellar. Almost fit for a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack. The single "Crying Lightning" is a grower and it's such a change of pace from their earlier work. The almost psychedlic caress of "Secret Door" is soothing and yet forboding almost like a strange high from the band's peyote experiments.

The downfall of such ambition is in this case a lack of melody and structure that scuppers the album. It's a trip in musical form and from a band i had previously written off, it's a trip I'd be willing to take again.

Verdict: **** (4/5)

SINGLE REVIEW: BIFFY CLYRO - THAT GOLDEN RULE

Terrifying. Absolutely fucking brilliant. The new single from the Biff is a monster. It explodes into action with a killer riff reminding us exactly how good Biffy Clyro can be at rocking your socks off. Most interesting is the string accompaniment at the end which follows the chugging, sludgy riffs into the kind of rythym-shifting math rock chunkiness that Tool would be proud of. As Zane Lowe put it, "Did they just invent Symphonic Scottish Hard-Core?". If this single is anything to go by, the new album, out October, is going to be fantastic and 2009 will belong to Biffy Clyro. 'Mon the Biff.

Verdict: ***** (5/5)