alice nine - JEWELS

author: Chantel

alice nine’s first single for 2007 combines high-flying vocal melodies, a rock edge, and a touch of old-school nostalgia.

The title track, JEWELS, opens on Shou’s vocals alone and picks up with crisp drum beats and gentle guitar riffs. The choruses soar, pulling the slower verses together and Shou’s voice seems to have improved some since their last release as it flows smoothly through the song. A truly great guitar solo highlights the track just over halfway through. With subtle backing vocals and a mellow yet upbeat melody, JEWELS is a nicely balanced song.

Driving forward at a quicker pace, ROSARIO begins with hard drumming and a light guitar line. Saga’s bass stands out well, backing the other instruments through the choruses and verses, and an amazing guitar solo by Tora sets the stage for a pleasant vocal break before the song rushes back to an upbeat rhythm. ROSARIO lends a nostalgic feel to this single, giving it the sound of something from earlier times.

Ending on a darker, heavier note, “13” gives this single its rock edge. With a stabbing guitar riff opening, Shou’s voice sounds lower throughout this song, allowing it to match perfectly with the deep bass line and clashing drum beats. Some interesting guitar effects aid in making this song a feast for the listener’s ears, as the song goes from dark to soaring and back to edgy. A long-held note along with filtered music and vocals featuring a falsetto break adds further depth to this solid track.

Providing three completely different sounds on this single, JEWELS presents the listener with a taste of just how many sounds alice nine can successfully produce. With the vast array of styles covered, they show just how far they’ve come with this fine release.