author: meg

Tobari is the third of the three-release campaign by the studs, and hands down it is the most addicting. For a fan who also enjoyed aie's previous band Deadman, the most recent sound of Tobari is one that will stir nostalgia in his heart and bring back fond memories of aie's edgy alternative sound that he was consistent with during Deadman's final days. Released with three songs popular songs recorded live, the CD is a refreshing change from its predecessors.

With smooth transitions between a fast paced alternative sound to a slower paced jazz, Tobari is a song that should be hard for listeners to not break out dancing to. The vocals have a funky vibe with high and low pitches and strong backing vocals. The instrumentals are also enjoyable, with fun bass and guitar riffs that aie distorts with a wah-pedal. The chorus is reminiscent of Creepy Crawly with the lyrics flowing together at a quicker pace and then falling right back into the bass-laced jazz sound. Daisuke's vocals are the most steady in this song, and absent are his throaty cries and rough edges, replaced by a smoother and more consistent sound that really emphasizes the beauty behind his voice.

The choices in live recordings for Tobari were great ones with Gaze, Niji no Iro and Raindrop. The sound quality of all three songs is almost flawless, allowing you to practically forget they are live recordings, despite the soft cheers of the fans in the background. Daisuke's vocals are right on key for these tracks and don't sound strained, unlike on other releases. Even though two of the songs are on the slower side, they really complement the CD and are live recordings worth obtaining.

The track Tobari has been compared by some fans to Luna Sea's Rain, and the inspiration is clearly heard. However, by delivering a more modern sounding and faster paced song with Daisuke's unique vocals, the song is twisted into a great piece that only the studs could deliver. Of the three releases, Tobari shouldn't be missed, giving meaning to the phrase, "third time is a charm."