boogieman - libido

author: meg

For fans of boogieman, there was quite a wait after the band's birth for their first release. Native fans had to attend their concerts to get a taste of the sound that is boogieman, while foreign fans waited eagerly with baited breath for the anticipated release. libido couldn't have come soon enough, but with its January 2009 release, the band compensated for the delay with not only a mini-album, but two versions of the CD.

K5=parallel［world］kairai［word] is a unique instrumental track that doubles as the band's opening music for live events, and is oddly addictive. The cacophonous track thrusts listeners into the mix of shadows and light with its well blended trance and static electronic composition. The song has a heavy drum beat combined with the noisy screeches of machinery, which starts and stops abruptly throughout the track. While the overall rhythm is very ominous, the trance and delicate piano that is filtered in towards the end of the track add an inspiring twist.

The second track, new world is catchy and enthusiastic and easily the best on the album. It has a very typical visual kei feel, with a heavy guitar and drum duo. By the first stanza, however, we're graced with quite a surprise when Junno's vocals begin. While his voice is impassioned and his voice strong, he could easily double as Kirito, making us wonder for a brief moment if this isn't PIERROT instead of boogieman. The song builds to a very upbeat chorus that is much more cheerful than its haunting predecessor. With a skillful guitar solo and the steady rock beat, new world rocks this mini-album, making it unforgettable.

[P]agent brings yet another new addition to the table: screamo rock, which would make this song a great live addition. The opener begins and ceases with the guitars jumping between the speakers. While the sound continues to alternate, the vocals are steady in both, and Junno experiments with raspy screams and howls. The song is nothing particularly special and has a very unpolished indies feel, but is nonetheless catchy.

A very alternative rock track, Gisou shinsha, has a very catchy beginning, and between the guitar and drum sequence there is an interesting vocal filter that makes Junno's voice wobble and sound almost robotic. Towards the middle, the track takes a turn to the harder side, and he sounds much like himself again, but this does not last long before the filter returns. The song is a short one at barely over three minutes and lacks a formal chorus, but it has a great overall sound.

With recurrance, boogieman dishes out the same tricks, with the long opening in which sound moves between speakers. For recurrence, Yuana remains primarily in the left speaker while Akira is in the right. Junno's whiny singing is overpowered by the musical movement, but by the chorus he owns the song and blows the composition out of the water. Between the emotional lyrics and charming back up vocals, the song provides a breath of fresh air to the album with its pop rock style.

The final track, 13 gatsu, plays with voice distortion again, and Junno's vocals are hard to make out from the forceful instrumentals. This song is a little all over the place and at some points, it seems like the members are all playing different songs and competing. However, in the chorus they come together well and the vocals are much clearer, making up for the strange composition of the stanzas. The song is extremely jazzy and ends the album on a upbeat note.

With a great first release, it is without question that boogieman has true potential. Fans can eagerly await their next release, which is sure to be as successful as the first.