SID - Otegami

SID's an indie band that has garned much attention in the last year, mostly due to Mao's distinctive vocals. After a bit of waiting, fans have finally been able to get their hands on the outfit's latest single, Otegami.

Although a little disappointing in its consistency, it manages to keep things varied like the rest of the band's catalogue.

•01-Otegami
This song hit home with me right off the bat, mostly because it reminded me of Shine-era Luna Sea. The guitar work is ambient as opposed to being the main focal point, the bass line is distinctive without being overpowering and the addition of a classical instrument (in this case, the harp) adds a touch of class to a song that already excelled at what it was doing. The chorus feels very natural, keeping the ambiance alive throughout and the guitar solo, a very Kagrra,-esque solo to be precise, successfully guides the listener towards what can only be described as a perfect culmination to a perfect audio experience.

The whole thing comes off as being very mystical and serene, reminiscent of an evening snow fall. The only problem this song has is that even though it’s average in length (clocking in at 3:49), it goes by very quickly and makes you wish they’d stretched it out a bit more. By the time you’ve gotten used to the perfect blend of musicianship and ambiance, it’s over.

•02- Life
While Otegami made me lose myself in its air of mystery, Life instantly pulled me out of my trance so that I could realize what it truly was: a song that contrasted with its predecessor. While we were first treated to a very mellow song that had a style of its own, this one seemed to follow some kind of Glay-formula that is a polar opposite of what this single initially “promised” with the title track. This little number is a happy, acoustic tune with electric guitars that wail à la Richie Sambora. The chorus is your standard, catchy radio-refrain; it won’t blow you away, but it’s enough to get your fingers snapping and your feet tapping.

This release will be seen as a mixed bag to most people, seeing as the first song is pure audio bliss while the second is an enjoyable yet ultimately forgettable mainstream composition that 180s the whole listening experience created by this CD. However, fans won’t condemn them for recording it upon realizing that the rest of SID’s catalogue sounds very similar.

A solid package overall, although I still can’t help but feel that Otegami got robbed of something by being paired up with such a drastically different song.