Soroban - Sora ni hanabi

The announcement of the new single Sora ni hanabi in the summer of 2005 came as a relief for the overseas fans of Soroban. After a series of live-only minidisc singles which could only be purchased at the visual kei band’s concerts in Japan, they finally released a normal CD again, one available for purchase by fans living overseas.

Sora ni hanabi, which translates to 'fireworks,' as is depicted on the cover (which happens to share the same cover art as Shichisanshiki's Shikisai single), consists of two songs. The first track is Sora hanabi, which starts with Ryuuji’s vocals right away instead of an instrumental intro. Though the song is mostly rock, there is a very groovy, jazzy flavor to it which is mostly taken care of by Yumehito’s guitar riffs; they give the song just that little bit something extra. Fast-paced and flowing along smoothly with Ryuuji’s youthful, honest sounding vocals, it’s a catchy and fun piece, but might not leave a lasting impression. Matching the theme of fireworks, it ends with the sounds of a fireworks show.

Right from the start, it’s clear that Sabi memory has the power to get the listener hooked. Loaded with tension and emotion, the four musicians work together perfectly, which results in a strong rock song. Though the guitars, bass and drums are quite heavy with pounding sounds at some points, it is still melodic and incredibly catchy. Whereas the opening track lacks some conviction, Sabi memory makes up for that tenfold.

Sora ni hanabi is a very good overview of the abilities of the young band, showing that despite their young age, the members of Soroban were perfectly capable of putting together a great single. Through their short career, they found their own style rather than following the many other visual kei stereotypes, making them unforgettable even years after their disbandment.