Acid Black Cherry - Re:birth

As their first single release of 2010, Acid Black Cherry presents Re:birth, their eighth single since their debut in 2007. The title track of Re:birth goes by the same name as the single and is used as a theme song for the game "Another Century's Episode: R."

The song takes off with a classical violin melody, which as usual is quickly supported by a powerful rock rhythm. The music softens as yasu’s unique voice sings in low and high keys and immediately draws the attention of the listener. The chorus, with a high sing-along factor, doesn’t lessen the effect of yasu’s melancholy lyrics. With themes such as anxiety and loneliness, A.B.C. creates a perfect balance between the lightness of the music and deep meaningfulness of the lyrics.

The ‘Recreation’-track is a cover of the song Furare kibun de Rock'n'Roll by Japanese rock band TOM CAT, which dates from 1985. yasu and the band edited the song with guitar riffs and percussion, but manage to retain part of the original sound and eighties atmosphere. However, the choice of this track seems to be out of place due to the huge difference in atmosphere in comparison to Re:birth. As a whole, the single doesn’t quite match, which is a shame as the two songs sound great separately.

Despite the fact that A.B.C. seems to be playing it safe, especially because of the lack of renewal in the melody, the band doesn’t disappoint its fans and still earns the potential to have created a new hit in the making.