Kuriyama Chiaki - COLD FINGER GIRL

Best known for portraying psychotic Gogo Yubari in "Kill Bill Vol. 1," actress Kuriyama Chiaki added another feather to her cap in 2010 when she launched a singing career. COLD FINGER GIRL is her third single release, and following the trend of her previous two singles it is featured as the opening for an anime - this time TV Tokyo's "Level E."

COLD FINGER GIRL marks a departure from the more mainstream pop Chiaki has previously released. The song begins quietly with just a low, repeating guitar riff, and the first few bars of vocals can be appreciated unadulterated. In this release Chiaki's voice is unrecognizable from her other singles - it is sung in a lower key and her voice takes on a huskier, raw quality as a result. Twenty seconds into the track a strong, rapid drum beat and classic rock bass line turn up the volume. The song has an attitude and a slightly dark edge and runs along at a speedy pace with an energy which never ebbs. Halfway through, a male backing vocal also gives it weight and balances against Chiaki's voice nicely. The chorus is very simply constructed, but in spite of - or maybe because of this fact - it's a memorable, raucous, rock-chick experience. In fact it brings to mind Tsuchiya Anna's ROSE, as it has a very similar vibe. The final third is sung with abandon and is lacking in fine control, but this is what makes the performance so appealing. A criticism would be the inclusion of unnecessary "Engrish" which is always so in vogue in J-pop, and the unfortunate Japanese pronunciation of "sit down" at the end which may raise some eyebrows.

The B-side Getsumen nanchakuriku is more of the typical rock-pop one would expect. It is a slower-paced, much brighter song than the A-side, and although it is a decent track, compared with the previous song it feels a touch bland. Also included are the instrumental and TV-size versions of COLD FINGER GIRL.

For her first foray into proper rock, Chiaki has shown that she is more than capable of leaving the sweet girl image at the door. This single is obviously going to do well because of its TV exposure, but even without it is loud and rowdy enough to get attention by itself. Having decided to let go and give us a rougher, uninhibited vocal style, Chiaki has demonstrated her versatility and that she isn't going to be written off as a simple singer-actress idol.