Very cool to see someone go super deep on Band-Maid. I hope you enjoy the journey. "Key" is written by Kentaro Akutsu, who also wrote "Thrill" among many other songs. The band called on him again when they needed a song much later in their careers; that song is "Smile". They have a good relationship to this day. Also of note, Band-Maid chose which songs they wanted to record, and has always had a part in arranging them, even on Maid in Japan.
... and *"Fate"* _"Jumpin' so high into the fire!_ 高まる鼓動 奪い合う欲望も _Shout to the starlight_ 本能に従え _this is my fate!"_ He'll get to that one one day. It's a stomp.
John, Thanks for reacting to "Key". This is definitely a precursor of what Band-Maid would become. It's fun going through all their earlier albums (the 10 that I have) and seeing how they have progressed as a band. I love the Maids. I think we can just call them the Maids and all of their fans know who we are talking about.
One of all time favourite songs is Clang which is on the Live in Tokyo 2018 concert. As one reaction video put it, “If you listen to it while driving you’re going to get a speeding ticket!” 😊😅 Thanks for all your reaction videos John. You’re right about “Key” hinting about where their direction was going.
It really strikes me that IMO this sounds a lot like what a lot of the newer Japanese bands are doing now. It only goes to show that the Maids have always been ahead of their time and must be a big influence to other bands. Birth of a legend.
Band-Maid's first 3 "Mini"albums (Maid in Japan, New Beginning & Brand New Maid), have A LOT of twin vocals on the songs, with Saiki singing a verse and vise versa with Miku........ ALOT more than people don´t realise this. IDK why.... the mixing??? EQ??? .... but Saiki and Miku DO sound similar on these 3 albums. If one has listened to Band-Maid long enough, you can pick who's singing what, otherwise one thinks it is all Saiki. However, having said that, I was sure that "KEY" had Miku singing the verse with distortion and Saiki singing the clean....... but even as I write this I'm not sure....lol.
I agree with you, there's some key elements (... ) here of what Band-Maid will become later. Btw, even if their songs were written by external writers back then, I tend to think they already had some freedom with the arrangements.
Knowing what I know now, going back to listen to the earliest Maid stuff is a bit frustrating. I’m waiting for the big punches of emotion that never come. As if they’re being musically restrained, and they were. There are those musical pockets of magic like that brutal ending. Or the progressive flurry in the middle. Or the lead guitar work. Much of their earliest work sounds to my ears like the rock music you hear as a background to a Nickelodeon sit-com. Thankfully we can look back on this stuff and still smile. Because we know they eventually shake off their training wheels and set the world on fire
To expand on Akutsu Kentaro's role: He wrote and produced the entire "Maid in Japan" album, and the tracks for the "Ai to jounetsu no matador" single, i.e. AtJnM as well as "Summer Drive" and "Thrill". He was writing and producing A LOT for several bands at the Platinum Agency in the early 2010s,
Some credit is due Masahiko Fukui, who wrote and helped arrange "Ever Green", "Knockin' on Your Heart", "Big Dad", and "Yoake mae (夜明け前)" (according to Wikipedia), so half the original eight tracks. Akutsu had the major role. You mentioned the two bonus tracks on Maid in Japan, and he wrote practically all the lyrics. After Kobato started writing lyrics, he contributed music for "Smile" (B-side of "Bubble"), "Fate," and "Turn Me On" ("World Domination").
It's good to get other songs besides the much watched videos out. I have all the commercially released stuff and there are things that don't get heard enough by everyone to realize just how good Band Maid really is. Thanks for doing this,.
It's my favorite also. It has a punk vibe, and the one video on RUclips is cool because Miku is all over the place. Everybody is headbanging with Akane going off the entire time.
Thank you John ! I was just commenting on another channel that this is my favorite cut from MIJ ! Too bad it's presence on YT is pretty sparse ! I hope you have a great 2024 ! 🎉😁
A lot of the Ladies early music reminds me of the pre-grunge Seattle music scene. Especially Letters To Cleo. Yes I know they are a Boston band, but they will ever be in my head because of 10 things I hate about You.
I am glad to hear something from this album, the band def shows their talent and potential on this track, Misa looks like she wants to slug someone on the cover photo, glad she stayed and got better ) for her) costumes !
I love how in this people can just hear the difference in playing - how much simpler Akane's fills and playing is, how simpler Kanami's riffs are etc. etc. and nowadays they just DESTROY their instruments when they have the Freedom (see what I did there xD) to write their own music! Awesome
Very cool to see someone go super deep on Band-Maid. I hope you enjoy the journey.
"Key" is written by Kentaro Akutsu, who also wrote "Thrill" among many other songs. The band called on him again when they needed a song much later in their careers; that song is "Smile". They have a good relationship to this day. Also of note, Band-Maid chose which songs they wanted to record, and has always had a part in arranging them, even on Maid in Japan.
"Band-Maid chose which songs they wanted to record…"
I've never heard that. Do you have a source for this?
@@rickwagner- Came up in one of their interviews IIRC. Couldn't tell you which one though.
... and *"Fate"*
_"Jumpin' so high into the fire!_ 高まる鼓動 奪い合う欲望も
_Shout to the starlight_ 本能に従え _this is my fate!"_
He'll get to that one one day. It's a stomp.
@@rickwagner-I read about that also. Don't remember when but Band Maid was able to choose what written songs they could record.
Yes, and they definitely helped arrange them. They've said that as well.
John, Thanks for reacting to "Key". This is definitely a precursor of what Band-Maid would become. It's fun going through all their earlier albums (the 10 that I have) and seeing how they have progressed as a band. I love the Maids. I think we can just call them the Maids and all of their fans know who we are talking about.
One of all time favourite songs is Clang which is on the Live in Tokyo 2018 concert. As one reaction video put it, “If you listen to it while driving you’re going to get a speeding ticket!” 😊😅
Thanks for all your reaction videos John. You’re right about “Key” hinting about where their direction was going.
The Key is to listen to Band-Maid every day 😊
It´s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll!🎸🎶
It really strikes me that IMO this sounds a lot like what a lot of the newer Japanese bands are doing now. It only goes to show that the Maids have always been ahead of their time and must be a big influence to other bands. Birth of a legend.
i love this song..forever
Band-Maid's first 3 "Mini"albums (Maid in Japan, New Beginning & Brand New Maid), have A LOT of twin vocals on the songs, with Saiki singing a verse and vise versa with Miku........ ALOT more than people don´t realise this. IDK why.... the mixing??? EQ??? .... but Saiki and Miku DO sound similar on these 3 albums. If one has listened to Band-Maid long enough, you can pick who's singing what, otherwise one thinks it is all Saiki. However, having said that, I was sure that "KEY" had Miku singing the verse with distortion and Saiki singing the clean....... but even as I write this I'm not sure....lol.
I agree with you, there's some key elements (... ) here of what Band-Maid will become later. Btw, even if their songs were written by external writers back then, I tend to think they already had some freedom with the arrangements.
That seems very likely.
There's a lot of BAND-MAID flavor, even on the early tracks.
John, this is the best type of reaction with a lot of useful information. I don’t like rectors who just listen Maids. One has to put inputs.
Knowing what I know now, going back to listen to the earliest Maid stuff is a bit frustrating. I’m waiting for the big punches of emotion that never come. As if they’re being musically restrained, and they were. There are those musical pockets of magic like that brutal ending. Or the progressive flurry in the middle. Or the lead guitar work.
Much of their earliest work sounds to my ears like the rock music you hear as a background to a Nickelodeon sit-com.
Thankfully we can look back on this stuff and still smile. Because we know they eventually shake off their training wheels and set the world on fire
This is the first album, so ten years ago, way before they were writing their own songs.
To expand on Akutsu Kentaro's role: He wrote and produced the entire "Maid in Japan" album, and the tracks for the "Ai to jounetsu no matador" single, i.e. AtJnM as well as "Summer Drive" and "Thrill". He was writing and producing A LOT for several bands at the Platinum Agency in the early 2010s,
Some credit is due Masahiko Fukui, who wrote and helped arrange "Ever Green", "Knockin' on Your Heart", "Big Dad", and "Yoake mae (夜明け前)" (according to Wikipedia), so half the original eight tracks.
Akutsu had the major role. You mentioned the two bonus tracks on Maid in Japan, and he wrote practically all the lyrics. After Kobato started writing lyrics, he contributed music for "Smile" (B-side of "Bubble"), "Fate," and "Turn Me On" ("World Domination").
It's good to get other songs besides the much watched videos out. I have all the commercially released stuff and there are things that don't get heard enough by everyone to realize just how good Band Maid really is. Thanks for doing this,.
Love this album. Be OK might be my favorite.
It's my favorite also. It has a punk vibe, and the one video on RUclips is cool because Miku is all over the place. Everybody is headbanging with Akane going off the entire time.
Do you want something REALLY heavy from Japan? Check out Jiluka - "Venom"
absolutely my favorite song from 'maid in japan'. has a punk pop feel to it and although i wish it was a lot longer kanami's solo is very cool
Thank you John ! I was just commenting on another channel that this is my favorite cut from MIJ ! Too bad it's presence on YT is pretty sparse ! I hope you have a great 2024 ! 🎉😁
John ! Your description says this song is from Brand New Maid ! Nope...Maid In Japan !
i love the backing track guitar as well :)
A lot of the Ladies early music reminds me of the pre-grunge Seattle music scene. Especially Letters To Cleo. Yes I know they are a Boston band, but they will ever be in my head because of 10 things I hate about You.
Maid in Japan rulez!!!! Po!!!!! 🕊️
Green Day instrumental stylings with Saiki and Pigeon vocals! Weird Mincho solo syncopation, Solid gorilla drums and thumping bass.
That riff you like sounds kinda like "Seether" from Veruca Salt. 🤘
I am glad to hear something from this album, the band def shows their talent and potential on this track, Misa looks like she wants to slug someone on the cover photo, glad she stayed and got better ) for her) costumes !
👍👍Great reaction. 🖖❤
👏👏👏👍🎤💃🤗🥰 БРАВО!!!💥😄♥️💐💐💐✌️✌️✌️🌹🌹🌹🇹🇩
🤘🤘🤘
ありがとうございます！
I love how in this people can just hear the difference in playing - how much simpler Akane's fills and playing is, how simpler Kanami's riffs are etc. etc. and nowadays they just DESTROY their instruments when they have the Freedom (see what I did there xD) to write their own music! Awesome