Here I am with the weekly time-travel in “Throwback Thursday”! Today’s subject is a release by the Japanese rock musician Kobayashi Taro, precisely the first mini-album Milestone, released on 11th July 2012. The release has been built as an unique story, divided in two contrasting parts, where each track is a single part of the same. And now... let’s review!
-Houwa (Saturation) [unforgettable memory]: the mini-album starts with the first lead track, introduced by a dynamic and fiery guitar, driving the melody with a steady rhythm; the vocals are pretty aggressive, building up the theme in an energetic and catchy style, worth of the musician’s best style. ---> 9/10
-Dasei no rakuen (Paradise of inertia) [being able to save ourselves]: piercing vocals open the song in a dynamic and fast rock rhythm, driven by an energetic drumming and an unregular guitar, with a rebel touch; the song is really energetic and enjoyable, empowered by a distinctive vocal interpretation. ---> 9/10
-Karasu (Crow) [crow as symbol of freedom]: the second lead track is opened by soft and sustained notes, starting the longest song of the release in a gradual structure, which grows and changes in a balanced way, thanks to an engaging guitar and an intense drumming; the vocals are flowing and tender, well fit in the slow and rhythmical theme, where the guitar drives everything, especially in the second part. ---> 9/10
-Benzetsu -Interlude- (Speech -Interlude-): this short track starts with a dark and sensual guitar, accompaining electronic and aggressive vocals in a freaking and energetic theme, which was too brief for being appreciated at all. ---> 8/10
-Shiroi hana (White flower) [paths which get separated]: soft vocals introduce the song, accompained by a melodious guitar and a sustained rhythm, balanced by the instruments; the vocal interpretation is well done and harmonious, creating the right atmosphere, close to the nostalgia, empowered by the strong guitar. ---> 9/10
-Eien (Eternity): a melodious guitar, accompained by a relevant bass, starts another energetic ballad, featuring an articulated rhythm and an idyllic atmosphere; the vocals are bright and feature falsetto-ed notes, showing up an interesting versatility for this artist, empowered by the variety of sound offered by the guitar. ---> 9/10
-Mawatte mawatte (Turning turning): the mini-album ends with a song opened by faster vocals and a more freaking guitar, driving an animated rock melody; the steady rhythm, where the vocals and the instruments fit quite well, without forgetting more aggressive notes, for a really nice tune. ---> 9/10
Kobayashi Taro is so powerful and engaging that his best features are his own contradictions. Despite his indie roots, he managed to catch people’s attention, thanks to various sonorities whose elements fit perfectly like in a puzzle and his fearless experimentation. Milestone comes up as the first chance in two years to show his best talent and he achieved to bring out a solid rock release, with energy and passion, as few rock musicians are able to do nowadays, without forgetting the complexity and the maturity needed for such themes. For sure Kobayashi Taro is a must listen for whoever loves rebel and powerful rock themes and he still continues to be addicting right now, as shown in his latest work, the fourth mini-album Squeeze, released yesterday even on digital platforms. A mini-album for who is engaged by Kobayashi Taro, with his rebel, freaking and passionate sound.
That’s all folks! See you on Tuesday for the first part of this month’s themed week in “Lyrical Love”!
