'Stacked Rubbish' is one of their recent work, dating only back to '07 and is what the listener could describe as the GazettE's breakthrough in kicking down musical boundaries in their music and stepping up the level in terms of composition and experimentation. It is not too much to say that this is the first album where the band has taken their first steps into virtuosity. Guitar solos, intricate drum patterns and unconventional timings are not uncommon in Stacked Rubbish. This album sees to a lot of different influences including heavy metal, alternative metal, funk rock and hip hop and it is not to say they didn't do a commendable job.
The opening track to the album 'ART DRAWN BY VOMIT' is a good indicator of what is there to come. Previously the band has mostly been influenced by other bands in the same scene in terms of musicality, but now it is clear that they are starting to deviate further from their roots. There is an obvious hip hop influence in the first track, utilising repetitive backing tracks and 'rap'-influenced vocals. This track also uses much female vocals, an element of their music which will be returned to many times after this track.
'AGONY' uses catchy guitar riffs and skippy drum parts as well as provides a somewhat repetitive backing to a set of leading hip-hop influenced vocals. Overall this song gives a nu-metal vibe. This song is a great opener and I really like the jumpiness that the song provides, especially in the intro and the chorus. The vocals are mostly rapping, until the first chorus which gives us a slight different feel with the appearance of female backing vocals. As the song progresses to the last choruses the song is rid of all rap vocals and becomes more of a rock fest. I also might add that the breakdown in the middle of the song is a nice touch.
The pumping and jumpy atmosphere of AGONY is not lost when we move onto 'HYENA'. This track in my opinion holds its own in this recording, however the experience is hindered unless performed live. Though this is the case for a lot of songs (the GazettE mostly generate songs that translate really well live), I feel this is particularly important for this track. Most of the vocals in this song I'm not fond of, but the jumpy drum beat as well as the great breakdown segment keep the song energetic and interesting at the same time.
The album starts to slow down with the next track, which is also the title track, 'BURIAL APPLICANT'. If you didn't notice, yes, they like to capitalise English words. The energising vibe of the last two songs are diminished in this more heartfelt and emotional track. While heavy riffing (a lot of pinch harmonics here) is still apparent, the drums are much more laid back yet intricate, especially the weird pattern during the verse. The song is mostly undecided or subtle in its melodies until the chorus, where the emotion of the song is emphasised, as well as the bridge.
The next track is something the GazettE has tried before, with varying levels of success, but I'd say that in recent times, this is the pinnacle of the band's mixing of genres to create a very enjoyable and musical piece. 'Ganges ni akai bara' fades in with piano and rhythm guitar, before proceeding to an upbeat intro. The vocals throughout are 'rap-like' yet catchy. I'd say listen to the song with earphones to pick out the exciting guitar licks that occur through the song. Not to mention the first guitar solo makes its appearance in the album. Not a bad one at that. Uruha displays a flair for legato and trickily moving melodies while still sticking to the framework of the song. Another point of interest is the break where the singer is isolated with the piano. Really nice touch there.
'REGRET' is something different. It is uncommon for GazettE to use 'happy' vocals and chord progressions in their music, but they decided to use it for this track. This track also features a guitar solo, albeit one of the more technically demanding ones of the bunch yet still melodious. The drum pattern in this song is rather laid back and straightforward. This is one of my least favourite tracks on the album. It is not to say that GazettE cannot make happy songs sound good, but it is not exceptional. The chorus for instance, is highly repetitive near the end.
GazettE, known for their heavier music, has also had an affinity for composing softer, more melody driven music. This ballad 'CALM ENVY' is one of the longer tracks on the album. This is quite different from the others, being a heartfelt piece with highly melodious guitar solos, leaving room for displays of virtuosity elsewhere. The vocals are serene, and the addition of female vocals fits in nicely. The key modulation at the guitar solo is a very nice touch and the song ends strongly.
Remember that funky, jumpy sound on 'Ganges ni akai bara'? Well it returns in 'SWALLOWTAIL ON THE DEATH VALLEY' (it really looks like a long name when capitalised). No doubt this song is upbeat and energetic, especially the drum beat. Female vocals are once again apparent in this song and does not conflict with the main vocals. It sounds like one of those real fun jamming songs, and the chorus is one of my personal favourites. The guitar solo is kept short, yet the effect is not hindered. It is a nice addition to the song without dominating the theme at hand.
GazettE will always have the angry bunch in their albums. This is apparent in 'MOB 136 BARS', the whole package including screamed vocals, heavy guitar riffing and a bass drum dominated drum beat. I think this is one of those tracks that certainly have a message, however the song falls short in the area of actual music. I'm a huge fan of heavy songs, this is just one of those that feel as if it is missing something, and I have got to say Ruki has never been good at these sort of vocals.
'GENTLE LIE' brings back the feeling that was given during 'CALM ENVY'. Very laid back and melodious. What GENTLE LIE brings to the table that CALM ENVY left on the drawing board was the inclusion of much more intricate instruments. The guitar solo is unexpected in the sense that it is one of the quickest and longest legato runs in GazettE guitaring. The technical demand doesn't stop there as the drum part is one very tricky thing to master. The chorus at the end feels as if it repeated once too many, but overall good song.
If the band wanted you to fall asleep, they could've done it, but obviously they didn't. Nearing the end of the album, we're kicked off the relaxation and melancholy and thrown into the hard hitting heavy rock sound that GazettE has always been good at doing. 'FILTH IN THE BEAUTY' (a lot of caps in this album) delivers with heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals, somewhat in a different flavour to what 'HYENA' and 'MOB 136 BARS' tried to do. The breakdown in particular is pulled off very well and the chorus is very energetic. Though simplistic in design, the song is highly effective at what it wants to do. And that is rock your ass off.
'CIRCLE OF SWINDLER' is one of the other disappointing tracks on the album. The energy that Filth had poured into us surely isn't lost. The momentum remains but with a much different taste and feel. I think that recently, GazettE has been better at doing these kinds of songs. But back then, they sounded very angry but with no hook, and melody was just not incorporated into the music. I also have to comment on the vocals which I'm just not a huge fan of. See 'MOB 136 BARS'.
By now the album is about to end. 'Chizuru' is another heartfelt, emotional piece that stops us in our tracks and makes our mind wander. The guitar riffs are simplistic and the drumming leaves much room for imagination yet everything is piled together very effectively. This style of ballad isn't done by GazettE very often. Surely we were expecting a highly melodic guitar solo thrown in the middle of the mix yet we get nothing but a long vocals-dominated bridge and a palm-muting fest during the breakdown. The clean guitar parts in this song are just great.
The album ends with the solo piano work 'PEOPLE ERROR'. I'm not sure what the title is really supposed to mean, but I guess that's just part of the package. I guess this track wants us to finish the album feeling sentimental. In terms of actual piano quirks and/or technicality this song doesn't deliver at all, but the soul in this piece is not completely spiritless.
In conclusion, this was a fucking long post. Expect this sort of length never to be returned to ever again in this blog. I was writing it out at the beginning by putting one paragraph per song, and by the time I realised it was going to be this long I didn't want to break the structure I set or delete stuff I wanted to say. Well there we go, overall this album rocks. GazettE really started to experiment and make better music in this album, and until now are still evolving and taking down musical boundaries. The vibe 'the GazettE' gives in Stacked Rubbish are just big feelings of open mindedness and just great music. The solid, polished feel of the album greatly surpasses their prior work.
a...........very very LONG blog post you got there :D (tldr)
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