2011

Pledge single album art.Loving the 3 designs for the cover art, but I can't buy all the same singles for the art, can I?


the J-Dorama shot





Clever scene.The two guitarists in 1 scene, Uruha is reflected on the mirror.
Sort of advertisement for Ruki's latest necklace design.Yes he's a designer.
I don't like Ruki in here.He's prettier than me *coughcough*

First post for 2011.I hardly have the time anymore, but keeping myself occupied is good.For 2011, I want to work harder.I'm not content with my achievement so far - not that I've achieved anything tremendously huge anyways.

The Gazette's latest single Pledge has the Japanese dorama essence.If I'm not wrong Aoi tweeted the female is indeed an actress.Oh well.Not really my cup of tea but I'm not complaining since it's black & white!The contrast of the pv is really intense, my favourite.Guess it works for the dramatic scenes.Probably Ruki has something to do with the colour theme as well - which designer doesn't like the black & white theme? (though an acquaintance who's a painter claimed monochrome isn't colour (-_-)

The cover art are too pretty that I had a crazy idea of buying them all.Things with the Japanese music industry, they'll make a hole in your wallet.They'll come up with 3-4 versions of a single, or album at a time.Of course it depends on the budget but it could really turn you into a greedy fan (like me).Things you would do to spend your hard earned cash sigh.Someone will definitely make a huge fuss if I order all 3 at a time, no price for guessing!

It's still January so : Happy New Year everyone.あけましておめでとうございます！

crimson lotus

I just feel like posting it after hearing sad news involving deaths, babies.I lost my father recently, but I never knew how would it feel to lose your own baby.Ignorant people would say the feelings would be the same, losing someone dear to you.But then again, when you carry a tiny you inside I'm pretty sure that would be a different feeling.The lyrics are moving & powerful indeed..I hope the translation would convey the meaning almost perfectly as in Japanese.

I'm sorry... after awhile, let me sleep by your name

The passing days drew us closer
The pain is matched with joy
Both hands reflect that
I cry when I think of you

there is a rain of sadness
it's fine just to remain unknown
I tremble for repose, i remembered
what do you want to see in this reeled in dream?

unchanging dreams, if this continues on
please don't pause in your happiness
even if it doesn't need to called out but
the drowning days are piling over me.

I don't want you to fade
let me hear, even a sigh
a small heartbeat, that isn't there
I want you, come here

Even the hands of salvation is also in vagueness
Will there be a cocoon at intervals of the second, without the string tearing off?

I want to hear, even a sigh
little rhythm to the sound of the heartbeat
of untouched prayers delivered.

the name which I cannot call out I held closely
counting with my fingers, I don't want tomorrow to disappear
hearing with blocked ears
the sound of a broken cradle

the spring time will never come again
the crimson lotus is in bloom

White would be death.The girl is embryo.Red room would be the mother's uterus.The girl was wearing red at the beginning, she begins to paint the room white.Eventually she stayed put behind the band members & wore white..meaning she's no longer alive.

At first I thought it contains anti-abortion message.Similar to Kyo, Ruki's lyrics are pretty deep.I'd say Kyo is a complex, complicated person while Ruki's deep & thoughtful.I have no idea when I saw the pv, not till I saw the translation & interpretation of the visual from the internet.I knew it is meant to convey a message but..a red room, a girl in red & white & white paint? Very thought provoking.This song is from the mother's point of view.How she longing to see her own child but no longer there.Some say it's how the mother gave up the child, and regretted doing so.I would choose the first interpretation.I don't doubt that not every mother in this world is capable of taking care of her own child.I should know better.

From the artistic point: The concept is great.Very nice bokeh.The desaturated colors added to the serene yet sorrowful atmosphere.

If you feel like hearing this song, the title is "Guren" by the Gazette.

hello dear my bride

I dare say this man can pull off any looks without looking gay-ish

Uruha & his trademark pout

look how Ruki's outfit contrasted with the rest of them.

This is my favourite pv to watch in the MRT.I could watch this on repeat.Somehow, it always inspires me on the way to work.It definitely has to do with the scheme color (plus the song of course).For people who knew me, they'd say "this is so you".I tried to play around with different color tones, more vibrant, more hues but each time I failed.I would always (unintentionally) play with the same color tone on every(almost) single piece of work I did.Recently I was supposed to color correct a trailer for a reality tv show that's gonna be pitched for Bio channel.I was going for warm kinda feeling, but somehow..there, I did it again.By the time I realized I was like 'oh shit, this again', it was too late.Fortunately the director liked it, phew.It's almost like a trademark, my friends immediately recognized my works.I need more colors in my life, if anyone can help me to cure this matter please tell me how to.There, one solid reason why I liked this video very much.Wait, I loved it.That and the ballerina, it reminds me of Slipknot's Vermillion pv.

thousand cranes

something sexy about Uruha's eyes & hair

something about men in black & white tailored suit & windy gloomy day

I've been meaning to post something else but..The song was given to my husband a day after the funeral.I was quite surprised, coming from him as he didn't listen much to JRock (except for Kyo's voice/Dir en grey).I knew this song existed but I've always preferred The Gazette's newer stuff.I didn't know why but I was really drawn to it the first time I heard it (without knowing the meaning behind it.).Maybe because I was numb & something about Ruki's voice.When I found out the translation & the deeper reason he created Chizuru, this instantly in my play list.I pictured the visual the first time I heard it & it was almost similar to what I've imagined.Water.A female.Black & white.Even down to the last shot of my favourite flower, calla lily.Maybe it was pure coincidence, or maybe the song instantly attached to me.Thanks to Ruki, my Kanji improved & my Japanese vocabulary expanded.It certainly sounds beautiful in Japanese.