Posted on January 2, 2009 - by Megan

Alice Nine

Alice Nine are probably one of the most talented Japanese rock bands I have come across so far. As an avid fan of Japan, and all things Japanese, I have made it my mission to familiarise myself with Japanese music (not a hard feat with the extensive media available on the internet). I came across them mostly by accident a couple of years ago, just before the release of their 2007 album, Alpha.

I fell in love with the song ‘Q’ (Question) from the Zekkeishoku album, their first full-length album, released in early 2006. The song opens with the English words ‘I don’t know myself. I’m fed up; you’re fed up with me. Can’t you hear my voice? Like a crying baby, I’m calling you’ sung in broken Japanese accents to the thrum of an electric guitar. I found it absolutely adorable that they sang in English at all, but once I actually put the cuteness aside, I realised that the vocalist, Shou, had a brilliant singing voice.

After that, I was hooked. With the release of their aforementioned 2007 album, Alpha, came commercial success for Alice Nine, and gems such as ‘White Prayer’ and ‘JEWELS’ for the fans. I know that for some people, they like to know what is being said in a song, but as a lover of languages, I have always enjoyed listening to foreign, particularly Asian music, and along with other bands such as ‘The GazettE’, Alice Nine caught my attention in my search for J-Rock.

I desperately awaited their 3rd full-length album of 2008, ‘Vandalize’ and am very pleased to say that it did not disappoint. The album is made up of mainly upbeat glam-rock melodies, accompanied by fantastically wild, colourful videos for the singles, living up to their ‘visual kei’ genre – they’re as fun to watch as to listen to. And, of course, with Shou’s unmistakeable voice, the songs always have that familiarity that is almost a comfort zone; something of a trade mark which I suppose makes or breaks them.

Waiting for our sight:

• What Will Replace MTV? (15)
• Our last year of independent? (7)
• Funny Little Bunny (6)
• Christmas Indie Ep from Japan (6)
• Alice Nine (5)