NEW SODMY was the creation of Kamijo and Mayu whilst Lareine were on a break in 2001. Mayu left the band early 2002 and NEW SODMY disbanded later in that year, having released two albums: Confess to a Love and Confess to a Crime.
The line-up was:
Vocals - Kamijo (Lareine, Node of Scherzo, Versailles)
Guitar - Mayu (Lareine)
Guitar - Ayu (Blue.B, Free, GI-NA, Glamorous Honey)
Bass - You (Arege, Free, Glamorous Honey)
Support Drums - Maeda Hitoshi
I just happened to be listening to 'Confess to a Love' earlier today in the car and remembered just how much I love NEW SODMY! I much prefer Kamijo's vocals here to Versailles... he sounds so much more 'natural', much more like he did in Lareine ^__^
Track 1 - PHANTOM -final mix-
The opening track of the album is probably the heaviest song on it! It's also the one track that seems to indicate towards the direction that Kamijo will take, as in, it's a little Versaille-y apart from the electronics added to the vocals during the chorus. It's sung in Japanese as lasts just over three minutes and, although not a bad track, it doesn't stand out for me. Have a listen on youtube.
Track 2 - Romantic Season
Romantic Season screams old school, classic J-Rock! It's written and produced in a very typical J-rock, feeling a little more like something you'd hear from X but with a Lareine-edge. Again, it's in Japanese and is just over four minutes in length. I really like this song, especially the guitar solo... I'm not sure why, I just do! Anyhoo, you may recognise the song since Lareine covered it later on >.< you can here the original here on youtube.
Track 3 - Fantasia
This track has a more melancholy feel to it and shows of Kamijo's voice off quite nicely ^^. However, it's sung in Engrish and, let's be honest Kamijo's pronounciation is not the best in the world! Example lyrics: Holy harp ring in forest but I cannot hear it sound. Slowly sink, sorrow again. Loving you, oh my flower they're a little morose but this is Kamijo we're talking about here!!! Have a listen here.
Track 4 - Are You Sodmy?
This track would have to be Kamijo's 'Vanilla'... yeah a little coarser than Vanilla but still to the same effect. With lyrics that translate to 'Okay, shut up like a good girl and ride me' pretty much lay it out but Kamijo spells it out for you later in the song if you're at all lost... 'Try me, f*** me'. So one could say that this song plays up Kamijo's womanizer reputation? Listen here.
Track 5 - Squall
This song has a much lighter rock feel to it than many of the other songs on the album. It could almost class as pop-rock ^_^. It's a love song and the lyrics are cutely romantic, translating to the likes of 'The moment your lips touched me, everything exploded and soared up to the sky to rain down. My body it being drenched in overflowing words of increasing tenderness'. It really does remind me a lot of lighter j-rock bands and shows NEW SODMY's diversity. One of my favourites! Here's the link!
Track 6 - Imagine
Imagine is a slower song that, in my opinion, has a slightly UK rock feel to it... yet it managed remain J-Rock-esque. There's no denying that it's back to the melancholic sound that Kamijo seems to love but, once again, it is something a little different. Have a listen here.
Track 7 - Actor
I love this song! It has a classic J-Rock feel to it and, although it has a gloomy feel to it, some of the lyrics do ring true. For example, translation 'In the beginning, everyone is performing something. They can always have a smile on their face while they're in front of you' and 'The truth is, we assumed that we could not forget. When we felt regret, we were only making a decision, unable to make any progress in the time that bound us.' I think anyone can relate to this song, I know I have several different 'acts' that I can pull easily. This song is up there in my favourites so go have a listen here.
Track 8 - Audrey
Like with so many songs on this album, this has such a classic, timeless feel to it. Lyrically, it sticks to the angst but the latter half of the album certainly picks up and I adore this song almost as much as Actor. They've returned to using synths in the background to add depth to the piece rather than sticking solely to guitars but it works and the bass has a nice, interesting line certainly during the bridges. Listen to it here.
Track 9 - Thirteen's In the Beauty
A heavier track. Though, Kamijo talks the verses, which just happens to be in English and he's sort of whispering it, trying to sound sexy or something I suppose, which has a funny, engrish-filled effect on them. And I have to admit, the first time I heard the line 'Thirteen's in the beauty' I thought he said 'sock her in the booty'! >.< Not that Kamijo would really be opposed to that I'm sure XD. Instrumentally, it's a well put together piece but the verses really let it down. Not a favourite but still it's not bad! Listen here.
Track 10 - CAT WALK
Another song like 'Are You Sodmy?' only this time, I think Kamijo's after a Vampire woman (well that makes sense >.<) with lyrics that translate to 'that woman bit me with her fangs' yeah... It also contains lyrics like 'foo foo', 'ha ha' and 'kiss kiss kiss kiss'... not the most serious of song but very well put together with a nice walking bass though parts of it! Have a listen here.
Track 11 - Farewell
This track is entirely in English and, my god! Kamijo's English is APALLING!! Seriously, I challenge you to work out what he's saying without looking up the lyrics online! That said, this IS my favourite NEW SODMY song ^_^; The lyrics are written in mediocre English, there are several phrases that a native speaker wouldn't necessarily use and the timing of phrases during the song are a little weird but nontheless everything about this song shouts GREAT at me! The lyrics are, of course, sombre such as She cried "I think that we can meet never again" detained me, a long time. I promised "surely we can meet" and it became a last lie... so I must say goodbye. These lyrics also give examples of what I said previously regarding the use of English. But musically, this is a great song! The guitar solo is beautiful and even the Engrish works. I, personally, LOVE this song ^^ Listen here.
Track 12 - A Way of Life
Sticking with melancholy, this song opens to a single guitar and vocals. It's much more of a rock-ballad than any of the tracks before it and, although beautiful, it doesn't quite reach 'hauntily so'. A little under halfway though, it picks up, almost away from the ballad genre but doesn't quite fulfil it before the track returns to it's sombre self but then into a fantastic guitar solo. As it progresses, it gains more substance and you suddenly feel where it's going and, somehow, it works! You can hear it here.
Track 13 - Since J&L
Since J&L is probably the most beautiful track on the album. It comprises of a lovely, yet quite simple, piano and vocals. It's incredibly haunting and shows off Kamijo's vocal talents moreso than even Versailles 'Episode'. The piano and vocals compliment each other and the song never feels like it needs other instruments to back it up. A haunting and powerful song that I adore ^__^. Listen here
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All in all, I think this album is incredible. I hate to say it, but I prefer NEW SODMY to Versailles as far as Kamijo is concerned. It almost seems if NEW SODMY was a bit of an experiment for those concerned, looking at and playing with, different styles of music and seeing what they came up with. And it works! There's no denying that this is a brilliant album and undervalued band.
I have to say that this is up there in my all time favourite albums, just because of the variety and the ease of listening to it. I recommend NEW SODMY to J-Rock/Visual Kei fan around the globe! So go and listen to them and spread the love <3
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Disclaimer: I don't own NEW SODMY (shock horror!) neither did I translate the lyrics, I found them on the internet. All lyrics are (c) to respective owners!
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Currently listening to: NEW SODMY - Confess to a Love
Eating: Ramen
Reading: Twelth Night (Manga Shakespeare)
Watching: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Wishing For: Ringdoll Don but he's so expensive T.T
Track 3 - Fantasia
This track has a more melancholy feel to it and shows of Kamijo's voice off quite nicely ^^. However, it's sung in Engrish and, let's be honest Kamijo's pronounciation is not the best in the world! Example lyrics: Holy harp ring in forest but I cannot hear it sound. Slowly sink, sorrow again. Loving you, oh my flower they're a little morose but this is Kamijo we're talking about here!!! Have a listen here.
Track 4 - Are You Sodmy?
This track would have to be Kamijo's 'Vanilla'... yeah a little coarser than Vanilla but still to the same effect. With lyrics that translate to 'Okay, shut up like a good girl and ride me' pretty much lay it out but Kamijo spells it out for you later in the song if you're at all lost... 'Try me, f*** me'. So one could say that this song plays up Kamijo's womanizer reputation? Listen here.
Track 5 - Squall
This song has a much lighter rock feel to it than many of the other songs on the album. It could almost class as pop-rock ^_^. It's a love song and the lyrics are cutely romantic, translating to the likes of 'The moment your lips touched me, everything exploded and soared up to the sky to rain down. My body it being drenched in overflowing words of increasing tenderness'. It really does remind me a lot of lighter j-rock bands and shows NEW SODMY's diversity. One of my favourites! Here's the link!
Track 6 - Imagine
Imagine is a slower song that, in my opinion, has a slightly UK rock feel to it... yet it managed remain J-Rock-esque. There's no denying that it's back to the melancholic sound that Kamijo seems to love but, once again, it is something a little different. Have a listen here.
Track 7 - Actor
I love this song! It has a classic J-Rock feel to it and, although it has a gloomy feel to it, some of the lyrics do ring true. For example, translation 'In the beginning, everyone is performing something. They can always have a smile on their face while they're in front of you' and 'The truth is, we assumed that we could not forget. When we felt regret, we were only making a decision, unable to make any progress in the time that bound us.' I think anyone can relate to this song, I know I have several different 'acts' that I can pull easily. This song is up there in my favourites so go have a listen here.
Track 8 - Audrey
Like with so many songs on this album, this has such a classic, timeless feel to it. Lyrically, it sticks to the angst but the latter half of the album certainly picks up and I adore this song almost as much as Actor. They've returned to using synths in the background to add depth to the piece rather than sticking solely to guitars but it works and the bass has a nice, interesting line certainly during the bridges. Listen to it here.
Track 9 - Thirteen's In the Beauty
A heavier track. Though, Kamijo talks the verses, which just happens to be in English and he's sort of whispering it, trying to sound sexy or something I suppose, which has a funny, engrish-filled effect on them. And I have to admit, the first time I heard the line 'Thirteen's in the beauty' I thought he said 'sock her in the booty'! >.< Not that Kamijo would really be opposed to that I'm sure XD. Instrumentally, it's a well put together piece but the verses really let it down. Not a favourite but still it's not bad! Listen here.
Track 10 - CAT WALK
Another song like 'Are You Sodmy?' only this time, I think Kamijo's after a Vampire woman (well that makes sense >.<) with lyrics that translate to 'that woman bit me with her fangs' yeah... It also contains lyrics like 'foo foo', 'ha ha' and 'kiss kiss kiss kiss'... not the most serious of song but very well put together with a nice walking bass though parts of it! Have a listen here.
Track 11 - Farewell
This track is entirely in English and, my god! Kamijo's English is APALLING!! Seriously, I challenge you to work out what he's saying without looking up the lyrics online! That said, this IS my favourite NEW SODMY song ^_^; The lyrics are written in mediocre English, there are several phrases that a native speaker wouldn't necessarily use and the timing of phrases during the song are a little weird but nontheless everything about this song shouts GREAT at me! The lyrics are, of course, sombre such as She cried "I think that we can meet never again" detained me, a long time. I promised "surely we can meet" and it became a last lie... so I must say goodbye. These lyrics also give examples of what I said previously regarding the use of English. But musically, this is a great song! The guitar solo is beautiful and even the Engrish works. I, personally, LOVE this song ^^ Listen here.
Track 12 - A Way of Life
Sticking with melancholy, this song opens to a single guitar and vocals. It's much more of a rock-ballad than any of the tracks before it and, although beautiful, it doesn't quite reach 'hauntily so'. A little under halfway though, it picks up, almost away from the ballad genre but doesn't quite fulfil it before the track returns to it's sombre self but then into a fantastic guitar solo. As it progresses, it gains more substance and you suddenly feel where it's going and, somehow, it works! You can hear it here.
Track 13 - Since J&L
Since J&L is probably the most beautiful track on the album. It comprises of a lovely, yet quite simple, piano and vocals. It's incredibly haunting and shows off Kamijo's vocal talents moreso than even Versailles 'Episode'. The piano and vocals compliment each other and the song never feels like it needs other instruments to back it up. A haunting and powerful song that I adore ^__^. Listen here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All in all, I think this album is incredible. I hate to say it, but I prefer NEW SODMY to Versailles as far as Kamijo is concerned. It almost seems if NEW SODMY was a bit of an experiment for those concerned, looking at and playing with, different styles of music and seeing what they came up with. And it works! There's no denying that this is a brilliant album and undervalued band.
I have to say that this is up there in my all time favourite albums, just because of the variety and the ease of listening to it. I recommend NEW SODMY to J-Rock/Visual Kei fan around the globe! So go and listen to them and spread the love <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I don't own NEW SODMY (shock horror!) neither did I translate the lyrics, I found them on the internet. All lyrics are (c) to respective owners!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Currently listening to: NEW SODMY - Confess to a Love
Eating: Ramen
Reading: Twelth Night (Manga Shakespeare)
Watching: Katekyo Hitman Reborn
Wishing For: Ringdoll Don but he's so expensive T.T
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