Jeniva - 泣き雪 [2005]

Not quite what I was expecting from a band that looks as Gothic as they do. Cool piano part after the beginning, though. Weird vox and definitely not the best tuning. Somewhat stock (okay, very stock) vocal styling and rhythm. Cool solo at the end of T1, definitely the only part of the song that has any talent… too bad it fucking fades out within 5 seconds. T2 is much more promising with its more moody riffs. Overall, definitely not fucking impressed. It's stock as hell. Admittedly, the second song is ok, but the vocals are intolerable… not the worst I've heard, but pretty fucking bad. The short length of the album gains it a favorable score. I can see now why this band didn't last long.

Rating: 5

http://www.geocities.jp/official_jeniva/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

JackRose - Heart Infection 02 [2009]

Still has really accurate and well-written vocals. The techno effects are still there as well. Very solid production; their best yet. One complaint is that the vocals are a bit predictable in how they fit with the music. However, it seems that they've ditched a majority of their Power Metal influence, which is a bit of a shame because that was something I really enjoyed hearing blended in. It seems like they've gone with a more accessible style for a few songs, pushing their music closer to Pop; not sure how I feel about that. Part of me says "fuck you, sellouts," but the other part loves how well-written the music is.

Rating: 7

http://jackrose.net/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

JackRose - Heart Infection 01 [2006]

Cool technoish intro. First track is definitely catchy as hell, but they've kept the core aspect of their Power Metal sound as well. There's more techno-effects woven into the songs on this disk. Good writing all the way through.

Rating: 7.5

http://jackrose.net/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

JackRose - FACES [2003]

Beginning is the epitome of "stock" for Power Metal. However, production is pretty good. Still catchy and decently varied, but not as strong as Asymmetry Kiss.

Rating: 6.5

http://jackrose.net/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

JackRose - DRAGON FIRE / CRYSTAL ROSE [2001]

Whoa, starts off pretty trippy. Very good single. There's a lot more Power Metal influence in the vox. The production is kinda bawls, though. CRYSTAL ROSE is quite beautiful, if a bit stock.


Rating: 6.5

http://jackrose.net/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

JackRose - ネバーランド / Asymmetry Kiss [2007]

Accurate singing. Good voice, nice and open. Decent song structure. Has this cute video game synth quality to it. Title track is pretty damn addictive, even though it's not all that original.


Rating: 7

http://jackrose.net/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.