T.M.Revolution's new single, "Albireo", is his first new release in quite some time. He hasn't released anything since his last album, "coordinate", which was nearly a year ago. The song debuted in the top five the week it was released. Your likely first impression of "Albireo" is that it is very, "Average," among TMR's singles. This one is really going to have a difficult time standing out. In fact, I dare you to remember what this song sounds like three months from now. If you're a big fan of what he has been doing previously, then this should come as somewhat of a relief to you, since it means that he hasn't changed at all. It's the same techno-rock style that it seems only he is willing to attempt these days. However, he has definitely done better. This one isn't bad, but it's just like, "So what?" I don't even know what to say about it. The melody isn't especially catchy, but the song isn't bad either. We're just going to have to leave the jury out on this one, but we can at least say for certain that it isn't an especially excellent song, since it has failed to jump out in this reviewer's face and get my attention. Unfortunately, the second track, "Goin'", is basically the same story. The first word that comes to mind is "plain". I kind of like the way the techno-rock arrangement is used in this one, but the main melody can sometimes almost become repetitive and irritating. In this type of music I expect repetition in the arrangement, but too much repetition isn't exactly such a good thing in the main melody. Again, I am left with almost no decisive comment. I should also mention that, at around four minutes each, both songs seem kind of shorter than they actually are for some reason. I know that his latest album, "coordinate", was released on a small scale in the US. I guess that means, relative to most Jpop artists, he will have a good amount of fans in the US reading this review. But allow me to pose a question: Don't you think there are better Japanese artists that should hit the American market? Something more standard that will appeal to American tastes, rather than Takanori's over-the-top outdated techno-rock sound and semi-effeminate look. I'm not saying that a 'boring' artist who won't stand out in America should be marketed, but something that is likely to gain better acceptance in the mainstream. Right now I think that TMR's music appeals more to anime fan audience who is already likely to shun the mainstream. Wouldn't it be great to market something that doesn't practically alienate mainstream consumers? Not to say that his music is no longer big in Japan, because obviously it is still selling there. Mismarketing Japanese music in America at this crucial point in time could affect Japan's immediate chances of mainstream success in Western markets. Just my two cents, although I have the feeling some of you may not want to hear it. "Albireo" will do the job if you're really searching desperately for more of Takanori's music. Otherwise, for most people, this is a release that can be easily overlooked.
Buy it here.
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