Album Review: first 9uality – THYME
September 29th, 2008
Do As Infinity debuted with ‘Break of Dawn’, the brilliant green with their self-titled debut album, chatmonchy with ‘chatmonchy has come’ and ikimono gakari with ‘Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari’. These four bands had to start from somewhere to get to where they are, and some did it in spectacular fashion while some hung on the hinge of success. Even though some of their debut albums didn’t reach the top of the charts, the bands themselves will look back at their previous work before releasing more material, contemplating on what to change, what to improve, what to flag and what to keep. Not only do the bands contemplate, but fans will also analyse on how they have changed, usually appreciating from where they have come from to where they are now. Some even may set their debut album as the benchmark as the pinnacle of a band’s/artist’s career.
As with Pengie, YUI’s “From Me to You” is the benchmark in which I compare anything from her since her debut. As well as chatmonchy, ikimono gakari and…hmmmm they’re aren’t a lot out there in all seriousness, most bands and artists work extremely hard to raise the bar after every release so it’s hard to mention artist who has…I don’t think ‘underperformed’ is the right word to use…but you get the idea. As a side note, Pengie has reviewed Nichika’s self titled debut album, while I’m reviewing THYME’s debut album, and it’s fucking freaky since this entry has been as a draft since the middle of the month.
Releasing a debut album is difficult; to find your niche within the music industry is extremely hard when there are artists or bands who are involved in the same genre as yourself, not to mention promotion, scheduling, lives etc…I cannot begin to imagine how hard and how much effort is needed to become big in this industry and to keep being successful. But without this strenuous push to get into the industry, we may have never heard such brilliant music from these songwriters and musicians. My point being, in order to be great, you got to start from somewhere, whether it may be recognised or not.
THYME, a trio formed in 2004 consisting of Thyme (lead vocals and lyrics), Teppei Shimizu (sound production, composition, arrangement and guitar) and Hoshino Takafumi (sound production, arrangement, sound engineering). Sound production, sound engineering? I honestly have no idea what that means. The three of them have created a sensational album which is pleasant on the ears. Their music is nothing special nor inspirational. But what Thyme is successful in doing is that they have created plain and simple music which is easy on the ears. A lot of bands and artists have missed that simplicity and opted for complexity instead. I’m not saying complex is shit; 9mm Parabellum Bullet do it well by creating ingenious and unique guitar solos. But I mean seriously, YUI is a perfect example of simplicity and has capitalised on it. Tokyo and Good-bye Days, YUI’s most touching and most loved songs by the public are pretty simple, well by ear…I’m sure they’re pretty simple by tablature as well.
Thyme uses the piano and acoustic guitar as a base and quite profoundly in a majority, if not all of their songs in first 9uality (first quality? First guality?…whatever). They use the acoustic guitar to great effect, incorporating it into almost every song, always keeping it original and never like the previous songs. Whether it may be a ballad or an upbeat song, or as a major component of a song or as the background; the acoustic guitar is always present. The constant use of the acoustic guitar gives me the idea that THYME has roots grounded into this particular instrument. Also the acoustic guitar is gives a nice “street-performer” vibe, which vividly reminds me of “Tangerine Dream”, as song which Do As Infinity performed on the streets of Tokyo before they were signed to Avex.
To compliment the piano and guitar, they uses a selection of instruments, electric guitars, bass, drums…the usual. In addition, their sound engineer, Hoshino, has weaved essences of electronica, background sound effects and string instruments such as the violin into the mix. Hoshino does a great job in placing funky effects in places, not as a filler, but more as an extra component to the whole structure of a song, and at times the most memorable part of the song. Include Thyme’s dynamic voice in the combination and you’ve got yourself a treat. First 9uality is a simple album consisting of soft rock ballads and some mid-tone rock songs. Like I said before, it’s not an album which invokes thought, such as Olivia’s “The Cloudy Dreamer” or something similar.
There’s a great divide between quiet music and soft music. While “first 9uality” has songs which are quite soft, it is in no way quiet. Thyme’s voice is dynamic and she definitely knows how to project her voice at different volumes at specific parts of a song which need that extra boost.
My favourite track on “first 9uality” is the first track entitled 晴天. The mellow sound of acoustic guitars flow though from the start until it crisply crescendos with the sound of string instruments and drums being commencing into forefront. The sound of string instruments and drums begin to trade places with the acoustic guitar, one being the forefront while one is the background. Thyme’s voice is in parallel with the acoustic guitar, never overpowering nor overwhelming the relaxing tone that the acoustic guitar radiates. The instrument and the vocalist are in harmony or are in a balance. I couldn’t ask for a better opening song for a debut album.
Humming Bird has a distinct country and western feel to it…it’s definitely the violin (fiddle?) playing a generic folk tune like some bloody gypsies would play at their magical gatherings…or it may be a hall filled with line dancers…oh god I have no idea what I’m saying as I have no idea of American culture…but it feels very country-like, music I would hear in places in the south? Or Midwest?…but its just so appealing because I would never expect a Western-influenced song to be present in a Japanese Rock/Pop album.
Songs such as “Our Rock Star”, “forever we can make it”, “drive” and “I’ll be back” is pretty much your generic rock-influenced songs. Generic not being like, overused and such, but essences which are typical of a rock band, heavy riffs, fast paced drum fills, good bass lines. But if you can listen carefully, you can hear Thyme’s voice being projected louder than the music especially in “forever we can make it”. Compare that to “晴天” when both the instrument and the vocalist were at the same pitch, which gives me the impression that Hoshino wants the listener to focus more on the Thyme’s dynamic voice than the music itself.
From what I gather, Hoshino affection of string instruments is shown as string instruments are present in a lot of songs in “first 9uality”, providing an extra layer to the songs. Songs such as 晴天, Hello, Humming bird and Wonderland in particular have this “extra layer” which makes it sound grand and striking to the ear.
Imagine “first 9uality” as a wholesome pizza sitting in front of you. The nutritious dough base is made up of Thyme’s voice. The soft and rich tomato base is the wholesome blend of acoustic guitars. The creamy cheese layer is the piano. While the toppings consists of a generous amount of electric guitars, drums, bass and mastered sound effects. And you have delicious, nutritious, wholesome, filling and a melt-in-your-mouth pizza.
But would I call it my favourite album of 2008? Maybe, maybe not, since the album isn’t perfect. While the album is easy on the ears, it still has imperfections and certain flaws such as over-extended melodies and a repetitive tone to be called “my favourite album of 2008″. Plus the competition is too tough to call an outright winner and it would do a great injustice since there are 2 months and a bit to go, but it is definitely up there.
THYME can definitely break into mainstream, easy. Their stuff is easy to digest, it’s simple and enjoyable. A bright future for THYME is near.
Credits: theppn, KMC forums
Tags: THYME
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