Release Date: 17 February 2016
Song Count: 14
Duration: 1 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
Rating: 6.2/10
Description:
Song Count: 14
Duration: 1 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
Rating: 6.2/10
Description:
In case the way the cover looks is treading into uncanny valley territory, do not worry - I had the same reaction at first.
It is time for a Japanese idol group to finally take the front stage here, that being Momoiro Clover Z, a group of four (then five) women that sing and perform dressed in particular colours assigned to them to make them extra distinguishable. AMARANTHUS is their third full ride along the music roller-coaster, and listening into this album that has since now celebrated its ten-year anniversary, one may be both surprised and unfazed by what it has to offer, depending on familiar one is with the group's signature hyperactive and "extra" sound and style.
With the five members taking their turns to showcase their vocals in every track before they all come together as one big cheery force in the choruses, the fourteen tracks really are as typically Japanese idol-flavoured as they could possibly be. Though sticking primarily to a pop or adjacent sound profile, electric guitars, saxophones and other various unexpected instruments certainly do not shy away from the spotlight at momentous occasions, adding an additional touch of unbridledness and edge to the experience. Perhaps a full hour of this highly energetic and melodic yet also very formulaic sort of music can become a bit draining over time; the highlights and switch-ups in moods and colours of sound, however, do keep the ball rolling, especially in the first and last thirds of the record.
Regardless of how one may perceive this kind of music, whether it be as overly corny or as absolutely electric, one thing is difficult to ignore: these songs sound like they would be an absolute blast to watch at a live performance, especially given the equally extravagant choreographies, skits and stage presence the Momoiro Clover Z girls are said to provide when given the public room and microphones. While the studio version is particularly held back in enjoyment by especially the middle portion stalling a little without throwing in anything novel to mentally latch onto, enough is present here to at least partially counteract this weakness, and it all appears to be a charming set of tracks starring five very talented idols at their front. To be particularly brutal for a change, given the relatively lackluster look of the cover being the first introduction to the album, I honestly ended up being impressed at how pleasant the music itself ended up being - so perhaps that is yet another lesson for yours truly in not judging a book (or album) by its cover.