A BALLAD?! BAND-MAID - Daydreaming | REACTION

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Tension, release, vulerability and contentment. Wonderful songwriters, wonderful musicians, wonderful artists, wonderful ladies.

[@markabusireactions]

You haven’t seen the reaction yet!! 😂

[@barrycounts490]

One of Band-Maids slower songs is "About Us" MV . It's dedicated to the fans saying how much they love and miss us =) Another song you should check out is "Sayonakidori" Acoustic live from Christmas Day concert ! Thanks Po ✌🤘

[@markabusireactions]

I will do! Puzzle is coming next, but I’ve had a lot of people ask for Sayonakidori, so that one will be not too far behind it!

[@GaryHolloway-810]

I'm giving you a like, Barry, thousands wouldn't but i am cos you're barry & that's what counts :)

[@markabusireactions]

@@GaryHolloway-810 from Eastenders?

[@GaryHolloway-810]

LMAO.😆 I hadn't considered that but i think Barry from Eastenders is a big Kylie fan :)

[@markabusireactions]

@@GaryHolloway-810 naturally 😂😂

[@TlanImass]

Speaking of Acoustic… the band performed an Acoustic Online concert back on 25-12-2021 although only two of them are freely available in the official channel. When you get a chance check out “Catharsis” and “Sayonakidori” Acoustic versions. Thanks!

[@etoineschrdlu9382]

Along with "About US", Band-Maid has a few interesting mid-tempo songs. "Smile" and "Page" come readily to mind. Both were originally recorded with Band-Maid's usual amplified instrumentation, but then they did acoustic versions for their Christmas Okyu-ji. Band-Maid wrote new acoustic arrangements for 14 of their songs, all of which are genuinely as good as the original amplified versions. "Anemone" is another Band-Maid change up: mostly acoustic until Kanami launches into a very Carlos Santana-ish solo. "Memorable" is another one that breaks Band-Maid's usual mold, it's more Jazz-Contemporary than hard rock. Then there's "Puzzle" which Band-Maid usually performs as a "Turn the Amps past eleven!" all out rocker, but has a few recorded performances (hard to find) where they dial it back very much. The one everyone remarks about starts with a slow music-box-like backing track intro and segues into a duet of Saiki singing with Kanami doing backing vocals and acoustic guitar. The tone of the song is completely changed, yet just as powerful as the original album version. And if you want something completely different: try "Gion-Cho" or "Giovanni" - Two more different songs you will never hear.

[@garylai363]

Their songwriting is so good because of Kanami. She is a star and can be attributed to the quality of their songs. She is a musical genius and geek, and can learn and adapt a ton of different styles and influences. The songs are fleshed out by all the members now, but early on, she wrote almost all their songs by herself (music). Lyrics are usually handled by Miku (rhythm guitar, second vocal). Next song? try one of their instrumental tracks. "Onset" is an early one, or just straight up awesome, their newest one, "From Now On". Their instrumentals play like songs, with a normal song structure, not like other long winded journeying instrumentals.

[@kentamanekineko4339]

BAND-MAIDのセンスが光る歌ですね。 素晴らしいリアクションでした。ありがとうございました〜♪👍

[@daaaaaave]

Daydreaming is a fan favorite. Nice choice. Interesting that you said it was the best yet the other day. Looking forward to actually watching your video. Will update my recommendations after listening to what you like about it, but I suspect it’s the emotion, going by your comments in other videos, and if that’s the case, 100% acoustic Puzzle. Puzzle is also the rare Band Maid song you can do a reasonable lyrics analysis on because the English isn’t blended with the Japanese. I remember watching a reactor compilation video where it was just people reacting to Kanami’s Daydreaming solo, and I got tired of reactors, but never got tired of the solo.

[@markabusireactions]

I don’t even think I mentioned the guitar solo hahahaha! I really need to watch more tractors cause I miss everything that everyone else talks about lol

[@domperignon778]

@@markabusireactionsNah, don’t do this. It’d be a shame if you ended up like everybody else.

[@markabusireactions]

@@domperignon778 I doubt watching a tractor would help me much anyway

[@domperignon778]

@@markabusireactions Yes, looking at “tractors” on the internet just gets you suspended from the House of Commons. 🚜

[@markabusireactions]

@@domperignon778 Jesus Christ 😂😂

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Next, maybe a double shot. How about Sayonakidori studio and Sayonakidori acoustic official live video. Or maybe Secret My Lips and Secret Maiko Lips.

[@markabusireactions]

Ooohhh… I like that idea! A little compare and contrast!

[@skrrytch]

Good idea! The accoustic session is great ... and "Band Maiko" is a nice (april fouls) side project

[@rockyetsx70]

They have so many songs that just define their music genre as Band-Maid. You will have your mind blown when you hear their April Fool's project tunes from the Band-Maiko EP. Secret Maiko Lips and Gion Cho MV's were on the April 2019 EP. They have a radio friendly pop song called "Start Over". They have quite a few "mellower" rock tunes like "You", "Ooparts", "Awkward", "Before Yesterday", "Endless Story" and "Alone". The entire album Conqueror included some slower tunes because they were worried about their audience having heat stroke in hot clubs because their energy can be quite relentless.

[@jamessummerlin9516]

Love the guitar solo so much. Love Band Maid.

[@johnaidley7038]

Great reactions Mark , I think you should react to all three versions of Puzzle , studio , live and acoustic . We'll make you a Maidiac lol

[@markabusireactions]

How have you seen this?! It hasn’t been released yet! 😂😂😂

[@daaaaaave]

@@markabusireactions I'm seconding this. There's emotion in the writing of melody here, but it's also Saiki's delivery. The different versions of Puzzle really illustrate this, because they have completely different emotional feelings. There's some crossover fandom, and some fandom rivalry between Band-Maid and Lovebites, but I can't get into them. Lovebites has a talented technical singer, probably stronger technically than Saiki (it's hard to really compare because Band-Maid's writing is so crazy, so what Saiki has to sing is very difficult), but I'm not buying it. They have minor key, sad writing in A Frozen Serenade, but the delivery is too clean and technical, the singer doesn't actually sound like they're sad, so I'm not moved at all.

[@markabusireactions]

@@daaaaaave this is why Radiohead work so well. He’s technically excellent, but man that guy can deliver an emotion

[@russellpotter7294]

The emotional heart of the song is the Miku backing vocal. I have listened to the song a thousand times but each time it gets to me. But they do these sort of ballads brilliantly. From heavy to light they tend to have it covered.

[@markabusireactions]

How are you guys seeing this video?! It’s not released for another 5 hours!! 😂

[@S3ptiGaming]

​@@markabusireactionsu did it wrong 😂

[@russellpotter7294]

And if the reaction isn't positive one can you imagine what hell and damnation will be....sorry looking forward to the reaction.

[@markabusireactions]

@@S3ptiGaming no I didn’t 🥺

[@markabusireactions]

@@russellpotter7294 it’s fine. I’ve reviewed kpop, I’m ready hahaha

[@SpearAndFang]

For a lot of us it's definitely a ballad. But it's a generational thing - in the 80's everyone would refer to a song with this tempo/emotion as a ballad, or a power ballad. Times be changing. Great reaction to a great song nonetheless. Thanks!

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you!!

[@bbobjs]

Consistently my favorite Band-Maid reactions, I think it's because you understand how the music is made well enough to have insight but haven't been poisoned by the community memes yet. If you actually wanna try a ballad from them, Memorable is probably the song that most cleanly fits that category.

[@markabusireactions]

Aww thank you!! I haven’t seen any community memes tbh, I kinda want to avoid all of that. Not just for this band, but all of them, as much as possible. It should always be about the music.

[@starocean62]

Before yesterday this is a true balled

[@markabusireactions]

Is Before Yesterday a BAND-MAID song?

[@lurkmerchant]

Page, Mirage, Wonderland and more to choose from. Anemone is another lovely one.

[@EclectricDreams]

Yes this is a ballad, a power ballad and the 70's and 80's especially are full of them.

[@markabusireactions]

I will die on this hill. It’s not a power ballad, it sounds like bloody paramore 😂

[@skrrytch]

I can recommend the older song "The Dragon Cries". Incredibly haunting song (about mankind destroying the world) Or “Influencer” if you want something a little more cheerful and musically varied. (about ... yes ... influencers) So much still to discover...

[@markabusireactions]

I’m only scratching the surface, don’t you worry, I will be getting to them all!

[@skrrytch]

Today my new headphones arrived and I can listen to all the music with much more joy 🎧 That's also the case for your reactions: they have a really good audio quality which is not the case with many other youtubers. Today I listened to Alice in chains - Acoustic, IAMX and Sneaker Pimps, Aesthetic Perfection and Band-Maid of course. I'll affirm my recommendation for the mentioned two songs ... but: if you want something joyful, live and happiness: Try Freedom LIVE. You won't find a music video where all band members have so much fun! P.S. I am suffering at home (in Northern Germany) with a broken arm ... Much time to listen to music and write comments 😂

[@markabusireactions]

@@skrrytch glad you’re enjoying the headphones! I’m definitely adding Sneaker Pimps to my list, for reasons I’ll go into during the video lol. I hope your arm isn’t too sore!!

[@Greg-om2hb]

The lyrics are achingly beautiful. KANAMI’s solo perfectly captures the heartbreaking agony of longing to be reunited with someone you will never see again. (Sound to me like the style of Neil Shon, BTW.) I just left a comment on your DON’T YOU TELL ME video of reactors declaring the song they just heard to be their new favorite BAND-MAID song. Try I’ll, SENSE, INFLUENCER, CORALLIUM, or BLACK HOLE next. They all are examples of the Progressive sound they’ve been developing over the last two years. Songs that are more challenging to get into, but deeply rewarding with repeated listens.

[@himbo754]

Daydreaming is one of my favourites. They DO do acoustic ballads -- e.g. their Christmas concert from 2021. Try Catharsis or with a subset of the band (drums, bass, and acoustic guitar (Miku)) Sayonakidori. The latter shows off Miku, band founder who couldn't play any instrument when Band-Maid started. Miku worked hard to learn the rhythm guitar and acoustic as well. She complained in this concert that the drummer was looking at her the whole time like a proud parent, because our Miku was playing solo guitar and singing a whole song by herself, and everyone was so proud of Miku and how far she has come. Also, try "Gion-Cho" -- classiest April First joke ever: they "announced" one April First that they were leaving behind their maid identity and becoming apprentice geisha, called "maiko" in Japanese, so they were changing their name to "Band-Maiko". They actually released a whole mini album under that name. "Gion-Cho" was specially written for Band-Maiko and the music video is beautifully filmed in traditional geisha scenery (Gion-Cho is the temple and geisha precinct of Kyoto, the national centre for geisha).

[@daaaaaave]

FYI, Misa, the bassist is using the Orange amp. Rhythm guitar, Miku, is on EVH. Lead, Kanami, is on Mesa Boogie.

[@markabusireactions]

That’s weird hahaha, in my old band I used a mesa boogie and my guitarist used the orange amp haha

[@TlanImass]

@@markabusireactionsI believe in 2023, MISA, bassist, switched to Aguilar Amps. Probably an endorsement deal.

[@markabusireactions]

@@TlanImass at some point I’m gonna get an endorsement deal from Dr Pepper. Any day now.

[@TlanImass]

@@markabusireactions hehe Good Luck!

Daydreaming will always be in my TOP-15 Maid tracks

[@markabusireactions]

It’s an absolute banger! It’s my favourite so far I think

[@davidcarroll3312]

I’m old so have no idea about the bands and music you are referencing but this reminds very much of the 80s power ballads from the hair metal bands including the guitar solo. If you want something different you cant go wrong with Puzzle and Anemone acoustic live to really showcase Saiki’s vocals with some beautiful harmonies from Kanami. I’m on my way to see Band Maid live tonight in Okayama Japan🤘

[@markabusireactions]

I’m so jealous!!!

[@jasonnord785]

If you can find the acoustic version of Anemone, that is an impressive one and a must watch. Maybe someone can find the link.

[@Parker--]

lol it's a rainy day modern rock ballad.😜 It brings different emotion from their usual stuff. They also have a happy summer rock ballad as well as a couple softer ballads. If you want a softer ballad About Us has a live performance on their channel. A much more traditional ballad. I think it also has closed captioned lyrics.

[@markabusireactions]

Ohhh the captions would be great, I’ve never even looked at their lyrics haha

[@DAVID-io9nj]

@@markabusireactionsThe lyrics, almost 100% by Miku, is supposed to be another level up. Japanese fans have noted that even they have trouble with some of her language. Add to that a translation and we are probably getting just a shadow of what she is writing. Any way, thanks for the sharp comments.

[@daaaaaave]

@@markabusireactions I wouldn't get your hopes up too high. They do a lot of blending of English and Japanese in the middle of sentences and stuff. This is normal in Japanese, to an extent, but their lyrics are kind of poetic, and full of references and allusion and puns, so they can be really inscrutable, and not just for English speakers. You can struggle if you know Japanese, too. They're just really hard to translate, and the captions aren't going to do much besides give you some broad strokes. An example of this is around the end of Shambles, there's a line captioned "Sai and Kyo! The world lies before you." kzbin.info/www/bejne/opeTnoSFntprgJo What the fuck does that mean? It turns out it's a reference to something that happened at one of their concerts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4KZanqGab6dqrc Where Miku asks what Saiki thinks of the tour so far, and Saiki responds, "Saikou," which literally means like the pinnacle, or the best, and Miku fucks up saying it back and says "Sai and kou", and then Saiki spends a bunch of time making fun of her for it, lying to the crowd that it's cool kid slang to say it with "and" in the middle. And then you have to know that "Saikyou" means the strongest. It's a cool gift to themselves and the superfans to put that kind of thing in the lyrics, but it makes them kind of inaccessible. A couple lines before that, Miku wrote a line captioned "Inscrutable are the ways of the heavens", which is like a proverb referencing an ancient Chinese essay, and that's mostly in there to rhyme with the name of the protagonist of the anime they produced the song for. Like, the whole band is insane. That said, I noted in another comment that Puzzle keeps the Japanese sentences separated from the English sentences, so you can do a much more straightforward translation, and the captions are okay in that case.

[@freewheeler2go]

Thery can do anything! And everything they do is Awesome!

[@markabusireactions]

I heard the bass player can’t make poached eggs

[@evilducks3710]

@@markabusireactions depends, how much whiskey are you allowed to use?

[@markabusireactions]

@@evilducks3710 2 barrels at the very most. Any more than that would be a bit overpowering

[@freewheeler2go]

I heard she can poach them with nothing more than sonic waves from her bass!@@markabusireactions

[@markabusireactions]

@@freewheeler2go that’s bloody impressive tbh

[@K.H.D710]

During the MC in their Tokyo Garden Theater (TGT) Okyuji, Saiki and Miku talked about their ballad songs. They said that they had written several ballad songs such as Awkward, Anemone, etc., but ADULTs around them said that Band-Maid had not done any ballad songs.😥 So Maids created a true ballad song (according to Saiki and Miku) titled "Memorable" which they debuted at the TGT Okyuji.😉

[@MusicMike747]

Sincerely good comments on their musical diversity. Your words described exactly what Band Maid does so well. Totally unique compositions; blending genres; yet always sounding like Band Maid. Each Maid has wildly different musical tastes. Examples: MISA: Smashing Pumpkins Miku: Sheena Ringo Akane: Maximum the Hormone Saiki: Muse Kanami: Santana Band Maid have done some brilliant slower tempo songs, and ones with an intimate sound. “Puzzle,” both full live for majestic sounds, and acoustic for an intimate Saiki + Kanami performance. “About Us,” official live for their song written for and dedicated to their fans during the lockdowns “Memorable,” written during their post-virus American tour; tribute to fans they thought may have forgotten them Welcome to the Maidiacs 🎊

[@markabusireactions]

I think I’m gonna do puzzle next ☺️

[@RahimRahmat]

@@markabusireactions Please be advised that there are three different versions of Puzzle - the studio version, the live version and the acoustic version. The acoustic version is a bit hard to find on KZbin, but can indeed be found on other video sites if you look hard enough. It is the acoustic version that would finally demonstrate that it is a true sentimental song, a heartbreaker if you will. The other two versions are cool and powerful. I kind of wish you would cover all three versions, but that would be greedy of me, wouldn't it?

[@markabusireactions]

@@RahimRahmat if I can find all 3 I will cover all 3, not a problem ☺️☺️

[@MusicMike747]

@@markabusireactions Fantastic choice! If you want to make it interesting, do the full band live version, followed by the acoustic duet. Hearts will melt, views will soar

[@nomennescio4604]

@@markabusireactions Seconding that as an interesting choice.

[@Dante94]

I'd be interested in what you think of their acoustic sound. Maybe a double reaction to Sayonakadori the original and then acoustic. Beautiful love song where Miku actually sings and in the acoustic they pare down to a trio.

[@markabusireactions]

It’s already planned in! ☺️

[@pulp-tx6lq]

Great reaction. You would like Wonderland live. It is on the slower moodier sides but then again it is signature Band Maid. The song really showcases Saiiki's vocals and in my opinion it is one of their finest songs.

[@surfingasongwave]

I agree - having a band where everyone contributes keeps the music changing. Individuals easily fall into a rut. It is a big advantage to have the "cross-pollination" of different contributors to keep that from happening. Band-Maid seems to have a lot of respect for each other and I'm pretty sure everyone in the band has their own distinct tastes. When Misa was young her mother played Jimi Hendrix and The Who in the house, when she was in high school she was big into the grunge and alt scenes. She seems to have a feel for funk and jazz as well. Saiki's grandmother took her to karaoke bars to sing enka, and she followed Namie Amuro (sort of dance/pop equivalent to Janet Jackson, maybe). Kanami played piano and all the usual classical composers, in high school she picked up guitar and learned Metallica and other rock and metal. She seems to have a very wide interest from cuban and latin to jazz and avant-garde. I won't be surprised when she writes a doo-wop song. After Akane picked up drums (fairly late, as a senior in high school) she really liked Nao from Maximum the Hormone and her playing has a lot of punk and metal tendencies. She also has swing, so when she and Misa lay down a funky or jazzy groove it has a lot of authenticity. But yeah, they play a lot of styles and they seem to do everything as well as bands that devote their careers to it.

[@gordowg1wg145]

"The Dragon Cries" is another 'ballad' type song.

[@CoolClearWaterNM]

If I were asked to name a Band Maid 'Ballad', many would come to mind. About Us would top that list. Daydreaming will always be a favorite; the story of the lyrics makes it so for me, but About Us holds a place in my heart as their softest (non acoustic performance) and most heart touching song.

[@scottavery2009]

This is a power ballad like in the late 80s

[@topographic1973ify]

Listen to ABOUT US (a love song to the fans) from their live, online COVID show.

[@leekebot1802]

A roughly simplified version of their writing process (to my understanding) goes like this. Kanami: we're doing this!!! *writes something amazing and passes it to the others as "homework"* Rest of the band add things they want, Miku gets to work on the lyrics. It gets passed around and around for awhile until Saiki says "Stop! Good enough!" As she is the final say in when they are done writing, since they'd continue refining forever if she let them. And thus new song. More or less. With some exceptions.

[@markabusireactions]

I mean. It’s a good way to go about doing it tbh, it lets everyone get their voice in, without ruining the original composition too much!

[@swissystan]

Have you listened to any of their Christmas acoustic set yet?

[@markabusireactions]

God no. I’m deliberately not listening to stuff, so I can do videos for you guys ☺️

[@swissystan]

@@markabusireactions definitely worth checking out at some point. The whole set is a treat, especially with the audio commentary by the band. They totally mess with the arrangements, reinventing the songs.

[@markabusireactions]

@@swissystan oh don’t worry, I do plan on getting around to it at some point, but I might hold off until Christmas, make it a bit festive and that

[@skippyo3893]

Daydreaming is a power ballad.

[@markabusireactions]

I’m not falling for that again 😂

[@skippyo3893]

@@markabusireactions Every hard rock hair band in the 80s recorded at least one power ballad.

[@markabusireactions]

@@skippyo3893 I’m not disagreeing at all. I’m just saying they sounded (to my ears) bugger all like this song lol

[@Kevin6059]

This is indeed a ballad. It's what used to be known as a "power ballad" - the tempo is much slower, but the heavy instrumentation appears now and then. And that thing about this being your favorite yet? You'll be sayin' tha again lad!

[@markabusireactions]

This is the hill I will die on. It’s not a ballad haha. Listen to the first two Paramore albums, it’s the same style of music!

[@Kevin6059]

@@markabusireactions Okay, no worries. We'll get you a ballad. Do "About Us" but gotta know what it's about. It's a love song to all of the masters and princesses (fans) to cheer us up for being depressed that the band had to cancel all their shows. Saiki said before the song that they felt like we were even more torn up about it than we were. And this was a major blow to their career and they're cheering US up. I still get messed up watching it.

[@powbobs]

Yes, they all have different musical tastes.

[@ernestrimbeck7630]

You want a ballad Anemone (acoustic) or Puzzle really any acoustic song Manners sounds great acoustic

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

MISA MISA MISA!!!!!

[@LS-uv9gg]

Also, consider it might be an age thing as far as musical "interpretation". I'm an older dude, so I've never listened to a "Goth Emo" song in my life, lol, so yup, this is a Ballad...🤣

[@markabusireactions]

Trust me on this one mate. Emo is the way. This song is just an emo song, but the decent emo 😂

[@evilducks3710]

I think we call it a ballad because we (by we I mean "I") kind of lack the terminology to describe it? It's slower, that's a ballad right? Fsck, I don't listen to slow music, this is the closest to a love song that I enjoy, so I go with it.

[@markabusireactions]

2000s emo! 😂

[@TomRussell-cy6ll]

You have mentioned Miku's back up singing on some of the videos being quite good. She was actually a Jpop singer and was originally the lead singer for Band Maid. It was only after they formed did they bring on Saki for her stronger vocal style

[@markabusireactions]

She does have a banging voice to be fair

[@haggaisimon7748]

If u will do Puzzle, try to find studio coast live version 2018. Official is 100%, but studio coast is 120%!

[@sugaanessena3143]

Kanami🥰 I would like you do a double reaction: No God Official live and No God acoustic. (or do what barrycounts said)

[@markabusireactions]

On the list it goes!

[@wayneking5081]

For a true ballad try "About us" live

[@skrrytch]

"true ballad" ... are you sure? ;-) But thats also a great song (what else?) and even slower than "Daydreaming". "About us" is about the band missing their fans during covid, right? "Memorable" is another slow song about/for their american fans.

[@Parker--]

@@skrrytch Yes but he should save Memorable til he has gone through at least all of their official videos. Really let's him appreciate the song more.

[@armynurseboy]

This is a "power ballad"....with the emphasis on "power"....😉

[@markabusireactions]

And fuck all ballad 😂

[@kevinallen4743]

Sorry forget previous comment re Orange amps, I was commenting as I work through your reactions and now realise I was trying to teach you how to suck eggs re bass tone. May the bass be with you.

[@Greg-om2hb]

WONDERLAND (live) is like a Jazzy ballad, at least compared to most BAND-MAID songs. But maybe you would like more songs from their acoustic Christmas stream. You can find SAYONAKIDORI and CATHARSIS on YT. Listen back-to-back with the originals, as you did with PUZZLE, to fully appreciate how completely they transform each song.

[@markabusireactions]

No! I do not want Christmas songs!! 😂😂 I’m doing them for Xmas!!!

[@edwardallen4051]

Others have mentioned it but the pair of songs Puzzle and Anemone acoustic live are incredibly emotional, no need to understand the lyrics, no closed captions required. Just hide the onions.

[@cygnetseven]

It's a ballad. 😁

[@stimproid]

No need to be nervous. The only thing Band Maid can’t do…. Is write a bad song.

[@markabusireactions]

WE SHALL SEE!

[@cbus4126]

Who wants to tell him that its little miss Miku who is the primary lyricist?

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Okay, I promise "Rinne" is a ballad...j/k..try "Memorable" "Endless Story" or "About Us"

[@Lillywhite]

Another mid tempo song of theirs is Wonderland. The live version is fantastic. Hint hint. Love the solo in this. Kanami makes that guitar cry. Not really a fan of ballads tbh and thankfully BM don't really do them as such.

[@markabusireactions]

I swear I will get to wonderland eventually!! 😂

[@evilducks3710]

The way I initially remembered Kanami's (the guitarist) name is I thought "This girl is so damn good it's like she's cheeting... she put in a cheat code... she put in the Konami Code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start)" and so now I never forget her name, she's a cheater. I realize this probably doesn't help anyone under 40, but I'm old and it works for me.

[@markabusireactions]

I’m under 40 (I know I don’t look it), and I remember the Konami code lol

[@evilducks3710]

@@markabusireactions you have the retro lamp, I had hope you'd know it :)

[@markabusireactions]

@@evilducks3710 well up until about 2 months ago I had a KZbin channel where I streamed Nintendo games, but… it broke me and I decided to switch up my passions a little 😂

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Heeey my comment from ages ago has gone. Mark for full on smack in the mouth Metal try the "Rinne" MV. Please don't put me bottom of the list again.😔

[@markabusireactions]

You’re always top of my list darling ☺️

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@markabusireactions Haha. Well now you put it like that how ca....hang on you said darling.😬

[@markabusireactions]

@@GaryHolloway-810 😂😂😂 I’m not sorry

[@grahamreed8774]

About your comments- don't worry, it's all good. Firstly let me recommend the song Wonderland- Official Live Video, also ballad like. I think that it is still available somewhere. Your comment about Saiki's voice was correct. The recent preference (post 2019) for more faster, harder songs, Memorable etc the odd ones out, comes at the cost of hearing Saki's and Miku's beautiful vocals/harmonies as well as Kanami's more melodic guitar solo's. The main structure of their compositions is done by Kanami. She starts by composing the parts for every instrument, including drums, then adds contributions from the other band members individual parts. Great reaction again- well done.

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you! The next one is gonna be Puzzle, I’m expecting something a bit different! ☺️

[@thisismadness6962]

If you want something truly different, check out their acoustic tracks. My favorite is Puzzle Acoustic. I think much of the variety comes from Kanami's mind. She once said that the managers asked to her to write a song every week. That's gonna develop the ability to come up with a variety of vocal melodies, instrumentations, rhythms, backing tracks, and arrangements. Then when the others rewrite their parts (Kanami programs basic drum and bass parts for the initial demo to give them her ideas) they all add their own take. Miku also adds to the vocal melody when she writes the lyrics and Saiki adjusts and adds when she works up her lead vocal. I think that has the result you mentioned - adding variety through collaboration. I believe Saiki acts as a kind of exec and has a lot of input on which of Kanami's songs they use. They all seem to trust Saiki's taste (she has a lot of input on their concert song list). Kanami also has dozens and dozens of songs that have never been worked up. Kanami has mentioned that when they get a contract with a short deadline to work up a song, like for an anime, or when they need a song for some other reason, she can find an existing one that fits.

[@markabusireactions]

That’s actually really similar to how my band worked haha. The songwriter would bring a song in with existing ideas for every part, and then we would take our sections and develop them to where we wanted them to be, then when it all came together and we played it, we would adjust things to suit each other until we had a full thing.

[@LawrenceCox-bv9zt]

@@markabusireactions - I agree with thisismadness6962. If you feel like hearing an acoustic version of a song, might I suggest you listen to PUZZLE live at Tokyo Garden 2023 (the non-acoustical version) and then listen to PUZZLE live (the 2018 acoustic version with just Kanami, the guitarist and Saiki, the singer). I don't think you will be disappointed, sir. Also, as always, thank you for your straightforward reactions.

[@edwardallen4051]

It's the feel and sentiment of the song that makes Daydreaming a ballad to me, not a conventional one I admit and some call it a power ballad. Kanami called it a Wedding Song when she composed it but Miku had different ideas when it came to the lyrics. Anemone and Awkward are in the same category, both called ballads by Saiki although they have a very different sentiment, whatever you call them they are both top songs. Perhaps the term ballad should be ditched and just call them slow tempo songs - Memorable, About Us, Page, At The Drop Of A Hat, Wonderland for example. Then there is Endless Story , comparable to Daydreaming in a way, a song Kanami wrote as a big arena song, with rousing sing a long parts which can be emotional as Akane discovered on their final tour date last year.

[@dennisueland8146]

I would consider Memorable or About Us to be more balllads than this. Also reminds me of U2 at the beginning

[@785boats]

I too, have always been perplexed as to why people refer to this song as a 'Ballad'. It's not. Especially when Kanami drops into that guitar solo. It always grabs me.

[@markabusireactions]

It’s emo lol, super emo 😂

[@armynurseboy]

It's a "power ballad." Thus song would have fit in well with power ballads from the 80s and 90s hard rock and metal bands (ie Van Halen, Aerosmith, Poison, Warrant, Extreme, etc). Bands back then would usually throw a power ballad on their album as a song that would be radio friendly.

[@markabusireactions]

@@armynurseboy I think we’re gonna have to agree to disagree. It doesn’t sound like any power ballads I know. But it does sound exactly like all the stuff I used to listen to about 20 years ago when the emo/screamo scene was coming up

[@armynurseboy]

@markabusireactions like I said, go back to 80s rock: Van Halen - Love Walks In Van Halen - When it's Love Aerosmith - Angel Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing Warrant - Heaven Whitesnake - Here I Go Again Skid Row- I Remember You These were all great Power Ballads from the late 80s, early 90s and Daydreaming fits right in with those. Probably from before your time as you strike me as a young dude in your late 20s, early 30s.

[@markabusireactions]

@@armynurseboy em… thank you, but I’m older than that and remember all of those songs hahha

[@haggaisimon7748]

Two things I like in the beginning. That you repeated Saiki intro three times. And the second is that you’re vaping.

[@markabusireactions]

My wife told me not to vape in my videos. I’m on the couch tonight.

[@fifis677]

Misa, the bassist, is using an Orange amp. Kanami (lead) usually uses a 5150 and I THINK Miku (the rhythm guitarist) uses a Blackstar if I'm remembering correctly. They write whatever they feel like it and don't give a shit. They're genreless.

[@markabusireactions]

This is why Misa is my favourite

[@fifis677]

I still have trouble with that. Between Misa and Akane, I will never be able to choose.@@markabusireactions

[@markabusireactions]

@@fifis677 understandable! I come from a bass playin background, the only reason!

[@fifis677]

And I come from a guitar background, but as awesome as Kanami is, those two are just way too insane for me to ignore lol@@markabusireactions

[@falconsooner]

Song has U2 vibes

[@markabusireactions]

Special guest appearance from Bono

[@DAVID-io9nj]

Maybe it's an age thing. Grew up on 60's and 70's rock. Stop listening around 90's. This is a ballad to me. The lyrics reinforces that idea. Off course, most good songs are about love, the rest is about HATE!. There is a reference for you in that caps.

[@kontradictions]

I didn't catch that. Was it a ballad?

[@markabusireactions]

Apparently 🙄 NO IT IS NOT A DAMN BALLAD lol

[@kontradictions]

@@markabusireactions🤣

[@technopsychobedlam]

Agreed, this isn't a ballad. The more recent song 'Memorable' is though.

[@edwardl9683]

I never heard of Band Maid before I came here but I thought I would work my way through the examples in your list, but I had to stop listening to this cos you kept interrupting and I just wanted to hear the fucking song. This isn't a criticism of you cos you're only doing your job, and you do it superbly entertainingly, it's just me telling you in a round about way that I rather liked it

[@markabusireactions]

Wow lol. Wait until you get to Sayanakadori lol