Akane is on FIRE!🔥|BAND-MAID, Go easy

[@JayDavisAtHome]

I played drums for many years, so I have the utmost respect for Akane. How she does it for 2+ hours is beyond me. She's absolutely a monster.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

All the Maids have incredible stamina and work ethic -- especially shown at Yokohama. 🤘😉🎀

[@JayDavisAtHome]

@TomClark-Futoura Amen

[@Kevin6059]

And how does she remember her part? There are almost not even two bars in a row with the same pattern. Crazy!!!

[@erigoarboleda5106]

It’s the bananas I tell you!

[@falconsooner]

Go Easy gets overlooked but it is a really good song. Agree....Akane's drumming is next level

[@ericifune5543]

Overlooked probably because they played it live several times last year. But I feel they've added a lot to the arrangement. It seems harder and more complex than last year.

[@falconsooner]

@ericifune5543 I have heard a few others say the same

[@kan5372]

What's strange is that even if their songs don't leave much of an impression on me when I first listen to them, I start to like them more and more as I listen to them several times, paying attention to each instrumental part. And finally, the song ends up being added to my playlist.

[@JBVandriver136]

I agree I think that is the way it is with a lot of us.

[@_JimS]

YEP, that's the sign of great song writing. Good reactors like NittPic her and Drum Roll Tony break the songs down that make me hear things I didn't the first few listens....then it clicks and makes the song come together.

[@Grum-monkey]

One thing I love about Band-Maid (of the many things) is that they don't stand still. The band has evolved and you don't get the same thing twice. Kanami stretches everyone to improve their technique, but she also explores, pushing beyond the established edges of 'rock', constantly creating and recreating their own sound. And at the same time, you always know it's Band-Maid. I have no doubt at some stage in the future (and I hope I live long enough to hear it) there will be a Kanami symphony (be it orchestral or a kind of symphonic rock suite) along with many more albums that carry us to places we've never been before. And it will be done with style, professionalism, and self-effacement.

[@waynebenedict5785]

Serve the song is Band-Maid's motto! No showing off, just do what makes the song it's best! Love this song!

[@mikeholmes5308]

True, even if serving the song means showing off in the right way. 😄

[@dazedandconfused318]

Well Misa certainly doesn't back off during Kanami's solo in Go Easy. What blows my mind is how she does it without taking anything away from the lead guitar, she's a magician on the bass.

[@russellpotter7294]

When you have five great musicians. When they are experts in what works in a song. You find that each song becomes a classic, a little masterpiece. Band Maid are a band that just makes each song something special and so repeatable.

[@charlescoleman4017]

As far as Kanami's soloing, all I know is, from the first song (not written by them) to the most recent songs, she always seems to give the song exactly what it needs. She never just shows off for the sake of it, though she easily could. They all do this. Ego is sitting on the sideline, the song comes first, whatever is best for the overall song. This is one of the keys to their success. That and an immense amount of talent and hard work, Po!

[@frankandre4385]

@@charlescoleman4017 It's easy for a casual observer to minimalize and underestimate Kanami. Her diminutive stature and humble demeanor hide a musical genius .❤️

[@charlescoleman4017]

@@frankandre4385 100% on all of that. And add to that she loves to let her bandmates shine as much as possible. She could easily take up more of the spotlight, but she just doesn't. 🥰

[@frankandre4385]

@@charlescoleman4017 If there's a female, Japanese Mozart, you've found her in Kanami. Her talent lies not only in what she has done...but in what she is capable of. I can think of no one else who is seamlessly able to transition from one musical genre to another (as though it was always meant to be that way) like Kanami.

[@RA57727]

@@frankandre4385regarding Kanami’s seamless transitions.” Agree 💯

[@Charles-ce7ev]

I get asked "the question" all the time. Why do you like this band so much? I use to stumble with specifics and their quality and musicianship and so on. But finally I have just come to saying, look, I may not know what's popular, but I damn sure know what I like. The Maids just check all of the boxes for me, period.

[@roqy]

I started listening to them for the strength and joy of their performances. I gradually caught on to the insane quality of their writing and arranging. After several years, it finally dawned on me that all of that stems from a shared passion that they project through their music. Every song carries emotional weight. None of them are casual, trivial, or swayed by marketing research. Real emotion, every time.

[@Charles-ce7ev]

@@roqy Yes. All of the boxes. The most complete band out there right now.

[@waynebenedict5785]

I haven't found a single song from Band-Maid that I don't like, period!

[@Glenner7]

The other night they played every song from this album as part of their concert. Lucky fans in Japan!

[@adilsonfernando1754]

Princess NittPicc, our Gorilla ís the best drummer since Buddy Rich, little kisses from Brazil.

[@JuanSan66]

Remember Duke Ellington!: "If you have a great band with a mediocre drummer, you have a mediocre band. If you have a mediocre band with a great drummer, you have a great band. If you have a great band with a superb drummer... well, you have got Band Maid"

[@RA57727]

Another way of stating it, If you have a great drummer and a great band you have one of only several Rock groups: Led Zeppelin, RUSH, or BAND-MAID!! (Not excluding other Rock groups just limited time and list).

[@throwaway9389]

Thanks NittPicc. I love this album. The word that comes to mind for me is synthesis. It just seems to be bringing together their more traditional type of music (before UW) with their later more energetic style. Everyone is firing on all cylinders, but for me Akane and Saiki stand out with both experiencing another level of growth. (Although I'm biased by listening to the drums foremost.) Listeners really need headphones to appreciate what Akane is doing. When you expostulate at 11:40, Akane is playing a snare roll, finishes it with four equally quick notes on the kick, then a crash. So fricking tight. Did I mention I love this album? Cheers!

[@TheJerm]

"Go Easy" is one of the tracks (among many) that places Akane on my Mount Rushmore of drummers. NO ONE plays like her. She is A M A Z I N G!!! Thanks NittPic! 🕊

[@Mikupigeon]

Although it's not my top favourite song in the ablum but no doubt Akane didn't go easy on this on, it's still an awesome song. They performed all the new songs in the epic narrative at today's Osaka show, can't wait to experience them live in the foreseeable future because that's the time I can finally settle my final ranking.

[@donaldbohn3183]

I saw an interview with Mincho about writing this album. She said she put a lot of introspection on life into it.

[@wanderleyjesus6772]

Go easy!!! On Maid mode, perhaps. (LOL)

[@charlescoleman4017]

🤣🤣 In full Maid Mode Po! Great phrase! Maid mode!

[@ranger_a6953]

Such incredible detail and intricate parts woven together, never crashing into each other, somehow lots of space and separation. Nobody does rock like this. It's usually, frustratingly, dumbed down.

[@BillHallisey]

The Maids DID NOT GO EASY on this one. Damn it, listening to Akane's drum beat now has me in tachycardia. Please girl, ease up!

[@philcalvino884]

Go Easy is a blistering prog masterpiece IMO and might be my favorite off EN. In contrast to some of the wild "progress" songs off UW (which I also love), I agree, this one has a compositional direction where all cylinders are firing together. Akane, Kanami, and MISA push things to the edge, but it never veers off the road. I agree about the mix too: GE is without a doubt one of those songs where I'll be hearing something new on each listen.

[@chrisbergsten1429]

Akane's drumming here reminds me of a lot of Unseen World, where a song is kinda midtempo (by Band-Maid standards, you understand! so a bit fast) but Akane is SHREDDING. It should be overdrumming but she's so musical it works, like yeah it's an awful lot of drums but it sounds good and doesn't clash with the rest. I think the large number of styles and influences is what makes it hard to pin down Band-Maid's genre; you've got a punk/death jazz drummer, two guitarists playing pop-punk, classic rock, and heavy metal, one of whom is also singing pop, the lead vocal is singing R&B in a rock style, and the bassist is doing funk and grunge. And the whole thing is prog, but it's prog that's mostly shoved into classic pop song structure with strong melodies and catchy hooks.

[@greylocke100]

When I got Epic Narratives, I added it to my computer library, then copied it to all 3 of my cell phones and then added it in to my 2 main playlists. Letting my playlist play at random, I've only heard 3 or4 songs from the album regularly. Now hearing Go Easy again with your thoughts, I need to bump it up in the playlist so it gets played more. On Akane's drumming, she has reached a point that the only thing holding her back is her own physical conditioning. And she is always working on improving that. She has mentioned in at least 2 interviews, that as the demands of their music gets harder, she finds herself changing her style of playing and how she works out to meet the physical demands. And Kanami has almost always held back on her solos, so as to not overpower the song. The ONLY song I think where she brushes the edge of too much would be Unfair Game, and while she brushes the edge, she still doesn't cross over. It's just right at the very edge, like the precipice, then she pulls back. And seriously, I really really want to hear more of Miku's vocals. She melds/merges her voice so perfectly with Saiki's, that I want her to be able to have 2 or 3 songs on their next album either with just her on the main vocals or shared vocals like they did on their first 3 releases.

[@frankandre4385]

Thanks for this Miss Picc-olo ! In this month of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for Akane's relentless drumming in this song... I'm also thankful they don't sell it to an ad agency as an ad for laxatives...🤪😆❤️

[@charlescoleman4017]

🤣🤣 Frank, you are killing me!! Now I want to see that laxative commercial. We must tell Ant!

[@frankandre4385]

@charlescoleman4017 😆 You can tell him...He listens to you... That's a commercial begging to be made ! 🤪😂

[@charlescoleman4017]

@@frankandre4385 I just did. LOL! I realize it's much like giving a toddler a grenade to play with, but I can't wait to see the carnage! Frank, you are a genius!

[@frankandre4385]

@charlescoleman4017 The preceding Charles Coleman comment is NOT a paid advertisement. He has clearly lost his marbles...😉

[@charlescoleman4017]

@@frankandre4385 😂😂 I wish I could argue with that, but . . . I got nuthin'.

[@Pigeonholed-Po]

And the hits keep coming. Thank you

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Those Progy, Punk, Metal, Pop, Bluesy, Jazz, Funkin', Grungy, Hard Rockin' Maids! What are going to do? 🎀🤘😝🤘🎀 Thx, Nitt Picc!

[@_JimS]

Akane is ALWAYS on fire..... she is one of the cleanest, most accurate drummers I've ever heard....at 67yo and a former drummer I've heard/seen the best, and not just Rock drummers. She has been this way since the very beginning too (Maid in Japan), just absolute perfection.....never too much, like all the other members. My favorite Kanami "spiraling" lick is in "Manners", right before the second chorus (time stamp 1:46 official music video) .......just epic, and 99.9% of reactors miss it.....drives me crazy! Lol!

[@thammond1946]

When you talk about the "maturing" aspect of Kanami's composing, the word that comes to my mind is "organic" or perhaps "unified."

[@markhayes9004]

Welcome Home Pretty Princess NittPicc! I don't know how you have managed to hold off listening to all of the songs on this album so far, you must be blessed with tons of restraint. I couldn't wait so I bought the album within minutes of its release and immediately started listening to it. I hope everything went well for you during all the storms this weekend, all we got up here was a lot of rain. Please take care and have an awesome week.

[@hazardouswaste08]

This song goes so hard. I love how this album tells a story. It really brings out the members personalities. It feels like a mini okyuji.

[@RA57727]

NittPicc you have definitely hit on a main trait with Band-Maid’s music is its’ compositional depth. After several listens, at least, there are so many musical gems within any given song. I agree with you that Kanami, and the rest of the Maids, have ‘grown’ musically and their confidence is on full display in this release (Epic Narratives).

[@frankandre4385]

Ah, Miss Picc-olo...You give us Maidiacs a happy place to gather on Sunday mornings. It is truly a different sort of church experience...💒

[@rocotocloc]

Kanami is indeed maturing and evolving in her guitar style and technique, because like every other member in Band-Maid she doesn't like to sit in just one style and doing the same stuff over and over. That's why this band is so amazing I miss Kanami's double solo songs tho, she should do a couple of those for the next album lol

[@jepoycgeronimo]

Akane is doing something opposite to the song title

[@kicorse]

I'm in the minority, but this is my favourite on the album (along with Tamaya). And much as I love the craziness, it's Saiki's low vocals in the verses and above all the great chorus melody that makes it a favourite.

[@mikeholmes5308]

With regards to Kanami's solos on this album, she's added a lot of what I'll call stuttering. Stops and starts in the solo, so it's not just a continuous shred-fest every solo. Playing with rhythm in her solos. Pretty damn fascinating.

[@mechanicat23]

Please don’t fret about your honest comments on Band Maid. I know the internet is full of people who will criticize everything. Every bunch of fans has their nuts, and us Maidiacs are no different. We have our few who cannot keep our rude comments to ourselves. When you want to say what you think about Kanami’s playing, or Akane’s technique, go for it. Ignore the rude commenters. Please don’t let the rude ones make you feel like walking on egg shells. You are a part of our Band Maid family. Speak your mind.

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

MISA MISA MISA!!!!!

[@danmolnar402]

Epic Narratives gives me similar vibes to Conqueror. Conqueror felt like it was Band-Maid doing what they wanted to without outside influences and really settling much of their unique style. Epic Narratives takes that but with all the big improvements the band has achieved in every regard in the last years. They are firing on all cylinders!

[@TlanImass]

In previous recordings Kanami-san played both guitar parts in the studio so I’m not sure how the process worked for Epic Narratives. I think Miku-chan is expert enough now to record the rhythm guitar. Plus she has more time now that Saiki-san also writes lyrics.

[@ichinov]

🤘🤘🤘

[@Alan-y8b]

In other words it's that "good good"

[@KNGoodwin]

They killed this live at Nagoya and Osaka. Oh yeah! The whole album sounded awesome live!!

[@Kissthetoad321]

Hi NittPicc. It's sure, this album shows the level of maturity reached by the Maids. They also impose their choice in the mix and it shows. Band-Maid is now a big band that has created its own company and so the Maids have become completely free to do what they want and go in the direction they want. Go easy is an oxymoron. THANKS.

[@EliseAutoXr]

Such a great song, if this don't get you pumped up ... well... I see your point about Kanami, she writes so many songs, if everything is hard/fast/etc., then the music could get stale (or predictable is probably a better word). I'm not sure how she does what she does, I create simple covers of songs and generally just play the guitar leads unscripted (just whatever comes to mind), but I find they all sound the same! :). As always, thanks for sharing your reaction!

[@misterguanoman]

On the surface, this is absolutely archetypal, unsurprising Band-Maid-by-numbers, but dig a little deeper and there's so, so much going on in here. It's ridiculously detailed. I absolutely love it. Possibly my favourite Kanami solo on the album, too (close call between this and Bestie). It's like the greatest hits of Mincho mode, condensed into a 20-second patchwork.

[@adampino6587]

Like.. I liked this song but it wasn't one of my favorites off of Epic Narrates (honestly I'm still not sure it is, this album is ridiculous), but you've done a great job giving me a different perspective on it. Thanks so much!

[@UltraHD.7]

This song really grew on me over time to when I first listened. Maybe I was a bit overwhelmed at first. About Kanami, I totally appreciate the level of skill and technique she has achieved over the years until now, but I sometimes wish the old "riff-monster" back she was on JBI or WD. At least a little bit here and there.

[@erigoarboleda5106]

I do see your point with Kanami’s soloing and there’s definitely a maturity there that I can only compare to early vs late Brian May. Nothing over the top, but still exactly what the song calls for.

[@gradyshmalady8284]

I've been enjoying your reactions for a bit now. Akane and MISA are so fun, mix in the manic pixie nature of Kanami and you have something wonderful. I've been meaning to ask this for a bit now but is that a GG Arin plush on your mic?

[@THEPATRIOT1000]

Meatloaf. .Paradise by the Dashboard Light

[@4thArmoredVet]

🙏NittPicc🕊&❤

[@MnPofBM]

Hello 👋

[@Greg-om2hb]

I react to music each time I listen to it. I would be interested in your reaction to Memorable and About the second or third time you listen. I think that in the studio KANAMI plays all the guitars.

[@zer0tzer0]

I like how every member brings the best out in the song. Whereas LOVEBITES keeps Fami on a leash, under utilizing her. You don't take the best Show Off Noodlemeister Bassist put her in that kind of band and not let her solo! Just another reason to not like LOVEBITES. BAND-MAID doesn't have to show off, they can, but the hold back just enough. I would, however, like to hear Kanami and Miku do a Thin Lizzy style duel solo. Nothing fancy. But it's time. Miku's chops are up to speed by now. Bring it!

[@JayDavisAtHome]

I'm kind of surprised that Miku pulled a line straight out of the Bible

[@Here4Help-g3g]

I'm here to help now. Just react to Sidhu Moosewala, trust me. I went through all your videos and realized that people are simply not putting you on to the real shit. If you want a warm up song, then listen to Diljit Dosanjh - Lover or Diljit Dosanjh - GOAT. Trust me on this, after you listen understand that this is only the beginning. Just react to either of these songs and you will see the difference in views also,

[@NOMAD-_-]

For a song called go easy they go hard …kanami just had a birthday recently she turned 33 I thought oh wow I just turned 33 also but I don’t amazing music for a living 🤘🏻🫶🏼🤘🏻

[@RayYan-uk4fv]

Satu hal yg membuatku trus berbunga bunga y itu ketika mlihat kreator Wanita ini y itu Nittpicc ilek you🤍💋💋💋💋💋💋💋