It Just Never Gets Old!! Band-Maid - Puzzle - Reaction!!

[@surfingasongwave]

This is a recent performance of a song that was released on their *Just Bring It* album in January 2017, over six years ago. The lyrics of the song are about a woman who's found the man of her dreams, the missing piece of her puzzle, but he doesn't want his wife to find out. It's dripping with sarcasm and anger and pain. Kanami's ostinato riff (and the whole song, really) just amplify that tense and edgy feeling. I think it's brilliant, actually. And yeah, it's been a fan favorite for a long time. Kanami and MISA are both tone hounds. You can play a D, for example, with an open 4th string, or a fifth fret 5th string, or a tenth fret 6th string; they are all the same note but they don't have the same tone. When you watch MISA closely you notice she doesn't play things the easy way but the way that sounds best. Kanami does the same thing. You'll sometimes hear people pooh-pooh and say "Well, _I_ could play that" but they usually mean some simplified version. They can't play what she actually plays and give it her expressiveness. I never cared much for "reaction" videos until I discovered other musicians offering more analysis than reaction. With Band-Maid, drummers focus on Akane and constantly stop the video and point out something neat she's done and I completely missed. Like you said about MISA and Saiki, it fits the song so well it doesn't stand out until someone points it out. I'm a guitar player so I notice the little things Kanami does, but the whole band is that way. In the guitar solo, at 9:21 in this video, there's seven notes in unison with drums, bass, shythm, and lead guitars. It's so natural it doesn't stand out, really, but when you notice it you start looking forward to it. It's that extra little kick to the solar plexus.

[@edwardmcalister8743]

Your final analysis, how each member provides just what is necessary for the song, yes, spot on. There are no glittering solos, no look at me's, it's always what fits the song. Even though a particular solo might be awesome, it never strays outside the structure of the song. That is one of the many reasons I do love this band so much. Band-Maid is unlike any band I have witnessed in my somewhat long life. They are all awesome without saying look how awesome I am.

[@PrymalChaos]

They’re amazing!

[@stevekane4922]

Kanami has such tiny hands that she can't stretch much so she has to move her left hand a lot anyway. Being used to a piano she's not scared to dart around.

[@stevekane4922]

Note miku playing her own "solo" on beside Kanami's,as well as the more obvious part on her own.

[@TomRussell-cy6ll]

You should hear the acoustic version of this song......with just Kanami and Saki !!!! You will realize after hearing it that Saki is absolutely incredible vocalist....... this definitely a MUST see performance !!!! You might have a little trouble finding it but it's worth searching for it.

[@msquare249]

And Kanami does amazing backing vocals...yes I said Kanami!

[@freewheeler2go]

The first time I heard this song, I knew they would be my band! 🔥

[@bandmaidfanATL]

3:12 cause she is Mincho. It adds to her style.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

This version of puzzle is where Kanami said to herself "OMG they finally turned my PRS up" & decided to take full advantage of it....probably.😏

[@Jonas_S_]

I heard someone snuck backstage and threatened to pour hot coffee in the techs' laps if they didn't turn the guitar up. Rumors say it was you, Gary! Is it true?! 😲

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@Jonas_S_ Haha. I swear it wasn't me, Jonas. But i have a sneaking suspicion who did.🤔

[@PrymalChaos]

😆

[@TomClark-Futoura]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Oh yeah? Who? ;-)

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@TomClark-Futoura Shh🤫 Don't tell any one, Tom, personally i think it was kanami. But there was also a group of pesky kids & a dog there that said it was Mr Gibbs the Janitor.🤷‍♂️

[@jamessoda8915]

Great reaction. Your river analogy is spot on about Band Maid. 😎🤘✌️

[@richardn8866]

I listened to an older live version of this song and compared it to this version. It's amazing how Miku has progressed with her playing. She now takes ownership of that rhythm section before Kanami's solo. (Kanami did it before). In my opinion, the more progress that Miku makes, it allows Kanami, Misa & Akane to explore more ways to serve the songs even better than before. It's almost like we're getting a bigger serving than a few years ago. And who doesn't like a bigger serving of Band-Maid ! Maybe do a comparison video before vs now?

[@interstellardave]

Nice insights! Wave Potter said similar things about Kanami on other songs. She is not lazy by any means. She’ll do more than is “necessary” if it makes something better. Puzzle is one of those songs that rises above most of their catalog… and that’s saying something with a catalog as good as theirs.

[@PrymalChaos]

Thanks for watching!

[@falconsooner]

Really good reaction and analysis. Some good observations. Saiki's uniqueness is her rapid fire delivery and cadence.

[@PrymalChaos]

I have to remind myself to focus on what she's doing because there's so much going on, but man, it's so worth it. Her biggest problem is that she makes it look so easy!

[@Glenner7]

That was a pretty good analysis. Thank you!

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Thx Cabouge i try my bes....oh you meant Prymal Chaos. Sorry for the interruption then.🙂

[@PrymalChaos]

Very welcome!

[@_JimS]

"There's always something filling the space".....BAM!! Right there. I LOVE that new little part in Kanami's solo where she brought everyone with her on those two tripplets, I checked and it's not in the studio version, nice new touch. I think Saiki has three lungs, did she grow up around Godzilla's neighborhood? Band-Maid truly is a musicians band.

[@PrymalChaos]

Well said!

[@BM4-Life]

😶 *Easy* is a four letter word in *BAND-MAID* vocabulary 🤣

[@stephenriggs8177]

Which is why musicians love them, too.

[@jeffersoncosgrove1910]

I love when Kanami pedal points off of an open string, especially those descending chromatic lead lines she throws in a solo.

[@PrymalChaos]

It's was actually deceptively tricky to play. Her speed and accuracy was impressive, at least to my out of practice fingers. 😆 Made me feel clumsy.

[@jeffersoncosgrove1910]

@@PrymalChaos Not to mention the stamina required to do that phrase over and over for more than a few seconds, much less make it look so effortless.

[@PrymalChaos]

@@jeffersoncosgrove1910 right? Repeating licks are actually one of those things that just makes me feel incompetent, especially when the groove hinges on your timing.

[@TehPhysics]

Ah, Kanami. She makes the simplest things seem complicated and the most complicated things seem simple. I always enjoy reactors who try to replicated the weird things she does. "Oh, OK. I see what she is doing here." Tries to play it. "Wait...what is she doing?" Thanks for the reaction and the breakdowns.

[@PrymalChaos]

Honestly, she makes that little ostinato type part look super easy, and theoretically it is, but in practice it's quite tricky and the nuance involved in hitting those subtle pull offs in time while moving positions so much is amazing.

[@TlanImass]

Saiki-san has superb breath control.

[@PrymalChaos]

She sure does!

[@thisismadness6962]

You're right about Saiki. I've often noted her good sense of time and rhythm, and the percussive onset of her notes. It fits perfectly with the others and makes her one of the instruments rather than a vocalist singing over the top of the music.

[@PrymalChaos]

She's easy to overlook based on the company she keeps, but if you actually take notice she is wildly impressive!

[@jope783]

@@PrymalChaos In interviews, Miku refers to the vocals as a A melody, Miku intentionally writes the vocals part as like an instrument and together with Saiki will perfect the vocals part, its why almost all of their singing is so catchier as usual even when Japanese is syllabic and is naturally melodic.

[@PrymalChaos]

@@jope783 oh really! That's super interesting!

[@JuanSan66]

Excellent review. Both MISA and Kanami do not hesitate to use the entire neck. Their movements are a prodigy of accuracy. Actually the five of them push themselves forward to their actual maximum ability. That´s why they are better year by year. That obsessive fixation on perfecting every detail, offering its best version even if it is palpably more complex, is what makes their music shine on another level.

[@PrymalChaos]

Agreed.

[@phaeron]

Yep, I agree with your description of the sound of these ladies. A puzzle which may be 'easy' to put together, but which results in a picture that contains an incredible amount of detail and doesn't get boring very quickly. :) _____________________ 「 _Look inside the mirror of you. Can you say now is the best of who you are?_ 」--- *Nemophila* 'RISE' 💮

[@PrymalChaos]

They never seem to fail to impress me.

[@carlosretamal1567]

It's the best explanation I've heard about what Band Maid does...and it's exactly what I like...I would add the time changes...the buildings...the breakdowns...and in some songs the disco beat...they use and abuse that and I love it!...regards fron Chile

[@PrymalChaos]

Thank you for watching and the kind words!

[@roumiaou]

Hi sir ! It's been some time now ! Will you grace us with another Band-Maid reaction someday ? (provided you have time)

[@PrymalChaos]

It HAS been a minute! I’ll look into this discrepancy. 🤘👌

[@roumiaou]

Many thanks, I personnaly value your reactions.@@PrymalChaos

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

MISA MISA MISA!!!!! Saiki (Breathing is for wimps) Atsumi

[@craigfenson]

15:58 summarises what the product of their collective genius is about. one of the best analogies i have ever heard. o7

[@PrymalChaos]

Thank you so much!

[@TomClark-Futoura]

I just saw Puzzle from the 2017 Studio Coast concert (for the millionth time ;-) and as I've been saying to Band-Maid management for the past month now, Studio Coast performance, sound, and vibe is 20% better than The Garden concert -- and that concert is better than 90% of any concert I've seen from any band. I guess they just wanted to promote their new release of the Garden concert, which is something all Band-Maid fans should think about getting -- especially with that 90 minute, behind-the-scene, 2022 USA tour dvd/bd. Thx, Pry!

[@makmiskell3733]

As usual you nailed it. Thanks Prymal!

[@PrymalChaos]

My pleasure!

[@lewissmith4123]

Very hard working song for all the members here. A firm fan favourite.

[@haggaisimon7748]

That kind of reaction I appreciate much, you can learn from them.

[@PrymalChaos]

Thank you!

[@Badllamah]

Loved the reaction. With this performance I was thankful no one threw the evil MCP disk back into that light show (mega props for those who get that reference LOL). Have a Hunky Dory Day!

[@GaryHolloway-810]

I didn't get it. Can i just have a standard prop please.🙋‍♂️

[@Badllamah]

@@GaryHolloway-810 No! No Props for Joooo! 🤣

[@crabuki1273]

This song seems a very difficult placement in Saiki's range. She pulls it off really well, but it must be exhausting to sing.

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Vocal coach Julia Nilon said something similar about it being tiring for Saiki to sustain her belting voice range in her reaction to the acoustic version of "Puzzle". See GG i do have some relevant things to say.🙂

[@PrymalChaos]

Yeah. That's the impression I got. She's a champ!

[@crabuki1273]

@@GaryHolloway-810 Gary, brother, you're always relevant.

[@stephenriggs8177]

Finally. I've always called this their AC/DC song, but no one else has mentioned it.

[@zolitoth2458]

True but the AC/DC riff was just one of about 5-6 riffs in the song :)

[@PrymalChaos]

😆👍

[@Greg-om2hb]

ACE FREHLEY deploys those double-stop bends to great effect soloing on BLACK DIAMOND, as heard on the classic KISS ALIVE! album, and here on American TV in 1975 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6fLpJpnd9mCa5Y

[@PrymalChaos]

How good is Balck Diamond! Love that song.

[@yeshayahuhomberger2079]

Nice reaction. Thx 🤙

[@PrymalChaos]

Thanks for watching!

[@Kevin6059]

Wow, only a couple of minutes into your reaction and already am learning stuff from you. (ie - the pull offs and why she's moving around the neck more than would appear to be necessary.)

[@PrymalChaos]

That's why I'm here 😉👍

[@reesereese2524]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@LS-uv9gg]

Like Domination, Dice, Rinne, Thrill, Blooming and a few others, I actually like the studio version of this better. Ya, ya, I know- Boo Hisss from the fanatics lol. It's not as if I dislike any of the live versions. To me, some of them really are spectacular of course, but I like what I like. Same with almost all my favourite bands, I tend to prefer the studio/MV versions over all but a few live ones.*shrug*

[@PrymalChaos]

I tend to be the same with a few exceptions. The Wacken version of Ghost Love Score by Nightwish is a standout for me over the studio version.

[@DaElfer]

Here i thiught the reason she is doing that is she is showing off lol