Listen/Review:

Next up in my chronological journey through Band-Maid's catalog is the 2018 album "World Domination", which opens with the absolute face-melter "I can't live without you." In this video, I listen to that song plus track 3, "One and only".
NOTE: "World Domination" is the first album on which Band-Maid was credited with ALL songs (with help on three songs: "Fate", "Rock In Me", and "Turn Me On").
Please consider supporting Band-Maid via the following links:
Band-Maid official website: bandmaid.tokyo/
Band-Maid on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5Wh3G...
Chan's Band-Maid playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/2l9...
Band-Maid on KZbin: / @bandmaid @BANDMAID
Band-Maid 'World Domination' playlist: • WORLD DOMINATION
I can't live without you. (audio only) : • I can't live without you.
One and only (audio only) : • One and only
Since this is a review/reaction, I hope "fair use" doctrine applies here.
#rock #review #reaction #musicvideo #audio #bandmaid #jrock
0:00 Intro
1:12 I can't live without you.
8:24 One and only
16:45 Bloopers

[@philcalvino884]

Band-Maid, the One and Only master builder of wild and wonderful bridges!

[@user-bf2jp9dt4n]

One and only is THe One and only Like it!!

[@COTTERO]

Great reaction.👍 Two great songs, the live version of "I Can't Live Without You" from Line Cube Shibuya 2020 is one of my favorite Maids live versions. The live version of "One and Only" from Zepp Tokyo 2018 I think is the best.😉

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks! I haven't seen either one of those lives -- I assume they're locked behind paywalls somewhere. Fingers crossed that they come back to Texas someday and I'm lucky enough to see some of these live in person. :-)

[@geoffb5]

These two along with "Turn Me On" and "You" have been what I've listened to the most lately. Being a strange duck I like to listen to them just before going to bed as having hard rocking Band-Maid running through my head drives out all the bad stuff and helps me sleep peacefully. Another gift they have brought me. Great songs. Wish they would put up the Spin-Off versions as YT videos.

[@Chan_Fry]

"the Spin-Off versions as YT videos..." -- I'd love to see that! "just before going to bed" -- For a few months in 2023, I listened to "Be OK" every single night as my mind-armor against dark thoughts, but now it seems as if any of their tunes will do the same trick. :-) I totally understand.

[@AndersonConnors]

I think it's a signature characteristic of Band-Maid that they keep challenging themselves - vocally, musically, etc. In so many of these songs, I see imaginary conversations between the members... "Isn't this too difficult for us?" "Yes, so we must try harder than ever before." "Okay, po."

[@Chan_Fry]

Yes, it's almost as if their existence and excellence is the plot of a show. All those catchphrases come to mind... "I can't do this alone... We must work together..." (insert 30-second training montage then cut to the Maids walking into the bright stage lights in battle armor).

[@daaaaaave]

What Miku lacked in guitar skills, she more than made up for with courage. There are candid clips of her in the practice room, and she looks so fierce. I think she has to smile so much at shows so she doesn’t scare everyone away.

[@Chan_Fry]

One could say she was pushing the envelope, like a fierce tiger. ;-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

Saiki really impressed me when I heard her sing ICLWY live. If you think it is painful to hear her on a recording, imagine hearing it live.

[@Chan_Fry]

I almost feel bad, that I'm enjoying the product of their (apparent) pain... But it's SO good. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

@@Chan_Fry Saiki's a big girl. She knows what she's doing.

[@BillHallisey]

The most amazing thing about Band-Maid is that they mess with your brain during some of their songs and you wind up loving it. They ARE NEVER boring!!!!! They aren't afraid to experiment with any beat, any sound, or any genre, Frank Zappa is always known for his musical innovation. I wonder what he would think if he heard "One and Only". You did a great analysis of both songs. Thanks a lot!!!!!

[@Chan_Fry]

Thank you! I think what I love about Band-Maid's "experimentation" is that they never seem to do it self-consciously... To them, it just seemed like the perfect thing to do at that moment, and they deliver it with such sincerity and seriousness that all I can do is accept it. And realize it was, indeed, the perfect thing to do at that moment. :-)

[@daft73games]

Great as always listening to your thoughts on the music! Love the *bloopers* 🤣 🤘❤‍🔥🤘

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks! I just now remembered to add a timestamp for the bloopers. :-)

[@zoob6510]

"One and only" is the theme song for the Japanese horror trilogy film "Kurui-bana". I think it's a bit of an unusual song among BAND-MAID's songs, but I really like it. The synth riff is distinctive, but I think there were some live performances without the synth backing track. At those times, Kanami's guitar dominated and it was really good.

[@Chan_Fry]

Interesting trivia there...

[@tinyhato]

Here. We. Go. I'm an "Unseen World" guy and I love that albums' opener, "Warning!", so much. But "I can't live without you" is still my favourite opening track from any of their albums. The opening riff hits so hard and the whole song is still one of Saiki's best performances. The perfect opener. The "One and Only" breakdown is still one of the weirdest things they've ever done. It's like they combined the "Brand New Road" breakdown with the second verse of "YOLO". I can't believe they pulled this song out at the "Rockville" festival a couple years ago, because I feel like the breakdown is going to confuse most listeners haha. Not my favourite song by them, but of course if it was any other band I'd be saying, "Holy crap, I need to listen to more of this band immediately!" I couldn't believe when you said, "it's like they looked into my head and pulled out exactly what I love" (paraphrasing) because I've said the exact same thing, just regarding their songs as a whole. No band has ever done this before. Have a good day.

[@Chan_Fry]

"one of Saiki's best performances" -- You're not wrong. I don't think someone can sing that without proper training and several bucketfuls of natural talent. "can't believe they pulled this song out at the Rockville festival" -- I see what you mean, if the intent is to be user-friendly to casual rock listeners. But if the intent is to say THIS is what we do sometimes, I hope you like it, then it's perfect. :-) I think if it had been my very first Band-Maid song, I might have raised eyebrows and become curious, but I think it wouldn't have floored me like Freedom and Play did when I saw those live videos... "looked into my head" -- Agreed that no other band has done this for me before. The formation of the bass tone, the drum patterns, the judicious use of harmonies, chugging rhythm guitar work, and of course the passion and energy -- all of it is exactly what I was looking for and hadn't previously found (oops, another accidental reference to the Irish band's 1980s work). ありがとう, as always.

[@jwoodjapan]

Even these two songs, which aren't in my top couple of tiers of Maids' songs, are totally worth listening to. Thanks, Chan.

[@Chan_Fry]

You're welcome. I do love that I can confidently start any track of theirs and be at least satisfied, if not totally engaged or blown away by bliss. I am torn about how high "I can't live without you." should be on my list... Currently I think "very high". :-)

[@waynebenedict5785]

A great pair of songs to start a great album!

[@Chan_Fry]

Agreed!

[@_JimS]

Stay with it! Loving your format so far.

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks!

[@elliott8339]

Hi Chan, Happy Independence Day. Great comments, as always. Cheers!

[@Chan_Fry]

Indeed. From the sound of it, most of my neighbors are lawbreakers. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

ICLWY was the surprise highlight of my first live Okyu-ji in DC in 2022. It took me about 30 seconds to realize what song it was. For a treat, look up Vlad's fancam.

[@Chan_Fry]

I did just watch that... I'm amazed at how Kanami just blazed through the solo without changing expression... like it was nothing. :-)

[@drogonr9318]

Thanks for the wonderful reaction. "One and only" is one of my fav songs by the band - it's such a creative composition, and one of the songs that I think of when I think about why I love this band so much.

[@Chan_Fry]

It certainly has a unique sound, a brilliantly fun and divergent breakdown, and a catchy chorus. It's been running through my head in the days since I recorded this. :-)

[@interstellardave]

They play ICLWY live very sparingly, probably because it does stress Saiki quite a bit. I was lucky they played it when I saw them in 2022, and it was killer! Even though Domination is a staple for them now I’ve always thought ICLWY “dominates” more.

[@Chan_Fry]

I agree! It does "dominate" more than Domination (which I've just recorded my reaction for, by the way, and it should be live by tomorrow) -- Domination just has a fun, familiar feel to it, but the title seems off to me. :-)

[@topographic1973ify]

This whole album is killer. All their albums are excellent (I have them) but this one really holds a special place in my heart.

[@Chan_Fry]

Certainly every album I have so far is excellent. I'm still on the fence as to whether this will top "Just Bring It" for me. :-)

[@topographic1973ify]

@@Chan_Fry This particular album always reminds me a bit of Led Zeppelin IV just because it has some pure rockers. Honey is a great cover too.

[@bm4-life]

1:38 Oh no *Rick Beato* the audio is over compressed 😊 _Every song needs a music video_

[@Chan_Fry]

I've heard of this guy; he sounds like he thinks a lot of himself. :-) In this case, I think it was an issue with my own equipment.

[@blackflagnation]

This album was my introduction to Band Maid, and I was blown away. Great songs and a solid album

[@Chan_Fry]

"totally blown away" -- I can only imagine... But now that I think about it, three of my first five Band-Maid songs were from Domination (Dice, Play, Domination)... Now I worry that I'm spoiled with such good rock that I'll be difficult to please in the future. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

12:57 😘

[@ral8452]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXWaeXeJpd91m6c live video

[@Chan_Fry]

Yes, that showed up in my search, but for me it's unwatchable. I'm sure they were great at the show, but my brain would never allow me to enjoy such an edit. :-/