Listen/Review:

[@HaroMatsuRestarted]

For Take me higher!!, the Akasaka Blitz show was performed on January 2017, which is before Saiki’s surgery. I’d recommend you to find the live performance video from Shinkiba Studio Coast live performance from November 2017, which has better sounding recordings and has awesome bass/guitar dual on the bridge.

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks for the dates! I'll look for that other performance from later in the year... EDIT: Found it! I noticed Miku's guitar is turned up in that mix too -- sounds very *metal*, and impressive. the bass/lead duel was very nice too. Thanks!

[@greylocke100]

@@Chan_Fry Take me Higher and Play from Studio coast together are a favorite of mine. When I edited the mp3 of the concert that I made I purposefully edited those two songs to play as the did in the concert. They just flow together so well.

[@daft73games]

@15:23 Totally agree. Saiki has such a great *Sense* of how to use lyrical *cadence* . 🕊🕊🕊

[@Chan_Fry]

Which makes her as much a musician as the rest of them. :-)

[@Davey-Boyd]

Miku usually does get one song per album where she takes lead vocals. On the last album she had "Sayonakidori" and on the album to be released this summer she has "Brightest Star" - which they have played live a lot recently. Miku's songs so far are: 1. "Summer Drive" 2. "Big Dad" 3. "Beauty And The Beast" 4. "Time" 5. "Rock In Me" 6. "Sayonakidori" (Nightingale) 7. "Brightest Star" (On next album, not yet released) I'm loving your Band-Maid reviews Chan, thank you.

[@Chan_Fry]

Good to know! And now I've reviewed four of those seven (and looking forward to the other three). :-)

[@greylocke100]

Take me Higher, and Time are two of my most listened to. What am I saying, the entire ALBUM and all the other songs by the Ladies are listened to constantly. I mean it's not like a I have a playlist of over 200 songs, including various live versions that is constantly playing whenever I am not on my computer. I'm sorry, it's true. Whenever I go away from my computer, I put in my earbuds and start my Band-Maid playlist. :)

[@Chan_Fry]

That sounds like a very pleasant existence. :-) Listening to these songs, on top of the ones I've already covered, I sometimes wonder if any other bands are necessary... But then I remind myself that it's the misfortunes in life that help us appreciate the better moments.

[@BillHallisey]

"Cross" is why is such a great band to see live. So much excellence comes out when they perform the song in front of an audience. Their sound people are outstanding. OOParts is the only song that Band-Maid has never performed before a live audience. I do not know why. I don't know why. I would love to find the reason for that. OOParts means Out Of Place Artifacts. Kanami's guitar in this song really takes me soaring. The fast pace and bouncy energy of the vocals is still a lot of fun.

[@Chan_Fry]

Oh, that's an interesting tidbit about 'OOPARTS' - that they've never played it live... Now you've got me wondering too. :-) And you're absolutely correct about their sound people. Of the many hundreds of live performance videos I've watched, almost none match the quality of Band-Maid's.

[@bbobjs]

Someone probably beat me to it, but the term OOPArt means "Out of Place Artifact". I'm not too certain about the history of the term but it's relatively modern and was intended to be used as a way for archeologists to discuss discoveries that appear too advanced or suggest a function beyond what was assumed for the civilization. Unfortunately it's much more commonly used in mysticism and conspiracy theories. As it relates to Japan specifically though it became popular in the 1980s tethered to the concept of Espers (i.e. people who can use ESP, or otherwise have psychic powers) and the likely more familiar term Ufos (i.e. UFOs but significant for being pronounced as a single word 'You-Foe' rather than an acronym and thus slightly more detached from the idea that it could be a non-alien flying object). Concepts like these are strongly linked to the Dark Urban Fantasy movement that was popular in Japan during the 1990s depression. As it relates to the lyrics of the song, even though it's not by Miku it shares qualities of how Miku writes songs. I'd generally describe the song as using vaguely esoteric concepts to justify a self-empowerment narrative. My take is that the first verse is about feeling stuck, the chorus is a challenge to recognize the wonder around you, the second verse hints at an acknowledgement of wonder but a rejection of it as significant and the final bridge is a call to face reality with reality within the content of this song generally being things that aren't real but could be given analogs within reality if people choose to strive for them rather than live life as if nothing can be changed/improved.

[@Chan_Fry]

Wow, that's a deep description of the lyrical meaning... As for the acronym, I now see that "Out of place artifact" is in both the English and Japanese versions of the lyrics (I just didn't catch it when listening, nor would I have realized it was related to the title, LOL). Thanks!

[@tinyhato]

Nice to see you back! Once you hear Band-Maid it's hard to go so long without listening to them. Lots of respect for you for managing to stay away for the sake of these videos. Very much in agreement when you said, "all my top 10 songs have been supplanted by Band-Maid songs". It's not fair to compare them to other bands. For me they're on another level; there is Band-Maid and then there is everybody else. People say, "Band-Maid is just a JRock band" and I don't get it. I haven't heard any band that sounds like Band-Maid, and I've been looking --with this as my goal-- for years. And whenever someone tells me I'm putting them on a pedestal I say, "No, they put themselves there." I'm waiting for other bands to catch up, and I hope one day some bands do. My take on the "OOParts" lyrics is that the someone found some evidence that their partner is cheating (that's the out of place artifact) and they're ending the relationship. I'm basing that on lines like, "end of a comic book, world's gone blue"; "invisible enemy" and especially "it's in your right pocket, rusting ooparts" I assume this is the evidence. I noticed how difficult "Take Me Higher" seemd for them and was writing a comment, then I watched some more of the video and you mentioned it as well. It's funny; if they played this song today they'd wonder how they ever found it difficult. Their constant desire to improve is both admirable and inspirational. "So What?" is in my top "written by other people" Band-Maid songs, along with "Freezer", "Smile", and a couple others. The effect you're talking about is "wah-wah". It's the one that's like a gas pedal on the pedalboard and you push it down and release it to change the frequencies it's affecting. In "Time" you wondered about when the lyrics were written. Miku always writes the lyrics after hearing the music. And yes, we need more Miku vocals. The trading vocals are always a highlight of any song they're in. Can't wait for the next video. There's some bangers coming up. Have a great day!

[@Chan_Fry]

"...and I've been looking for years." -- Exactly. A few years ago, I was showing my kids a GNR video and realized "I'm just like the old guys when I was a kid -- they were stuck listening to the same music they'd always liked." So I started looking for new music. I liked a couple of Unleash the Archers songs, but power metal really isn't my sweet spot. I enjoyed the Warning a bit but something intangible was lacking for me. Once I found Band-Maid, I've kept up the search but nothing comes close. (And it's even worse if I go backward in time; now my old favorites, most of them, sound paltry by comparison.) -- Interesting take on OOPARTS. I did finally see the "out of place artifact" in the lyrics and others here have mentioned it as well, so now I at least know where the title comes from. :-) -- I think you're right that today they wouldn't blink at "Take me higher ! !", but the end of that video makes it look like their prime achievement up to that point. :-) "wah-wah" -- I actually thought of that as I was talking, but suddenly believed I was about to make a fool of myself if I said it aloud, so I hedged and pretended I didn't know the name. It just SOUNDS silly, doesn't it? :-) "Miku always writes the lyrics after hearing the music" -- well, that makes sense then. It sure sounds like this was written hand-in-hand.

[@jwoodjapan]

Thanks for doing this part of the album, Chan. My favorite songs from this batch are Time and Take Me Higher. Love the wah-wah on TMH. My love of rock music is based on the sound of the electric guitar and Mincho's playing is just wondrous. She drives the songs for me, though I love all the other musicians as well--they all have their place but I'm a lead-guitar lover from way back. Time is in my top-ten fav songs just because of the catchy riff, though I like Miku's singing as well. It's the song of hers that I like best, even more than Sayonakidori. Mincho's guitar solo is short but oh, so sweet. I just like everything about this song and when it's played on my CD, I usually repeat it at least five times. That riff just sends me.

[@Chan_Fry]

Well said. Yes, from the beginning, the lead guitar has almost always been what drove me to hard rock, which is why I light up so much when Kanami is featured. :-) But if THIS had been the first band I'd heard, I might feel differently -- every single one of them is unbelievably good.

[@AndersonConnors]

I saw your comment over on the Take Me Higher video... something like "if all of rock had to be just one song, it could be this one..." For me , that would be Manners, but I hear you.

[@Chan_Fry]

To be fair, there are a few dozen Band-Maid songs about which that could be said. Fortunately, we don't have to condense all of rock into one song, but I'd be okay if it was Manners. :-)

[@schelin1447]

The whole album is a masterpiece! A fantastic album!

[@Chan_Fry]

I can't disagree. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

I imagine the cover art tells the story of Miku enchanting Saiki into the band.

[@Chan_Fry]

It does look like she's handing over the blue flower, so maybe you've got something. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

@@Chan_Fry 🌹💠🍌🥃☕

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Your Band-Maid journey just shows how remarkably prolific Kanami, Miku, and Maids are. I don't think any band playing today has as many awesomely solid tunes as Band-Maid. The Warning is coming on strong, so if there ever was two great bands ready to lead the Great, Worldwide Rock 'n Roll Revival, it's these two. See them together at EX THEATER RIPPONGI, Japan, June 12! Thx, Chan!

[@Chan_Fry]

They are indeed incredibly prolific, and I'm glad for it. As for other bands today, I've been searching (and I was sifting through them when I found Band-Maid) without much luck. I think the Warning was as close as I got to a eureka moment before finding Band-Maid. :-)

[@Lillywhite]

Ah, the album that started off my love affair with these fantastic people and musicians. So, What? is still a personal fave.

[@Chan_Fry]

One reason I decided to go through every single song was so I could find gems like these five... No official videos, so very few reactions to them... But they're sitting here, waiting for me to enjoy them. :-)

[@Lillywhite]

@@Chan_Fry You're not wrong. I forgot just how good TIME was, listening to it again now. A great refresher by coming along on this journey with you.

[@waynebenedict5785]

Just Bring It as an album is just brilliant, all the way through! "Take Me Higher" is a top favorite of mine and "Time" is still my favorite Miku Song, although I like all of Miku's lead songs. I'm also in love with Miku's pearl and abalone guitar in this video!

[@Chan_Fry]

She definitely has an eye for beautiful guitars. :-)

[@geoffb5]

I hope when you get to Awkward you can find the live version from the 2017 Shinkiba Studio Coast concert. That song along with the one before it Matchless Gum is what drove me to acquire the concert on the limited edition release. Nice review again, thanks. Written just before you said you had a link to a live version, oops.

[@Chan_Fry]

Yes, I my Awkward link says 2017.11.24, which I believe is the Studio Coast show's date. Fingers crossed. :-)

[@elliott8339]

Thanks for the reaction and comments. These songs are often overlooked by other reactors. They're fun and definitely have a "classic" feel and sound to them. Keep it up. Really appreciate your efforts. Cheers!

[@Chan_Fry]

Thank you, Elliott. I think most reactors stick to the official videos and are mostly concerned with "what will get me the most clicks/subs?". Fortunately, I have no intention of monetizing this channel and am only interested in my own enjoyment of Band-Maid. :-)

[@tasminoben686]

Guten, morning, Master! Thank You very Matsch for your interesting Video with all This Information! This, was my good Night Show! My bad is calling! Du be Ready for The Weeknd! Greetings from Hamburg again Ben❤

[@Chan_Fry]

Thank you for watching/listening. Enjoy your weekend! :-)

[@russellpotter7294]

Another interesting and involving review. An album that I play often without it getting stale. It is a nice mish mash of ideas and themes that are just able to gel together. I always call it their first 'classic' album. As a collective it is a great piece of work. Akane is such a strong backbone to the album. 'Time' is a concert favourite for Miku and her poignant rendition is always a joy to listen to. Love these reviews and thanks for the work and time it takes. Lots of enjoyment as always.

[@Chan_Fry]

Her voice is certainly perfect for that song. :-)

[@bandmaidfanATL]

10:34 OOParts has never been played live. In fact, it is the only "Band-Maid" song that has never been played live by the Maids

[@Chan_Fry]

Someone else mentioned this and now I'm truly curious... The maids *must* know that's the case, and I'm sure they have a reason...

[@bandmaidfanATL]

@@Chan_Fry I saw an interesting discussion in the DC chat. Evidently, during the "Make-up" show in Tokyo back in Feb or March, Saiki asked the audience if they had any requests. Someone suggested OOParts, knowing the significance, and Saiki acknowledged the request, but they did not play it. I am sure there is a reason, and Saiki does the setlists, but no official reason has been given.

[@chakouyang2545]

Great job brother sometime is good to hear the early music by our favorite band

[@Chan_Fry]

Absolutely. In the previous album, I thought Band-Maid had hit their stride, but this one is on an entirely different level so far. I hope it finishes out as strong as it started. :-)

[@AndersonConnors]

I think TIME and OOPARTS are my favorites of these five... Both manage to sound uptempo without being heavy and both are beautiful in different ways.

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks, Anderson. :-) I like them both but neither hit me as hard as "Take me higher ! !"...

[@785boats]

I love the way you are doing this series of albums. Great reactions, & great insights. You are going to love the 'World Domination' album. It's one of my favorite rock albums. And I grew up with Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Uriah Heap, Black Sabbath, Yes, Pink Floyd, Ac/Dc, Pavlov's Dog, Genesis, etc from the early 70's.

[@grahamreed8774]

Same music history as me. I'm 71 now and was lucky enough to see all these bands really early on and still now if they are still touring. Great times.

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks! I'm only 51 so most of those were past their prime by the time I became aware of them. I did see Black Sabbath live (the reunited version, at OzFest in 2001) but it was a bit embarrassing how one of them was completely inarticulate and seemed to have no idea where he was or what was going on. Certainly, I've often wished to be able to see some of those greats when they were truly in their best moments. :-)

[@TomClark-Futoura]

So, What, Chan? The Wah Wah pedal, that's what! ;-)

[@Chan_Fry]

Ah! I ALMOST said that, but suddenly wondered if that was a made-up name that would make me sound ridiculous, LOL. :-) Thanks.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

@@Chan_Fry LOL

[@grahamreed8774]

This is a great rock album. A drum part between sections is usually called a fill. If it's at the beginning it's called a pick-up. Kanami's guitar work on this album is fantastic- great sound and tone- lovely and crunchy. With a PRS bass (My wife has one) you can get the MIsa tone by turning the bass and treble right up. Full solid sound with some twang with resonance.

[@Chan_Fry]

Thanks for the info. Yes, it seems Kanami went all out here, as did MISA and Akane. So far, I haven't found a song where the three of them didn't push themselves to exhaustion. (Except maybe TIME, which feels a bit simplified compared to the rest.)

[@G-man_810]

Thanks for this review…this album is more classic hard rock sound! A-lot more Wahwah pedal! Mincho has stopped using the pedal to this degree. I believe all the songs on this album have BM twist even if not credited with it, I feel this album was where Band-Maid determined some of the lyrics direct for vocals. Miku has blossomed as a lyricist….and a vocalist…TIME! 🤘🕊️🦍🥷👸🏻👀PO!

[@Chan_Fry]

You're welcome. I can't wait to get to the next few songs. :-)

[@Kevin6059]

My 2nd favorite album after World Domination. I love them all though, needless to say! As a wise man recently said, the first 3 songs on this album are the best first 3 songs on any album ever.

[@Chan_Fry]

That person was indeed wise in the ways of rock. :-) There have been some amazing "first songs" on albums (like "Welcome to the Jungle", for example, and "Immigrant Song", "Highway To Hell", etc.) But three in a row? Especially tracks 2 and 3... :-)

[@Davey-Boyd]

An out-of-place artefact (OOPArt or oopart) is an artefact of historical, archaeological, or paleontological interest to someone that is claimed to have been found in an unusual context, which someone claims to challenge conventional historical chronology by its presence in that context. - wiki Basically something out of place

[@Chan_Fry]

Interesting! Learn something new every day. :-)

[@BillHallisey]

If you look closely, the cover art resembles a skull.

[@daft73games]

Yas 🤘💀🤘

[@Chan_Fry]

Ha, yes, someone pointed that out to me a few reactions ago (I hadn't noticed until they said it.) :-)

[@chalfo]

Needing to define what a solo is is a nonsense idea to me really. Rush famously renowned for all soloing all at once and making it sound cohesive and I would argue the girls do the same. You still need the other instruments there to accentuate certain elements or to help with dynamics or speed of the section. I look at it this way: You always need a narrative. Mostly it's the vocals but solo sections it's (generally) the guitar that takes over the lines of narrative with the others instruments continuing to provide the scenery (but having to fill in more colors). Of course once you get to an instrumental section (or indeed those songs that are purely instrumental), any one of them can take up the main narrative at any point.

[@Chan_Fry]

Well said! I don't know whether or not there are industry-accepted definitions of "guitar solo"; for me it's just a part where the lead guitar (or multiple guitars in some bands) take over, as you said, "the narrative", and stand out from the rest. I can't explain why, but I've never been a fan of Rush (I do know that YT started recommending Rush to me A LOT after I started listening to Band-Maid, so...)

[@chalfo]

@@Chan_Fry Lots of Band-Maid love from old Rush fans - Yeah, it probably depends where (what period) you enter their stuff from, and whether you can stomach Geddy's vocals. I didn't get on wat all with their early Led Zep type high pitched stuff for quite a while, preferring more (and entered at) their Synth phase. It always surprises me that (esp when it comes from musicians) for instrumentals, people say "it's almost as if the guitar is the lyrics" ... of course it is, that's what is providing the narrative/melody! Anyway, have a good weekend! Cheers

[@久保川由規-c7p]

Nickelback、Animals？

[@Chan_Fry]

I saw a similar comment underneath one of the "Take me higher ! !" videos, so I went over and listened to "Animals" again (hadn't heard it in many years). Yes, the opening riff seems remarkably similar, but there the similarities end (at least to my ears). The rest of the "Animals" song was, let's say, "un-fun" for me, while the rest of "Take me higher ! !" was fan-freaking-tastic. :-)