Music Teacher Reacts: BANDMAID - The Dragon Cries

[@viaverde3153]

The producer of this song is Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T Rex, etc.), who, after watching their performance in NYC, was so impressed with Band Maid that he asked the girls let him to produce at least one song with them. Miku and Saiki flew over to his studio in New York for the recording of the vocals and the final mix.

[@patron40silver]

I don't know why, I'm not a musician, but this song sounds a little off to me. I know people have said Visconti screwed up but I'm not smart enough, or trained, to understand what it is I'm hearing that sounds wrong.

[@Hedgehog1039]

@@patron40silver I think it is too harshly mixed. It has a lot of compression and the higher tones stand out so ti is a little grinding on the ears and not as full as it should otherwise sound... I honestly love the song but I HATE the production of it.

[@realdocloco]

That's not exactly the story. He had never saw them live when he invited Saiki and Miku to come to NYC to record their vocals parts and to mix the song. It's only two months later that he attended both their NYC shows - and was amazed for the second time.

[@jonasw3945]

love that bass drum part with the cool lead afterwards

[@freewheeler2go]

Band-Maid!! Bringing back the melodic hard rock feels from the 80s and 90s!! This band is Fire!! 🔥

[@1947dd]

Yo DJ, I enjoy all your reactions, but always happy to see you do my favorite band. It was cool to hear you talk about MISA (the bassist) and Akane (the drummer) both trained in jazz at the same school and were friends before joining Band Maid. If you enjoyed the sound of Dragon Cries, you should listen Manners (whether you react to it or not) which is off their most recent album. Well, see you Monday night DJ, awesome reaction like always.

[@davidornberg]

One of my fav songs of Band-Maid. Strong message!

[@markmathewssgbcpenaltyboxs6389]

Love this song. Thank you for reacting to this video.

[@Kevin6059]

Always great to see a knowledgeable person review a BM song - thanks, TMA. Checked out the Gojira song and while it's not my favorite style (those kind of vocals) the message is certainly important and I'm glad somebody's out there making music that appeals to young people with that message.

[@robwebnoid5763]

For this song, Saiki's vibrato seals the deal & completes the vibe (pun, vibe=vibrato). It reminds me of female blues singers, in general, or generically. The message of the M/V & song evokes the same despondency, fear, anger & frustration that happened during the protests of the Vietnam War, so this song has that same/similar characteristics of the Hendrix-type psychedelic blues rock style of that era, 5 decades ago. I could even hear some 1960-70's-style spring reverb if I listen hard enough, even if it may have not been used, idk.

[@me262talon2]

Thanks TMA!

[@JuanSan66]

Serious Maids. Top notch song. Toxic Garbage Island is a great song too.

[@andreaspedersen3952]

I believe this song was produced by Tony Visconti and Miku and Saiki flew all the way to his studio to do the vocals? Good song, but best studio? Hmmm... "Blooming" and "Daydreaming" for sure! You mentioned the pentatonic scale... Kanami has Santana as one of her biggest influences, and has said she learnt that scale by listening to Carlos.

[@MidnighterClub]

Band Maid recently released one song from their acoustic concert, and it's pretty dope. Check it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqmcmWdnnMaBpZI

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Dragons, a poignant commentary of the sad, self-inflicted current state of the world, is a great plunge into the bluesy rock style given to us by Hendrix and others. Heard live (and without the overly compressed mix), the song jumps from the souls of the members and into our minds as a warning. Let's all heed that warning and support our home planet!

[@chuckvelten5337]

This song is incredible live. Wasn't a big fan of it when her it first came out. The video is probably the reason why. Keep up the good work and stay safe and be well.

[@falconsooner]

Great reaction and analysis!

[@GSpotter63]

Next? I think you will love "Manners and Blackhole" live video... A 2 for 1.... The drums and base kicks ass on this one.

[@bartonbagnes4605]

Great message. "Running With The Wolves" by Aurora also has the same message, though it isn't metal it is definitely heavy, especially the music video.

[@マイク-q2m]

I love this song

[@richardrybicki749]

Mary on Richard's phone I'm not sure what you have in store for us this is a new one for me

[@richardrybicki749]

Mary here I'm going to have to listen to it again so I understand the placements that you're talking about I don't consider this a song per se although there was some vocals it's more to me a orchestrated piece with vocals.

[@nussekuddenxxx6564]

This is one of the B-M songs I'm most impressed of. Still, it makes me so depressed that I don't listen to it that often. However, that's the thing, B-M can put sounds to a feeling. Any feeling. I even like the mix. It's not pretty and should not be.

[@user-ym5wr6rp1d]

My fav

[@anthonyethridge5397]

This song, though still awesome, is a different feeling and sound for Band Maid. The lyrics were not written by Miku and Saiki so it's not their typical fair. The song was also produced and mastered by Tony Visconti who saw them in New York and was inspired to produce a song with them. The ladies noted with interest how different an American mix and mastering were from their Japanese style. Kanami said Visconti asked her to hold back on her usual exquisite detail and flourishes and go for a more pared down composition. Misa absolutely destroys on the bass in this song!

[@crabuki1273]

Always good to see you swing back around to BAND-MAID, DJ. The vocal recording choices made for this song disappointed me. They sound tinny and unnatural. BAND-MAID are no strangers to vocal effects, to be sure, but they're generally used sparingly. The music, as always, is aces.

[@TempleMusicAcademy]

Crabuki!!! I’ve missed you!! Hope you’re well and ruling at life! ❤️

[@jgulley7]

Tony Visconti produced the vocals not the song. Would have subscribed without the lazy "it's yer boy" opening. So sick of that phrase I get I'll when I hear it. Your a smart guy, be original.

[@crabuki1273]

For what it's worth, DJ is a good guy and very knowledgable musically. Sorry you don't like that phrase - it's not my favorite, either - but don't let it distract you from quality content. He generally streams on Monday nights on his YT channel, just to talk with the peeps. There are so many other vapid, lifeless reacters, it's nice to have one that cares about his viewers.

[@HyperArcadeSystems]

Love your videos... super charismatic dude with an aptitude of musical knowledge.. but I honestly cant stand this song. And its not even their fault, I dont think they should have ever worked with Tony... but did so for the exposure. They remixed the song later... but it just never felt right.

[@Puyax01]

Manners Beta verson

[@patron40silver]

I'm a grown ass man and The Exorcist is one of the only movies that still scares me.

[@stimproid]

Justin Bieber videos terrify me😬

[@patron40silver]

@@stimproid I'm too scared to even try to watch those.😬

[@stimproid]

@@patron40silver Better not risk it ;)

[@Metal_Auditor]

Honestly, this is one of my least favorite tracks from Conqueror. I still like it, though.

[@jkkansasband7056]

Love the song. Not the video. Great live. BAND-MAID is an Awesome band. Peace.

[@garykeeling2275]

I don't dislike this song, per se, but it is one of my least-favorite Band-Maid songs (along with "Daydreaming" and "Sense," yeah, I know, I'm gonna get some hate for not liking those, lol). Band-Maid's worst is better than most bands' best, but yeah, if there is a Band-Maid song that can be described as being "just okay," it's this one (MISA's bass prevents it from being entirely forgettable).

[@billb.5183]

Hate for not liking Daydreaming or Sense? Nah. It's not a crime to be delusional. ;)

[@interstellardave]

Sense is one of my least favorite songs of theirs too. This one, though, is a great song IMO. Even if you don’t like the song I don’t see how you can’t also recognize how great the guitar and drum work is!

[@_JimS]

TI love this song but this and Thrill are the only two Band-Maid song I prefer to listen to and not watch. Screw this wore out message and the music industry can keep them. Just play the damn music. This isn't Band-Maid but a New Yorker Visconti trying to stay relevant.....don't get me started