I’ve always been fascinated by DIAURA as a band. I’ve also always been dumbfounded by them
because I’ve never been able to come up with an effective way to classify or describe their
music. The best overall summary of any aspect of DIAURA seems to be best described by the phrase “ not quite [A],
but not quite [B]”. The general tone of their music is not quite light, but not
quite dark. Most of the background instruments in their songs are not quite
orchestral, but not quite contemporary. And the primary format of their
releases is not quite the same as a major band’s, but not quite the same as an
indie band’s either. All I know for sure is that DIAURA’s music is mystifyingly
powerful, and it continues to be that way in their latest album. FOCUS is an entertaining work of art that will delight fans and hypnotize the
rest of us with its incredible variety and unique sound.
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| FOCUS Album Cover (Regular Edition) |
Tracklist:
1. Code:0
2. 砂上の夢(Sajou no Yume)
3. TABOO
4. SIRIUS (FOCUS MIX)
5. .赤い虚像(Akai Kyozou)
6. Sleeping beauty
7. Invisible
8. Lost rain～失いの雨、その記憶との共生～ (Lost rain～Ushinai no ame.sono kioku tono kyousei～)
9. The Redemption
10. イノセント(Innocent)
11. TRIGGER
"Code:0" starts the album off strong. It’s a somewhat heavy song that features a few instances of electronic distortion (the digital stutter used during the instrumentals preceding each verse is a nice
touch). "Sajou no Yume" is a classic (and decently executed) example of the
powerful-yet-upbeat song structure that has become a regular inclusion on many
visual kei albums over the last year or so (see "Ibitsu" by the GazettE and "Setsugekka" by Sadie for other examples). The powerful "TABOO" is one of my personal favorites from this album. Beginning (and
ending) with a catchy and somewhat tribal use of soft chimes, this song
combines strong guitar riffs with electric violins and traditional sitar music. It is quite an impressive song.
The only part of the album-version of "SIRIUS" that has
changed from the original version appears to the sound mixing. The volume of certain
parts of the song (both foreground and background music) have been slightly
increased or decreased to create a fuller, more epic version of the original
sound without modifying the actual song in any way. This modification pulls the
listener in a little bit more and somehow seems to make the song feel slower. It's still a solid song, and whether you like this version more than the single version will simply depend
on what mood you’re in. "Akai Kyozou" opens with distorted and chanting screams, builds
anticipation during the verses, and accelerates into the more upbeat chorus. It's a very good song, and DIAURA made a good call by making "Akai Kyozou" a promotional track: this song really feels like a DIAURA song and is similar to
many of their past non-PV tracks in style and quality.
Whether or not you will enjoy "Sleeping Beauty" by
the time you get to it on the album will depend on how much you like
lighter-sounding rock songs (I personally didn't care for it). Out of context
of the album, it’s a solid light song, but for me it seemed like FOCUS took one tiny step too far into
the area of lighter rock music with this song, especially when you consider all
of the other lighter-sounding songs that are also on this album. DIAURA makes clever use of minor-key guitar
and piano scales in “Invisible” to create an ominously intriguing experience
for the listener. "Lost rain～Ushinai no ame.sono kioku tono kyousei～" is a beautiful and relaxing
ballad full of acoustic guitar, violin, and cascading jingle bells.
FOCUS
switches
to a darker and more ominous tone once again in "The Redemption". The guitars in this song are slow and
pounding during the verses, elegant and steady during the chorus, and complex
and epic during the bridge. FOCUS
switches back to a lighter tone just as quickly in "Innocent". "Innocent" is a
light and triumphant song that would have been a typical ending for most
visual-kei albums, but FOCUS isn't’t
like most visual-kei albums. Instead,
the album closes with “TRIGGER”, one of the promotional tracks. Although “TRIGGER”
follows the previously-mentioned powerful-yet-upbeat formula used in "Sajou no Yume", it is
also infused with more of DIAURA’s
passion and energy than any of the other songs on this album. My only complaint
about this song is that its tone shifts drastically between the verses and
chorus, so much so that it takes the listener out of the experience a bit.
Regardless, “TRIGGER” is a very powerful song.
It’s ironic that the title of this album is “FOCUS”,
because it seems like the album’s primary goal is to avoid having any sort of central
theme. With that said, it's amazing how well this "lack of concept" idea works for this album While listening to FOCUS, I felt like I was experiencing a
multitude of rock genre combinations at once. But at the same time, the unique
ways in which DIAURA makes these combinations gives the album a distinctly original sound, and that
means a lot in a movement that is chock-full of musical
experimentation. I don’t know if I would say that FOCUS is for absolutely everyone, but I definitely think that
everyone should listen to FOCUS, as
it provides a unique experience that all visual-kei listeners should try at
least once. And if you’re like me, then you’ll keep on listening to DIAURA, even if it's for no other reason than to figure out just what
it is about them that makes them so different from the rest of the visual-kei
scene. I still haven't quite put my finger on it but, thanks to the quality and originality of their music, I'm having quite a fun time trying.
By It At...
What did YOU think of FOCUS? Agree or disagree, let me knowin the comments below.
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