8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Rock Album, No Matter What Country You're From!, 29 Oct 2004
By Richard Jew - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Houkai Anpurifa (Audio CD)
Admittedly, Houkai Amplifier lacks some of the catchy originality that was displayed on Kimi Tsunagi 5-M, but it's nonetheless a great album. AKFG (Aji-kan in Japan) is one of my favorite bands because they know how to rock out, and the lead sing Gotoh has great screaming vocals when he lets loose, but enough understated apathy to carry the gentler parts of his lyrics. This CD is worthwhile just for Haruka Kanata, the opening theme for Naruto that broadened their fan base, while the rest of the songs are somewhat reminiscent of Weezer mixed with Gotoh's great lyrics. I think that none of these tracks particularly highlights any one of the band members over the others, whereas Kimi Tsunagi 5-M had different textures for the songs (evoking a range from pensive U2 to power chord 80's rock) that allowed you to appreciate the extraordinary bass work in the foundation, the great guitar riffs and some awesome drumwork. Still, Rasshinban is a solid song, and the lyrics for Konayuki are interesting. Their latest singles, especially Rewrite, are good, and as long as they stay true to their indy rock roots and still rock out, their next album should be a good one.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My Declaration...It Rocks, 18 Oct 2004
By Spyral "Its All Just A Ride" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Houkai Anpurifa (Audio CD)
Asian Kung-Fu Generation has been probably the best of the J-Rock/Pop bands that I've heard so far. Catchy songs. I took a chance on an excurion to the Shibuya Tower Records, and it has not let me down. I have since purchased another album by them, and plan on buying their new one when it comes out next month. The price on Amazon is a bit high, but the used prices are good.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AKG will Rock Your World!, 21 Aug 2004
By Katie Caiozzo - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Houkai Anpurifa (Audio CD)
I discovered this group because their song, "Haruka Kanata" was featured as the second opening for the anime Naruto. I immediately checked out their main album, Kunkei Five M, and was very surprised at how good they were. Houkai Amplifier was a mini-album released before Kunkei Five M, but has some excellent songs on it. The songs tend to be very fast paced and have excellent driving beats. I especially enjoyed "Haruka Kanata" (track 1), "Compass" (track 2), "Ao no Uta" (track 4), and "12" (track 6). Asian Kung-Fu Generation is your standard rock group, that is making a great name for itself. Some of their earlier works can be a little redundant, but the new stuff they are coming out with is excellent! I defintely suggest this mini-album as a small taste of AKG. If you really enjoy these songs, then I suggest looking at their album "Kunkei Five M", and their latest singles "Loop and Loop" and "Rewrite"!