"Say it again.... We have a T-REX!" (excuse my excitement)
1. The Intro
Right now it's Last Song.
But which version will be on the album?
Keeping in mind "all new recordings".....
Three options are:
i) 2008.3.28 Night of Destruction (live)
ii) English Short Intro (Grammy Museum Ver.)
iii) The ending piano part of the Single Ver.
You can arrange these into any order you prefer.
There are good reasons both historically, musically and
business-wise for either of these to take first honours.
Let's explore each briefly below.
2008.3.28 Night of Destruction (live Ver.):-
- It is the bridge between the Last Live and the renuinted X JAPAN we know and love
- It is the 1st time many fans from around the world fulfilled their dream of seeing X JAPAN live
- That incredible scream from the fans when Toshl's silhouette becomes visible behind the stage curtain ;)
English Short Intro:-
- It's in English
- It sounds like an intro and would still be considered an "all new recording"
- YOSHIKI already previewed it with Katie, so the lyrics are done
The ending piano part of the Single Ver.:-
- It makes artistic sense
- It would be original and innovative
- Fans would appreciate it, and new comers would oneday discover the genius behind it
- A fourth and final thought.... YOSHIKI likes leaving pretty awesome Easter Eggs in his music
2. The Album
So far Jade / Beneath the Skin / Hero and what looks like either an I or an L has been teased for Track 11. Some people say it must be IV. Other's hope it is the mysterious 'Larme', which no one knows much about other than that it was meant to be a song for VIOLET UK, and it ended up as the name of YOSHIKI's brand of Perfume (not sure which idea came first).
Let's assume it is IV for now..Can you imagine the 1st new single not making the album?
Let's also assume that Born to Be Free will make the album.
It never got a single release, but is catchy and has been apparently worked on
(despite no one ever hearing a studio version with real drums)
3. Without You / Scarlet Love Song
These are the only 2 new songs that are almost completely in Japanese.
They are the only 2 new ballads.
I don't think YOSHIKI has written an English version of either.
So I guess it will be a choice between pleasing the fans, or pleasing the US market who might not like 2 songs in full Japanese (hey don't shoot the messenger...).
I've seen an interesting theory that Without You will not be on the album,
however it will be released later as a sort of compilation mini album, featuring:-
Without You
Without You (live)
Without You (classical)
Without You Promo Video... a project where fans submitted photos to the Record Company
The person who suggested this theory, likened the idea to the multiple versions of Tears/Forever love, and has the most thoughtful analysis of any X JAPAN blogger in Japan.
I can see the logic behind that idea.
It would leave room for future releases after the album.
4. Pata / Heath / ToshI / Sugizo Instrumental
12 Tracks is a lot of material.
Sure we may see an X JAPAN version of HELLO HELLO (aka the Hello Kitty Theme Song).
But wouldn't it be awesome if we got some solo spots to showcase the talent of the other members?
Wouldn't it be awesome if all 3 of them did even just 1 instrumental track together for the album?
Wriggle II anyone?
5. Ending : aka Art of Life II
I can't see them reusing Art of Life again for this album.
They already put it on the World Best album.
It has also been remastered too, as far as I am aware.
Art of Life II was revealed to be in the works, so it's a possibility.
If this is X JAPAN's final studio album, it would make sense to go all in.
The key here I think will be... Time constraints.
Can it be performed live this Summer?
Can the song be recorded to perfection in time?
Is there room for another release after this album?
6. Unreleased Material
Tears (English Ver.)
It has never been released....
and even though the song is over 20 years old, it has aged well.
The lyrics are some of the best YOSHIKI has ever written.
The Recording has been done to some extent (we hear it at the end of most post-renuion concerts).
In Closing
The album has changed forms already a few times.
It began as a compilation. 50% new songs, 50% old songs.
It supposedly almost turned into 2 mini-albums (thank g-d that never happened).
Putting out 12 songs at once shows real commitment.
I really hope the band is given the budget it needs to push this album.
Summer is when most bands start Touring.
It is when the biggest festivals are.
Momentum would be seriously affected again if the Summer 2015 window is missed.
Let's hope YOSHIKI's Mind / Body / Spirit and Soul all make it through to the end.
and then maybe with a bit of luck...the next post can be an Album review!
I've seen an interesting theory that Without You will not be on the album,
however it will be released later as a sort of compilation mini album, featuring:-
Without You
Without You (live)
Without You (classical)
Without You Promo Video... a project where fans submitted photos to the Record Company
The person who suggested this theory, likened the idea to the multiple versions of Tears/Forever love, and has the most thoughtful analysis of any X JAPAN blogger in Japan.
I can see the logic behind that idea.
It would leave room for future releases after the album.
4. Pata / Heath / ToshI / Sugizo Instrumental
12 Tracks is a lot of material.
Sure we may see an X JAPAN version of HELLO HELLO (aka the Hello Kitty Theme Song).
But wouldn't it be awesome if we got some solo spots to showcase the talent of the other members?
Wouldn't it be awesome if all 3 of them did even just 1 instrumental track together for the album?
Wriggle II anyone?
5. Ending : aka Art of Life II
I can't see them reusing Art of Life again for this album.
They already put it on the World Best album.
It has also been remastered too, as far as I am aware.
Art of Life II was revealed to be in the works, so it's a possibility.
If this is X JAPAN's final studio album, it would make sense to go all in.
The key here I think will be... Time constraints.
Can it be performed live this Summer?
Can the song be recorded to perfection in time?
Is there room for another release after this album?
6. Unreleased Material
Tears (English Ver.)
It has never been released....
and even though the song is over 20 years old, it has aged well.
The lyrics are some of the best YOSHIKI has ever written.
The Recording has been done to some extent (we hear it at the end of most post-renuion concerts).
In Closing
The album has changed forms already a few times.
It began as a compilation. 50% new songs, 50% old songs.
It supposedly almost turned into 2 mini-albums (thank g-d that never happened).
Putting out 12 songs at once shows real commitment.
I really hope the band is given the budget it needs to push this album.
Summer is when most bands start Touring.
It is when the biggest festivals are.
Momentum would be seriously affected again if the Summer 2015 window is missed.
Let's hope YOSHIKI's Mind / Body / Spirit and Soul all make it through to the end.
and then maybe with a bit of luck...the next post can be an Album review!
