Just for fun...

[ntkufreak.livejournal.com]

Pop quiz!

You're sitting on the bus talking to someone who is friendly but you don't know too well. Conversation turns to music and through talking about different genres, eventually it comes out that you're a fan of the J-rock and pop star, Gackt. "What was his name? Gaaachkt?" your conversation partner skeptically asks. Patient as always, you repeat, yes, Gackt. He's been in the business for about ten years on his own, is known for throwing epic concerts that he pays for by endorsing mints, credit cards, and beauty clinics, among other things.

"Sounds interesting," this person muses, now intrigued, but not yet sold on the Mad Aristocrat's influence. "Who does he sound like?" You reply that he's got quite a variety of songs out there.

"Well," they answer, "Do you have an MP3 player?" Sure enough, you do, your trusty iPod (or Zune, for the Microsoft lot out there) is freshly charged, and you have Gackt's entire library - legally acquired, of course - at your disposal (including "Justified" and "Ghost"), though you do not have any of his PVs.

"I have to get off soon, but let me listen to one of his songs. I like all types of music."



You have exactly enough time to play one song to spread the goodness of Gackt and appeal to the heart and ear of this unsuspecting new listener. Which song do you pick of Gackt's solo career to best demonstrate Gackt's musical prowess and appeal? Be sure to specify which version, for instance if it's a song like "Oasis" which is on both the MARS and Sixth Day albums - we'll also pretend you have nine*nine, so you can pick any of the DVD versions of a song, as well. For scenario's sake, this person doesn't seem to speak Japanese.



I was tempted by both "Vanilla" (MARS) and "Justified" actually, but I think I would have to pick "Returner~Yami no Shuuen." Returner is not actually my favorite song, but I think it is one of the songs that best encompasses the range of Gackt's musical ability. The falsetto is there, it has the alternating loud and soft dynamics that are typical of him (especially in the beginning), and if you pretend you've never heard "mind forest" before, to me it sounds incredibly unique from most rock music I've heard, and the instrumentals especially remind me of the Japanese Sengoku era the song is set in. His vocals are beautiful: he yells without having to shriek or scream (not that this is very typical of him anyway), he whispers, he calls out in his lovely high range. Certainly memorable!

Though I do have to add, if the song could be one not of Gackt's career, I would be tempted to play "Kagero" of Chachamaru's "Air" album!

Comments

[themyrf.livejournal.com]

I would definitely pick Vanilla. Just because most of people know him for that song, it's one of his first solo-songs and it's a good, catchy song that can be listened over and over again.
And at least for me, it brightens my mood, when I hear it.

[saishi-gackt.livejournal.com]

This is a hard question! I think if a person says they like "all types of music", they probably lean towards the pop genre, but I'd still choose "Secret Garden". It's rock, it's pop, it features both extremities of Gackt's vocal range, the chorus gets stuck in your head "Ja rast secret garden~~~~"

But, there are many songs that encompass everything I like about Gackt...voice, musical variety, use of classical instrument in rock music, songs that can change your overall mood...

Close second: Hoshi no Suna - piano and voice...perfect...and when you are listening to it, you feel his pain and can almost be brought to tears.

Close 3rd - 5th: Mizerable single - violins, raw vocal emotion, classic piano...every song on this LP is great!! Mizerable, Leeca, and Lapis FTW!

Close 6th: Vanilla - I like the use of the wind instruments throughout this song...it's his most pop song and I think anyone can easily listen to.

[nukucamui.livejournal.com]

Rain, hands down. I had to think for a couple minutes, but I think this song really shows the awesomeness of everyone in the group, not just Gackt. It's a pretty powerful ballad, and Cha and You do a fantastic job in it. A friend of mine wanted to get a CD for her sister, who likes Gackt, and I strongly urged MOON for her. Sure it's an older CD, but it is FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC.

Lu:Na would be a close second for me, but only the live version since there is a lot of action in it.

If I *had* to pick a recent song, I'd go with Jesus. Cause it effing rocks. :D It also has an older Metallica feel, and a lot of music fans may enjoy something they can relate to.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Returner because of the style of the song which is set to resemble, as you said, the Japanese Sengoku era. The guitar & the flute blend in well, making it a very unique song.

[grimgoblin.livejournal.com]

I've been in this situation so many times. D,:

The last person I introduced Gackt to, I showed her Jesus, and although not completely a fan now, she does like his music a lot. Why Jesus? Just because, I suppose, it's a very familiar rock kind of song. People seem to be weirded out and scared away if I say "he's a Japanese artist and sings in Japanese" so Jesus is the best of both worlds; it's heavy without being metal, has some great guitar riffs and beat, and it has enough Western sound to draw someone in who doesn't listen to foreign music.

There are so many other songs I want to choose though... If it wasn't Jesus, it would probably have to be Ghost (because it wins at life), Speed Master (because it also wins at life) or Tsuki no Uta (so they can hear how gorgeous his voice is). Or, the Sixth Day Seventh Night live of Miserable - that live is just... perfect.

[shinimegami21]

oh my! :O this is tougher than my own trivia questions!

I would DEFINITELY choose Lust for Blood. Mmmm...it's what got me into the fandom!

I totally agree about Kagero! It's a beautiful song, despite its dark meaning.

[susan-11.livejournal.com]

I would choose Fragrance. Beautiful, seductive, mysterious and one of my favourite. His voice and this acoustic guitar are just perfect in this song ^_^

[tanfouk.livejournal.com]

I've faced this problem several times. My choice of 'first taste' often depends on the age and musical taste of the person I'm trying to convert. I would NOT pick Vanilla for anyone who didn't really, really like bouncy pop (and that's not many people I know.) Last Song is a good choice for the average suburbanite. I think your choice of Returner is a good one- it's straight-up rock, but the flutes give it that distinctly Asian flavor. Another choice, as mentioned below, would be Lust for Blood - how many fanvids have been made by gamers using that? So that would be my pick for anyone under 17. For an older rocker, maybe Cube or Speed Master or Jesus.

[wongkk.livejournal.com]

I only recently discovered "Kagero" and it is a great vehicle for Gackt's monumental/heroic vocal style.

However, it's a bit tame in the rock stakes and I'd agree that "Returner" does the heroic/dramatic vocal showcasing equally well but with a more modern and varied backing. It's also very Japan flavoured, which is one of Gackt's own preferred points to promote, so, as an example of Gackt's musicianship (singing, composing, imagination of content and packaging), placing (genre, geography) and polish (higher production values than some other tracks), I'd opt for the Returner song.

Once you've hooked your bus person, you can always move them onto the Returner MV! (and then Fuurin Kazan etc etc)

[kamui-atsuko.livejournal.com]

Hands down, it would have to be Birdcage from the Drug Party tour.

[lilyginnyblack.livejournal.com]

I would have to go with "Lust for Blood". It has a very dark tone about it, but the song also draws you in, which I think Gackt is able to do with all his songs, but with this one in particular. Also, it leaves the person wondering what exactly the story is behind the song, especially if one doesn't speak or understand Japanese at all.

There are sound affects mixed in the song that appeal to the imagination. The sound of perhaps a match being lit, and the feeling of being in some place, like a dungeon, where the light doesn't reach. And, when people hear the harder sounding music, the voice that accompanies it, is unexpected but not unwanted. Such a beautiful voice to go with haunting music.

"Lust for Blood" was the first Gackt song I ever heard, and it intrigued me, I wanted to know and listen to more, of this artist. So, I think it would do the same, especially for someone who "likes all types of music."

That was definitely a tough question, but it was highly enjoyable at the same time! ^0^

[dreamingallday.livejournal.com]

Todokanai ... or White Eyes (cause White Eyes is the song that got me XD) *can't decide* ^^