akumatsukishima-blog

[akumatsukishima-blog]

UVERWORLD

There are so many Japanese bands. Among them, Uverworld is one of the first few bands that really got me hooked on to Japanese music. Their songs have been used as opening themes for anime like Bleach, D-Gray Man, Boku no Hero Academaia, etc. The band consists of six members originating from Kusatsu, Shiga prefecture in Japan. The band was known as 'Sangoku Road' before becoming 'Uverworld'. They are:

·        Takuya Shimizu, stylized as TAKUYA∞ is the vocalist of Uverworld.

·        Katsuya is the guitarist and in charge of the band's programming.

·        Akira is also a guitarist in charge of the band's programming.

·        Nobuto plays the bass guitar.

·        Shintaro is the band's drummer.

·        Seika plays the saxophone. Though he initially left the band before they debuted as Uverworld, he rejoined them in the year 2014.

Their music has nice blend of Japanese lyrics and English words. The English words don't feel out of place unlike a lot of other songs I've heard. I like how each of each of the songs start, some with the vocals, some with interesting beats and some with such soft melodies that one can feel what the song is about. The chorus is like a neatly spun web.

Of course, though I love the bands, I don't love all their songs. There are a few songs that aren't to my taste but otherwise by enlarge I love their songs. Without further ado, I would like to share my top 5 favourite songs by Uverworld:

5) Core Pride - The lively beats and rap in beginning pulled me into this song. Core Pride is used as the opening theme for the anime series Ao no Exorcist (Blue Exorcist). The first bit is really catchy though I felt the latter part of the song could have been better. Still, it is one of the helps me keep my 'pride' and persevere in anything I do.

4) Odd Future - Yes, 'My Hero Academia's' opening theme is quite 'out of the box'. Uverworld really experimented with electro for this one.

3) 7th Trigger - I like the whistling, the aaa and ooo's in the song. The song overall is upbeat or so it seems. If one understand the meaning of the lyrics, it feels like though the song has a sort of deeper untertone, the cheery melody and beats makes one feel that it's a happy song. There is a line which goes - "Koko ni aru subete no yume risoukyou ga oh...kanawanai sonna koto wakatteru.' It means that 'All dreams and Utopia is here oh..... I know that they won't come true.' A few lines after that says 'to be like a determined trigger and shoot through life which may not understand.'

2) D-Technolife - I first this as Bleach opening 2 and immediately recognized the band thanks to another song I'd heard by them. A part of the lyrics talks about a person who has a bad experience and decides not laugh and hates people. The singer tells them not to use such words but also says that the person will understand someday. The animation for this Bleach opening is quite good as well.

1) Colors of the Heart - This was the first song I'd ever heard by Uverworld and it really swept me off my feet! Serving the 3rd opening theme of the anime series Blood+, if one were to close their eyes, they can really sink into this song (that's what I think anyway). This song is bittersweet, filled with hurt and hope, a really wonderful song over all. It's no surprise that this song ranked as #3 in the Oricon chart in 2006. Blood+ opening 3 has always caught my eye with its animation and this song just adds to the beauty.

So, there is my list of Uverworld favourites. Let me know which of their songs you like. I would really like to listen to them if they are not already on my list! :)