Himuro Kyosuke - Sweet Revolution

Himuro-san is a legend in Japan, being one of the country’s most renowned rock stars. He’s worked with many great bands and musicians throughout his 20 year career, such as Glay, Daita and guitar virtuosos Steve Stevens and Tomoyasu Hotei. Also, just like every big rock star, he’s experienced many ups and downs, with some releases hitting their targets and others missing the mark. However, most of the stuff he’s released since the turn of the millennium has been received as great music by the masses and his latest single fares no differently.

•01- Sweet Revolution
Seems age hasn’t slowed Kyosuke down a bit, because he sounds better than ever in this song, evidently glad to be performing the type of music that made him a household name. He’s released a lot of ballads lately, so it’s great to hear some more bombastic rock coming from this man’s soul. Things start of with a sliding riff and some great drumming that makes you want to get up and shake your stuff. The verses are accompanied by some great palm-muting and the chorus sounds like pure driving music, with exceptional vocals you can sing along to at any time of day or night. The lead guitar adds to the experience, a great performance from start to finish that also includes an excellent solo.

•02- In the Nude (Even Not in the Mood)
Things get a little heavier with this track, evident right from the get-go. Thundering drums and some great use of power chords kick things off as we experience one of Himuro’s coolest songs in years. He delivers an outstanding performance as always, energy fusing perfectly with emotion, something only a career as lengthy as his can provide. He’s got the know-how and it shows. Of special mention, once again, is the lead guitar. It shines throughout with some brilliant picking and soloing, a performance that almost surpasses the star’s! Just listen to the chorus; the guitar playing is totally on par with Kyosuke’s outstanding vocals.

Some people might be turned off from the whole package seeing as it does sound like something that might be at home in the late 80s or early 90s, but that’s the era that made this man what he is today and I think it’s a fitting tribute. Besides, the Japanese public is more accepting of the use of yester year’s sounds in today’s compositions than any other audience in the world. That being said, don’t be afraid to pick this one up. Its solid musicianship and energetic vocals top most of the stuff released on the market these days, proof enough that this man’s status is well-deserved. Don’t hesitate to delve further into his discography as well, because most of it will please your eardrums and enrich your Japanese music experience.