flumpool - unreal

One of 2008's most promising new artists, flumpool's popularity flared with their release of Over the rain ~hikari no hashi~, the theme song for the fall drama "Bloody Monday." In the week their album unreal hit store shelves, it quickly climbed to number two on the Oricon charts, selling 110,832 copies.

The charming violin opener for Hana ni nare is not only the first thing to catch a listener's attention, it's also one of the best features added to the song. From its first release, Hana ni nare pleased audiences with its catchy sound, one that is comparable to music by American alternative artist Coldplay. While the guitar joins the composition seconds after it starts, it is gentle and gradual, paving a way for the vocals before the song saunters into its alternative melody. The song builds beautifully into a strong chorus which, between the strings accompaniment and smooth vocals, makes it a show stopper.

Over the rain ~hikari no hashi~ is the slowest song off the album but the most impacting. Like Hana ni nare, Over the rain brings its message home during key points of the song with carefully inserted orchestral accompaniment. Well suiting the drama it was used in, the song uses its morose melody to guide listeners through each stage of raw emotion: disappointment, despair and eventually, hope. It is much like its companion track Harukaze, whose slow melody brings to light a variety of emotions, and with the chorus accented by a sprinkle of bells, the emotion most radiant is hope. Harukaze's best attribute is Ryuuta's vocals as he shakes up the song with voice filters and a stanza sung at a faster pace than the others. Between the clear lyrics and skilled guitar solos, both songs will leave a lasting impression long after they end.

There is a lot to be said about hello and 388859. At first they sound as if they will flow on the same mellow level as the rest of the album, but just seconds in we're greeted with cheerful guitar openers that kick the songs off. In both songs, the chorus is full of energy and Ryuuta really expresses his vocal range as he belts out the lyrics, hold notes and accents his vocals with background echoes. For the duration of the songs, it sounds as if he's smiling and genuinely enjoying singing for the fans - you just can't help but smile with him. With great guitar solos by Kazuki, there are no other words to describe hello and 388859 other than catchy and fun. They are truly songs you can listen to repeatedly because they just make you feel good.

LOST and Labo, like several of the preceding tracks, start with guitar openers before having the other instruments leap to life in sound. The two songs are polar opposites, however, in terms of style, with labo maintaining a captivating blues sound and LOST focusing on a slower, steady alternative beat. Despite these differences, the songs come together in the new elements added to the music, not only in Ryuuta's vocals with sarcastic stanzas and voice filters, but with much heavier bass-laced compositions.

When Mirai begins with only vocals and guitar, the song gives the impression of an acoustic piece, but this does not last long before they are joined by the drums and bass. While we hear sporadic bursts of energy from the guitar throughout the song which punctuate the driven vocals well, the song maintains its subtle sound. One of flumpool's most unique attributes is Ryuuta, who doesn't fit in the mold of typical Japanese rock vocalists with his more modern and western singing style. While not one of the most prominent songs on the album, thanks to Mirai, listeners are offered a chance to really appreciate the sound Ryuuta brings to the table without disrupting the presentation of the album.

While karaoke versions of songs are often overlooked by fans who prefer vocals, flumpool's album simply would not be complete without the instrumental versions of Hana ni nare and Over the rain ~hikari no hashi~. Completely absent of vocals, these versions are relaxing and comforting, presenting the two tracks in a precious form that can't be duplicated with lyrics.

Arguably one of the best albums of 2008, flumpool exceeds expectations and will blow fans away with the professional sound of their first mini album, unreal. With their popularity on the rise after their most recent single, flumpool is sure to continue with their solid releases.