TOSHI with T-EARTH - TRUTH

TOSHI with T-EARTH, the self-defined “eco hard rock” band, is currently made up of TOSHI of X JAPAN fame, bassist KAIN, 17-year-old guitarist RYO and 12-year-old drummer RIKU. On August 13 - two weeks prior to the Japanese release date - the band will release three new CDs through CDBaby, so overseas fans will get the chance to purchase and enjoy the music before Japanese fans. Furthermore, one of the albums, TRUTH, is entirely in English.

The title track starts quietly with some soft synth notes and crescendos into TOSHI’s gravelly singing, leading to a classic TOSHI scream. It opens like the beginning of a live concert, and the rolling melody reminds of X JAPAN compositions. At over nine minutes long, TRUTH might feel a bit endless, but it sets up well for the songs that come next.

TOUCHABLE HEART makes use of interesting vocal echoes that layer the song. The English lyrics are more noticeably clear, as opposed to the first track. Liberal use of the whammy bar during the guitar solo adds to the distant, futuristic feeling of the song, and it ends with another drawn out cry from TOSHI. The third track, SAY YES, is made for concerts: the slow, built-up intro plateaus into chants of “SAY YES” which will definitely get an audience shouting. Chiming synths and the changes in key keep the song interesting, but they don’t change the fact that it sounds like an 80’s anime opening or a rescue drama theme. It touches the line at being corny, but thankfully doesn’t cross over.

The album changes up the pace with REST NOW. A romantic sounding ballad, there are moments when an acoustic guitar refrain peeks through, and it adds a nice touch. The only downside is TOSHI, whose voice sounds slightly thin and a little too whiny for the pretty mood of the song. However, TOSHI makes a recovery with STOP IT. The catchy, mid-tempo song includes a synthesized piano opening and a haunting refrain that hooks you in. TOSHI sounds commanding and accordingly, you’ll want to listen to him. By far, STOP IT is the best song on the album.

LEAPING OVER HURDLES follows, and though it builds up to a nice, upbeat song with a synth driven melody, it’s hard to make the transition into it. Things slow down again with the power ballad LOST GIFTS. The lyrics for this track jump out, and it’s very obvious it is a song about appreciating Earth. The melody is very pretty, but somehow it seems strange to hear it paired to words on nature. The long guitar solo in the middle gets a little repetitive, but the ending guitar solo resonates with the overall atmosphere of the song much better, making the final impression of the song meaningful.

BEAUTIFUL SKIES is another nice song, but not particularly memorable. It seems to be the kind of song that would sound epic at a concert, but doesn’t translate well to CD. The album ends with TRUE SELF, and it’s a song that would signal the end of the live, were the CD a concert. Though shorter than TRUTH, its slower pace gives it a grand feeling, and it ends the album beautifully.

Though TOSHI’s English isn’t bad, the nature of the songs doesn’t always allow him to sing clearly. But never fear, for all the English lyrics are included with the CD, making it easy to understand and appreciate the band’s message.

With TOSHI as the vocalist, there’s no way the band can avoid sounding like X JAPAN at certain times. However, the message and style of TRUTH still has originality. The entire album plays like a live performance, so if you’re unable to catch TOSHI with T-EARTH in concert this summer or fall, TRUTH is a great substitute.