lego big morl, who is still classed as a new band, has recently released their first full album, Quartette Parade. Surprisingly, the album shows that this band is a rising star from the independent rock scene.
lego big morl is, first of all, an amazing band: very simple at first glance, but making incredible, addicting compositions. Each song starts by showing diverse instruments, like laying out all the ingredients needed to cook a delicious meal. Independently, the instruments don't seem really notable or original, but the linking of the riffs and rhythm unite very well and make the tension grow. Although this scheme of slow tempo and powerful acceleration is used in every track, nothing is similar. All of the melodies on this album’s have an impressive atmosphere. The hypnotic bass of Shintaro Yamamoto, the two guitars which complete themselves and the drums - which alternates as a metronome and a brute force - create music that is like living freely and harmonize wonderfully. Every track is a bit different, yet they all fit together as a comprehensive unit. This prodigious duality is part of the magic of lego big morl, attracting more people to them each day.
On this album, the band parades with their music. It's a temporal parade, as old tracks like Yuri no Kanaria, Maiashimoto or A which were on the first demo tape of the quartet are included. But no one will mind because Quartette Parade brings a time! Old and new songs match up without any problems.
The world of lego is an atmospheric mix of metallic sound from electric guitars and calm, lighthearted lyrics. Quartette Parade brings together various styles and atmospheres: some ballads, like Sono toki no koto, begin slowly and mislead the listener by letting the omnipresent bass and the melodic guitar take the lead, then all explodes during the chorus. However, Takehiro Tanaka doesn’t let his voice go astray; his singing stays powerful and hits home. Ray, which had been released as a single, is of the same kind but is a little more rhythmic. This song lights up with the instrumental parts before the singing takes off. Mixing nostalgia with joy, your heart will slow with the decelerating music, only to restart faster once the tempo picks up.
There is also a true ballad on the album, simply titled A. This song fulfills the immensity that a simple letter can contain. A plethora of meanings are transmitted through the sublime song; the scattered sounds here and there and light drums make your heart pound like on a frantic run toward the unknown. A plunges you in to pure and simple emotion. Like gazing at a luminous night sky, this track is deeply touching, reminding of Coldplay at their debut.
However, it’s mostly rhythmic energy that builds up until an explosion that is the strength of lego big morl. A little more garage rock than the new songs, the guitar parts of Waapu sound more abrupt. On this song, the dexterity of the members can be highly appreciated, letting us discover one of the most interesting facets of the band. A catchy track, Waapu is up there with Maiashimoto as the most vibrant songs of the album. You can feel the same excitement with Cinderella Syndrome, where Tanaka becomes crazy while a distraught bass thrums in the background. The song is a refreshing break in style from the tracks that surround it, and it carries the listener along it its wake.
There are also intermediary songs of quiet joy like Noticed, where the moderated and repetitive rhythm of the guitar stay promptly in mind. But nothing is that simple with lego - even the most friendly songs show a difficult structure, setting them apart from the usual pop-rock choruses. The staggered melody of the two guitars gives a very pleasant self-identity to the songs and adds a tinge of colors to the ensemble. To continue, it’s impossible to not mention Yuri no Kanaria, which is very catchy without being too extreme. The drumming by Hiro Asakawa provides a quiet base for the song, and the alternated playing of the guitars create a lovely soundscape.
To conclude, it’s obvious that Quartette Parade is a must-have album for all fans of indie rock. Accessible and filled with pleasant surprises at the same time, Quartette Parade evokes a variety of feelings and interpretations. Depending of the context, you can get lost in it, but you can also find your way around it. Sadly, the track order isn't one of the album's qualities - a few of the songs blend and cause you to lose focus - so you may end up skipping some tracks without realizing it. But by using shuffle mode, you can avoid the doldrums and appreciate the album fully, even if it's the hundredth time listening to it. This is a band to support at all costs. They have managed to make a strong entrance to the music scene, imposing themselves as a band to be reckoned with in the demanding environment of rock.
