Alpha (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)

Unlike what some may assume about bands with punk looks, the band's second full-length album doesn't stray too far from what one may find in the Japanese pop world. While it has its share of alternative tracks, it's also filled with listener-friendly tracks as well. One of these tracks is cosmic world (Track 2), an engaging rock song with a surprising light tone that's more in the spirit of American pop rock than British-based glam rock. The most surprisingly commercial track is "Iris" (Track 8), a 7-minute track with a melody that actually sounds more ballad than rock, if not for the guitar-driven arrangement that builds on volume as the song progresses.

In fact, most of the tracks on Alpha carry a somewhat light tone, which may not necessarily fit the band members' looks. Tracks such as Aoi Tori (Track 3), 9th Revolver (Track 5), NUMBER SIX (Track 7), and Tracer (Track 10) are much more American-influenced and may even show up on MTV if they're sung in English. While they aren't strictly pop tracks, they do follow the traditions of a pop song, with several verses and a repeating chorus. The only real difference is the arrangement of these tracks, which is entirely guitar-driven.

The best tracks on the album are the songs that wander between the blurry line of alternative punk and energetic pop. The best representative of an effective track in that vein is the powerful opening track ZERO (Track 1). While the heavy drum and loud guitar riffs tell you that alice nine.'s music isn't exactly suitable for the grandparents, the powerful chorus provides a great opening track for the album. In other words, the band knows how to pump listeners up for what's to come, and ZERO does its job very well.

Of course, there is a track or two that show alice nine.'s alternative punk rock roots. -Dice- (Track 6) doesn't really have a discernible melody (at least judging from what one can hear from the vocals), and enjoyment really depends on tolerance for this kind of stuff. For some, this type of noise-driven hard rock can be acclaimed as "intense" and "riveting", or dismissed as "noisy" and "headache-inducing". However, its existence helps make Alpha a well-balance album in terms of musical style. alice nine. doesn't just cover one type musical style. In fact, they manage to cover various subgenres of rock, engaging both fans and non-fans alike.

Recommended Tracks: ZERO (Track 1), cosmic world (Track 2), JEWELS (Track 4), "Iris" (Track 8), WHITE PRAYER (Track 9), Tracer (Track 10).

by Kevin Ma