Aroma (March 16th 2009)

Ok So I am going to do a PV review on Antic Café’s AROMA which was released on March 16th 2009. AROMA can also be found on Antic Café’s CD/DVD Harajuku Dance Rock. Ok so it is the best idea to write reviews on my Laptop because I actually have a lot of Videos on there because I like to download Youtube videos. I actually have every single Antic Café PV that they have realised ( which shows how much of a fan I am, not to mention I have all of Back-On’s as well). I decided to do A PV review because I know they are easier and with my Work Experience and all.

So onto the Review, first off Antic Café has five members now Miku (vocals), Takuya (Guitar), Kanon (Bass), Yuuki (Keyboard) and Teruki (Drums) which they have been post-2007 whereas pre-2007 they were a four person band when it was Miku (Vocals), Bou (Guitar), Kanon (Bass) and Teruki (Drums). So that’s why it is weird when you might have read my Cherry Saku Yuki review and then read my Escapism review or vice versa and thought “What the heck? I thought there was Four/Five members…”. So that’s to clear that up. Bou had left early (January) 2007 and later Takuya and Yuuki joined the Group (February) 2007.

AROMA PV first brings your attention to a Black Rose. Metaphorically I have no clue on that. The next shot we see Teruki spinning the drumsticks, in a nice fluent way, which I think is cool, which at the exact same time we hear Takuya on his guitar which we almost instantaneously see him tapping on his guitar (for the not so musically bright: Tapping is when you do not pick, or strum a guitar but instead tap at the strings on the fret board to give it a more singular sound, Tapping is not like a hammer on where you hit the string with your fret fingers, you actually use your strumming fingers). Next I want to draw your attention to the mass amounts of candles on the screen, it gives it that effect, for those who know little on Harajuku Japan, at the given time of recording Gothic Lotita was the latest fashion of the time and that is where Aroma gets it’s setting. The Black Rose is then used many times. Miku’s singing also reinforces the Gothic theme as does the instruments. Next feature I wish to mention is the back-up singing that really pushes that gothic theme. Not only that but Yuuki’s keyboard playing is also really driving that fact since he only plays on certain bars. Now that White dress, not it is not a Chanel, but it has a symbolic meaning to it’s purpose, it contrasts to the Black Rose which I just remembered one of it’s meanings, forgotten or lost love (could be unforgiving love as well). So the contrast of the white dress to the Black Rose shows that Miku has been hurt (metaphorically). Miku is then seen Caressing the White dress which then shows that he has longed for the love but is this love what it truly can be? (hence the black rose). Roses mean love (red Roses) and Black Roses mean the opposite to love (afore mentioned).

Now the Bridge comes along and we see that Miku is now holding a red rose which means he has now found the real and true love. I wish to bring your attention to Takuya’s Tapping. Tricky to do but it is effective. It builds up the song to the climax point, the Bass and drums both slowly make their way into the song and this empowers the song to really show its true Gothic side (according to a Facebook quiz, my Harajuku fashion is Gothic Lotita). We see each musician in the Band: Takuya, Kanon, Yuuki and Teruki. We also Miku appear between each one. Note something else, Kanon is wearing an Eye patch, the same kind to the one he wore in Cherry Saku Yuki, but he is wearing it on a different to Cherry Saku Yuki (in Aroma its on his Right side and in Cherry Saku Yuki it is on his left side). We finally see the Black Rose burn into flames, this is truly a metaphorically desirable moment because Miku has destroyed the Unforgiving darkness in his heart. Finally unlike the start where we see only the Black Rose we now see it with the Red Rose.

Aroma is truly a beautiful song. I know I have mostly gone on about the PV (which is what a PV review is) but the music and lyrics of Aroma truly capture me (so does Kanon’s hat). What I really love about Aroma is that the PV really matches the music where sometimes you get those PV’s that really are the opposite of what the song it is being played with. Aroma is all about the Black Rose that we all have, the desire for Unforgiving Love, but it is Countered and Contrasted by the Red Rose and White Dress that represents true love and happiness. To find the right partner and have a desirable relationship is what humans desire, (sometimes Marriage but sadly I cannot get married because Law does not permit it, and because there is Homophobes in Parliament). Aroma in my opinion is a truly romantic and heart-captivating song.

So to the final part of the review which is the Heikin Seitan part of the review. In a CD review I would go Lyrics, Instruments and Cover Art, but in a PV Review I go Lyrics, Instruments, and Visual (which is the actual video part). So for Lyrics I give a 9.5/10 because they are captivating. Due to Takuya’s skillful and expertly Tapping I give a 9.5/10 and lastly for the actual PV I give out 10/10 only because it follows the song and is truly appealing to those who watch it. Finally the score ends up to be:

9.6 out of 10 

Which is very good, I know its not a top review but I have been giving thought and I am thinking that a review that is done on the Heikin Saiten System should be allowed 0.5 leaveway to be a top review (i.e. 9.5 or above; but must be the final score). Especially since the Heikin Saiten System is more tougher to get a perfect score.

Ok so that is the end of this PV Review of Antic Café’s Aroma (on Harajuku Dance Rock CD/DVD). I hope you enjoyed the review and please psyche yourself up for the (as announced yesterday in the ~Revolution1000~ special) X-Japan Review. Thanks so much to you all. 

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