Channel-Ai Community Blog - JPop reviews, articles

Single: Saikai~story~ c/w Dears~live~ Artist: Gackt Release date: 2000.8.30 Debut ranking: #6 Label: Nippon Crown

After debuting successfully as a soloist, former lead singer of Malice Mizer and songwriter/singer Gackt returned with a summer single on August 1st, 2000. Saikai~Story~ was originally featured in the Mizerable mini album as an instrumental song, which Gackt later wrote the lyrics for.

Unlike Gackt’s normally rockier songs, Saikai~Story~ is a ballad. Saikai~Story~ or the Story of Goodbye is about a man mourning for the loss of his lover, who just wants to see her for the last time, but is unable to and is trying to say goodbye to her for the last time. The music video illustrates the song quite powerfully, using combined visions of red, gold, and violet. It’s blurry, almost giving off a dreamy feeling, which suits the song perfectly. The ending is touching and dramatic, and can make anyone teary-eyed.

1. Saikai~Story~
Saikai~Story~ is different from Gackt’s normal style. It’s a slow and beautiful song, mostly accompanied by the piano, violin, and quiet drums, which gives off an almost classical feeling. It starts off with a quiet piano solo, quickly followed the violin. The music quiets down to a simple piano solo as Gackt’s singing begins. His voice in the beginning is delicate and tender, almost wistful. As the violin comes in again, his voice becomes much more powerful, even angry. The interlude is a brief period of Gackt talking, quickly followed by a bridge of piano and violin, then to the powerful climax with a mixture of anger and lament, but then quieting down to a piano solo. Saikai~Story~ is a song in which you have to listen to the full version in order to fully grasp its power and sadness.

iPod version (34.3 MB)

Also noted: The instrumental version of this song is worth a listen, since it was originally meant to be an instrumental song. It can stand on its own as a track, and one of those great songs you might hear at a romantic restaurant.

Rating:

2. Dears (Live version)
Dears is a song featured on Gackt’s first full album, Moon. It has been a great favourite amongst fans (in fact, Dears is the name of his official fan club). Dears a rock ballad, starts off at a mid-tempo pace but then erupts into an urgent rock song. Dears (Live version) was recorded live at one of his concerts, and it is even more powerful than the studio recorded version. It shows great energy, as well as demonstrates Gackt’s power as a vocalist. However, because it was recorded live, you should be warned that shouts from his fangirls can be heard at the beginning of the song.

Rating:

Conclusion
Overall Saikai~Story~ is a wonderful ballad that nicely demonstrates Gackt’s vocals as well as his skills as a composer and arranger. It should also be noted that Saikai~Story~ is not featured on his Rebirth album. However, it is featured on his single collection. Saikai~Story~ is a collectable single though, because it has a wonderful single cover and also great replay value. I recommend it for J-Rock fans and J-Pop fans alike.

1. Saikai~Story~
2. Dears (Live version)
3. Saikai~Story~ (instrumental)