Kanami is insanely overlooked...... but often it's by design. SHE IS Band-Maids principle songwriter......(who am I kidding), Kanami is the songwriter. She encourages imput from the other members, even pushing them to contribute. But lets not kid ourselves, the reason why Band-Maid sound the way they do today and are where they are today is because of Kanami. Miku started this great band (God bless her), but Kanami took them to the next level. No ifs, no buts, no coconuts. Band-Maid is a band (I have said this so many times now) where EVERY member brings something to the process and Kanami's role is to do/start the song writing process. Actually, for the song "Blooming", Kanami gave the other girls an assignment to come up with some music/riffs/melodies - within a week - so she could challenge herself with arrangement, and the end product was a killer song with a longer than expected 2 killer Kanami solo's. Kanami may be timid and humble but she IS the driving force "musically" within the band. As I call her.... "The Quiet Genius".
I always give this song a few listens, alternating with the instrumental...which is addictive. Understated but it's grown on me like Japanese Knotweed. Kanami is the composer and I tend to think the reason she doesn't over-shadow her band mates is because she's their biggest fan. It's real sweet when she goes 'Mincho' mode like in 'From Now On' and when she shreds for a live audience. Great score David for a first listen.
I'm truly addicted to this song. I have to listen a few times, alternating with the instrumental...appreciating the hell out of it. With Unfair/Matchless of course :-)
I got into BAND-MAID after listening to it as a RU-vid advert. It's still one of my favorite BM songs. I love the songwriting of that period, being very melodious.
You Only Live Once is indeed an earlier song of theirs (2017), in the vein of Endless Story with its evolving and building to a quite anthemic chorus. Gotta disagree with you that Kanami doesn't get the spotlight as much as she deserves as. having watched the DVD of their recent 26 song set in Tokyo Garden Theatre almost daily since I got it, she gets up on the ego box or front of stage quite a few times - as do MISA and Miku - whereas, as usual, (because of her position at the back, I guess) Akane doesn't get seen as much. Kanami used to use tapping a lot more but, for the past 3 years or so, seems to be using chromatics and an octave drop pedal more and more to get her now distinctive, almost synth-like, sound. Immensely impressive as Kanami is on the guitar, for me her greatest skill is in the complex, layered songs she composes. She always makes sure every band member gets to shine - after they've rehearsed a lot and worked hard to play what she's written - and there are never any loooooooooong guitar solos like the many, many ones I've seen over the decades where admittedly great guitarists made sure they shone brightest. No gnarly scrunched-up-in-concentration faces either (just in case you'd missed that a piece was difficult to play), just smiles and much looking at the crowd rather than fret watching.
As David would say "The switch up at the start of the 2nd verse where MISA & Kanami decide to play a different song entirely just shouldn't work....But it does" :)
Kanami is a genius! As is everyone else in the band 😊 But I also think that Kanami is absolutely amazing at writing these phenomenal songs and at the same time is just humble to not put her in the spot light but everyone of them equally 🤘🙂
I really enjoy Band-Maid, tons of talent(I don't think they have a weak link)...but this particular song didn't make my playlist. It's not a bad song, it just doesn't grab me like many of their other songs do. For my ears(with 55 years of use), any one of these ladies is a world class musician on her own. Enjoyable real review and take on the song David.
It can be argued that since Band Maid starting writing their songs, they are all good and noteworthy. Kanami has written many and it is great when she lets loose on her guitar and flies free as you mentioned with her sliding technique. Some of her second verses are outstanding in my view. I believe she is happy to let the others take the spotlight but when she wants, she steps up to the front and shines. Great score and higher than i guessed. Not a whole point but heading that way. There are a couple of live 'fan cams' of Yolo but I have not carried out an intensive search. The fan cams on RU-vid are not very good but you can always look them up if you like.
The one thing that I think is not given enough credit is the amazing harmonies between Saiki and Miku. Miku's parts just flow along, almost under the radar, but also recognizable at the same time. I equate their harmonies with the duets that Yuko Suzuhana of Wagakki Band does with their guitarist Machiya, where he ebbs and flows in a pretty perfect accompaniment. I also love this song, another one of Kanami's masterpieces. She just continues to pump out hit after almost effortlessly, which I know is not the case. I look at her as the Brian Wilson of Japan, to me there is no doubt. She is just a savant.
Kanami Tono is a big fan of Carlos Santana, has played classical piano since she was a child, and began playing guitar when she joined her high school band. She is now one of the main songwriters of the band. MINCHO !!! 🎸🔥
Thanks David, excellent analysis. That was 2016 and the YOLO single was released with two b-sides, Matchless Gum and Unfair Game. The skill and daring in composing those three songs on the FIRST album that they put out as songwriters is incredible.
YOLO is a solid song like you say, however this single is imo probably their best work along with the 'B' sides Matchless Gum and Unfair Game which are masterpieces. Kanami dosen't like to take the spotlight but in live shows she will come to the front of the stage for her solo's. Saiki always walks to Akane and turns her back when the solo's happen so that the spotlight is on Kanami.
Yes, you are right but it's even older. A single in 2016 with Unfair Game and Matchless Gum and is to be found on the album Just Bring It 2017. Saiki's vocals are pre polyp removal in 2018. It's difficult to think of anything that Kanami does that is not tastefull- sometimes unpredictable or just crazy re Unseen world Album, but still f'n brilliant. Great eaction as usual- Good man.
Yolo is and old idea of a song before Band Maid was founded, as many says, it come as a single with Matchless Gum and Unfair Game, every one a gem, but Unfair Game bring one of the longest solo in a song from Kanami, hope one day you can react to Unfair Game.
Yolo is one of my favorites! Another good tune would be decided by myself, it’s a vet underrated tune that is actually better than most! Always good to see and hear your reactions!
While I agree it "seems" Kanami gets overlooked; it's interesting to think that the primary composer and arranger of Band Maid's music is overlooked!!!
Yes it is older, you can tell because Akane is still wearing the "tiny hat" which is no longer there.This was a starting point to where they are headed now.
its a testiment to BandMaid that you have to rate their songs against eachother than to other bands or songs. Kanami likes to spread the love around quite often on the second or tenth listen you will pick up the fact she is quite often playing intricate tequnical or just amazing melody lines in the back ground that once you notice them your first thought is why is that so hidden then you cant help but hear it on subsiquent listens along with all the other magic you had already picked up on. and then there are song like screaming or the instumentals were she lets loose more but still in the context of the song
When you see Akane, the drummer, with her little hat (not sure exactly it went away, so not going to guess exact year), it is a sign that it is a somewhat earlier song as she stopped wearing the hat after several years due to it causing her discomfort.
I believe the relative "spotlight" on each member is a deliberate decision. Kanami is the songwriter. Others may suggest or change her ideas, but it still starts with her. She could easily write every song to have a larger lead guitar role. God knows all fans keep wishing for longer solos. But spreading the wealth has several benefits. Everyone feels they are contributing. Nobody gets slighted. That has to be one factor in their staying together so tightly for 10 years. Also, not being lead guitar centered means they don't sound the same as most other bands that do all lead guitar driven music. And all the noodling she gets to do satisfies her composer self. They are embellishments on her main ideas. Just my idea.
I love the old hard rock Band-Maid! Their current foray into speed metal loses me a bit. Kanami's a pure genius--a borderline savant! So, she must be emotionally delicate, or shy; such types specialize in being overlooked. I think she'd come out of her shell more if she dressed the part; the demure maid outfit she wears takes some edge off her own attitude. Let MISA dress her! She's got a real way with a look! I had your score pegged, as usual, Dave, at the time of your first pause, which is where I'm thinking you take your first scoring shot.
You’re right that it’s an older song, but three years wouldn’t be that old for a band that’s celebrating ten years together. The ladies are all in their 30s now, other than Saiki, who’s 29. This was released as a single in 2016 and included in their 2017 LP. But the original demo was recorded by Kanami before the band even existed, so 2013 or earlier, and as far as I know, it’s the only time she’s used an old demo for a Band-Maid release.
Funny how the more of a catalog you've reviewed, the bar has been established by previously reviewed songs. They need to stand up against those. I appreciate that from you. And yeah, this is a pretty early release after they finally got full autonomy on their endeavors. Thanks, David.
I really like the vibe of this song. Songs like this one, 'Real existence' and 'Be Ok' are what sold me when it comes to Band-Maid when I found them around 8 years ago.
