Matsumoto Kazuyuki - Solid Beat II (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“Janne Da Arc bassist Ka-Yu’s second solo album featuring an all English, hard hitting rock album.”

ARTIST: Matsumoto Kazuyuki

ALBUM: Solid Beat II

LABEL: motorod

CATALOG #: AVCD-32093/B

DURATION: 27:15

RELEASE DATE: December 26, 2007

1. I don’t care
2. Lost
3. Night Vision
4. Last Scene
5. Death Race
6. Carry on
7. Crawling in the rain

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 15:05 minutes

1. I Don’t Care (Music Video)
2. Off-Shot

Janne Da Arc bass player Matsumoto Kazuyuki (Ka-Yu) released a second album in Dec. 2007, just a few months after “Solid Beat” which was released in August.

With JDA lead singer Yasu finding success with his solo project Acid Black Cherry, Ka-Yu goes into a different direction by performing all in English and of course, with him on vocals, definitely does not sound like a Janne Da Arc track.

The music of the seven tracks feature awesome bass by Ka-Yu, thrashing guitars by Harada Kenta, concussive percussion by Ryu. All tracks are hard hitting rock tracks

The DVD features the music video of Ka-Yu and band performing the main track “I don’t care” with a girl tied up and blindfolded. The use of red lights and strobe lights on the band while performing.

The off-shot features an 11-minute behind-the-scenes of the recording of the songs on “Solid Beat II” and features Matsumoto and band at the studio, photography for the album and the making of the music video. Also, a segment with the guys playing ping pong at an arcade.

The CD insert features a six-fold insert with pictures of Ka-Yu’s tattoo covered body, production credits and lyrics on the other side (although the lyrics are created in the manner that the designer used an acid-filled background and frame thus, everything is not as easily readable but it’s there.

I really enjoyed the music on the album. It’s fast, a lot of good thrashing guitar-playing, awesome bass playing and percussion to match.

Little deviation on musical style from track-to-track. So, for those wanting a fast, hardcore sound will definitely enjoy this album.

The English vocals by Matsumoto are fine. It kind of reminded me of a Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) style of vocals in a way but not as easy to pick up as the vocals from band like ELLEGARDEN.

But all in all, if you are a fan of Ka-Yu or his work with Janne Da Arc, his solo projects might be your cup of tea. Hard hitting rock music and not as diverse compared to Yasu’s “Acid Black Cherry” project which tends to go through a bit of experimentation (especially covering popular classics) but “Solid Beat II” is what it is, a rock n’ roll album, little deviation from track-to-track and by no means is that bad.

All in all, “Solid Beat II” is a solid rock n’ roll album. Check it out!

BUY THIS ALBUM:

Solid Beat II [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Jacket A]

Kazuyuki Matsumoto