Artist (Japanese) 仏師
Artist (Romaji) BUSHI
Album Name (Japanese) 明暗
Album Name (Romaji) MEIAN
Album Name (Translation) Light and darkness
Album Name (Romaji) MEIAN
Album Name (Translation) Light and darkness
Release date 2013/01/16
Label 一色RECORD
Features 遊戯（韻踏合組合,HEAD BANGERZ,420）, 鬼 （鬼一家）
Label 一色RECORD
Features 遊戯（韻踏合組合,HEAD BANGERZ,420）, 鬼 （鬼一家）
Tracks 14
Total Runtime ~59 Minutes
Tracklist
1. INTRO ~ 粋 ~
(Translation: INTRO ~Refined~)
(Translation: INTRO ~Refined~)
The Intro of the Album shows pretty much what you can expect from 仏師 and this Album in general. A pretty slow, crisp beat and 仏師's voice, especially during the chorus pretty much caresses the Beat.
Totally spot-on. The only thing that's a bit disappointing is that the actual song is a bit too short, the song contains mostly of shout-outs and credits.
Runtime 3:00
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
Totally spot-on. The only thing that's a bit disappointing is that the actual song is a bit too short, the song contains mostly of shout-outs and credits.
Runtime 3:00
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
2. I'm a rapper
仏師 seems to be a fan of long intro's. This intro is about 1 minute long. But okay.
This song is much slower than the previous one. But the hard drums accompanied by the piano playing in the front, plus the catchy sung chorus combined with the harsh rhymes from 仏師 during the verses make this song a winner.
Runtime 4:35
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
This song is much slower than the previous one. But the hard drums accompanied by the piano playing in the front, plus the catchy sung chorus combined with the harsh rhymes from 仏師 during the verses make this song a winner.
Runtime 4:35
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
3. 挨拶（otsrzbeats remix）
With this Song, 仏師 shows that he can also go a faster pace.
This one has rhyme- and beatwise a slight oldschool feel to it. A basic drum beat and 仏師 showing u how crisp mic work sounds like. The name of the track 挨拶 (which basically translates to "Greetings") is program.
Runtime 3:16
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
This one has rhyme- and beatwise a slight oldschool feel to it. A basic drum beat and 仏師 showing u how crisp mic work sounds like. The name of the track 挨拶 (which basically translates to "Greetings") is program.
Runtime 3:16
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
4. 野良犬
(Translation: Stray dog)
(Translation: Stray dog)
This one is MY track. This track is a bit like the second track of the album: A simple drum beat and a very catchy piano tune in the back, but it's way more up-beat than "I'm a rapper." And the chorus. The chorus is the strength of this one. I mentioned it, that i absolutely love it when rappers sing the chorus and this one is so catchy. Even if you don't understand japanese, this song gets easily stuck in your head. And especially i found myself a couple of times during the day, just humming the chorus. Great track.
Runtime 4:45
Rating Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
Runtime 4:45
Rating Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
5. 灯
(Translation: Light)
(Translation: Light)
I think that chorus-wise, this one is one of the strongest tracks on the album.
The song as a whole isn't really my type, as it's pretty down-beat, but aside from that, 仏師 stays on his game with this track.
Runtime 4:55
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
The song as a whole isn't really my type, as it's pretty down-beat, but aside from that, 仏師 stays on his game with this track.
Runtime 4:55
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
6. SKIT ~ 憩 ~
-.
Runtime 2:30
Runtime 2:30
7. YES B-BOY
And here we have my 2nd track. I take that back what i said about 灯. On THIS track 仏師 has his best mind work.
If you've read some of my Reviews you probably already know how much i enjoy simple, not-fancy beats. Beats where the flow of an artist matters. But that's not all you can get.
Along with 野良犬 you get the MOST catchy chorus... i would almost say of the year. It's exactly like 野良犬; you don't have to understand or speak the language, the chorus just takes up some space and gets stuck in your head. This track is awesome.
For me, about 90% of the awesomeness comes from the chorus, but 仏師's mic work during the verses is also something that doesn't go unnoticed... but... that chorus...
YES, YES, YES B-BOY~
YES, YES, あかとB-BOY~...
Runtime 3:49
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
If you've read some of my Reviews you probably already know how much i enjoy simple, not-fancy beats. Beats where the flow of an artist matters. But that's not all you can get.
Along with 野良犬 you get the MOST catchy chorus... i would almost say of the year. It's exactly like 野良犬; you don't have to understand or speak the language, the chorus just takes up some space and gets stuck in your head. This track is awesome.
For me, about 90% of the awesomeness comes from the chorus, but 仏師's mic work during the verses is also something that doesn't go unnoticed... but... that chorus...
YES, YES, YES B-BOY~
YES, YES, あかとB-BOY~...
Runtime 3:49
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
8. 楽しみな
(Translation: Enjoyment)
(Translation: Enjoyment)
Another fast-paced track. I love the delayed brass that's playing a huge part of the track. A pretty cool idea.
And i think that if the chorus of a track doesn't stand out, then it's the mic work during the verses and that's the case for this track. And well. Look at the title of the track. That's what i think about 仏師's mic work on this one.
Runtime 4:07
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
And i think that if the chorus of a track doesn't stand out, then it's the mic work during the verses and that's the case for this track. And well. Look at the title of the track. That's what i think about 仏師's mic work on this one.
Runtime 4:07
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
9. feat. 遊戯（韻踏合組合,HEAD BANGERZ,420）: OVER BRIDGE
I have to say one thing: I totally loooove 韻踏合組合 (Infumi Kumai.) Especially 達磨様 (Daruma San) is a guy that has a awesome, memorable voice. His style is also untouched.
And i like that 仏師 works with guys who pretty much match his style. But for some reason this track doesn't really do it for me. The chorus is pretty good and the flow from everybody is also pretty good, but i always get the feeling that something's missing with this track.
Runtime 4:52
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
And i like that 仏師 works with guys who pretty much match his style. But for some reason this track doesn't really do it for me. The chorus is pretty good and the flow from everybody is also pretty good, but i always get the feeling that something's missing with this track.
Runtime 4:52
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
10. 街 ~丸亀 通町~
(District)
(District)
Aside from catchy chorus', this is what fits 仏師 best: Slow, clear, melodic beats. His rather rough voice during the verses and his pretty soft, deep voice during the chorus are a perfect mixture for a great track. This is one of those tracks that i listen to on my MP3 Player when i go jogging during these cold months.
Runtime 5:09
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
Runtime 5:09
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
11. feat. 鬼 （鬼一家）: 行き先. . .
(Translation: Destination)
When i first listened to this album and i read that 鬼 (ONI) was featured on one track, i assumed that this was a track with a lot of jazz and swing elements, as this is what you usually get from him. But not on this one. I'm actually not the biggest 鬼 (ONI) Fan, but he has a pretty distinct style and he has a couple of pretty good tracks and, just like track #9, i think 鬼 (ONI) is another guy that fits totally well with 仏師 , because 鬼 (ONI) is also a guy that sounds amazing when he is singing.
All in all this track is pretty good. Not really my style, but it's good. And i think these two should do an album together. The chemestry between them is definitely there.
Runtime 5:08
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
When i first listened to this album and i read that 鬼 (ONI) was featured on one track, i assumed that this was a track with a lot of jazz and swing elements, as this is what you usually get from him. But not on this one. I'm actually not the biggest 鬼 (ONI) Fan, but he has a pretty distinct style and he has a couple of pretty good tracks and, just like track #9, i think 鬼 (ONI) is another guy that fits totally well with 仏師 , because 鬼 (ONI) is also a guy that sounds amazing when he is singing.
All in all this track is pretty good. Not really my style, but it's good. And i think these two should do an album together. The chemestry between them is definitely there.
Runtime 5:08
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
12. きっかけ
(Translation: Chance)
(Translation: Chance)
We are getting towards the end of the album and for some reason this track resembles it (Even though this track can also be read as "Start".) No! 仏師 DOESN'T slack, but the feeling of the track as a whole somewhat resembles it.
However, the beat is very cool and 仏師's incredible talent to create catchy chorus' shows again. While the track overall isn't that memorable, the chorus makes it unique.
Runtime 4:27
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
However, the beat is very cool and 仏師's incredible talent to create catchy chorus' shows again. While the track overall isn't that memorable, the chorus makes it unique.
Runtime 4:27
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
13. 好きも嫌いも
(Translation: To like and to dislike)
As expected from a title like this, the track is probably the slowest song on the entire album.
I'm not into this song, as it's a bit too slow for me, but if you had a pretty stressfull day and you pop this track in, i think it would help to get you relaxed pretty quickly.
Runtime 3:57
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
14. 東京
(Translation: Tokyo)
It's an unwritten rule, that you have to have at least one track (or one verse) on your album where you rap about your Hometown. One of my favorites from this year would be "OOSAKA UP" by SHINGO★西成, just wanted to throw that in.
This track however. It's decent. I can't get into it, since the whole track is just way too soft. Probably a good track to end the album with, but, as i said, i'm not into it.
Runtime 4:24
Rating ★★☆☆☆ 2/5
As expected from a title like this, the track is probably the slowest song on the entire album.
I'm not into this song, as it's a bit too slow for me, but if you had a pretty stressfull day and you pop this track in, i think it would help to get you relaxed pretty quickly.
Runtime 3:57
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
14. 東京
(Translation: Tokyo)
It's an unwritten rule, that you have to have at least one track (or one verse) on your album where you rap about your Hometown. One of my favorites from this year would be "OOSAKA UP" by SHINGO★西成, just wanted to throw that in.
This track however. It's decent. I can't get into it, since the whole track is just way too soft. Probably a good track to end the album with, but, as i said, i'm not into it.
Runtime 4:24
Rating ★★☆☆☆ 2/5
Final Rating
Most Favorite Track
4. 野良犬
Other favorite Tracks
3. 挨拶（otsrzbeats remix）
7. YES B-BOY
8. 楽しみな
9. feat. 遊戯（韻踏合組合,HEAD BANGERZ,420）: OVER BRIDGE
12. きっかけ
7. YES B-BOY
8. 楽しみな
9. feat. 遊戯（韻踏合組合,HEAD BANGERZ,420）: OVER BRIDGE
12. きっかけ
Artwork ★★★★☆ 4/5
The artwork is very important for every album, because just by looking at the cover you usually get an idea of what you can expect from the album.
Ah~ i think i'm gonna bring this up everytime: I tend to put emphasis on usually, because of BRON-K's 奇妙頂来相模富士 Album, where you expect to listen to a oldschool, underground crisp album but you get a autune mess instead.
However. The artwork for this album pretty much displays what you get. A drawn image from 仏師 in front of his hometown, Tokyo by night. This is an image that you constantly get during the album.
Ah~ i think i'm gonna bring this up everytime: I tend to put emphasis on usually, because of BRON-K's 奇妙頂来相模富士 Album, where you expect to listen to a oldschool, underground crisp album but you get a autune mess instead.
However. The artwork for this album pretty much displays what you get. A drawn image from 仏師 in front of his hometown, Tokyo by night. This is an image that you constantly get during the album.
Flow ★★★☆☆ 3/5
Rating 仏師's flow is a bit of a problem, because most of the time his chorus' are so freaking catchy and they go into your ear so easily, that you end up either humming the beat and / or the chorus, while he is spitting the verses.
Nevertheless, his mic work is pretty good. I think this is one of the first album's he ever released, so there is definitely room for improvement because as of now he doesn't really stand out. What makes him stand out is his huge talent for choruses and his skill to make his voice either rather rough or soft, but his mic skill is nothing special.
Nevertheless, his mic work is pretty good. I think this is one of the first album's he ever released, so there is definitely room for improvement because as of now he doesn't really stand out. What makes him stand out is his huge talent for choruses and his skill to make his voice either rather rough or soft, but his mic skill is nothing special.
Beats & Choruses ★★★★★ 5/5
It wouldn't surprise me if 仏師 produced all Beats by himself, because each and every beat fits his style. They may not vary that much, but as i said, he is on-spot on every one of them. Wether if it's flow-wise or chorus-wise, every track has 仏師's signature.
And especially the tracks 野良犬, YES B-BOY and きっかけ have such a perfect mixture between beat and chorus it's just awesome.
And especially the tracks 野良犬, YES B-BOY and きっかけ have such a perfect mixture between beat and chorus it's just awesome.
Features ★★★★☆ 4/5
The three feature guests he has (韻踏合組合 (INFUMI KUMAI), HEAD BANGERZ, 鬼 (ONI)) all compliment his style perfectly. Especially 韻踏合組合 (INFUMI KUMAI) and 鬼 (ONI) don't have your standard rap style, they have their own, distinct, unique style of rapping and so does 仏師. 鬼 (ONI) is rather jazzy and likes to go more into the swing type of rap and 韻踏合組合 (INFUMI KUMAI) go many different kind of styles. Newschool type songs, oldschool type songs, tracks with traditional instruments, you name it.
And when you add up 仏師', who is a natural talent when it comes to creating catchy choruses and crisp beats, it's a win / win situation.
Plus, he only has feaures on two tracks as a whole and i really like that, because i look at it like this:
I buy an album because of the artist. A couple of features are cool, of course, but usually i prefer solo-tracks, just to hear of what the artist is capable of.
And when you add up 仏師', who is a natural talent when it comes to creating catchy choruses and crisp beats, it's a win / win situation.
Plus, he only has feaures on two tracks as a whole and i really like that, because i look at it like this:
I buy an album because of the artist. A couple of features are cool, of course, but usually i prefer solo-tracks, just to hear of what the artist is capable of.
Overall Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
I can't complain about this release. This album totally shows you who 仏師 and what his strenghts are. As i said, his mic work doesn't stand out. But he has a HUGE talent in creating tracks with a high ear-worm tendency. Plus he can sing very, very, well and i think that's one of the reasons why he doesn't have many features on this album. I would give this guy an A+ for his voice. And if he works on his flow and makes it more unique, (i think he has a natural talent for singing and producing choruses, so he doesn't have to focus on that) then i think that his next album is going to be even better than this one.
To wrap it up: Everyone who likes to hear a pretty unique style of rapping (more on the soft / singing type) should give this album a listen. U don't get insane mic work such as KILLahBEEN's, but you get really catchy choruses and pretty unique tracks.
I, for one, am looking forward for 仏師's next release, which i'm definitely planning to get, as well.
Links
仏師 on twitter
https://twitter.com/bushi_087
一色RECORD on twitter
https://twitter.com/isshikirecord
To wrap it up: Everyone who likes to hear a pretty unique style of rapping (more on the soft / singing type) should give this album a listen. U don't get insane mic work such as KILLahBEEN's, but you get really catchy choruses and pretty unique tracks.
I, for one, am looking forward for 仏師's next release, which i'm definitely planning to get, as well.
Links
仏師 on twitter
https://twitter.com/bushi_087
一色RECORD on twitter
https://twitter.com/isshikirecord
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