File Index

L’Arc-en-Ciel

The Back Horn

Bonnie Pink

The Brilliant Green

B'z

Chara

Cocco

CORE OF SOUL

Dir en grey

fra-foa

Gackt

GLAY

globe

GO!GO!7188

GOING UNDER GROUND

hide

Judy and Mary

Malice Mizer

Mr. Children

Onitsuka Chihiro

Penicillin

The Pillows

Shiina Ringo

T.M.Revolution

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

X Japan

Yaida Hitomi

The Yellow Monkey

Kawase Tomoko

Vocals

Matsui Ryo

Guitar

Okuda Shunsaku

Bass


In 2001, Time Magazine had a "global music" special placing The Brilliant Green amongst the top ten bands on the non-American planet. I do not know much about their selection criteria but one thing is for sure: They have great taste. 

Sometimes producing a fresh new sound, sometimes reinventing where many have failed, The Brilliant Green has this impalpable charisma in their melodies that instantly catches the ear. From the first notes of Tsumetai Hana, I was hooked, and the rest of their selection only strengthened my appreciation for this wonderful group. Few bands rise to fame so quickly without suffering the same fate as one-hit wonders. However, you can tell from the get go that they are not your run-of-the-mill fad; they take music at heart and actively participate in every step of their albums’ production.

 

If you are unsure about taking the plunge into J-Pop fandom, The Brilliant Green should set things straight. Beatles influences and numerous English lyrics play their part but they are not the main factors in why BuriGuri (for short) is extremely easy to get into. The instrumental openings to their songs always just scream: "this is going to be a great one!" Music written by Okuda Shunsaku (also known as Jun-chan) is often low-toned and the smooth guitar and prominent bass line sometimes accompanied by violins or organs suitably sets the stage for the mellow vocals by Kawase Tomoko, also known as Tommy, whose voice is a godsend. 

Soft and a scarcely raucous, just the way I like it, she takes songs to the next level. She writes her lines in Japanese or English depending on her mood but even if she has tiny troubles with the latter, the little imperfections remain on the cute side staying far away from the annoying one. I have yet to listen to a Brilliant Green song I disliked even if they are all dissimilar. 

This is also a great trio personality wise; it shows they have been friends for a long time. Ryo-kun is just hilarious in interviews and Tomoko’s Elmo fetish makes her cuteness go off the charts. Chemistry is often all it takes to make great music and The Brilliant Green have plenty of that going on. If you have Beatles nostalgia or simply want rich melodies with pungent vocals, be sure to check them out.

 

Shunsaku Okuda and Ryo Matsui were classmates with a little two-man show going on the side. After hearing Tomoko Kawase sing during an amateur contest in 1995, they convinced her to join their band. They proceeded in recording a few homemade demo tapes in hopes of reeling in a record contract. 

They signed with SME records two years later producing their first two singles with little impact on the market. Their third single, though, There Will Be Love There, was chosen as ending theme for a Japanese televised drama named Love Again and made their popularity explode. Releasing Tsumetai Hana right before their first album made everybody anticipate it even more as it sold for over one million copies. A few years later, even if album #4, The Winter Album, was a fan favourite and showed us that this band's gas tank is still full, the band was put on the back burner by each member. Who can blame them though, everyone has been quite busy these past few years. Tommy has refused my marriage proposal but accepted that of fellow member Shunsaku, as they tied the knot in 2003. 


 Tommy turns into Tommy february6 on full moon nights and Tommy heavenly6 every other night. Songs in her two self-titled albums (didn't think I would ever say something like that) and their follow-ups are undoubtedly of love or hate appeal. Me? Off the record, I adore the candy-coated february6 and always need to suppress dancing while listening to it in public areas. Ryo isn't doing too bad either. He pulled out his list of notorious contacts in the music business to produce his solo project, Meister.

 

Favourite Album:

The Winter Album

Who thought the BuriGuri trio could outdo themselves again? I am not usually fond of holiday albums but was pleasantly surprised with The Winter Album's line-up, which bears little to no relation with Christmas. My favourite singles Forever to me Owarinaki Kanashimi and Rainy Days Never Stays brought many interesting friends that gave this album a diverse yet old-school Brilliant Green feel.

 

Favourite Songs:

  1. Tsumetai Hana

  2. Forever to me Owarinaki Kanashimi

  3. There Will be Love There

  4. Nagai Tameiki no Youni

  5. Angel Song ~Eve no Kane~

  6. Hidoi Ame

  7. Flowers

  8. The Night Has Pleasant Time

  9. I Can Hold your Hand Baby

  10. Rainy Days Never Stays

Why Tsumetai Hana?

Ahhh, how invigorating. If you miss the British invasion or simply want contemporary music with a twist, then Tsumetai Hana will surely get you hooked on The Brilliant Green. It also shows Tommy isn't only perfect physically... There, I said it.

 

 

 

Official Site: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/music/info/thebrilliantgreen

Meizer (featuring Matsui Ryo)'s Official Site: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/meister

Tommy february6 and Tommy heavenly6 (featuring Kawase Tomoko)'s Official Site: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Info/Tommy

 

(Tip: use AltaVista's Babel Fish translator)

 

English Fan Site:

 TerraFirma: http://www.brilliantgreen.net/