Search - Eu Phoria :: Yakusoku

The second single from EU*PHORIA is another solid effort fro

Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 08/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When EU*PHORIA first debuted back in February 2007 with their first Maxi-CD single "SINGLE BED/Hey!", I was literally blown away.



The band which consists of AYAKA (bass), SAWA SAWA (drums), SHOCO (vocals), REONA

(keyboard) and TOMO TOMO (on guitar) can rock.



Sure, we have seen female bands such as WHITEBERRY (young girls that can rock) and

ZONE (band that can sing) but with EU*PHORIA, not only do you get girls with the cute looks of a female idol group, they can rock and sing.



After watching the DVD and listening to their CD single, I was impressed because again, there have been many young female bands emerging from Japan but since the 80's, I haven't really found many contemporary and young all-female bands that can rock out.



A lot of young female rock bandsI have enjoyed but to tell you the truth, their stage presence and music playing was lackluster, so after I listened and watched this band, I said to myself... "are these girls for real?"



I immediately contacted my contact at Avex to get the lowdown on EU*PHORIA because if these girls can play, like they sound... I can definitely see a potential in this band and I would love to see them perform here in the U.S.



The band has released their second Maxi-CD single "Yakusoku" and the band continues to produce more awesome rock music.



"Yakusoku" is more of a mid-tempo rock ballad, "Struggle" and "Cheeky Girl"are cool songs that emits 80's or early 90's rock nostalgia.



Perhaps that is what I find appealing with EU*PHORIA because currently in Japan, you get your punk girl bands and then you have many trying to achieve that Avril Lavigne style of sound.



With EU*PHORIA, I dig that late 80's to early 90's Mary's Danish and the Go-Go's rock n' Roll sound that separates them from other current female bands.



Aside from the cool music, I have also found SHOCO's vocals to work well with the the bands music. It's almost like a Pat Benatar vibe. I like that!



I've listened to too many female rock bands where the lead vocals have high pitched vocals, that it was great to hear something different.



As for band presentation, the girls look like they can be members of a pop idol group, which I also find interesting about this band.



Now, similar to the first CD single, I highly recommend purchasing the version with the DVD.



What is very cool with this 13-minute DVD is that it shows the girls playing live, at the studio recording the song, making of the music video and the photo shoot for the CD single.



Really impressive clips that adds to the enjoyment of the CD single because you can actually see them play.



The CD insert features the lyrics to the songs and the DVD information.



I find so much potential with EU*PHORIA but times have changed. I see a lot of potential with the band because they write their music, they play their own music and they are talented.



But currently in Japanese music, not too many female rock bands get noticed and if a group does have many female members, typically its the pop idol groups that do get the attention.



But I do applaud EU*PHORIA for being what they are, creating the music that they do and for the DVD director giving us an in-depth look at the girls behind-the-scenes at the studio and playing their instruments.



I definitely would like to see an anime or some TV series tie-in to help generate synergy for the band because they bring something different than the other female bands out there.



The second single from EU*PHORIA is another solid effort from the band and I look forward to an album or next CD single soon."