When I first discovered them, like you I was drawn in mostly by the instruments. I always thought Saiki's voice backed up by Miku was good but as I listened to them more the vocals of Saiki and Miku became a favorite part of my enjoyment of their songs. It really hit home when I heard Black Hole for the first time with the beautiful harmonies and call and response vocals of Saiki and Miku overlaid on top of the crazy, heavy instrumentation of the song. I went to see them Live in SF last year expecting to be completely mesmerized by Kanami swaying and dancing while she played her PRS the entire show but I found myself being drawn in by the presence and command of Saiki's vocals.
Great reaction Champ. Several times I have commented to few friends that Saiki's use of voice is similar to the flight of a hummingbird. It can go up and down, go forward, backward, her sound can fly sweetly or can fly electrically in a second. Her voice is full of colors. I love everything about this band.
Going back to 2014/15 it's amazing how much freer and more wide-open Saiki's voice has become. With that opening up has come increased power and the perfect timbre for this band. Like people say of drums, Saiki is so in the pocket!
Thanks from Japan 有難う💛。I appreciate American fans' support to and embracing Band-Maid during their 2022 US tour. Your warm hearts ultimately made Kanami, Miku and Saiki create this beautiful ballad with a main part of lyrics in English. We, Japanese fans, were honored to enjoy its live debut on Jan.9. I was there at Tokyo Garden Theater. The audience was soothed by two serial songs "About Us" and "Memorable", two love letters to their fans.
The voices are probably the component that the band has evolved the most. In these last two years both queens have shone enormously at great heights. You know, three aces, two queens... winning hand.
Thanks, Champ, great commentary. I totally agree about Saiki's voice. There's an expressive flexibility to it that is unmatched: Breathy exhalations that start up a quiet phrase, richness of tone, beautiful head voice, perfect vibrato. And that's only the part we can _hear._ She's also got all the gestures and movements you'd hope for in a frontwoman.
Someone had posted a statement from saiki were she said that once she learns the lyrics and how she wants to sing it she was quoted saying I put myself in to the song and become that person when I I'm singing she is awesome kanami's arrangements are literally out of this world
Which I think is the polar opposite of what she said 6 or 7 years ago. Partially, I'm guessing, because she's gotten used to Kobato reportedly writing lyrics in a way which most Japanese lyricists wouldn't, and partially because she's become more comfortable in her role - or rather, expanded it.
Saiki has a very colourful, dynamically playful and responsive vocal technique - she seems to handle her voice very much akin to a true instrument to be played rather than just as a means of delivering a vocal line.
Music without passion is just noise. Great musicians are feeling the music and conveying it to you. Issac Stern, classical violinists, often makes that point in his interactions with students. To paraphrase, If you the player don't know why you are playing this note, how are we the listener suppose to react?
It's an absolutely beautiful ballad. The lyrics and vocals will bring tears to my eyes every time. (Even we engineers get and understand the line graph reference.) Great reaction Champ and thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. Much Respect 🤘
Dude! I never noticed that little xylophone thing! I'm guessing it's like the horns in uh crap I had a long day, but I'll bet it's in the studio track but buried in the mix and coming out in the live.
Glad to hear Saiki getting steadily accelerating appreciation. Much deserved ! In all their more recent works I find myself listening for the thrilling counter-play of the voices of Miku -AND- Saiki------ it;s like a whole new musical element in itself.
Band-Maid started off by melting our faces off with their awesome rock. Now they are melting our hearts. I understand now why Kanami is such a fan of Saiki. I always knew Saiki was a great choice as lead vocal. She doesn't just sing the lyrics, she becomes them.
I like the mix of Miku on acoustic and Kanami on electric for this song. MISA was pretty chill on bass, she was playing fingerstyle which she mostly does on slow songs or acoustic songs. Great performance!
Band Maid were the first Japanese rock band I discovered and Saiki kind of spoilt all the others for me initially. I used to find myself checking out a new band, enjoying the musical intro and then, once the vocals came in, thinking "well, it's okay, but it's not Saiki". Thankfully, I've been able to reconcile myself to appreciate a broader range of Japanese artists these days!
I think what you mean re Saiki, is that she is a PROPER singer. There are no melody lines that she can't achieve and deliver and makes it seem easy- which of course, it isn't. A true professional in her field. You will get bored with me saying this. But if she were to sing in English she would be internationally famous in her own right by now.
I agree about her vocals being unique. Besides the band being incredibly talented her vocals are a huge part of why they are my favorite all female Japanese band along with Mikus backup vocals of course. Even though I listen to a ton of heavy music I still prefer Band Maids vocals over the other bands. The vocals hit just right and the pronunciation is really clear in the upper register too.
I am a vocalist...I've had the pleasure of working with truly great classical singers. Some, so good,they have made me weep. The best of these would sound awful and cartoonish in Band Maid. That being said, Band Maid's greatness lies in the amazing confluence of outstanding individual talents coming together to form what many consider, the perfect band ! Would Saiki be a great solo artist ? Would she stand out without the wizardry of her mates ? We've all heard of Super Groups (Asia, The Firm, etc )...Band Maid was nearly forced to disband many years ago, now they are rapidly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Any one member could form their own Super Group ! Any one member is talented enough to bring their unique style to another project without sounding like a Band Maid knockoff. Saiki, et al have grown in all the ways necessary to become what they sought to be...The BEST ! ❤️🕊️
There are a lot of bands that I know are good but I just can't get into them because of the vocals. Saiki is a great mezzo-soprano vocalist and when you compare the songs on Unseen World in their instrumental recordings to the versions with Saiki's vocals, the difference is drastic. The fact that she can define the song and carry the melody on top of the maelstrom of sound going on is remarkable. I'll never tire of listening to her sing.
As much as I hate to burst anyone's bubble, I'm as sure as I can be that this is, in fact, the studio recording and not a live performance at all. With a great deal of stopping and starting I managed to get this video into sync with the MV in side by side windows and they match perfectly. The only reason I checked this one was that Miku's string squeaks didn't match what her left hand was doing and the assumption is always that Kanami records her parts in studio and teaches her to play it live. I'm guessing she was given simpler chord voicings than were used in the studio. I never checked "Choose Me" but have no reason to suspect it.
@@TheBloobster Yeah, I heard something like that so was never 100% sure, but everything else, and I mean everything sounds note perfect to me. Perhaps Saiki is singing over the track. NGL, I even went back to check again, but couldn't get the NHK video to open, and syncing 2 YT vids is hard as the stop/start toggle is not as responsive.
Any even semi-good band is going to be playing to a click, and it’s also the only way to play with a backing track (which we already know they do, for third voices, third guitars, and other instruments). It’s not surprising that two separate performances will line up exactly time-wise, and doesn’t mean at all that they are playing the studio recording.
@@ehque You may be right, and honestly, I'm not going to love them any less even if I'm right - I'd rather be wrong and would welcome the correction - in such an important appearance anyway. Seems like a reasonable plan with such a new song. But, as I said above everything lines up, even every note of the guitar solo, and it's clear Miku is not playing at all. And vocals match not only timing wise but also pitch perfect. That's what I was basing my opinion on. I have been trying to repeat the experiment with no luck, as I've also said.
The Maids killed it in this performance.
When I first discovered them, like you I was drawn in mostly by the instruments. I always thought Saiki's voice backed up by Miku was good but as I listened to them more the vocals of Saiki and Miku became a favorite part of my enjoyment of their songs. It really hit home when I heard Black Hole for the first time with the beautiful harmonies and call and response vocals of Saiki and Miku overlaid on top of the crazy, heavy instrumentation of the song. I went to see them Live in SF last year expecting to be completely mesmerized by Kanami swaying and dancing while she played her PRS the entire show but I found myself being drawn in by the presence and command of Saiki's vocals.
Great reaction Champ. Several times I have commented to few friends that Saiki's use of voice is similar to the flight of a hummingbird. It can go up and down, go forward, backward, her sound can fly sweetly or can fly electrically in a second. Her voice is full of colors. I love everything about this band.
Nice comparison with the humming bird
I was so impressed by Sai Chans pitch control & the inflections in her voice. She was spot on all night !! 😏❤️🎙🎸🥁😎🤘
Going back to 2014/15 it's amazing how much freer and more wide-open Saiki's voice has become. With that opening up has come increased power and the perfect timbre for this band. Like people say of drums, Saiki is so in the pocket!
awesome performance - thanks for your review - its been quite a journey following them - I appreciate following it along with you
You know! She still take lessons. This is quite a huge difference from those who stops learning when success is reached.
Thanks from Japan 有難う💛。I appreciate American fans' support to and embracing Band-Maid during their 2022 US tour. Your warm hearts ultimately made Kanami, Miku and Saiki create this beautiful ballad with a main part of lyrics in English. We, Japanese fans, were honored to enjoy its live debut on Jan.9. I was there at Tokyo Garden Theater. The audience was soothed by two serial songs "About Us" and "Memorable", two love letters to their fans.
The voices are probably the component that the band has evolved the most. In these last two years both queens have shone enormously at great heights. You know, three aces, two queens... winning hand.
This has been played on a big screen at Shibuya Scramble Crossing recently (the MV that is)..Wish It was playing when I was there...bummer!🥺
Excellent reaction Champ. Saiki is a goddess.
Thanks Champ!
Thanks, Champ, great commentary. I totally agree about Saiki's voice. There's an expressive flexibility to it that is unmatched: Breathy exhalations that start up a quiet phrase, richness of tone, beautiful head voice, perfect vibrato. And that's only the part we can _hear._ She's also got all the gestures and movements you'd hope for in a frontwoman.
Hear hear!
Thanks Champ. Glad I could make it to experience the song with you.
The comfort of this acoustic guitar is irresistible.♪
Good sound❤
Hey, somebody else noticed the steel drums! Or xylophone, whatever it is ...
Someone had posted a statement from saiki were she said that once she learns the lyrics and how she wants to sing it she was quoted saying I put myself in to the song and become that person when I I'm singing she is awesome kanami's arrangements are literally out of this world
Which I think is the polar opposite of what she said 6 or 7 years ago. Partially, I'm guessing, because she's gotten used to Kobato reportedly writing lyrics in a way which most Japanese lyricists wouldn't, and partially because she's become more comfortable in her role - or rather, expanded it.
@@stevehall5128 older, wiser, more comfortable. Saiki, IMHO has changed the most over the last ten years.
It Saiki that caught my attention 2017 and here it is 2023 enjoying her even more .
Ty CoM for this great break down ...
Saiki has a very colourful, dynamically playful and responsive vocal technique - she seems to handle her voice very much akin to a true instrument to be played rather than just as a means of delivering a vocal line.
Personally I feel Saiki is all over the place in her vocals because her passion/emotion takes over and sends her there. Does that make sense?
Music without passion is just noise. Great musicians are feeling the music and conveying it to you. Issac Stern, classical violinists, often makes that point in his interactions with students. To paraphrase, If you the player don't know why you are playing this note, how are we the listener suppose to react?
It's an absolutely beautiful ballad. The lyrics and vocals will bring tears to my eyes every time. (Even we engineers get and understand the line graph reference.) Great reaction Champ and thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. Much Respect 🤘
love this song... always makes me tear up
i totally agree... from Thrill to this the ladies have just gotten and keep on getting more Epic
Dude! I never noticed that little xylophone thing! I'm guessing it's like the horns in uh crap I had a long day, but I'll bet it's in the studio track but buried in the mix and coming out in the live.
The first song they did "Choose Me" was truncated. This was the full version. A nice touch for the final program.
There's no doubt that as Saiki (and Miku) mature, their voices also age like fine wine. Stronger, sweeter and leave you wanting just another glass.
Nice reaction Champ! 🙂
Glad to hear Saiki getting steadily accelerating appreciation. Much deserved !
In all their more recent works I find myself listening for the thrilling counter-play of the voices of Miku -AND- Saiki------ it;s like a whole new musical element in itself.
Band-Maid started off by melting our faces off with their awesome rock.
Now they are melting our hearts.
I understand now why Kanami is such a fan of Saiki.
I always knew Saiki was a great choice as lead vocal.
She doesn't just sing the lyrics, she becomes them.
As usual, thank you Champ for your BAND-MAID reaction. Just to say, Saiki's voice, you see waves but, to me it is 'honest.'
Miku has always been a good singer but after doing Cluppo her singing, to me has noticeably improved. Especially on the higher end
Saiki is a very seductive woman. The fact she doesn't seem to know she is makes her double attractive.
I like the mix of Miku on acoustic and Kanami on electric for this song. MISA was pretty chill on bass, she was playing fingerstyle which she mostly does on slow songs or acoustic songs. Great performance!
Band Maid were the first Japanese rock band I discovered and Saiki kind of spoilt all the others for me initially. I used to find myself checking out a new band, enjoying the musical intro and then, once the vocals came in, thinking "well, it's okay, but it's not Saiki". Thankfully, I've been able to reconcile myself to appreciate a broader range of Japanese artists these days!
I think what you mean re Saiki, is that she is a PROPER singer. There are no melody lines that she can't achieve and deliver and makes it seem easy- which of course, it isn't. A true professional in her field. You will get bored with me saying this. But if she were to sing in English she would be internationally famous in her own right by now.
I agree about her vocals being unique. Besides the band being incredibly talented her vocals are a huge part of why they are my favorite all female Japanese band along with Mikus backup vocals of course. Even though I listen to a ton of heavy music I still prefer Band Maids vocals over the other bands. The vocals hit just right and the pronunciation is really clear in the upper register too.
I am a vocalist...I've had the pleasure of working with truly great classical singers. Some, so good,they have made me weep. The best of these would sound awful and cartoonish in Band Maid. That being said, Band Maid's greatness lies in the amazing confluence of outstanding individual talents coming together to form what many consider, the perfect band ! Would Saiki be a great solo artist ? Would she stand out without the wizardry of her mates ? We've all heard of Super Groups (Asia, The Firm, etc )...Band Maid was nearly forced to disband many years ago, now they are rapidly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Any one member could form their own Super Group ! Any one member is talented enough to bring their unique style to another project without sounding like a Band Maid knockoff. Saiki, et al have grown in all the ways necessary to become what they sought to be...The BEST ! ❤️🕊️
Ex
There are a lot of bands that I know are good but I just can't get into them because of the vocals. Saiki is a great mezzo-soprano vocalist and when you compare the songs on Unseen World in their instrumental recordings to the versions with Saiki's vocals, the difference is drastic. The fact that she can define the song and carry the melody on top of the maelstrom of sound going on is remarkable. I'll never tire of listening to her sing.
As much as I hate to burst anyone's bubble, I'm as sure as I can be that this is, in fact, the studio recording and not a live performance at all. With a great deal of stopping and starting I managed to get this video into sync with the MV in side by side windows and they match perfectly. The only reason I checked this one was that Miku's string squeaks didn't match what her left hand was doing and the assumption is always that Kanami records her parts in studio and teaches her to play it live. I'm guessing she was given simpler chord voicings than were used in the studio. I never checked "Choose Me" but have no reason to suspect it.
6:20 there's a voice crack from Saiki that does not seem to be in the recorded version... so I'm not sure about that.
It sounds recorded for the appearance. It's not the MV.
@@TheBloobster Yeah, I heard something like that so was never 100% sure, but everything else, and I mean everything sounds note perfect to me. Perhaps Saiki is singing over the track. NGL, I even went back to check again, but couldn't get the NHK video to open, and syncing 2 YT vids is hard as the stop/start toggle is not as responsive.
Any even semi-good band is going to be playing to a click, and it’s also the only way to play with a backing track (which we already know they do, for third voices, third guitars, and other instruments). It’s not surprising that two separate performances will line up exactly time-wise, and doesn’t mean at all that they are playing the studio recording.
@@ehque You may be right, and honestly, I'm not going to love them any less even if I'm right - I'd rather be wrong and would welcome the correction - in such an important appearance anyway. Seems like a reasonable plan with such a new song. But, as I said above everything lines up, even every note of the guitar solo, and it's clear Miku is not playing at all. And vocals match not only timing wise but also pitch perfect. That's what I was basing my opinion on. I have been trying to repeat the experiment with no luck, as I've also said.
great band, boring song
Taste are personal: I like it when they slow down for a bit(like the hard stuff too) & there are a few(very few) that I skip.