Thank you for doing this. It is one of their less recognized songs but one of my (many) favorites. Kanami's solo is just an explosion, and way too short! There was a lot there, but one thing you didn't point out is how Misa picked up the backing riff from Kanami before Kanami launched into that solo. The two of them do those handoffs a lot--the first time we really heard it was in "Dice". Great analysis--very few reactors take this approach to reviewing the songs, and I like it.
I have heard Kanami mention that Miku is better at palm muted chugging guitar than she is. I don't know how acurate that is but Miku lays down some serious chugging in this song, and Miku had only been playing guitar for about 3 years at the time of the Shinkiba Studio Coast okyuji. Very impressive!
When I first discovered Band-Maid in Dec. 2021 I searched for anything theirs I could find online. Someone had put this performance up for awhile and seeing that it was only available on the special edition of World Domination as a DVD/BR led me to get first the DVD version and then later the BR. The whole concert is wonderful and I have watched it many times. This song still gets me, I love it.
Great reaction! I, like you have just heard this song for the first time. I love it for so many reasons. I love Saiki's voice. I love Kanami's guitar work and Miku's as well. Of course Misa's bass is outstanding. but it is the drum work that particularly appealed to me for some reason on this song. I really can't believe I haven't heard this before. A great, great song and I think among their best ones! I also appreciate your breakdown of it. You showed me some things I somehow missed. Thanks Man!!!!! You gave a master class for understanding and appreciating this song.
This song was an early hint of Kanami's journey to full symphonic prog/rock- the latest is The One from Epic Narratives. Kanami's guitar outro is a theme song on it's own. Akane is keeping it all together.
Awkward is an incredible deep cut off the brilliant album, Just Bring It, which I rate as the best hard rock album since Appetite for Destruction. Every song on Just Bring It is a total banger. Btw, your use of the word self-evident made me immediately become a new sub. Looking forward to more reactions! Also, imho, Akane is the best drummer in the world and has been so for quite a number of years.
It's just occurred to me that this is kind of a model for Dice, which would appear on the next album -- there's a steady rhythm (harder in Dice) through the entire song, but many variations in how that rhythm is subdivided -- halved, doubled, irregulary counted, inverted, etcetera. And the strong simple guitar riff that all the variations come from.
Saiki has leveled up as a technical singer a lot recently, but there’s something about her voice around this period that feels so emotional and earnest that I miss.
She still had the rasp in her voice. I can still feel the emotion coming through her voice now, but it's different from when she was in her early 20s. Life experience changes the way you feel about something.
This is my current all time favourite song by them, and has been for a long long time. It's a masterpiece in my humble opinion. There is only one thing that can beat it - "Akasimahen" the Band-Maiko version. It's even better! Give it a listen.
Thx for the reaction. This is one of the first songs I heard by the band, and I was immediately stuck with its creativity and became a fan. This is one of those BM songs that I much prefer the live version over the studio one.
I have noticed that Kanami likes to play with the 8 beats in 4/4 in 2 measures. She'll do a 3/3/2 for a while, go back to 4/4, then play with 5/3 for a while.
from JAPAN. Thank you for reacting to BAND-MAID immediately. I again enjoyed listening to the report. It's a bit old, but it's a very BAND-MAID song, and I think many fans like it. By the way, your video sounds great, have you changed anything? There are many old BAND-MAID songs that are not so obvious but tasteful, and we hope you will discover them.
Thanks for the reaction this song is easily one their most overlooked songs. It is just beautiful as it builds in intensity and Saiki’s singing is great - love this song but love sooo many others.
thanks BM4Life i'll never complain about watching an Awkward reaction..... that came out wrong. Rock Candy it was a good reaction. not awkward in any way hehehe
This is my top 20, but Band-Maiko cover "akashimahen" is something else altogether.😊 And I absolutely agree with Saiki's studio vocal. It sounds too clean and sterile. But vocals sounds good on Epic Narratives album.
![BAND-MAID - Awkward (Live) [FIRST TIME REACTION]](/img/n.gif)
Thank you for doing this. It is one of their less recognized songs but one of my (many) favorites. Kanami's solo is just an explosion, and way too short! There was a lot there, but one thing you didn't point out is how Misa picked up the backing riff from Kanami before Kanami launched into that solo. The two of them do those handoffs a lot--the first time we really heard it was in "Dice". Great analysis--very few reactors take this approach to reviewing the songs, and I like it.
Ahhh. 😍 Awkward.
Such a great song.
Kanami is such a great song writer - always bring the best in all styles of music. The band is just WOW!
First time I heard this song it was like watching a stick of dynamite with a bad fuse. I knew it was gonna go off, I just didn't know when! LOL
Awkward -- a song somewhere between unexpected and masterful. Thx, John!
This song is absolutely beautiful and grows until it literally soars into the sky at the end. Imho it deserves to be played in a stadium.
I have heard Kanami mention that Miku is better at palm muted chugging guitar than she is. I don't know how acurate that is but Miku lays down some serious chugging in this song, and Miku had only been playing guitar for about 3 years at the time of the Shinkiba Studio Coast okyuji. Very impressive!
The Pigeon learns swiftly!😸
When I first discovered Band-Maid in Dec. 2021 I searched for anything theirs I could find online. Someone had put this performance up for awhile and seeing that it was only available on the special edition of World Domination as a DVD/BR led me to get first the DVD version and then later the BR. The whole concert is wonderful and I have watched it many times. This song still gets me, I love it.
Since I heard this song over 4 years ago, it has never left my top 10 songs. It's just beautiful
Yeah, my top ten Band Maid🎀 list has like 40 songs!😸
Great reaction! I, like you have just heard this song for the first time. I love it for so many reasons. I love Saiki's voice. I love Kanami's guitar work and Miku's as well. Of course Misa's bass is outstanding. but it is the drum work that particularly appealed to me for some reason on this song. I really can't believe I haven't heard this before. A great, great song and I think among their best ones! I also appreciate your breakdown of it. You showed me some things I somehow missed. Thanks Man!!!!! You gave a master class for understanding and appreciating this song.
This song was an early hint of Kanami's journey to full symphonic prog/rock- the latest is The One from Epic Narratives. Kanami's guitar outro is a theme song on it's own. Akane is keeping it all together.
I love how Miku takes over the riff as Kanami starts her solo. Instead of being an aside, it sits on top, further advancing the emotional buildup.
Word of the day *Clean* in this recording all the instruments come in so clean, props to the sound engineer 👏👏
_(Happy to support a good cause)_ 😊🤘
Much appreciated!
It is not possible for me to name my 5 favorite songs from Band-Maid. But "Awkward" is one of them.
Love it. This rendition is in my Band-Maid top five. Great request from BM4-Life.
hidden gem
Awkward is an incredible deep cut off the brilliant album, Just Bring It, which I rate as the best hard rock album since Appetite for Destruction. Every song on Just Bring It is a total banger. Btw, your use of the word self-evident made me immediately become a new sub. Looking forward to more reactions! Also, imho, Akane is the best drummer in the world and has been so for quite a number of years.
Than you for your sub!
Miku's rhythm totally makes this song !!!!!!!! Our little pigeon has grown up !!!!!!
It's just occurred to me that this is kind of a model for Dice, which would appear on the next album -- there's a steady rhythm (harder in Dice) through the entire song, but many variations in how that rhythm is subdivided -- halved, doubled, irregulary counted, inverted, etcetera. And the strong simple guitar riff that all the variations come from.
Saiki has leveled up as a technical singer a lot recently, but there’s something about her voice around this period that feels so emotional and earnest that I miss.
Me too!
This concert was only a couple of months after her throat surgery.
She still had the rasp in her voice. I can still feel the emotion coming through her voice now, but it's different from when she was in her early 20s. Life experience changes the way you feel about something.
This is my current all time favourite song by them, and has been for a long long time. It's a masterpiece in my humble opinion.
There is only one thing that can beat it - "Akasimahen" the Band-Maiko version. It's even better! Give it a listen.
Thx for the reaction. This is one of the first songs I heard by the band, and I was immediately stuck with its creativity and became a fan. This is one of those BM songs that I much prefer the live version over the studio one.
I have noticed that Kanami likes to play with the 8 beats in 4/4 in 2 measures. She'll do a 3/3/2 for a while, go back to 4/4, then play with 5/3 for a while.
If I could turn back time, I’d be there to watch this epic concert.
Those final trills in the outro give me chills!
Mr.RC..Band Maid "YOU" live in Tokyo 2018...
Thanks for the excellent comments & insights, especially on an S-tier Band-Maid song. (And yeah, that shelf is pretty crowded :)
I know they done this acoustic at engadget show , I think the Christmas show also
One of my all time favorite songs.
from JAPAN. Thank you for reacting to BAND-MAID immediately. I again enjoyed listening to the report. It's a bit old, but it's a very BAND-MAID song, and I think many fans like it. By the way, your video sounds great, have you changed anything? There are many old BAND-MAID songs that are not so obvious but tasteful, and we hope you will discover them.
I did, in fact, change some settings on my mic. Thanks for noticing.
@@RockCandy-ix3nn 👍😄
Thanks for the reaction this song is easily one their most overlooked songs. It is just beautiful as it builds in intensity and Saiki’s singing is great - love this song but love sooo many others.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I love this song soooo much, it is just an awesome! Thanks for sharing your reaction.
This song really shows how good Miku has gotten on guitar!!!!🥰🥰🥰
❤❤❤❤❤🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 ..............................................................................................................................Akane !!! 💘
thanks BM4Life i'll never complain about watching an Awkward reaction..... that came out wrong. Rock Candy it was a good reaction. not awkward in any way hehehe
LOL!
💜💛❤💙💚
Only B-M can make a slow ballad at 172 bpm!
This is my top 20, but Band-Maiko cover "akashimahen" is something else altogether.😊
And I absolutely agree with Saiki's studio vocal. It sounds too clean and sterile. But vocals sounds good on Epic Narratives album.