While she’s certainly not the most popular of Japan’s female rockers, alternative artist Tsukiko Amano brings something to the table that many of the dime-a-dozen guitar chicks don’t have: personality. Her emotive, raw vocals – in a vocal tone so distinctive one always knows that an Amano song is playing – combined with her impassioned, quirky rock sound make her an underrated-but-awesome artist.

koe, her eleventh single, is certainly deserving of its status as theme song for a horror game (in this case, Tecmo’s Fatal Frame III: The Tormented). Opening with a mournful, lamenting piano solo and brooding string line, the song immediately permeates the listener’s ears with a darkly bittersweet atmosphere. Amano’s vocal, which can have a tendency to ascend into “growl-infused attitude” mode, is restrained and inflected with pain as she relates a dramatic tale of a love destined to fail. (“I was just drowning in the days that didn’t work out / You’re not here, I know that, I know that…”) As the song approaches its chorus, drums are added in and Amano’s performance rises in intensity; when the chorus hits, the song explodes into an example of growling, orchestral rock beauty. The track is never the same afterwards, always maintaining a slightly more-heightened air (which reaches its apex at the chilling guitar solo in the bridge) as the song continues and the story becomes darker, eventually fading out (as does the voice of the song’s lover) on a single run up a couple notes on the piano.

B-side moe is much less dramatic, trading in any sense of haunting instrumentation for a much more lighthearted rock atmosphere. Moving forward on a growling electric guitar line and fast-paced drum beat, the track sounds at first slightly generic until, at a random break in-between lines of the verses, Amano puts in one of the greatest instruments ever created: a cowbell. Although this tiny little chime only makes two appearances in the song, its presence gives the song a fun feeling, which Amano only adds to with her performance. Instead of any sort of attitude, she simply sings like she’s having fun – it’s cute and playful while still maintaining an air of professionalism. A lovely contrast.

She may not sell as much as many others, but Amano’s unique personality and style shine through on both tracks here. Her B-sides are almost always worth as much as her A-sides, so this single is definitely worth a purchase.

Title: koe
Artist: Tsukiko Amano
Release Date: July 27, 2005
Catalogue Number: PCCA-70119
Price: 1,050 yen (including tax)

Tracks:
01. koe
02. moe

Tsukiko Amano Official Website: http://www.otokura.com/amano/

Other Tsukiko Amano Reviews:

Sharon Stones (2002)
tenryuu (2004)

Recommended: Yes