BiSH - FAKE METAL JACKET Album Review

In January of this year, BiSH released their second album "FAKE METAL JACKET". I wasn't a part of A-To-J at the time, but I reviewed it on my own personal blog. Since A-To-J never released an official review of it, I decided to go back and do an updated review; kinda like a second opinion, where both opinions are my own. This is definitely fair.

"FAKE METAL JACKET" starts off the same way BiSH's debut album did; with "Spark", "BiSH - Hoshi ga Matataku Yoru ni", and "MONSTERS". The 2016 versions of these three songs include the group's new members, and sound pretty much the same with some minor differences (which are barely noticeable to the casual listener). The first new song we get is "Primitive", an emotional rock ballad which has a vibe similar to the BiS classic "primal". One of my favorite songs is next; "beautiful sa" is so incredible, it's just unforgettable in my opinion. It's not that BiSH is doing anything particularly new here, it's just some really high-level songwriting.

There's a re-recording of the 2015 single "OTNK", which sounds great, then we get "Migatte I need you". This is a little bit heavier than the preceding songs, and has an amazing chorus. I love hearing the way BiSH's voices compliment one another, it's just beautiful. "Departures" is next, an even harder rocking song. By this point, even a new listener should know that every singer in BiSH is impossibly talented. I can't believe there are so many perfect voices harmonizing together on this album, and this song is just more proof of that. "Want" is another pretty heavy one, though it's dialed back just a bit. The downstroked guitars sound pretty awesome, it's a great song.

The last re-recorded song we get is "Saraba Kana" off the first album. In proper re-recorded BiSH song fashion, it sounds fine. It's the same song. The next song, though... I think I may have actually died. That's the only possible explanation for "All You Need Is Love", which is one of the most beautiful and powerful songs of all time. I love this song. I can't put into words how much I love this song. Just listen to it, if it's the last song you ever hear. It's a really pretty and downtempo love song, nice and calming, for the first half. After the halfway mark, right when you think the song is over, BiSH kicks into overdrive and just pummels through a powerful fucking masterpiece. Listen to "All You Need Is Love" before you even finish reading the review.

The reason I say that is because the last two songs are great, but they shouldn't be following THAT. "DEAR..." is SUPER heavy with some awesome chanting, one of the most energetic songs on the whole album. "BUDOKAN ga Moshiku ha TAMANEGI" is the closer, and it's a nice ballad. It's pretty, emotional, and a nice ending to an amazing album.

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If "Brand-new idol SHiT" was a great album, "FAKE METAL JACKET" is an AMAZING album. I do disagree with the choice to include so many old songs on here, but I don't dislike it. From what I've heard so far, I think this may just end up being my number one album of 2016. I'm glad I did this second review, because the first time around I didn't think it was as good as BiSH's debut. I'm really in love with "FAKE METAL JACKET", though.

Favorites: beautiful sa, Migatte I need you, Departures, All You Need Is Love, DEAR...

-Justin

FAKE METAL JACKET Tracklist:
1) Spark'16
2) BiSH-Hoshi ga Mataku Yoru ni-'16
3) MONSTERS'16
4) Primitive
5) beautiful sa
6) OTNK'16
7) Migatte I need you
8) Departures
9) Want
10) Saraba Kana'16
11) ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
12) DEAR…
13) BUDOKAN ga Moshiku ha TAMANEGI

BiSH Is:
Cent Chihiro Chitti (Captain)
Aina the End
Hug Me
Momoko Gumi Company
Lingling
Hashiyasume Atsuko

For More Information:
Website: http://www.bish.tokyo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BiSHidol

BiSH - MONSTERS MV

BiSH - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE MV