Welcome to Gaia! ::

I too couldn't stand Babylo or Loki N' Roll. The vocals just seemed WAY OFF to me and it didn't feel like I was listening to Kozi. I've grown somewhat fond of Babylo though so I guess it just takes time to like that song. In all, I think the album could have used more tracks and a little less distortion. Still, I do adore the album.

"The Eyes" is probably my favorite song on the entire album. Something about the song just pulls at my insides and makes me feel something. It is probably the vocal melody more than anything. I honestly couldn't think of a way to make that song any better than it is. I was quite impressed when I heard it.

The instrumental tracks on the album were quite impressive as well. The first one in particular struck me as being quintessentially Kozi. It just embodied what I've come to know and love about his music. The playful arrangements that weave together carnival influences as well as music to invoke the feeling of horror and the macabre is something that I think makes his music completely different from anyone else I've heard.

I just listened to it. o.o
It's CRAZY o.o

I wouldn't call it focused really. Songs like "Loki N Roll", "Babylo", and "I'm Not" really throw off any sort of music theme the album might have had. I think Catharsis was way more cohesive musically. Loki N Roll didn't even feel all that polished or over produced to me. Khaos/ Kinema actually seems way more professional and slick than any album he's released.

What makes the album seem more focused to you?

I thought Catharsis was all-over the place in terms of style. Crimson star didn't seem to fit the album at all, especially not right before cruel arcadia.

Loki N Roll seemed more focused to me in terms of organization and it in fluidity. Que Sera Sera fits well into the album; it is a light song but avoids being sticky-sweet like crimson star. It seems like a lot of people dislike Loki N Roll to begin with, so it is kind of hard to state my case. I thought that the song compostion had improved. The distortion was toned down and I thought the vocals were pretty good for a guitarist.

Don't get me wrong, I DO like the album. I just don't think that it is a more focused effort. To me, he used distortion WAY too much and there really wasn't a narrative thread (musically speaking) to hold the album together as a collection. As for the song composition, I think that there was something more intricate about Catharsis as opposed to what seemed like the more streamlined compositions of Loki N Roll. Catharsis had layers of playfullness (almost child-like charm) and dark, macabre sounds fusing together to create something very fairytale meets nightmare. I find the concepts behind this to be far more layered and interesting then that of Loki N Roll.

You bring up a good point about the placement of "Crimson Star" on Catharsis. The transition from that song to Crual Arcadia is rather jarring.

I'm sure that most of the guild would agree with you on "Que Sera Sera". I, however, think that "The Eyes" is the most impressive song on the entire album. I think it is a clever combination of solo Kozi and EOD influences. Also, of all the songs on the album it is this one that actually puts a knot in my throat just listening to it.

I also think that "I'm Not" is an amazing track. Though this song is THE most basic (in terms of only using guitar, bass, and drums) on the album it stands out as one of the better written tracks. It is a straight up rock song that delivers completely. That being said, it really doesn't fit well on the album. I think it throws the feel off quite a bit. I think it would be interesting if Kozi released a straight up rock album along the lines of "I'm Not". It seems to be something he is more than capable of doing (and well at that).

I think it's because he's singing in a different style to match all the songs on the album. smile LNR is a bit more 'funky' than カタルシス.

YES

I'm very good at deciphering Japanese accents [dude, I listen to Dir en grey. You HAVE to be an expert to figure out what he's saying] but I couldn't understand what he said in Babylo.
All in all, this album is awesome if you're used to it. I got mine about three weeks after it came out, and at first, I HATED it. But I kept listening to it and now I love it.