Guitarist #1? Check. Guitarist #2/harmonica player? Check. Girlishly cute lead vocalist? Double Check.

Ikimonogakari (L to R) Mizuno Yoshiki, Yoshioka Kiyoe, Yamashita Hotaka

 
The combination above forms the Japanese rock trio Ikimonogakari (いきものがかり). This band, that broke onto the scene in early 2006 is enjoying much success. Their fresh brand of ‘cute rock’ seems very well-recieved as of late. Don’t get me wrong — Japanese ‘cute rock’-type music is nothing new. But Ikimonogakari’s style of it stands out pretty well, above most.

Yoshioka Kiyoe (vocals), Mizuno Yoshiki (guitar & vocals), and Yamashita Hotaka (guitar & harmonica) form the trio know as Ikimonogakari. While yes, the official band line up is incomplete, the three make it clear why there only need be three consistent members. Everything the band offers (distict vocals, harmonica solos, and guitar harmonies) is there. No need to split all the earnings with less-vital musicians. I digress though.

The main draw to Ikimonogakari is Kiyoe’s vocals. Her singing voice is cute and leads each and every track. She may sometimes sound like a 12-year-old but her command of pitch and tone make it apparent that she is experienced and twice that age. Though guitarist Yoshiki is credited with back-up vocals, vocal harmonies in Ikimonogakari songs seem few and far between. More often (nearly every song), Kiyoe’s vocals are supplemented by Hotaka’s harmonica.

Ikimonogakari’s lead vocals and harmonica gives them the edge they need to stand out. In a year and a half, the band has released over five singles and one album. Driven my success, the trio has been gaining momentum with every release.

Did I mention how much I love Ikimonogakari’s CD covers? I guess I have a thing for Kiyoe.

The singles are where Ikimonogakari really shine. Every single one (no pun intended) that has been released is good — extremely catchy, melodic, cute, and equally beautiful. The band seems to lack a bit when it comes to the non-single tracks off of the album and some b-sides though. But it is apparent that these guys are pop rock so intense depth is not totally expected. And quite honestly, many of the singles are so damn good, I could just listen to those all day and I’d be happy.

While “HANABI” is probably Ikimonogakari’s most well-known song (thanks Bleach), my unrivaled favorite is “うるわしきひと” (Uruwashiki Hito). Everything that Ikimonogakari does best is there and Kiyoe’s vocals carry the song with an super-catchy melody.

“Uruwashiki Hito” doesn’t vary much though. It stays within the comfortable borders of the driving melody I suppose. It would of been nice to hear a vocal run towards the end or something.

I really like the video. Enjoy:

Purchase:
Uruwashiki Hito / Seishun no Tobira (single)
Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari (album)
Browse all Ikimonogakari products